We're a burger crowd, no doubt about it. When the 'Five Guys Burgers' sign went up announcing their opening in Thousand Oaks, Gregg was the first to alert us. I guess they have a big following on the East Coast and there's a pretty solid groundswell of hype attached. Fair enough. Gregg and Dan couldn't wait for me so they tried it on their own and filed a limp review. They were underwhelmed to say the least. Despite everyone telling us it's not that good, Dennis and I decided to try it yesterday. Gregg met us and set our expectations appropriately low (he's been 3x now). Neither he or Dan cared for the decor and presentation. It is a bit in your face when you walk up to the counter with signs everywhere, at every level, but ordering was easy enough. A Bacon Burger, 'Cajun' fries and a Coke rang up to $12.47. What?? It was like a punch in the face when all the signs on the wall say 'the best burger a guy can have for $5". I dropped the coke and retained some measure of frugality at $10.28. As I waited for my number to be called I heard Triumph's 'Fight The Good Fight' come on over the PA/Music system. Yes, indeed. With that we grabbed a nice, shaded table out on the patio and put together our accompaniments for the fries. Those cups are a nice touch with the pump-squirt ketchup dispenser. When our burgers were ready, they served them along with the fries in one big paper sack. I guess that's their schtick and one of the things Dan and Gregg were put off by originally. The burgers were, in a word, fantastic. I'm pretty sure mine had mushrooms in there and the meat was tall, thick and juicy. Boom! The fries, while not spicy or Cajun in the least, were equally good. The portion was ridiculous, however, for being a small. If anything I'm down on the joke sizing they do here. Just sell me a reasonable amount of fries at a fair price, don't try to shock me or waste my money, please. I'm not big on the gimmick...almost cutesy...aspect of this place, but the food speaks for itself. Solid all the way around. I'll definitely go back if I find a coupon.
