GrubGrade

Sometimes I’m in the mood for a grilled cheese sandwich.  It’s one of those items with a permanent spot on many children’s menus out there.  I’ve never grown out of my love for the toasty buttered bread and the gooey melted cheese.  Some people like to slip in some slices of fresh tomato, maybe a little bacon…some like it with white bread some may like it with wheat.  Maybe you like your grilled cheese with a side of tomato soup.  It’s tasty and easy.

A grilled cheese sandwich is one of the first things a kid figures out how to make growing up.  As I got older, this simple sandwich became comfort food for me.  I recently stopped by the Boudin Sourdough bakery/cafe at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and had a great grilled cheese sandwich along with some tomato soup.  The right choice of grub for an overcast and drizzly day.  Perfectly toasted sourdough bread, a nice blend of cheeses and a bowl of warm tomato soup.  A very satisfying combination

So let’s open this tasty topic to a discussion.  Chances are there are some of you out there with a killer version of your own.  I sadly have not mastered the fine art of grilled cheese sandwich construction but I’m eager to get some of your ideas.  I’m curious to know what the GrubGrade readers think about this simple meal.  Any special cheeses, bread, toaster, griddle???  Maybe share a recipe. So how do you like yours?  What makes a great grilled cheese sandwich?

Fresh off President Obama’s trip to Five Guys, let’s show off a couple of their staples.  When it comes to burgers, there are plenty of options.  McDonald’s, Burger King and Wendy’s are the most well known, but for my money none of them can touch the burgers at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

Five Guys currently offers 4 different burgers, the hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger and bacon cheeseburger.  Each of these choices are also offered in a “little” version which has one hamburger patty instead of the two patties found on the standard versions.  Five Guys offers a good number of free toppings for their burgers.  In addition to burgers, Five Guys also serves french fries, hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches.

On my latest visit to Five Guys, I ordered the bacon cheeseburger topped with mushrooms, jalapeños and A1 sauce.  The burgers here aren’t those paper thin patties you find at many other fast food burger spots.  You receive 2 rather thick and juicy patties.  The patties are smothered in American cheese and enveloped in a soft  bun.  You would expect such a large burger to fall apart and become sloppy.  Surprisingly the bun stays in tact and keeps the burger manageable.  By the time you unwrap your burger the cheese has melted to perfection, mixing with the other toppings to create a medley of flavor.  The bacon is crisp and tasty, but nothing extra special.  The A1 sauce adds the perfect kick that could not be achieved by plain old ketchup.  The fresh jalapeños add a crunch and a nice amount of spice to the burger.  Five Guys Cheeseburger - GrubGrade: 9.25/10 (Exceptional)

Since the place is called Five Guys Burgers and Fries, I assume you cannot have one without the other.  I decided to go with a regular order of fries.  The size of the order is anything but “regular’.  Any room in the brown paper bag that is not taken up by the burger is filled with fries.  The fries are fresh cut daily.  On the whiteboard next to the register was a sign stating that today’s potatoes were from Teton, Idaho.  The fresh cut  potatoes with the skin on are lightly salted, wonderfully crispy and delicious.  Topped with malt vinegar and a little ketchup these are some of the best fries around.  If you like your spuds with a little kick, you can order cajun fries, which come with seasoning salt.  Five Guys Fries –  GrubGrade: 9.50/10 (GrubGrade Hall of Fame)

Five Guys is one of those places that isn’t shy about what it offers.  Big, thick, greasy burgers.  Every brown paper take-out bag from Five Guys I’ve ever had did little to hide the evidence of grease spots.  This is an award winning burger spot born out of the Washington Metro Area and it’s a growing chain that proves the customers know what they like.

• Pros- I really don’t know where to begin.  The burger is juicy, delicious and perfectly cooked.   Large variety of toppings. Soft bun keeps everything where it’s supposed to be.  The fresh cut fries are crisp and tasty.  When combined with the malt vinegar they provide the perfect complement to the burger.
• Cons- Taste wise there are no cons.  Nutritionally there are plenty, but we won’t talk about those.

Taste: 9.25/10

Value: 7.50/10

Grubbing on the Go: 7.50/10

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Five Guys Cheeseburger – GrubGrade:  9.25/10  (Exceptional)

Five Guys Fries – GrubGrade:  9.50/10 (GrubGrade Hall of Fame)

(Overall GrubGrade is not an average)

Price:  $5.39  (Bacon Cheeseburger)  -  $2.59  (Regular Size Fries)

FiveGuys.com

Nutrition Information:

Bacon Cheeseburger has 920 calories, 62 grams of fat 180 mg of cholesterol, 1310 mg of sodium, 40 grams of carbs 2 grams of dietary fiber and 51 grams of protein.

A regular order of fries has 620 calories, 30 grams of fat, 90 mg of sodium, 78 grams of carbs, 6 grams of dietary fiber and 10 grams of protein.

Located amongst storage units, a.k.a Friscos makes you work a little to find it.  Featuring a nice selection of big sandwiches and salads, a.k.a. Friscos makes their name known locally by the exploded potatoes.  Located off of the beaten path in Frederick, Maryland, this “hidden treasure” is one you won’t want to pass up. 

a.k.a. Friscos is famous for their Exploded Potatoes which is somewhat of a “family secret recipe”.  They describe it on their menu as “A FRISCOS ORIGINAL!!!”  This isn’t your ordinary potato salad.  I can best describe it as a smashed up baked potato with a ton of toppings piled on.  The Friscos menu also holds a nice variety of Giant Sandwiches, Big Fresh Salads, Bakers, Grill, Sides and Appetizers.  Some of their specialties feature alfalfa sprouts, avocado and their own “Wicked Wolf” hot sauce.  At this Friscos restaurant (there used to be a location in Washington, DC, but it is now closed) you can dine-in or reserve their upstairs dining area for semi-private dining for up to 20 people.  They also have a catering service where all items of the menu are offered in party size platters.  In their Beer, Wine and Carryout they carry 90 different wines, and have monthly wine tastings.  You can also order anything on the menu for carryout.  

In the warmer months, you can enjoy your meal outside and have your dessert at their “Way Cool Ice Cream” stand which is located in between the dining area and the Beer, Wine and Carryout section.  The Way Cool Ice Cream stand offers up real ice cream, Way Coolers (fruit smoothies topped with ice cream), shaved ice blasters, fruit smoothies, floats, shakes, sundaes, mud pies and cones.

• Recommendations:    Union Square Sandwich, Friscos Cheffy Salad, The Bart

• Food:  9.25/10                                                                                             
• Menu Variety:  9.00/10                                                                                 
• Atmosphere:  Casual/Family/Take-out                                                        
• Price:  $$ Moderate $7.01-$14.00                                                                                                                                                                   
• GrubGrade:  9.25/10  (Exceptional)                                                                       

Check them out:

4632 Wedgewood Blvd

Frederick, MD  21703