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Have to say I was really unimpressed with five guys. I haven't eaten at the Park Slope location, but the W.Village location was underwhelming. I enjoy a West coast burger, but found the patties overcooked (I actually had little bits of overly charred meat) and under seasoned. The burger practically fell apart and I only had cheese, lettuce, tomato and grilled onions and while I certainly enjoy a sloppy burger, I just didn't see where all the hype came from.

Maybe I caught them on a bad day, but I don't think I'll be going back there at least not for awhile.

Although this make me a horrible native Califronian, I gotta say that I prefer 5G to I-N-O.

The little bacon cheesburger with ketchup and raw onions is the way to go!

I live in N.J. About a year ago Five Guys started opening restaurants near me. All were consistently good despite reading about how they are hit or miss since expanding. I go to the local franchise in Union (which was where the iconic hot dog joint Syd's was before their lease was not renewed) and it's excellent. It's my favorite burger joint along with White Rose in Roselle.

I've never had a burger from In-N-Out, but enjoy reading comparisons between the 2. Most seem to favor IN-N-Out. But some say Five Guys is superior. Jason Perlow (Off the Broiler blog) told me that Five Guys is much better.

Adam, which of the 2 do you prefer? Anyone else who has been to both, what are your opinions?

@fullgrownburger: Thanks for the props on the pic.
@FastFoodCritic: Thanks for the intel on 5G in TX.
@Livetotravel: Thanks for the "Kubano" christening. Raw onions and pickle is my favorite cheeseburger topping.
@ChelleyD01: I should have noted that, yes, 5G is pricey. My cheeseburger and medium drink were like $10.40. I guess I'd advise eating a bunch of free peanuts as sides.

@fullgrownburger -- Woohoo! Another Texan in the S.E. house! :)

Turns out we had one extra book sitting around. So we have six winners instead of five! And the winners are:

dark brown salty crust
right amount of pink inside
sizzle juicy drip
—benzado

The judges say: Perfect invocation of the perfect burger.

You once were a cow
Now you are a burger
Tasty little cow
—UncleTupelo

The judges say: Fun and wickedly dark, from the cow's standpoint. If haikus had titles, this one's should be "Bwahahahah."

this is Mc Nuggets
i said i want a Big Mac
fix your intercom
—maqloubeh

The judges say: We've all been there, man. Amen.

Fresh from the butcher,
When almost rare, good moist beef,
Seasoned, stands alone
—LunaPierCook

The judges say: Right on. The best burgers need little more than seasoning.

Pastures of cows & steer
Fields of golden wheat
A Burger is Born
—Q80 BurgerBelly

The judges say: Simply beautiful. Captures not only the spirit of burgers but the spirit of America at its best, as well.

Family cookout
Behind me, sizzle and smoke --
I can see burgers
—EatingInTranslation

The judges say: Evocative of Memorial Day and summer weekends in general.

Thanks to everyone who entered. And it is clear we will have to hold a burger limerick contest soon!

Only word is yum!
Will travel for a burger
Cross country and back.

Family cookout
Behind me, sizzle and smoke --
I can see burgers

No beef, no burger
Veggie burgers shalt not be
Nor can ground turkey

got burger?
is on my mind
course ground chuck is extra fine!

the outside is bun
the middle is juicy meat
all of it is gone

vacation coming
burger busting adventure
is on the menu