Review - Not Five Guys Burgers and Fries! Knoxville/Powell, TN

My husband John, was introduced to Five Guys Burgers and Fries in February. He and a group of colleagues had just arrived back in the US from a mission trip to Brazil. It was his first trip. They all came off of the plane craving familiar comfort food. He loved it and hasn't stopped talking about Five Guys ever since.

The company started in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia. In 2003 they started opening franchises all over the country.

It was with gleeful joy (on his part) that he took me to Knoxville's newest Five Guys here in Powell, Tennessee. He promised me that I would love the burger joint. Truly, I tried. It wasn't awful. There were some good things about Five Guys. It's just not the kind of place I am going to frequent.

The restaurant proved to be more challenging to get into though. It's in one of those new shopping centers with confusing parking lots. Compounding the problem was inadequate signage and poor lighting. It took us several minutes and a u-turn before we figured out how to get onto the lot.

You walk in and the ordering counter is right in front of you. The large menu board hangs from the ceiling. It's simple once the menu is explained. Essentially, you get your choice of a large or small hamburger, cheeseburger or bacon burger with any topping that you want. The great array of choices includes your basic mayonnaise, mustard and ketchup and also hot sauce, jalapeno peppers, fried onions, sautéed mushrooms, A1 sauce and green peppers.

They also have kosher hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. Side items include French fries. Beverages are Coke products.

There are no freezers at Five Guys. Everything is fresh. They use only 100% beef and burgers are only served well done. If you have a peanut allergy beware. They only use peanut oil and there are peanuts all over the place.

While we waited on the burgers we helped ourselves to the peanuts. They are in cases all over the restaurant. Oven roasted and lightly salted these are tasty little treats. Some people will be tempted to take some home. Signs are posted all over asking that you don't.

Even though it was 8:00 pm, the restaurant was busy. The floors and tables were clean. Staff was doing a good job staying on top of things. The drink fountain area was well stocked as were the condiments.

I will say that the burgers were great. Mine was cooked to perfection. The mushrooms and cheese were great. Really, it was very tasty. The French fries were probably the best I've had. They remind me of the Boardwalk fries that you can get at theme parks. These were served hot from a Styrofoam cup.

It was the ambience that was nonexistent. For the price, I thought that Five Guys could have done better.

Our bill was just a few cents shy of $20. Your meal is given to you in a paper bag. French fries are in the aforementioned Styrofoam cup. The sandwich is wrapped in aluminum foil. You help yourself to drinks from the soda fountain. There are no trays so it was a bit awkward to juggle everything.

Five Guys does sell gift cards. They do not offer coupons or discounts.

Come on. Even McDonald's has trays and the burgers are cheaper, if not as good. I'm sorry but for $20 bucks, if I'm eating in, I want a tray. I don't want to juggle everything on the table.

If I want something to take back to the office I might go back. As I said, the food was very good. However, if I'm going to dine in, I'll go somewhere else.

Sorry John. I hope you understand.

Five Guys Burgers and Fries Website: http://www.fiveguys.com/