You’re hungry. Not just "I could eat" hungry, but the kind of hunger that specifically demands a heavy, foil-wrapped burger and a bag of fries that’s leaking oil in the best way possible. If you’re in the Twin Cities, specifically near the 394 and 100 interchange, your mind probably goes straight to Five Guys St Louis Park MN. It’s tucked into that busy retail pocket near The Shops at West End, and honestly, it’s one of the most reliable spots in the area if you don't mind the chaos of a weekend lunch rush.
It’s just a burger, right?
Well, yes and no. There is a weird sort of science to why this specific location stays packed while other fast-casual spots in St. Louis Park cycle through "For Lease" signs every eighteen months.
People show up for the consistency. They show up because they know the "Little Fries" is actually a massive bucket of potatoes. But there are a few things about this specific location on Park Place Blvd that can make or break your visit, from the parking nightmare to the secret of how to actually get a fresh batch of Cajun fries.
The Geography of Five Guys St Louis Park MN
Location matters. This Five Guys is located at 1611 Park Place Blvd. It’s essentially the gateway to The West End, which is great for foot traffic but a total headache for anyone driving a large SUV during peak hours. You’ve got the ICON Theatre nearby, a Yard House, and a bunch of office buildings filled with people who all decide to eat lunch at exactly 12:15 PM.
The parking lot immediately in front of the store is tight. It’s shared with a few other retailers, and if you’re trying to pull a quick U-turn, you’re going to have a bad time. Pro tip: if the front lot looks like a Tetris nightmare, just head to the ramp or the larger peripheral lots. A thirty-second walk saves you ten minutes of staring at someone's taillights.
Inside, it’s the standard red-and-white tile aesthetic. It’s loud. The grills are hissing, the staff is shouting out numbers, and there’s usually a stack of peanut boxes acting as a makeshift maze for the line. It isn't a place for a quiet first date. It’s a place for a high-calorie mission.
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Why the Burgers Hit Differently Here
The thing about Five Guys—and this St. Louis Park location specifically—is the refusal to use freezers. If you look behind the counter, you won’t see a single walk-in freezer. Everything is fresh. They use 80/20 ground beef, which is the industry standard for a juicy burger because the fat content renders down and basically self-bastes the meat.
They don't do "medium-rare." Everything is cooked well-done, but because the meat hasn't been frozen and the fat content is high, it stays juicy. If you're a steakhouse purist who needs a pink center, you might be disappointed, but the sheer volume of toppings usually makes up for it.
Speaking of toppings, they’re free. All fifteen of them.
- Grilled Onions & Mushrooms: These are the heavy hitters. They’re sautéed on the flat top right next to the patties.
- Jalapeños: Usually fresh, not pickled, which adds a distinct snap.
- The "All the Way" Standard: This gets you mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, and mustard.
Honestly, the "Little Cheeseburger" is plenty for most humans. It’s a single patty. The "Regular" is two. If you order a regular bacon cheeseburger with "All the Way" toppings, you’re looking at a caloric event that might require a nap immediately afterward.
The Potato Obsession
The fries at Five Guys St Louis Park MN are a local legend for two reasons: the portion size and the origin.
Every day, they scrawl the name of the farm where the potatoes were grown on a whiteboard. Often, they’re coming from Idaho or Washington, but occasionally you’ll see some midwestern farms represented. They use peanut oil exclusively. This is a dealbreaker for anyone with an allergy, obviously, but for everyone else, it’s the secret to that specific earthy, nutty crunch.
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They use a two-stage frying process. First, they blanch the fries to cook them through and soften the starch. Then, they fry them again at a higher temperature to get the golden exterior. If you see them shaking the fry basket and it looks like they're being aggressive, it’s because they’re trying to get the excess oil off so the fries don’t turn into a soggy mess by the time you get home to Golden Valley or Hopkins.
Here is the "insider" move: ask for your fries "well done."
