If you’re driving down 6th Ave or navigating the sprawl near Tacoma Mall, you’ve probably smelled it. That heavy, unmistakable scent of peanut oil and searing beef. Five Guys burgers Tacoma WA isn't exactly a secret, but honestly, the way people talk about it makes it sound like some exclusive club rather than a fast-casual joint. It's polarizing. Some folks swear the grease is a spiritual experience, while others complain about the price point for what is, at the end of the day, a burger in a foil wrapper.
You go there for the mess.
The Tacoma locations—whether you’re hitting the one on 6th Avenue or over by Steele Street—follow the same rigid, almost cult-like blueprint established by Jerry Murrell and his sons back in Virginia. There are no freezers. No timers. Just a whole lot of potatoes in bags acting as decor and a grill that stays busy enough to keep the air thick.
The Tacoma Landscape for Five Guys Burgers
Tacoma is a burger town. We have Frisko Freeze. We have Shake Shake Shake. We have the legendary Pick-Quick over in Fife. So, why does Five Guys burgers Tacoma WA continue to hold its own despite being a massive international chain?
It's about the customization, mostly. You've got over 250,000 possible ways to build a burger there. That's a ridiculous statistic, but it’s technically true when you factor in the free toppings. In Tacoma, where the weather is often grey and damp, there’s something genuinely comforting about a bag of fries that’s been overfilled to the point of structural failure.
The 6th Ave location specifically sits in a high-traffic area. It’s a weird mix of college students from UPS, locals grabbing a quick bite before hitting the bars, and families. It doesn't try to be "Tacoma cool." It doesn't have local art on the walls or a curated playlist of Northwest indie rock. It’s just red and white tiles. Very loud. Very bright.
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Why the Fries are a Logistics Nightmare (But Taste Good)
Let’s talk about the potatoes. You see the signs. They’ll tell you exactly which farm the potatoes came from that day. Usually, it's somewhere in Idaho or Washington, depending on the season.
They use a "three-stage" cooking process. It’s not just throwing sliced spuds into oil. They wash them to get the starch off—if they didn't, the fries would be limp and pathetic—and then they pre-fry them. Then they let them sit and "rest." Finally, when you order, they go back in for the hard fry.
The Peanut Oil Factor
They only use peanut oil. This is a massive deal-breaker if you have an allergy, obviously. But for everyone else, it’s the reason the fries have that specific nutty crunch. They don't use trans fats. It’s just oil and salt.
If you’re at the Five Guys burgers Tacoma WA on Steele St, you’ll notice the fry cooks are usually frantic. Why? Because they aren't allowed to use timers. They have to judge the "doneness" of the fries by how they look and how they shake in the basket. It’s a weirdly analog way to run a high-volume kitchen in 2026.
Breaking Down the Menu: What’s Actually Worth It?
People get confused by the "Little" burgers.
A "Little Cheeseburger" at Five Guys is actually a normal-sized burger with one patty.
A regular "Cheeseburger" has two.
If you aren't prepared for that, you’re going to end up with way more food than you intended to eat.
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The Topping Strategy
The toppings are free. All of them.
- Mayo
- Lettuce
- Pickles
- Tomatoes
- Grilled Onions
- Grilled Mushrooms
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Relish
- Onions
- Jalapeños
- Green Peppers
- Brown Mustard
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce
The "All The Way" option is the default for most, but honestly? It’s a lot. It can make the bun disintegrate before you’re halfway through. A better move—according to people who spend way too much time thinking about Five Guys burgers Tacoma WA—is to get the grilled onions and mushrooms but skip the lettuce, which just wilts under the heat.
The Price Debate in the South Sound
Let's be real. It’s expensive.
In Tacoma, you can go to a local drive-in and get a combo for twelve bucks. At Five Guys, by the time you add a regular fry and a drink to your bacon cheeseburger, you’re pushing twenty-five dollars.
Why do people pay it?
Quality control. You know exactly what it’s going to taste like. It’s the Starbucks effect applied to beef. Whether you’re at the Tacoma Mall location or one in London, the flavor profile is identical. For many, that consistency is worth the "Tacoma tax."
Also, the "extra scoop" of fries. It’s a psychological trick. They give you a cup of fries and then dump an extra metal scoop into the brown paper bag. You feel like you’re getting a bonus, even though they’ve factored the cost of those extra potatoes into the base price. It works. You see people walking out of the 6th Ave spot clutching those grease-stained bags like they’ve won the lottery.
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Secret Menu? Sort of.
There isn't a formal secret menu like In-N-Out, but because of the way the kitchen is set up, you can get creative.
- The Grilled Cheese Burger: Buy a grilled cheese and ask them to add a burger patty to it. It’s essentially a patty melt on inverted buns.
- Well-Done Fries: You have to ask for these specifically. If the place is slammed, they might say no, but if you catch them during a lull, it’s a game-changer.
- The Veggie Sandwich: It’s just the toppings on a bun. No fake meat patty. It sounds depressing, but with grilled mushrooms, peppers, and onions, it’s actually decent if you’re not a meat-eater.
Finding the Best Experience in Tacoma
Location matters.
The 6th Ave spot (2602 6th Ave) is tight. Parking is a nightmare, especially on Friday nights when the surrounding bars are hopping. If you're picking up an order, be prepared to circle the block or walk a bit.
The Steele Street location (4301 Steele St) has more breathing room because it’s part of the larger mall ecosystem. It’s easier for a quick lunch, but it lacks the "neighborhood" vibe of the 6th Ave store.
Ordering Tips
- Use the App: Seriously. If you walk in at 12:15 PM on a Tuesday, you’re going to be standing there for 15 minutes. The app lets you skip the line, though they don't actually drop your fries until you show up. They want them hot.
- The Milkshakes: The Tacoma locations have the mix-ins. Add bacon. It sounds gross. It isn't. The saltiness cuts through the sugar of the vanilla base.
- Peanuts: Don't be the person who takes a whole box. Grab a tray, crack a few while you wait, and leave it at that.
Is it the Best Burger in Tacoma?
That’s a loaded question.
If you want a thin, crispy, smash-style patty with a lot of customization, then yes, Five Guys burgers Tacoma WA is probably at the top of your list. If you want a thick, gourmet burger with bleu cheese and truffle oil, you should probably head to a sit-down spot like Boathouse 19 or even Red Robin.
Five Guys occupies this weird middle ground. It’s better than McDonald’s or Wendy’s, but it isn't "fine dining." It’s utilitarian. It’s about high-quality ingredients handled simply.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you’re planning to hit up Five Guys in Tacoma soon, here is how to optimize the experience:
- Check the potato origin: Look at the whiteboard near the counter. It’s a small detail, but it’s cool to know if your fries are local or from across the state line.
- Skip the Large Fry: Unless you are feeding a family of four, a "Small" or "Regular" is more than enough. The bag fries are a real thing.
- Go "Little" on the burger: If you aren't starving, the single patty is much easier to eat without the whole thing sliding apart.
- Dress for the weather: If you're going to the 6th Ave location, you might be waiting outside or near the door. It gets drafty.
- Napkins: Take twice as many as you think you need. The steam in the foil wrapper makes these burgers incredibly messy.
Five Guys in Tacoma isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. They’re just trying to make the wheel out of fresh beef and Idaho potatoes. Whether you think it's overpriced or the pinnacle of fast food, it's a staple of the local food scene that isn't going anywhere. Just remember to check your bag for that extra scoop of fries before you walk out the door.