When it comes to stacking the perfect one, no one does it quite like Five Guys. Hailing from USA’s D.C., this burger joint has been voted the “Number 1 Burger” by Washingtonian Magazine for seven years straight, with even former U.S. president Barack Obama reportedly being a fan. That’s some serious burger clout. But, what exactly makes a perfect burger? According to Phil Keelan, Head of Operations for Five Guys AUS/NZ, there’s a method to the madness. And, if you’ve ever built a burger that collapsed into a sad, sauce-soaked mess, you might want to take note of his burger blueprint below.

1. Perfect your patty game

When it comes to building the best burger, juicy patties are non-negotaible. For Five Guys, a perfect patty is 80% lean beef and 20% fat. The fat is what brings the flavour, ensuring every bite is succulent, rich, and ridiculously tasty.

2. I like (good) buns and I can not lie

Think of the bun as the foundation of your burger. Too soft? It disintegrates. Too dense? It overpowers the fillings. The Five Guys bun has an interesting history (“Google Five Guys & Brenners Bakery if you’re curious” says Phil), but what you need to know is that it’s sweeter, softer, and more “cake-tier” than your average brioche or milk bun – for a very good reason.

3. A balancing act

There’s a fine line between “perfectly stacked” and “chaotic mess.” Every topping should balance texture, flavour, and temperature. Think crispy meets creamy, warm meets cool. Bacon? Grilled onions? Pickles? Yes, yes, and yes. But go easy. Too much of a good thing and you lose the juicy, beefy magic of the patty itself.

BYOB (Build Your Own Burger): A Step-by-Step Guide

• Toast the bun – Caramelisation is key. No one wants a soggy burger.
• Sauce up the heel (bottom bun) – Add your first layer of flavour here. Mayo? BBQ? Go for it.
• Add hot toppings – Bacon, grilled onions. Make sure they’re evenly spread!
• Stack your patties – And don’t forget to melt the cheese on top.
• Sauce the crown (top bun) – This is where bold sauces shine (hello, mustard and smoky BBQ).
• Add your cold toppings – Crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy pickles—whatever your heart desires.
• Stack it like an Instagram pro – Because we eat with our eyes first.

A final Five Guys burger tip: Crispy bacon only. Nothing’s worse than biting into a burger and pulling out half the toppings along with a limp, chewy strip of bacon.

Five Guys is opening its doors in Martin Place Metro on Monday, March 10th.