Richmond has a burger problem. Not a "we don't have enough" problem—more like a "where do I actually go when I'm starving at 7:00 PM on a Tuesday" problem. If you’ve spent any time in the Near West End, you know the Five Guys Willow Lawn location isn't just another fast-casual spot. It's a landmark. Situated in the bustling Willow Lawn shopping center at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive, this specific franchise has managed to survive the constant rotation of retail tenants in the area. It honestly feels like it’s been there forever.
Walk in. You’re immediately hit by that smell. It’s the peanut oil. It’s the heavy scent of unwashed potatoes in those massive burlap sacks stacked high like some sort of starch-based fortress. Most people don’t realize that Five Guys doesn’t even own freezers. Everything is fresh. That’s why the Willow Lawn location usually has a line snaking toward the door during the lunch rush. It’s efficient, sure, but it’s loud. The clattering of metal spatulas against the grill provides a soundtrack to your wait.
The Willow Lawn Experience: More Than Just Grease
What makes the Five Guys Willow Lawn spot different from, say, the one out in Short Pump or down in Midlothian? Accessibility. You've got a mix of corporate office workers from the surrounding buildings, Anthem employees grabbing a quick bite, and local families who just finished shopping at Dick’s Sporting Goods or Kroger. It’s a crossroads.
The parking at Willow Lawn is, frankly, a nightmare. We all know it. You spend ten minutes circling near the Panera just to find a spot that isn't a mile away. But people do it anyway for those fries. Let’s talk about the fries. They’re "boardwalk style," which basically means they’re soaked in water to remove starch, fried once to cook them through, and fried again to get that crisp. At Willow Lawn, they don't skimp. If you order a "small" fry, you’re actually getting a brown paper bag filled with a literal mountain of potatoes. It’s a chaotic amount of food.
Customization is the Real King
Most folks walk in and just say "cheeseburger." Rookie mistake.
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The beauty of the menu here is the "All The Way" option. It includes mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, and mustard. But honestly, the secret is the stuff they don't put on by default. Jalapeños. Green peppers. A-1 Sauce. Hot sauce. You can make a mess of a burger that is entirely unique to your specific cravings that day. At the Willow Lawn location, the kitchen crew is notoriously fast. Even when the board is covered in tickets, they manage to keep the burgers from looking like they were sat on, which is a common complaint at lesser burger joints.
The cheese. It’s American. It’s melty. It’s standard. But when it hits that hot beef patty—always two patties unless you specify a "Little" burger—it creates this cohesive, salty unit of flavor that hits the lizard brain just right. There is zero pretense here. No brioche buns. No truffle oil. Just a plain seeded bun that usually ends up a bit smashed by the time you pull it out of the foil. That foil is key, by the way. It steams the bun slightly, bonding everything together.
The Logistics of 1601 Willow Lawn Drive
If you're planning a visit, timing is everything. Between 12:00 PM and 1:30 PM, it’s a madhouse.
- Online Ordering: Use the app. Seriously. You can walk in, skip the line of people staring at the menu board like they've never seen a burger before, and grab your bag from the counter.
- The Peanut Factor: If you have an allergy, don't even step foot in there. There are open boxes of peanuts everywhere. It’s part of the brand, but it’s also a literal minefield for some.
- Seating: The Willow Lawn layout is a bit tight. There are tables, but during peak hours, you’re likely going to be eating in your car or taking it back to the office.
There’s something weirdly comforting about the consistency. Whether you’re a college student from VCU who ventured a few miles west or a lifelong Richmonder, the experience at Five Guys Willow Lawn hasn't changed much in a decade. While the prices have certainly crept up—a burger, fries, and a drink will easily set you back $20 these days—the portion sizes still feel like a win.
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Beyond the Burger: Shakes and Secret Hits
A few years ago, they added milkshakes to the menu. It felt like a gamble. Would people want a milkshake with a burger that already has 1,000 calories? Turns out, yes. The bacon milkshake is the one everyone talks about. It sounds gross. It’s actually incredible. The saltiness of the bacon bits cuts through the sweetness of the vanilla base.
Then there are the grilled cheeses. If you’re not feeling a burger, the Five Guys grilled cheese is actually just a burger bun turned inside out and grilled. It’s buttery, crispy, and cheap. You can even ask them to add grilled onions and mushrooms to the grilled cheese. It’s a "secret menu" item that actually tastes like a real meal.
Why Richmonders Keep Coming Back
Richmond is a foodie city. We have incredible local spots like Jack Brown’s or Beauvine. So why does a massive chain like Five Guys Willow Lawn still thrive?
Reliability.
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When you go to a local spot, the burger might be different every time. At Willow Lawn, the fries are always going to be that specific texture. The soda machine—the Coca-Cola Freestyle one—will always have 100+ flavors, even if half of them are "out of syrup" on a Sunday afternoon. There is a psychological safety in knowing exactly what your $18 is buying you.
Also, the staff. The crew at this location tends to stay longer than at other fast-food places. You’ll see the same faces behind the counter for months or even years. That matters. It means the burgers are consistent because the people making them actually know what they’re doing. They’ve mastered the "scoop" of the fries. They know how to wrap a burger so the grease doesn't leak through the bag immediately (though it always leaks eventually).
Practical Tips for Your Next Visit
- Check the Potato Board: Every Five Guys has a whiteboard saying where today’s potatoes are from. Usually, it's Idaho or Washington. It’s a small detail, but it’s a cool reminder of the "fresh" promise.
- Split the Fries: Unless you are a competitive eater, one "Large" fry is enough for three people. Do not buy individual fries for a group. It is a waste of money and potatoes.
- The "Little" Burger is a Normal Burger: A "Little Cheeseburger" is one patty. A "Cheeseburger" is two. Most people find the single patty more than enough, especially with all the toppings.
- Napkin Strategy: Grab three times as many as you think you need. The grease-to-napkin ratio is always skewed in favor of the grease.
The Five Guys Willow Lawn location remains a staple of the Richmond food landscape because it doesn't try to be anything it isn't. It’s not a "bistro." It’s not "elevated." It’s a place where you get a massive amount of high-quality beef and potatoes served in a bag that turns translucent from oil within five minutes. In a world of complicated dining, there’s a lot of value in that simplicity.
Actionable Next Steps
To get the most out of your visit to the Willow Lawn Five Guys, download the official app before you leave your house. Richmond traffic on Broad Street and around the Willow Lawn circle is unpredictable, and having your order already in the queue saves you from the midday "hangry" wait. If you’re looking to save a few dollars, skip the standard "Cheeseburger" and opt for the "Little Cheeseburger" with "All The Way" toppings—you’ll get the same flavor profile and plenty of food without the double-patty price tag. Finally, always check your bag before leaving the counter to ensure your "extra" fry scoop actually made it in there; the Willow Lawn crew is usually great about it, but on a busy Friday night, it never hurts to double-check.