Hamburgers and French Fries have been an integral part of the New Brunswick College Student’s diet for thousands of years. Because we know how frustrating it can be to try new restaurants and dining options on a tight budget, we at the Rutgers Review are more than happy to assist you in your pursuit for the best burger and fries in town. Also if we can claim that we’re eating burgers 3 times a week for an article, we (as in I) don’t have to feel so much like Randy from Trailer Park Boys. All the burgers to be reviewed in this (hopefully) ongoing series will be from restaurants and eateries in New Brunswick area.
5 Guys Burgers and Fries (Rt. 1 North): B-
With burgers strangely similar to the ones your mom/dad/guardian/fairy godmother used to make, the burgers at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries are dependable, simple and satisfying. The burgers are relatively cheap and while you could probably make one just as good in your own kitchen, the fact that you can eat as many peanuts as you want while you’re there makes at least one visit worthwhile.
The beef patties are juicy, hot and flavorful but the buns are ordinary and tend to get soggy if you don’t eat your burger immediately. The fries are decent but they don’t do much to outweigh the negative aspects of the burger. The toppings are free but run-of-the-mill. The burgers and fries are also fairly greasy so if you plan on taking your order to-go, be prepared to hate yourself as you carry that grease-soaked paper bag back to your apartment. All 5 Guys burgers are cooked well done, and while I don’t mind, I can see how some burger enthusiasts might take offence to that sort of thing.
I think it’s kind of cool to watch your burger as it is assembled with Ford-like precision, but if you’re looking for something new and exciting I’d recommend you venture elsewhere. All that stainless steel tries very hard to give off Jonny Rockets vibes, but no matter how many extra fries they toss in your bag, they can’t contend with that tasty 1950s nostalgia or that ketchup smile face. *
*Do not attempt to make a ketchup smile face for yourself at home. You will cry.
Zac Schaffner