Five Guys, Covent Garden

The only time I have queued for any significant length of time for a fast food place was at the McDonald's in the Olympic Park last year. At 7am with little alternative. Covent Garden, traditionally, is not the place you would normally find a queued out fast food place. But this, I was reliably informed before hand, is no ordinary fast food place. Five Guys is a chain of American burger places, and the first UK restaurant has opened in Covent Garden. It is meant to be quite an experience, and like so many US novelties that have graced our shores, it has proved to be very popular here. Not one to miss out on such a craze, I queued for my fast food. Behind red velvet ropes, manned by a smiley American lady in a bright red cap. I have no shame. 

We were asked how many were in our party, and, much like a theme park ride, were invited to join a second line inside the establishment. Then it got exciting. 

When I was waiting in line at the McDonald's in the Olympic Park, all I could really think was 'gosh, I wish I had some kind of snack to munch on while I wait, preferably some peanuts.' Five Guys have thought of this, and when you enter you are invited to help yourself to complementary nuts. While you munch on them, you can decipher the menu displayed clearly above the counters. It seems that everything is ordered separately, you choose your burger, what you want in it, and size of fries. You can order a beer or bottomless soft drink. Tempting as a bottle of bud is, definitely go for the soft drink, just for the novelty (I'll explain in a bit). Once you have ordered this, you move to one side and await your number to be called from a separate counter. More nuts are available while you wait. 

We ordered two small burgers and a medium fries between us (yes that burger is a small, and no that is not all the fries by a long way). Now, true to US portion sizes, this was more than enough. This does somewhat make up for the noticeably higher prices. Personally, I think it is worth the experience. To fill up drinks, you go to one of the large machines which allows you to select from a wide range of drinks. When I say wide, I mean you can have every single type of coke, fanta etc.. in a range of flavours. Fill up little bits at a time and try as many as you can. That way you'll definitely get your money's worth. Overall, the experience here is recommended, just go once the hype about it has subsided. Maybe now they are opening one in Reading, the hoards of fans will flock there.            Maybe.