US fast food chain ‘Five Guys’ opened its first Parisian outlet on the Cour Saint-Emilion in summer 2016, much to the delight of the overexcited, selfie-taking teens queuing outside.
Faithful to the typical American diner aesthetic, chequered tiles and red leather seats greet you on entry. Once you’re in, place your order, take a ticket stub and wait for your food, be it a burger, cheese burger, hotdog or veggie burger. All the typical trimmings are there to choose from: bacon, gherkins, salad, fried onions, fried mushrooms, tomatoes. And to drink, help yourself at the soda machine, where you can create your own exciting concoction: if you’ve ever wanted to try a ‘Fanta-Coke’ combo, now’s your chance.
Servings are generous with double steaks, generous sauces, sides and garnishes, all incredibly moreish and rather similar to the offerings you might find in the many gourmet burger joints that have popped all over Paris in recent years. Five Guys certainly places itself right up there with the best, but with menu prices averaging around €15, is it worth it? The baseball-capped teens and finger-licking families would say yes.
But for us, while it’s fun as a one-time experience, nothing beats a good old Parisian sandwich.
TRANSLATION: LEONIE CATER