Five Guys — Restaurant in Gaithersburg

Definition

I have noticed 5 Guys stores tend to appear at then end of retail strips and here that theme extends outside onto a patio that lends some extra width to the sense of space. Like other locations, this one also uses the height of the warehouse-like bay to enhance that sense of space upward. The concepts of the open kitchen and distant plumbing accentuate the appearance of depth.

All of this was true before the place was remodeled during the time of pestilence, but now all those spacial choices get a new dose of Definition.

Commonly the ceilings are left open, but here it has a minimal drop and composite tiles get the black-out treatment, the fire suppression sprinkler heads are dutifully hidden, and 2-by light panels replace warehousey pendants. The black paint above 8ish feet contains a sense of lost space while keeping the open feel. Below, the color pallets of just Red, White, Black, Stainless, and Honey-stain prescribe order & simplicity ~ a veritable antidote to the chaotic world outside. Or at least the world outside: beyond the patio, the parking lot, the Amazon Fresh thingamajig, um, somewhere.

Anyway, the wall tiles make order in 2 colors, the black contains (even the seats), the stainless is sheer ~ seemingly unblemished, and the red of the HVAC (creating that “apart” experience), mimicked by the block letter signage that “speaks” in unquestioning now(n)s. All clean, in place, on theme, tamed.

There is a counter-reality in place, of course. Being the old-ish creature I am, I actually ate there, had some peanuts, and watched as one after another after another delivery driver arrived and quickly left with a bag for someone somewhere. Do those folks have a concern about architecture? Does the clearness of line travel in brown lunch sacks out into the world at large? Doubtful, at least to my mind.

Not in doubt is the lighting plan. Looking at the pics I grabbed, I note the interior is almost without shadows. Perhaps my first inclination to write this place up came from the checkerboard layout of red and white pendants hung 6 feet below the 2-by panels, with an additional set added along the boarder of the kitchen space. It says regulated, more in the self-control mode than that which is imposed.

I mean the whole construct is an imposition on and into the open bay space. That is reads as self-controlled is to walk along the fine line of...

Don't try to ask them any questions, they can't communicate effectively and do not have answers for anything more complex than the most basic instructions.

I visited this location to pick up a milkshake the staff had mistakenly forgotten to include in the order my husband had picked up earlier that day (but which had been paid for). Since I am pregnant and cannot risk any food-borne illness or infection, I sought assurance from the staff that their milkshake products are pasteurized. After speaking to two staff members, I was unable to receive an answer. It is UNACCEPTABLE that staff operating in a food establishment cannot answer simple questions such as whether or not the ingredients are pasteurized. I searched for this information on the Five Guys website, but could not locate it. The level of English of the staff was appalling - I do not understand why staff who cannot adequately communicate in English are staffed to front-facing customer positions. However, even after I explained what "pasteurized" meant in Spanish, they still did not understand/know if their products are, in fact, pasteurized. When I asked to speak to a manager, I was told one of the two staff was the manager. As a customer, how can I escalate an issue or obtain an answer if the person who is supposedly in charge has equally ineffective communication skills?!...

If you don't know Five Guys, you should really make the effort, take the opportunity, find the time to make it happen. Being old friends, we get along very well! The burgers are the obvious choice with other child-friendly, picky-eater items available. Single- or double-patty options, bacon, cheese and multiple condiments make for countless solutions for your family's hunger.

The second best reason to get to know Five Guys is to savor their hand-cut, fresh potato Fries. They are beach-like in all aspects, with malt vinegar available too and generally cooked shy of crispy unless you request otherwise. Oh, they will also give you approximately twice the amount of Fries you order, just about enough to fill the paper bag, in which is hidden, at the bottom, the monster burger you ordered.

Five Guys are also famous for their milkshakes, which I have been way too full to attempt! Sometime soon, when my sweet tooth kicks in on a warm spring day, I shall ask for one of their reputed chocolate milkshakes and update my review.

The whole experience with Five Guys is a bit pricey compared to a fast food franchise, but the quality of the meal is far beyond and can in no way be comparable to that same old, same old fast...