The standard Five Guys fry is a bit "limp" by design—they prefer a softer texture. But if you like a crunch that can be heard three tables away, the staff at the St. Louis Park branch is usually happy to leave them in the fryer for an extra minute if it isn’t a total madhouse inside.
Pricing and Value in the 2020s
Let’s be real. Five Guys isn't a "cheap" burger anymore. If you’re comparing it to the dollar menu at a legacy fast-food chain, you’re going to have sticker shock. A burger, fries, and a drink at the St. Louis Park location will easily run you north of $20.
Why do people pay it?
It’s the customization and the volume. When you factor in that a "Large" fry can easily feed three people, the math starts to make a little more sense. It’s a "premium fast-casual" experience. You’re paying for the fact that a human being is hand-smashing your burger on a grill right in front of you, not pulling a pre-cooked disc out of a warming drawer.
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Navigation and Timing Tips
If you want to avoid the crowds, timing is everything.
- The Lunch Rush: 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM is the danger zone. The nearby office parks empty out, and the line can stretch to the door.
- The Movie Crowd: Friday and Saturday nights around 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM are busy because of the ICON Theatre. People grab a burger before heading to a screening.
- Online Ordering: Use the app. Seriously. You can fire off your order while you’re still sitting at your desk or finishing up errands at the nearby Costco. Your bag will be waiting on the rack, but—and this is important—they don't drop the fries into the oil until you actually walk in and announce yourself. They do this to ensure the fries stay hot. It’s a minor delay, but it’s worth the three-minute wait.
The Vegetarian Dilemma
Can you eat here if you don't eat meat? Sorta.
They don't have a veggie burger. No Impossible patty, no Beyond meat. What they do have is a "Veggie Sandwich," which is basically all the toppings (grilled onions, mushrooms, peppers, etc.) on a bun with cheese. It’s actually surprisingly good because their buns are high-quality, toasted, and slightly sweet. But if you’re looking for a protein-heavy plant-based meal, you’re probably better off hitting the Blaze Pizza or the Whole Foods nearby.
The Verdict on Five Guys St Louis Park MN
This location is a staple for a reason. It’s clean, the staff is generally more efficient than your average fast-food crew, and the food is predictably high-quality. It’s not "gourmet" in the sense of a $30 sit-down bistro burger with truffle aioli, but it’s the gold standard for what a greasy, American-style cheeseburger should be.
If you’re heading there, remember that the "Little" size is a normal size anywhere else. Don't over-order unless you're prepared to carry out a grease-stained brown paper bag that weighs as much as a small bowling ball.
How to make the most of your visit:
- Check the Board: See where your potatoes are from. It’s a weirdly satisfying bit of trivia.
- Mix the Sodas: They have the Coca-Cola Freestyle machines. Peach Mello Yello? Sure. Cherry Vanilla Coke? Go for it.
- Napkins are Not Optional: Grab more than you think you need. The grease-to-napkin ratio at Five Guys is historically skewed.
- Walk the West End: If the weather is nice, take your bag of food and walk a block over to the central plaza of the West End. There’s outdoor seating and it’s a much better atmosphere than sitting inside the noisy restaurant.
The next time you're stuck in traffic on 394, just remember that a massive pile of Cajun fries is only a right turn away. It won't help your cholesterol, but it'll definitely help your mood.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download the Five Guys App: Before your next trip to St. Louis Park, set up your profile to bypass the line during peak lunch hours.
- Check the Parking: If the immediate lot is full, bypass the stress and pull directly into the West End parking structures; the first few hours are usually free and it saves you the headache of tight-space maneuvering.
- Order the Fries "Well Done": Next time you order, specifically ask for your fries to be extra crispy to see if you prefer the crunch over the standard soft Five Guys style.
- Join the Rewards: If you find yourself at the St. Louis Park location more than once a month, check for any local seasonal promotions or app-based rewards that occasionally pop up for frequent diners.