Five Guys To Open On Wednesday Morning

The wait is over. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is finally opening in Upper Montclair on Wednesday. For 18 long months, Montclair residents have been walking by an empty storefront a few doors down from Williams-Sonoma, faced with the same banner reading "Coming Soon: Five Guys Burgers and Fries."

But every time word spread that the restaurant was opening, it didn't.

This time, though, it appears the chain is at long last finally opening.

"Thanks for sticking with us ... I know it's been a long haul," said company spokesperson Molly Catalano. "But it's definitely opening on Wednesday."

The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Backing up her assertion is the fact uniformed employees could be seen undergoing an orientation session at the restaurant on Monday.

Although the opening of Five Guys has been heavily anticipated, the Arlington, Va.-based burger chain will have its work cut out for it thanks to an array of competition. Earlier this year, Smashburger on Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair introduced an array of tasty new dishes, including a BBQ Ranch SmashChicken, and a number of sides and new salads—a menu that's attracted a lot of attention. At the same time, Elevation Burger, also on Bloomfield Avenue, has drawn large crowds.

But Five Guys is a popular chain in many parts of the country and it garnered a lot of media hype last year when President Obama made a surprise lunchtime stop at a Five Guys in Washington, D.C. He ordered a cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce, mustard, and jalapeno peppers, and also ordered several burgers to go for his staff.

In general, Five Guys is known for boasting a wide selection of choices for toppings—everything from relish and A-1 sauce to grilled mushrooms and jalapeno peppers. Until now, Montclair fans have had to drive more than five miles to East Rutherford—the closest restaurant—to get their fix of the chain's always well-done burgers.

The new Five Guys business will open at 622 Valley Road—fingers crossed.