My initial foray into Five Guys burger joint in Vienna was an absolute disaster. Let's start with the burger – it tasted like unsalted, chewy plastic. The patties were a culinary rollercoaster, with half resembling charcoal briquettes and the other half sitting uncomfortably in the no-man's land of medium cook. Consistency? Non-existent. Forget about health standards; this is a recipe for disaster, especially for those unfortunate souls allergic to improperly cooked meat.
Now, let's talk about the fries. They were as bland as tap water and saltier than the Dead Sea. No special touch here, just a sad excuse for a side dish.
And then there's the pièce de résistance – the customer service, or lack thereof. A cashier named Ibolya deserves a special mention for his impressive display of unfriendliness and utter unhelpfulness. I, a first-timer, ordered two regular burgers. When prompted to select vegetables, I indicated my preference. Simple, right? Wrong. After payment, I dared to return for two drink cups, and Ibolya unleashed a screaming fit making a scene, informing me that such cups were off-limits. His public spectacle made me feel awkward and entirely unwelcome. Did he expect me to order like a Five Guys loyal-member with a secret handshake?
I thought he understood my order, but apparently, I needed a decoder ring. A little guidance on how to navigate the ordering process, especially when there are no visual aids, would have been appreciated. I'll cross my fingers that I don't end up with a side of food poisoning. However, I won't be back for another round of disappointing taste and an overall dreadful experience
Despite the culinary catastrophe at Five Guys in Vienna, I must commend Anneliese for her exceptional customer service and adept issue handling. Unlike her colleague, Ibolya, who showcased a masterclass in unhelpfulness, Anneliese took it upon herself to minimize the scene and calmly rectify the situation.
In contrast to my less-than-pleasant interaction with the manager, I doubt he possesses the inclination or capability to provide the necessary training for improving customer handling skills. However, Anneliese's performance in salvaging the situation deserves recognition. It's a shame that such competence isn't more widespread in the establishment. If Five Guys wishes to salvage its reputation, perhaps they should consider emulating Anneliese's approach to...
Read moreI was completely dissatisfied with the burger I ordered for several reasons.
First, the bun was more like sweet bread, bearing no resemblance to a proper burger bun. To make matters worse, it hadn’t even been toasted on the grill.
Second, the menu fails to indicate the weight of the patties or the portion size of the fries. I ordered a large portion of fries for €8, only to receive an excessive amount stuffed into low-quality paper packaging. Many of the fries ended up spilling out into the bottom of the bag, which was both messy and frustrating. Clear details about portion sizes and weights on the menu would prevent confusion and help customers make more informed decisions. Instead, it seems that most people end up throwing away their extras.
The most disappointing part, however, was the quality of the patties. They were absolutely subpar, tasting like plain minced beef rather than the flavorful, well-prepared patties I had enjoyed during my last visit a year ago. Honestly, it didn’t even feel like I was eating a cheeseburger. The flavor was so bland that I had to add salt myself, yet it still lacked taste.
Another issue was the lack of organization regarding dine-in versus takeaway orders. Customers should be asked whether they’re eating in or taking their order to go. For dine-in customers, meals could easily be served on trays instead of being wrapped in low-quality paper. Eating directly from poorly designed packaging is uncomfortable and inconvenient. Providing trays and using thoughtfully branded paper wrapping—rather than cheap aluminum foil—would greatly improve the dining experience.
Finally, the labeling of the burgers was misleading. The menu fails to specify that their standard burgers come with double patties, while the so-called “little burger” refers to a single patty. This naming system is confusing and impractical, especially considering that their low-quality buns are not suitable for double patties.
Overall, the experience was disappointing, and I would strongly recommend that the restaurant re-evaluates its menu descriptions, packaging quality, and, most importantly, the flavor and preparation of...
Read moreVery good burgers. Probably some of the best traditional american fast food chains you can find for burgers and fries. You get a lot of fries for what you pay for (good) and the cajuhn fries are excellent (can be a bit spicy/overwhelming on the mouth as the spice residue builds up on your lips. Make sure to get plenty of dip and plenty of refills on your drinks). Burgers are good but pricey. Do expect to spend a fair bit more than in other fast food chains for a burger/fry/drink combo. Make sure to get the small burgers if you don't want a double patty. Those are fairly big too.
My biggest complaint is that, due to the location and the rarity of this chain in austria, as well as the small size of the restaurant itself, it has long wait times and finding a seat can be challenging during high demand hours. Its a good idea to check how busy it is on google maps beforehand or go around times that people dont usually go to restaurants. The decorations and free peanuts are nice but the loud music, bad noise treatment and crowded venue drag down the atmosphere a fair bit. It can sometimes be hard to have a normal conversation when seated next to the speakers or when the restaurant is packed.
The restrooms are adequate and not overly dirty. Could be a bit cleaner but it is more than adequate. Although the location near the registers can make it a bit of a pain to get to the restroom since you will have to snake your way through the people waiting in line.
Overall a truly american burger experience. Fast food, long lines, big portions, free refills and fatty/greasy/expensive food that will make you feel terrible after but that you will come back for time and time again. Fast food...
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