How I Became a Subscriber

Five Guys Foods, also known as "The Guys", is a popular American fast food chain headquartered in Lorton, Virginia, and operated by three guys - Mike, Bill, and Arthur. A five-minute drive from Dulles International Airport, Five Guys specialize in sizzling, casual burgers, kebabs, and fries. The three founders initially started cooking at local hotels when they were laid off from their first jobs, but later decided to start their own business in the D.C. area. They spent a few years traveling from state to state, trying to find an opportunity that would allow them to get their name out into the public eye. Eventually they landed in their present location.

Five Guys Foods offers various options for its customers: French fries, plain burgers, specialties like tuna sandwiches, and various beverages like beer and iced tea. It also has some very unique items on its menu: chicken fingers, roasted red potatoes, crepes, etc. (click on the pictures for more information). There are also a wide range of side orders that can be added onto the already-great burgers, kebabs, or fries. Some of the options are: French fries with coleslaw, French toast with maple syrup, macaroni and cheese, or strawberry rhubarb pie.

The regular food costs are about two to three dollars a meal, depending on what day it is, what type of food, how many servings, etc. Bill, who serves the majority of the food, likes to keep things interesting by asking if anyone wants an unusual side dish. On average, people like to have the "usual" side dishes like French fries and macaroni and cheese. Other people are creative and like to order a different vegetable or item every time.

Unlike most places, Five Guys has no calorie labels on the food or on the containers themselves. This is because the company believes in portion control. They also offer salad bars that are also low calorie. If you like salad, it's worth picking up an option from this establishment.

The food is made fresh daily. Even the items like the salad bars are prepared fresh. Frozen items are also available all week long. Bill makes all of his meals at home. Sometimes, he'll go out to eat at restaurants that have good food if there are extended periods of time between his meals. He usually stocks up on beans and rice, beans and vegetables, chicken breasts, and a few different types of nuts each week.

The biggest thing that surprised me was the amount of carbs and calories that Bill puts into his diet. He eats low carb all of the time. His protein comes primarily from eggs and cheese. Even his dairy products are very low in fat.

Since the food is so tasty, I never felt like I was sacrificing any of my taste buds. I've tried a lot of different low carb diets and I liked where Five Guys was because it was loaded with flavor. I still don't like meat as an ingredient, but the menu is pretty diverse. I think if I made just one change, I'd probably go back to Five Guys.

I do admit, though, that I do miss some of the food that is on the original menu. I'll settle for chicken salads every now and then. My diet consists mainly of chicken salad with toast. When I want chicken salad, I'm going to go with a light mayonnaise and a slice of hotdog. That way, I'm still getting the high-quality protein that I want but I'm not sacrificing any of the delicious taste of Five Guys.