Hudson Valley Burgers 2011 Review: Five Guys, Fishkill, Kingston, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Middletown, NY

Five Guys? Two guys? One hundred guys? Hell, we don’t care how many guys and gals it takes to bring us these outrageous burgers, we’re just glad that this Washington, D.C.-area chain is finally moving into the mid-Hudson Valley in a big way. The Kingston outlet opened two summers ago, the Newburgh and Poughkeepsie shops have been at it for more than a year, and now the recently opened Fishkill branch (which is right on Route 9 in the space formerly occupied by Via Nove) is already doing a brisk business.

So why are these patties so popular? It must be Five Guys’ unique take on fast food. First, the burgers — all cooked well-done in peanut oil — are fresh, juicy, and always served piping hot (no warmers here). You can order two sizes, with or without cheese and bacon. But to be honest, the small burger ($3.69) is ample, while the regular burger ($5.09, it’s actually two patties) seems a tad oversized. Then, you can spice it all up with a choice of 17 free toppings, ranging from catsup and mustard to pickles, peppers, and grilled mushrooms. And the fantastic fries? They’re also fried up fresh each day in (you guessed it) peanut oil. (Check out the blackboard: It tells you which state your spuds came from that day.) You can also order the fries Cajun-style, but don’t say we didn’t warn you: they’re hot, hot, hot! 

There are only a few other things on the menu, including a variety of hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches. While you’re waiting for your order — everything is served up in a brown paper bag regardless of whether you are eating in or taking out — you can chow down on unlimited free peanuts. And, at most locations, you can even order online then just go in to pick up your order. This is not the place for a romantic meal or a deep conversation — with the open kitchen and close-together tables, it tends to be loud and busy. But that’s okay, because it is the place for one-of-a-kind burgers and fries. Thanks, guys.

There are additional Five Guys’ outlets in the Capital Region, as well as in Pelham and Nanuet.

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