RESTAURANT REVIEW

LOCATION

This recently-opened ‘upscale’ burger bar is on the ground floor of the bustling Overgate shopping centre. Plenty of parking inside and out.

fIrsT ImpressIONs

Oh dear, not the best! Very loud, very cold and very empty. The outside door to the shopping centre was wide open, or maybe it was the aircon, but within minutes we wished we’d brought coats – and earplugs for the blaring muzak!

servICe

With a wide smile. The man on the till was friendly, upbeat and really helpful. He advised that we’d probably ordered too many fries as the portions are generous (he was right!). And he was happy to show us how to operate the fancy drinks machine. Good, honest service – rare these days.

meNu

A choice of big or little hamburgers, cheeseburgers, bacon burgers with a huge array of free toppings; veggie sandwiches; three sizes of fries and a selection of drinks and shakes – so altogether a very straightforward menu.

TAsTe

Now this is where it gets interesting. If someone had asked me to pay £8 for a burger in a fast food joint, I’d have laughed all the way to the butcher’s shop. Until I tasted Five Guys burger and fries, that is. Fresh, juicy, meaty flavours perfectly balanced against the crispy, chunky, spiced and salty fries. Delicious.

prICe

An eye-watering 60-odd quid for a family takeaway. True they were among the best burgers we’d ever tasted. But could we really justify that on a posh version of McDonalds? Sadly not.

AmbIeNCe

Youngsters crammed in on a Saturday afternoon may feel the buzz and excitement of this burger brand. But with only three tables full on a Friday tea-time, it missed the same appeal.

sOmeThINg speCIAL

This is a burger-connoisseur’s dream taste destination. Other than that, we’ve seen it all before.

TOILeTs

Spick and span.

verdICT

Top marks for taste but at the end of the day it’s just a slightly souped-up burger bar! 12/20