12 Five Guys Secret Menu Items to Try
Discover exclusive Five Guys secret menu hacks and hidden burger delights
12 Five Guys Secret Menu Items to Try, from the Patty Melt to the Mega Shake
Bring Your Appetite
If you’ve been ordering the same Five Guys meal for years, it might be time to explore beyond the standard menu. While many customers stick with their tried-and-true favorites—perhaps a little cheeseburger with pickles, hot sauce, mayo and grilled onions paired with fries and a vanilla malt—Five Guys has a treasure trove of secret menu items waiting to be discovered. These hidden gems offer creative twists on classic burger combinations, giving you endless possibilities to customize your Five Guys experience. Whether you’re looking for something indulgent, health-conscious, or simply different, these secret menu hacks will transform your next visit into an adventure.
Mains: Burgers and Sandwiches
1. Grilled Cheeseburger (or Grilled Dog)
Modifications: Ask for two beef patties between two grilled cheese sandwiches
If you’re feeling extra hungry, this three-in-one sandwich should definitely satisfy your cravings. It’s essentially a massive combination featuring two grilled cheese sandwiches with beef patties layered between them, creating an incredibly cheesy and indulgent meal. The abundance of cheese and bread makes it similar in concept to a Big Mac, though with significantly more cheesy goodness. If your local Five Guys location has trouble ringing up this custom order, ask for two little burgers and two grilled cheese sandwiches separately, then remove the burger buns and assemble the sandwich yourself at your table. This creative hack delivers burger satisfaction with an extra layer of melted cheese that burger enthusiasts will absolutely love.
2. Burger Bowl
Modifications: Ask for a burger without the bun
For those following a low-carb diet, dealing with gluten allergies, or simply wanting to reduce carbohydrate intake, the Burger Bowl is an excellent alternative. This secret menu item delivers all the delicious Five Guys burger goodness without the traditional bun, served instead in a to-go tray or container. You can customize your toppings completely—pickles, lettuce, tomato, and mushrooms make an excellent starting combination. If you’re feeling decadent or following a ketogenic diet, add bacon and cheese to increase the protein and fat content. The Burger Bowl offers flexibility and satisfaction for dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor or quality.
3. The HB Slammer
Modifications: Order a bacon cheeseburger with extra bacon, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, mayonnaise, A1 Sauce, hot sauce, and jalapeños
This secret menu item is designed for those who crave bold, complex flavors and don’t shy away from spice. The HB Slammer starts with a substantial bacon cheeseburger and amplifies it with extra bacon for true pork lovers. The grilled onions and mushrooms add savory depth, while the combination of mayonnaise, A1 Sauce, and hot sauce creates a layered flavor profile that balances sweetness with heat. Optional jalapeños can push the spice level even higher. The blend of grilled vegetables, tangy sauce, and fiery kick makes this one of the most flavorful Five Guys secret menu options. Warning: some may find it slightly too rich, but for those seeking high-protein fast food with serious flavor complexity, this is an outstanding choice.
4. Sloppy Joe
Modifications: Order a plain hamburger with grilled green peppers, grilled onions, ketchup, and barbecue sauce
This Five Guys secret menu hack captures the nostalgic essence of a classic sloppy joe despite using different ingredients than the traditional version. Starting with a plain hamburger as your base, the grilled peppers and onions add sweetness and depth, while the combination of ketchup and barbecue sauce creates that signature sloppy joe sauce profile. The result is a messy, satisfying sandwich that delivers comfort food vibes with every finger-licking bite. This creative recreation demonstrates how Five Guys’ customization options allow you to build entirely different dishes from scratch.
5. Patty Melt
Modifications: Ask for a burger served on Texas toast instead of the regular bun
The Patty Melt transforms your Five Guys burger into something reminiscent of the classic American diner staple. Instead of the standard sesame seed bun, your burger arrives nestled between thick slices of grilled Texas toast. This substitution provides a sturdier, more robust bread option that holds up better to toppings and sauces while adding a toasted, buttery flavor dimension. The Texas toast delivers a more premium, restaurant-quality feel to your burger experience, making it feel like you’re ordering a gourmet creation rather than typical fast food.
6. Breaking Windy City Dog
Modifications: Order a hot dog with tomatoes, onions, relish, green peppers, pickles, Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, and mustard
This secret menu item pays homage to the famous Chicago-style hot dog, which locals describe as being “dragged through the garden” due to its generous pile of fresh produce. The Breaking Windy City Dog is a spicier evolution of this classic, incorporating fresh vegetables alongside traditional hot dog toppings and an exciting kick from Cajun seasoning and hot sauce. The combination of crisp vegetables, tangy relish, and warm spices creates a complex flavor profile that transforms a simple hot dog into something truly special. Many Five Guys locations recognize this item by name if you ask, making ordering easier.
7. Vegetarian BLT
Modifications: Ask for a BLT with no bacon and add grilled mushrooms
While Five Guys offers vegetable sandwiches and cheese vegetable sandwiches on the regular menu, this plant-based twist on the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato combination provides another excellent vegetarian option. The primary distinction from the cheese veggie sandwich is the inclusion of mayonnaise, though you can customize condiments according to your preferences. The grilled mushrooms substitute for bacon, providing a savory, umami-rich element that mimics the depth typically delivered by meat. This option ensures vegetarian customers can enjoy creative, satisfying meals that rival their meat-eating counterparts’ experiences.
