Five Guys. Wtaf?!

[AliceTheBat]

I went there earlier DS ordered a cheeseburger and fries, I ordered a "veggie sandwich" with cheese. I was asked what toppings I wanted and for the veggie sandwich I asked for lettuce, tomato and mayo.

I couldn't fucking believe it when I took a bite and that's literally all that was in it - a plastic cheese slice, a bit of lettuce and one slice of tomato.

It cost me nearly £7?!

Was I unreasonable to think that in a burger restaurant, I would receive a veggie/plant based patty, given that it's beside the other normal burger items on the menu? I thought maybe they'd just forgotten to add the patty to it but when I googled, it is literally supposed to be veg on a roll.

AIBU to think this is an absolute rip?

Well in that case they should advertise it on their menu as "Plain Bun" and not charge £7 for it.

My veggie DD was shocked when so go this the first time!

I was thinking about this while I was in Edinburgh today. (I'm not vegetarian.)

Passed a new Five Guys whilst looking for a place to eat between Princes St and George St. Had a squint at the menu from outside, but kept going. In the end, I ate at John Lewis's.

I have to drink lactose free milk these days, so had a read of the 'Allergies' disclaimer. To my surprise, there was also a mention of vegan food where they said that they could not guarantee no cross contamination. Also could not guarantee no cross contamination of allergens.

I'm guessing that they're covering themselves legally, but it brought home to me how difficult it must be for some people. (I won't die if I drink ordinary milk, but it will give me a bit of tummy trouble. I can get away with a small amount of lactose.)

There used to be a very good vegetarian restaurant for vegetarians in Edinburgh - Henderson's - but I think it's closed now.

I think that it's quite difficult for vegetarians and nearly impossible for vegans in some places.

I recall experiencing this when they first came to the UK, maybe around ten years ago. Amazed to hear that they haven't moved with the times since then. I remember thinking they couldn't have done much research on the UK market.
Anyway, I haven't been back because of it. I do recall the fries being very good though. (Assuming you're not allergic to peanuts)

It’s got worse for vegetarians and vegans in the last 5 years or so. I don’t understand why. A chef friend told me that he always makes sure to have a number of vegetarian options on his menu because being vegetarian is a lifestyle choice. Usually people who make lifestyle choices have money to spend.

It vastly depends on where you go and I think it's far better where a lot of the food is naturally vegetarian or vegan and it's not seen as an afterthought.

eg Indian, Mexican or Middle Eastern will have loads of choice. Likewise Italian or East Asian but you'll have to watch out for things like parmesan cheese or fish sauce although a lot of more progressive places will have vegetarian/vegan alternatives.

DH and I went to Five Guys a couple of years ago , we were at a Christmas Market so this was an alternate to have something to eat and a sit down.
Cannot remember what we had exactly , (DH and I are vegetarian) it was very hot but so messy to eat , bits kept sliding out of the roll.
Not a fan of the chips though I didn't like the peanut oil taste .

I’ve never been in a Five Guys. The name and the whole branding just screams ‘male under 30’ to me, which I think is the point. I am neither.

Odd take. Most people go because the burgers taste good.

I've only eaten at Five Guys once. We stood and watched the burgers being cooked in front of us yet by the time we got them they were barely warm.

Nothing special for the money even if they'd been hot.

Was it the only place open? I'm just trying to imagine why two vegetarians would choose to go to one of the only restaurants in existence that doesn't do a vegetarian option other than to serve the accompaniments to their sole offering.

It was the only "quick serve , get food " place with seats we found (we were only visiting for the day and didn't want Christmas Market food)
I've been vegetarian for over 45 years and avoid burger/chicken places as I don't really want their version ( add to this I'd need to check they cooked their vegetarian food separate )

There's loads of Five Guys near us , I've never been in them .

Slightly off topic, but I had a five guys last night (I only order when I have a money off voucher on just eat/deliveroo etc because I think its slighty overpriced). The cajun fries reheate really well in the air fryer - the best reheated takeaway fries ive had!

Five guys veggie sandwich is grilled peppers and onions - it’s never been a veggie patty. If you’re veggie you don’t go to five guys - that’s not their target demographic

Yup. It is.

Shocking. The same thing happened to me in Supermacs (Irish fast food chain) when I ordered a veggie burger and was handed a bun with mayo, tomato and iceberg lettuce. I of course brought it back assuming they had forgotten to put the veggie burger in. Alas no.

This was twenty years ago and I'm still upset about it.

Yes, I had this recently in Five Guys. I'd never been before, and heard it was good, so I really wasn't expecting just to get some veg dumped in a bun!

Not RTFT but the BK vegan Whopper is cooked on the meat grill, so it’s no good really.

@AliceTheBat I agree it’s a swizz, just vote with your feet, our local Five Guys has a terrible Trip Adviser rating, and I know someone that had food poisoning that wiped him out over Christmas

True!

@nomas it’s a shame really, as I’d like to try one !

The Macdonalds one is nice enough but so tiny - gone in three bites 🐷

Yeah BK really needs to get with the times!

What is the point of that? Honestly?

What is the market for fake meat marinaded in real meat juices?

@Bjorkdidit I have no idea, I can assume that their demo is meat eaters and occasional ‘meat free days’ people and they aren’t affected or are chasing sales by the vegan/vegetarian market.

I'm not bothered about being their target demographic - my AIBU was to do with the price and misleading presentation on the menu, not how well they cater for vegetarians.

I'd have been fine with just chips, or even the veg thing at a reasonable price.