Five Guys

You don't often hear vegetarians raving about burger joints, even if the burgers are made from "fresh ground beef that's never been frozen". But Five Guys Burgers and Fries holds an unusually special place in the hearts of my wife and I. And while we are not, of course, enamored with the burgers, we are in love with the fries.

A good french fry is just about my favorite food on the planet. I prefer a slightly chunky fry (boardwalk-style), and the potato skins must still be on the fry. A bit of salt (or some Old Bay) and some ketchup, and I'm living in luxury. Of course, Five Guys also makes a decent grilled cheese (and they'll add tomato and grilled onion at no extra charge), so it is easy to make a meal, even for vegetarians.

But as good as the fries are, that's not the reason that Five Guys holds such a unique position in our married life. You see, during our second year of law school at Virginia, a Five Guys restaurant opened up in the Barracks Road Shopping Center, which is just down the hill from the law school and is also where we did all of our grocery shopping. So a trip to Five Guys became a recurring treat for us.

We got engaged during the summer before our third year, and our wedding day was in the spring. That day, as per custom, my wife went off with her mother and maid of honor while my groomsmen and I relaxed. Unbeknownst to either one of us, we each had lunch at the same Five Guys that day, probably within an hour of each other. Even in our last meals of unmarried life, we were together.

It is only fitting then, that almost two years later and living in Atlanta, we find that Five Guys Burgers and Fries is expanding exponentially. A location has just opened in the Edgewood Shopping District, which is, of course, where we do most of our weekly shopping. So once again, a trip to Five Guys has become a recurring treat. Now, though, we always go together.