8. Cajun Patties
Modifications: Ask for Cajun seasoning applied to your burger patties during grilling
This Five Guys secret menu hack, discovered through Reddit conversations with former employees, involves requesting Cajun patties. During the cooking process, Cajun seasoning—typically reserved exclusively for fries—gets smashed directly onto the burger patties on both sides as they grill. This technique infuses the meat itself with bold, spicy flavors rather than simply adding them as a topping. The result is a deeply seasoned burger with complex spice notes throughout. Pro tip: it’s appreciated if you order this toward the end of the day, since the grill requires thorough scraping afterward to prevent flavoring cross-contamination.
9. Patty Melt Variations
Modifications: Combine the Texas toast approach with your favorite burger toppings and sauces
Building on the Patty Melt concept, you can create endless variations by pairing the Texas toast bread option with different topping combinations. Try a patty melt with grilled onions and mushrooms for a classic diner experience, or add jalapeños and hot sauce for a spicy twist. The Texas toast base works exceptionally well with caramelized onions, crispy bacon, and melted cheese, delivering a sophisticated burger experience that feels more restaurant-quality than typical fast food fare.
Sides and Fries
10. Well-Done Fries
Modifications: Request your fries cooked until extra crispy
Five Guys is famous for their fresh-cut, hand-fried potato offerings, and requesting well-done fries takes this to another level. When you ask for extra crispy preparation, the kitchen cooks your fries longer, creating an exceptionally crunchy exterior while maintaining some creaminess inside. This modification appeals to those who prefer textural contrast and maximum flavor concentration. The longer cooking time caramelizes the potatoes slightly, intensifying their natural sweetness and creating addictive chips.
Beverages
11. Mega Shake
Modifications: Request a shake loaded with extra toppings, mix-ins, and whipped cream
While not an entirely secret item, the Mega Shake represents Five Guys’ customizable approach to beverages taken to its extreme. Ask your server to load your shake with multiple mix-ins, extra toppings, additional whipped cream, and any other delicious additions you can imagine. Five Guys’ shakes already feature real ice cream and premium ingredients, so the Mega Shake elevates this into an indulgent dessert experience that goes well beyond standard fast food offerings.
Advanced Customization Tips
Understanding Five Guys’ customization philosophy is key to unlocking their secret menu potential. The chain prides itself on allowing customers to build their perfect meal from scratch, combining different proteins, breads, toppings, and sauces in creative ways. When ordering secret menu items, clear communication is essential. If your local Five Guys staff isn’t immediately familiar with a specific secret menu name, describe the components you want and the staff will happily prepare it. Many Five Guys employees have been trained to accommodate custom requests, making them surprisingly accommodating to creative food requests.
Popular Secret Menu Variations
Beyond the main items listed above, creative customers have developed numerous other popular variations. Some popular combinations include ordering a “Grilled Dog” (a hot dog prepared using the grilled cheese concept), requesting the “Double-Double Dupe” (which attempts to replicate In-N-Out’s famous Animal Style burger), or asking for a burger with all available vegetable toppings for a maximalist approach. Exploring Reddit communities and Five Guys fan forums reveals constantly evolving combinations as customers share their discoveries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will Five Guys staff know what I’m ordering if I ask for a secret menu item by name?
A: Most Five Guys locations are familiar with the most popular secret menu items like the Patty Melt and Burger Bowl. However, less common items might require you to describe the components. Staff members are generally accommodating and will prepare custom combinations as requested.
Q: Are secret menu items more expensive than regular menu items?
A: Pricing depends on the ingredients used. A Burger Bowl (no bun) typically costs the same as a regular burger, while items with extra proteins like the Artery Annihilator will cost more due to additional ingredients.
Q: Can I modify any Five Guys menu item?
A: Five Guys is extremely accommodating with modifications. You can add or remove any toppings, request different bread options, and combine items creatively. The kitchen is equipped to handle virtually any reasonable customization request.
Q: Are these secret menu items available at all Five Guys locations?
A: Yes, since Five Guys builds everything to order, secret menu items can be prepared at any location. However, unfamiliar staff might need more detailed instructions about what you want.
Q: What’s the best time to order complicated secret menu items?
A: Ordering during slower periods (mid-afternoon or late evening) gives kitchen staff more time to carefully prepare complex custom orders. During lunch and dinner rushes, simpler orders move more smoothly.
Q: Can I combine multiple secret menu modifications into one burger?
A: Absolutely! You could theoretically order Texas toast with Cajun-seasoned patties, grilled mushrooms and onions, extra bacon, and all your favorite sauces. Get creative and build your ultimate burger.
Conclusion
Five Guys’ secret menu items demonstrate the restaurant’s commitment to customization and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re seeking indulgent combinations like the HB Slammer, dietary accommodations like the Burger Bowl, or nostalgic recreations like the Sloppy Joe, Five Guys provides the tools to build exactly what you’re craving. The next time you visit Five Guys, venture beyond your usual order and try one of these creative secret menu items. Your taste buds will thank you for the delicious adventure, and you might just discover your new favorite meal at this beloved burger chain.
