Discussions

A few weeks after the confirmation of West 49 coming to the Shoppers Mall, I've been informed by Five Guys Burger and Fries that they will be opening their first rumoured Brandon location in the Mall.  
 
Apparently it will not be simply a food court eating option... They will be setting up in a regular unit at the mall. The description I was given was "at the Shoppers Mall but not in the Shoppers Mall. The unit just South of Zellers, about 50 steps from the Zellers front entrance." I'm trying to get official confirmation on the exact spot, but my interpretation of that is the spot that Lady of the Lake once used as a temporary home (see picture at right)? Either way, I will try to confirm and post.  
 
Some may have noticed that they've had a job ad posted in the classifieds for a couple weeks:  
http://www.ebrandon.ca/ItemView.aspx?item_id=191683  
 
It sounds like they have some pretty aggressive expansion plans for Manitoba, with Brandon being their first market. Here's a story from the National Post in November that talks about the franchise and their Canadian expansion plans:  
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theappetizer/archive/2009/11/24/five-guys-burgers-and-fries-expanding-into-canada.aspx  
 
For an idea of how the franchise is setup in the US, their US corporate site is:  
http://fiveguys.com/home.aspx  

I'm a big burger and fries fan. I am usually skeptical about franchise restaurants as I prefer the homemade options you often find in the little family owned restaurants, and there are a lot of great ones back home.  
 
Since moving to Manitoba the best burgers and fries I have had are George's Burgers & Subs in Winnipeg, and Europa in Gimli. While I still prefer the options back home, these are the best I have had IMHO in this province.  
 
When they open their doors, I'll give it a try. I'll try anything once. Twice if I'm not sure  
 
Krunch

One of my favorite spots when I lived in the US. Now if we could only get a Chix-Fil-A

I have lived in Brandon for 20+ yrs and have yet to have a decent Burger or Dog!  
 
Coming from the north end of Winnipeg I miss regular access to Super Boy (Landsdowne & Main), White Spot (Salter & someplace you do not want to be after dark) and Kelekis (Main & Redwood)!  
 
Looked at their menu and it seemed a bit pricey but my fav spots in the Peg are similar.  
 
There are many times that I do enjoy a good ol' Burger or Tube Steak as much or more than a Rib Eye from Remington's or the Keg.  

Re: Bust in 6 months.  
 
Maybe they'll survive. When Junior's was located where Wok Box is now (around 2004?), they only lasted about 6 months to a year.  
 
I hope 5 Guys burgers survives Brandon, I've been craving a delicious burger for a while. If only they had poutine on their menu though ;)  
 
Reading the article, they will be using Alberta beef apparently and hopefully Taber potatos, would be nice if they used Manitoba beef and Carberry potatos at their Manitoba locations. If only

A statement from the mall this evening....  
 
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We are pleased to announce that Five Guys Burger and Fries will be opening their exciting concept at Shoppers Mall.  
 
The restaurant will be located in the unit next door to the Liquor Mart at the south end of the Zellers building.  The Tenant will take possession of the unit on Monday, February 22.  The build out will take a couple of months to complete.  
 
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re the menu....  
We'll have to wait until they open up, but by reading the press I think I get the vibe they're going for. It'll all come down to if food is as good as they talk it up to be.

The best burger joints don't need diverse or fancy menus. This is one of the better burger places i've ever eaten at, and that is saying alot. It's on par with the best of Winnipeg burgers (Dairy Whip, George's, Daly Burger, Red Top etc.), and it will be a welcome change from the regular fast food choices in Brandon.

This resturaunt is so good! It will definitally last here. It will be so busy you probably won't be able to get near it for months! Really good burgers!

New places to check out and dine at are always good. Never heard of the chain though, is it american?

Oh my mouth is watering LOL i am also from the north end of wpg and i have NEVER had a burger better then super boys!!!! everytime i go to wpg its the one thing i look forward to the most! I just had to add that and everyone i have ever dragged to super boys with me from brandon is always hooked lol

to try this place, sounds good. looks neat!

D.D. said "I have lived in Brandon for 20+ yrs and have yet to have a decent Burger or Dog!     Coming from the north end of Winnipeg I miss regular access to Super Boy (Landsdowne & Main), White Spot (Salter & someplace you do not want to be after dark) and Kelekis (Main & Redwood)!     Looked at their menu and it seemed a bit pricey but my fav spots in the Peg are similar.     There are many times that I do enjoy a good ol' Burger or Tube Steak as much or more than a Rib Eye from Remington's or the Keg.   "

we are also both from the North End of Wpg, and yes there is absolutely nothing in Brandon to compare to Super Boys or The White Spot....everything in this town seems to be processed crap. And find a good chili (fries or burger) good luck, its just like the chinese restaurants. Another only in Wpg thing.

