If you’ve lived in Ithaca for more than a week, you know the food scene is basically its own religion. You have the high-end spots on the Commons, the legendary Thai places, and the constant battle between Cornell and Ithaca College students over who has the better late-night munchies. But sitting right there on Elmira Road, tucked into the Ithaca Shopping Center, is a place that everyone knows but everyone also seems to complain about: Five Guys Ithaca NY.
Let’s be real. It’s expensive.
Walking into the Five Guys at 222 Elmira Rd often feels like a test of your financial willpower. You walk in for a burger, and suddenly you’re staring at a receipt for $24 because you "accidentally" added a milkshake and a large fry. But despite the price tag, the place is almost always humming. Why? Because honestly, Ithaca's local burger options can be hit or miss, and sometimes you just want a bag of fries that weighs as much as a small newborn.
What’s the Deal with the Ithaca Location?
Most people don't realize that the Five Guys in Ithaca is a bit of a hub for more than just the college crowd. While it’s technically "off-campus" compared to the Collegetown eateries, its location at Unit A, 222 Elmira Road makes it the go-to for locals heading toward the big-box stores or families finishing up a shopping trip.
One thing you’ve probably noticed if you’ve been there: it’s clean. Like, surprisingly clean for a place that shells out thousands of peanuts a day. The staff here—many of whom are locals rather than just transient students—actually seem to give a hoot. They’re fast. You’ll usually have your bag in under 10 minutes, even when the line is snaking toward the door on a Friday night.
The "Secret" Menu and Customization
You’ve heard the marketing: there are over 250,000 ways to customize your burger. That’s a lot of math. Basically, if you want a burger wrapped in lettuce because you’re doing the Ithaca-health-conscious thing, they do that. If you want a grilled cheese but with a burger patty inside (the legendary "patty melt"), they’ll do that too.
The real pro tip for the Five Guys Ithaca NY location? The toppings are free. All of them. Most people just get "All the Way" (mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard), but you can actually get fancy. Try adding fresh jalapeños and A1 sauce to a bacon cheeseburger. It changes the vibe completely.
Why Everyone Talks About the Fries
Look, we need to talk about the fries. If you order a "Large Fry" at the Ithaca location, you are essentially buying a bucket of potatoes. They use a literal metal topper to dump an extra scoop into your brown paper bag until the bottom becomes a translucent, greasy mess of deliciousness.
- Peanut Oil: Everything is fried in 100% peanut oil. It gives them that specific crunch.
- The Board: Check the white board near the counter. It’ll tell you exactly which farm the potatoes came from that day. Sometimes they’re from Idaho; sometimes they’re from closer to home.
- Cajun Style: If you aren't getting the Cajun spice, are you even living? It’s salty, it’s spicy, and it makes those soggy "bag fries" at the bottom of the sack taste like heaven.
One nuance people miss is the "Little Fry" vs. "Large Fry" debate. Honestly? A "Little Fry" is enough for two people. A "Large Fry" is enough for a small village or a very hungry Cornell rowing team.
💡 You might also like: How Many Weeks Until September 27: Planning for the Big Countdown
Navigating the Cost (The Elephant in the Room)
I’ve seen the reviews. "One burger and a drink for $22? Ridiculous." And yeah, it kind of is. In a town like Ithaca where you can get a solid meal at a local diner for $15, Five Guys feels like a luxury.
But here is the catch: you aren't paying for "fast food." You’re paying for the fact that there are no freezers on site. Everything is fresh. The beef is rolled into balls every morning. The fries are cut by hand. If you want a cheaper burger, McDonald's is literally down the road. But if you want a burger that actually tastes like beef and isn't a grey disc of sadness, you pay the premium.
Tips for Saving Your Wallet
- Skip the "Regular" Burger: A "Regular" burger is actually two patties. Unless you’re famished, the "Little" burger (one patty) is plenty.
- Share the Fries: Don't buy two fries. Buy one Regular or Large and split it. You will still have leftovers.
- Water is Free: The Coca-Cola Freestyle machine is cool, but a soda is nearly $4. Grab a water cup and save that money for an extra patty.
Is it Better than the Local Spots?
This is where things get heated in Tompkins County. You have Glenwood Pines with their Pinesburger. You have the boatyard. You have various gastropubs.
Five Guys Ithaca NY isn't trying to be a "gourmet" burger. It’s a grease-fest. It’s consistent. If you go to a local pub, the burger might be amazing one day and overcooked the next. At Five Guys, because they have a literal "manual" for how many times to press the patty, it’s the same every single time. For some people, that reliability is worth the extra five bucks.
Getting There and Logistics
If you’re driving, the parking lot in the Ithaca Shopping Center is usually fine, though it gets a bit hectic on weekends when everyone is trying to hit the nearby stores.
- Hours: They’re open 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM every single day.
- Delivery: They use all the majors—Grubhub, DoorDash, Uber Eats. But be warned: Five Guys fries have a half-life of about six minutes. If they sit in a delivery driver’s car for twenty minutes, they turn into sad, limp potato sticks. If you can, eat them in the store.
- The Peanuts: Yes, they still have the free peanuts. Yes, you can still shell them and leave a mess on the table while you wait. It’s part of the charm.
What You Should Do Next
If you're planning a trip to Five Guys Ithaca NY, don't just go in blind and order a random combo.
First, check your hunger level. If you aren't "I haven't eaten since yesterday" hungry, stick to the Little Cheeseburger. Second, if you’re with a friend, commit to the one-fry rule. Share a single regular fry and you'll both leave feeling much better about your life choices.
✨ Don't miss: What to Do With All That Dairy: Real Recipes Using Lots of Milk
Finally, if you want the best experience, go during the "off-peak" hours—usually between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The grill is hot, the staff is relaxed, and you won't have to fight a crowd of teenagers for a seat. Just make sure you grab a stack of napkins. You’re going to need them.
Check the local traffic on Route 13 before you head out, as Elmira Road can become a parking lot during rush hour. If the traffic is backed up, consider ordering through the app 15 minutes before you arrive so your bag is waiting on the rack when you walk in.