A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how so many people have told me that 5 guys was just like In-N-Out, and I wrote about how it wasn’t anything like In-N-Out. Well a few days after that I had the opportunity to eat at In-N-Out once again, and with 5 guys relatively fresh on my taste buds, I can confirm that my past post was correct, In-N-Out is still the best hamburger and fries on the planet. 

With the demise of Diego’s we had to make a decision on where to eat, and since we were in the neighborhood, we decided to try 5 guys burgers. I have heard from several people that 5 guys is just like In-N-Out. I have taken those types of recommendations with a rain of salt. Now after having actually eaten there, I can say that they are only like In-N-Out, in the fact that they use fresh meat, and cut their own fries, that where the comparison  ends.

The service was horrible, we waited at the counter for over 5 minutes, before anyone acknowledged our presence, and he seemed bothered that we were there. The place was near empty with only 3 of 12+ tables occupied, and no one else in line. Then there was the 20+ minute wait for the food, and I understand that fresh food takes more time to cook, then the microwave at fast food places, but 20+ minutes for a burger… I could understand it if the place was packed, but it wasn’t.

The burgers were not that great, it seems that they are trying for a char grilled taste, by essentially burning the meat, almost to the point it had no taste. The fries had they not been over cooked would have probably been almost as good as In-N-Out.

The overdone wallpapering of the walls with up to 6+ year old reviews was really lame, I guess they are going for the power of suggestion there, and being as the most recent was going on 2 years old, could indicate a trend. They may have been better, but you couldn’t prove it to me tonight.

The drive from Pungo to Haygood used to be worth it to go to Diego’s, but it isn’t anymore. As we were driving up Independence my Wife and I both agreed, we should have gone to Sonic, a better burger at half the cost.

Well a little taste of home is gone…

We would regularly make the trip across town to have a Saturday lunch or dinner at Diego’s Taco Shop on Independence. It was nothing fancy, just real good Southern California Mexican food, which is not a real easy find here in Southeast Virginia… It had all the makings of a typical San Diego taco shop, except for the fact that all the staff spoke English, and I doubt any of them could speak Spanish…

Now there are a lot of Mexican food places in town, but only three, I consider any good, and Diego’s was on the top of my list, Pelon’s is a close second, but they are at the Oceanfront, and I hate that hassle in the summer,  El Taqueria San Jose Restaurant is my third choice, for no particular reason. Actually all three are real close in my book. I have tried most of the other places in the Virgina Beach area, and they aren’t even in the same league….

I guess the thing I liked best about Diego’s was the atmosphere, or lack of, the place was just like the places back in San Diego, in an old Taco Bell, with a paint job, no theme, nothing fancy, just good food…

Diego’s you will be missed…