I ate at one last week if FL. Great burgers. It will last!!

JC said "I ate at one last week if FL. Great burgers. It will last!! "

My fiance's mom was just telling me how she just hit up that joint in Florida last week.

I didnt know they were bring West 49 to the Mall. Thats awesome! Im so pumped!

Always ready to try something new! Gotta say- I haven't had a REALY good Dog since yhe 'Nosh closed in Winnipeg- anybody ever tried a Pinks dog in L.A....... Urm!

Trent Bartley said "Always ready to try something new! Gotta say- I haven't had a REALY good Dog since yhe 'Nosh closed in Winnipeg- anybody ever tried a Pinks dog in L.A....... Urm! "

I have eaten there, but it is frustrating....it's gone hollywood, you wait in line for 1/2 hour just to order most days....The 'dogs are good, but it has become more of a check on bucket lists than a food spot...

I was just reading in maxim today that a person would have to run 6 1/2 miles to burn the calories from a chili buger.  
 
5 guys has good burgers, but are nothing comared to in n out burgers...  
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger

Nice name, maybe they shoud have put a little more thought into that one.

Crash said "I was just reading in maxim today that a person would have to run 6 1/2 miles to burn the calories from a chili buger.     5 guys has good burgers, but are nothing comared to in n out burgers...   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger "

I'll second that one!  
 
Who cares about the name!?

But my favorite burger is a cheese nip @ Salisbury House. Tuesday's are 2 for 1 as well.

Going by comments in this thread, it sounds like there's definitely a market for a different kind of burger in Brandon. It's always great when someone new comes to town and employs local people. I'll be watching with interest from two angles..  
 
- Location. Theoretically being in the middle of the amount of people that visit the mall will be good, but with that unit not having an entrance conncted to the actual mall there's a bit of a different dynamic at play. Will people stop in before heading into the rest of the mall? Will people make the trip specifically for Five Guys food on a busy mall day and park/walk a fair distance?  
 
- We have a bit of a "Culture of new" in Brandon when it comes to dining. I don't think I have enough fingers on my hands to count the amount of restaurants I've seen that were bursting at the seams with customers for their first month.. only to experience a major fizzle out. I guarantee that the place will be packed in opening weeks, but will they have what it takes to be sustainable?  
 
The answers to both of these will likely come down to food quality and whether it lives up to the hype.

The best burger I've had in Brandon is in the restaurant at the City Centre Hotel. Restaurant is a family business and quite enjoyable. Try the bacon cheeseburger and I'm sure you'll be impressed. These are homemade burgers - not pressed or processed. Looking forward to trying Five Guys B F's when they open - always willing to try something new!

As long as the local 5 Guys is as good as the ones in the US, i'll be heading there once a month.

The bowling lane to the south of the Mall has the best home made burgers in town. Their "Thunderburger" is my favourite.  
 
Now I know where I want to go for supper tonight.

Good4Me2 said "    Crash said "I was just reading in maxim today that a person would have to run 6 1/2 miles to burn the calories from a chili buger.     5 guys has good burgers, but are nothing comared to in n out burgers...   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger " I'll second that one!     Who cares about the name!? "

Fries are fresh fresh fresh, you can watch them put the potatoes through the slicer. Delicious, and so are the burgers.

But I checked out their website last night. Their menu is so limited my guess is the stuff HAS to be good - can't wait to check it out! Sounds as though it is very economical as well - hope that coming across the border does not ruin it!

doomed. Every shop that has opened up in that location has failed because people aren't going to the mall for the restaurant but for the shopping and they like the convenience of walking through the mall straight into the restaurant like they can do with Smitty's on the corner. If they had a way for customers to access it from within the mall it would do OK but otherwise people will have to fight for parking spots and trudge the extra distance. It would only be worth that hassle if the food was exceptional, I don't see a burger joint ever being exceptional, especially when there are three or four others within a block of their location.  
 
Good luck to them, they will need it when the novelty wears off.

The best burgers I have had were the old Rolling Pin (circa 1980s) and Aunt Sarah's. I have come across a few family run restaurants in smaller towns that were pretty good, as well.  
 
I will try these guys with an open mind, but IMO, home-made will win every time over franchise burgers.  
 
I did try Harvey's when I was in Toronto last year. I was not impressed.

I had seen on T.V. last week where a couple of Food Critic's( U.S.) visited 5 Guys Burgers and Fries, and they were rated as having one of the best burgers going .. as well as the fries!Very high reviews!Change is definitely good, when one gets those have to have cravings!