Queens Tribune

Five Guys Burger and Fries
132-01 14th Ave., College Point
(718) 767-6500
Cuisine: American
Hours: 11 am to 10 pm, 7 days a week
Parking: Yes
Credit Card: Yes

The Five Guys Burger and Fries franchise came to College Point a year ago. In that time, the squeaky clean burger joint has attracted a loyal following. Lunch time is busiest, with diners from nearby office buildings and high schools opting for the never-frozen, handmade beef patties over the plentiful fast-food alternatives.

The décor is simple: red and white tile walls, linoleum floors, wooden tables and chairs. The restaurants various accolades and reviews are posted for all to see, as is a bulletin board crammed with customers’ handwritten notes and a white board with the following message, “Today’s potatoes are from Rigby, Idaho.”

The toppings are prepped daily. The fries are hand cut.
“Everything is fresh,” said one manager who confessed she prefers the Veggie burger, only $1.99.

Order a Hamburger for $4.49 and you’ll get two patties. Ordering the “Little Hamburger” for $3.09 gets you one. Toppings are free and include mayo, relish, onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, fried onions, sautéed mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, A-1 sauce, Bar-B-Q sauce and Hot Sauce.

Zagat rated for six years running, Five Guys also offers kosher hot dogs and fries prepared two different ways: “Five Guys Style” and “Cajun Style.” The fries are cooked in zero-cholesterol, peanut oil and the restaurant’s display of cardboard boxes overflowing with peanuts really sends home this message.

Presentation of the food itself leaves something to be desired. The burgers are wrapped in tin foil so tightly they come to resemble small silver balls. And the fries are served in Styrofoam cups.

But Five Guys Burger and Fries is a tasty and affordable option for those who like to load their burgers with fresh toppings and enjoy fries that actually taste like potatoes from Rigby, Idaho.