That 10 p.m. delay burger fix sits in Terminal 2
Five Guys in DCA Terminal 2 sits post-security, squarely in the “my 7 p.m. turned into 10 p.m.” category of backup plans. It’s standard Five Guys: greasy double cheeseburgers, grilled onions, and peanut shells on the floor, at airport pricing in the $$ range. Portions run huge by airport standards, so a full meal here can easily carry you through a 3‑hour delay.
Everything is cooked to order, which is why reviews mention slow service when more than 5–6 people are in line. A double burger can take 10–15 minutes from ticket to bag during the 5–8 p.m. bank. That’s the trade: fresher than typical fast food in DCA, but you can’t cut it close to a 9:20 p.m. boarding time and expect to stroll out calmly.
Prices run higher than city locations: think low‑to‑mid‑$20s for a burger, shared fries, and a drink. Google and Yelp both flag the fries as the best value play, since a single regular fry order easily feeds 2 people. If you’re solo and still want fries, go small or you’ll be walking to gate 2 with a bag of leftovers you probably won’t touch.
Regulars go for a little burger loaded with free toppings instead of the full two‑patty build, especially before a 2–3 hour flight. Several frequent flyers say they order ahead through the Five Guys app as soon as they clear Terminal 2 security, then just swing by to grab the bag, skipping the order line entirely. That move saves 10 minutes of stand‑and‑wait time during evening banks.
Watch out for the grill smell drifting down the concourse and a dining area that gets messy during peak delays; reviews mention overflowing trash and dirty tables around 6–8 p.m. Practical move: hit Five Guys right after security with at least 45 minutes before boarding, order a little burger and shared regular fries, and eat before you head toward your actual gate.