OBX Eats: Five Guys

There’s nothing better than a really good burger. Scratch that, a million bucks would be better, but that’s a little harder to digest.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries is located in what we call French Fry Alley, the area in Kill Devil Hills where all of the fast food restaurants are located. It’s been a Washington, DC favorite stop since the 80’s, and was started when Mr. and Mrs. Murrell told their four sons that they had to start a business or go to college. Nice, huh? (There was a 5^th younger son, in case you are doing the math.)

Five Guys is a true burger joint. Hand-formed patties, hot dogs, veggie sandwiches (which I have never seen anyone eat), fresh based buns, and hand cut french fries deep fried in peanut oil. You can get all the fixins’ you want, and snack on roasted peanuts while you wait. You even get to throw the peanut shells on the floor like a kid. PS, if you have a peanut allergy, keep driving.

I mentioned that I had a fabulous lunch at Trio last week. I must also mention that I had a fabulous night at Trio, resulting in a minor case of the Irish Flu. (I love a great Malbec, but I shouldn’t love it quite so much.) Needing a little hangover remedy, I convinced our team of Vacation Specialists to order lunch from Five Guys… just what the doctor ordered!

I had the Little Cheeseburger (which is NOT little, I promise) and a small order of fries. NEVER, EVER order anything other than the small fry. The server will place your burger in the bottom of the bag with your fry cup, and then dump the whole fry basket in on top of it. I literally had to walk around my office and give plates of fries away, just to find my sammy. The amount of food that you get is obscene. When I order inside I always ask for, “Normal person size fries.” Which, by the way, I never get.

Lunch was lip-smackin’ good and I was feeling better almost immediately. (I did not finish my fries.) Thank you, Five Guys, for helping find my get-up-and-go that got-up-and-went.

Oh, one more little local tidbit. In-season, Five Guys is usually pretty busy, but the line moves quickly. Call ahead for quicker service, or request carry out! You’ll be tempted, but don’t order the large fries unless you are feeding a small family.  

Eat Local. Always