When it comes to American cuisine, I would argue that the hamburger or, to me, the more preferable cheeseburger, best embodies our country’s rich culinary traditions. Yet, the hierarchy of top burger chains in America, at least on the East Coast, is quite simple: there’s Five Guys, Shake Shack, and then there’s everybody else (relax In-N-Out followers… “East Coast”). Now, others may argue for Mcdonald’s, Wendy’s, or even SmashBurger; these people are just flat out wrong. Shake Shack and Five Guys reside in a league of their own.
Founded in 1986, Five Guys has established itself as a powerhouse in the industry with over 1500 locations worldwide. The chain has won popularity over the years due to their delicious double patty hamburgers served with up to 15 toppings and hand cut fries soaked in peanut oil. In 2001, Shake Shack was a single hot dog cart inside Madison Square Park. Now? Shake Shack is one of the largest and most popular burger chains in America, known for its fresh, high quality hamburgers and yes… milkshakes.
So, to settle this debate, I tasted an American staple from each restaurant: the bacon cheeseburger. I mean, could we have it any other way? Without further adieu … which burger joint, Five Guys or Shake Shack, reigns supreme? Let’s find out!
Five Guys Double Bacon Cheeseburger
The two beef patties are fatty, fresh, and flavorful. And despite their thinness, they are cooked a perfect medium rare- a very impressive feat. I love the choice of a sesame bun; unfortunately though, it is wimpy, lacking much structural integrity. The kraft american cheese is sweet, messy, and oh so gooey. The bacon is crisp and greasy in the perfect way. The one thing missing from this burger is a signature sauce to provide a kick of tanginess and moisture. Overall though, each bite is soft and satisfying … absolutely delicious.
Shake Shack Shackburger with bacon
Unlike Five Guys, Shake Shack's burger is aesthetically pleasing. While the sesame bun is preferable for me, this potato bun is perfectly cooked. The two burger patties are very well seasoned and have a crispy exterior, providing a nice crunch. However, they are slightly overcooked. The American cheese is creamy and salty, giving the Shackburger a bit of comfort to it. The bacon is… bacon! The Shack Sauce is tangy and has a little kick to it. The one critique I have is that while this burger is delicious, it is just a little too salty for me. But still, Shake Shack did not disappoint with this outstanding burger.
Bonus: Cookies n Cream Milkshake Review
Five Guys: For a restaurant not known for its shakes, this was surprisingly excellent. The vanilla base is perfect. It is not too thick or too rich, allowing me to easily finish it without getting stuffed. And trust me, I enjoyed every sip of it. The highlight is the bits of Oreo pieces that provide nice texture and give this shake the distinguishable Cookies n Cream taste. Amazing. Ten out of Ten!
Shake Shack: Unsurprisingly, Shake Shack does not mess around with their milkshakes. It is sweeter and thicker than Five Guys’ shake, and therefore much richer. The Oreos are perfectly mixed into the shake, and the shake possesses a syrupy after taste. Though, while the syrupy taste is delicious, it does slightly mask the Cookies n Cream taste I was looking for, a taste that Five Guys hit the jackpot on.
The Verdict
Both burgers are phenomenal in their own right. And truthfully, it would be too difficult to decide which I liked better. Therefore, the bonus milkshake review came in extra handy today.
Comments