I have a confession: Before last weekend, I'd never stepped foot into a Five Guys restaurant. I've heard hundreds of people talk about the chain, seen passionate emails fired back and forth debating the merits of their French fries, and read more than a few glowing reviews. I've just never searched out the chain to try it out for myself. That is, until you, the readers, voted Five Guys into a tie for best burger in Broward/Palm Beach. I'd like to thank each and every one of you personally, as this was easily the finest burger I've had at a chain.

I walked up to the crowded counter and ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger with ketchup, pickles, and jalapenos. A few minutes later, a gentleman screamed out my number and handed me a small paper bag with my burger and a few napkins tucked inside. By the time I'd brought the bag back to my table, the grease from the burger was already seeping out the side of the foil it was wrapped in and staining the brown paper bag. Before I even sat down all the way in my chair, I'd opened the foil and stared in amazement at the burger. Two patties, bacon crumbles, and jalapenos all melted together under a couple of slices of cheese.

The burger dripped grease with every bite, and despite the fact that this may have taken a few years off my life, each mouthful was followed by a semi-orgasmic moan. The patties were well done, as they always are, but still so juicy with grease and cheese that it tasted closer to medium rare than well. I'm completely convinced that no chain does burgers better than Five Guys. Especially when you've only got to pay just under $6 for a little slice of heaven.

Le Tub: in the lead in our Readers' Poll.

When we search Broward and Palm Beach counties for winners for our Best Of edition, we eat and drink all in the name of our readers. Even with all our hard work, though, we can't know it all. So every year, we invite our readers to submit their favorites in our Best Of Readers' Poll. Below are the restaurants currently in the lead for winning our Readers' Poll. Click on the links to vote, but do so before May 18.

Best Sports Bar: Wowies Sports Grill

Best Bar in Palm Beach: Slainte

Best Bar in Broward: Kingshead Pub

Best Restaurant in Palm Beach: Ambrosia
 
Best Restaurant in Broward: Hi Life Café

Best Hamburger: Le Tub

Best Pizza: Pizza Fusion
 

We need some help here, folks. So many great restaurants, so little time. From the tiny corner bistro where you've been a regular for years to the splashy newcomer cheffed by a big name, Broward County can grapple with the big guys when it comes to fine dining. So what's the BEST RESTAURANT in the county, IYHO? Old or new, shabby or chic, if you love it, get it on our list. Write your choice in the comments section below.

Need some suggestions? Click here for an archive of articles by New Times food writers Gail Shepherd and John Linn.

Palm Beach County has gone through one of the biggest restaurant booms in the U.S. lately: We're finally on the culinary map. From the tiny corner bistro where you've been a regular for years to the splashy newcomer cheffed by a big name, Palm Beach has enough good restaurants to keep us busy for a lifetime. So what's the BEST RESTAURANT in the county, IYHO? Old or new, shabby or chic, if you love it, get it on our list. Write your choice in the comments section below.

No single foodstuff has been fought over with the fervor of of the simple tomato pie. Everybody's got an opinion, and our guess is you're no exception. Whether you like the fat, doughy Chicago pie, the New York-style thin crust (soft enough to fold in the middle), one of the new brick-oven flatbreads topped with rock shrimp and pancetta, or the way they do it in old Italy: with a cracker crunchy crust -- tell us where you get the BEST PIZZA in Broward and Palm Beach counties by writing your vote in comment section below.

Need some suggestions? Click here for an archive of articles by New Times food writers Gail Shepherd and John Linn.

What's it gonna be: that thin, greasy patty on a squishy white bun, topped with a Heinz dill slice and served at your favorite all-night diner? Or the $100 chopped Kobe steak on artisanal  sourdough with truffled mayonnaise courtesy of some hoity celeb chef? It's your turn to be the judge -- what's the BEST HAMBURGER in Palm Beach and Broward Counties? Choose your beef in the comments section below.

Need some suggestions? Click here for an archive of articles by New Times food writers Gail Shepherd and John Linn.