Plato Royale: Five Guys vs. Shake Shack

When it comes to the heated war over who serves the best burgers and fries in town, people are quick to defend the establishments to which they've sworn allegiance. With New York City's famed Shake Shack having recently set up shop on Lincoln Road and Mid-Atlantic franchise Five Guys opening...

By John Zur

August 25, 2010

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When it comes to the heated war over who serves the best burgers and fries in town, people are quick to defend the establishments to which they've sworn allegiance. With New York City's famed Shake Shack having recently set up shop on Lincoln Road and Mid-Atlantic franchise Five Guys opening five locations in Miami in recent years, the battle rages on. Whose burgers and fries take the prize?

Shake Shack

Pros: Their Black Angus burgers are 100% all natural and there are four variations of a beef burger, with the option of going single or double. The beef is lean and consistently comes out with that hot-off-the-grill taste. A grilled potato bun holds the patty and compliments it -- there's not too much bun for the beholder. The American cheese that tops the burgers is used in conjunction with Shack cheddar to create a mouth-watering cheese sauce. It goes on the fries, which are crisp and have that boardwalk or fair grounds quality without being too greasy.

Cons: No buffet of toppings here. The fries either come plain or with cheese. And the food is so good, you might not be able to stop eating.

Five Guys

Pros: Most of the time, you will receive a big, meaty burger and are able to load quite an assortment of fresh toppings for free. The bun is soft and melts away as you hold your burger. The fries come in two styles, regular and Cajun. The spice on the Cajun fries is not overpowering and they are only fried in peanut oil. And according to their website "There are over 250,000 possible ways to order a burger at Five Guys."

Cons: The finished product is inconsistent from location to location. Sometimes the handmade patties are smaller, sometimes they're not. The fries are nothing to write home about.

The Verdict: There is no contest. Shake Shack is serving up the better burgers. The wait might be long, but it'll definitely be worth it. And you can get a refreshing custard at Shake Shack after your meal, while Five Guys only offers free peanuts...

Shake Shack
1111 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach
305-434-7787

Five Guys Burger and Fries
Multiple locations across Miami-Dade

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