Five Guys vs Shake Shack: Two new burger joints prepare to battle it out, but what's all the fuss about?

You've been to Byron, munched at MeatLiquor, even partied at Patty & Bun so you're probably thinking, does the UK need ANOTHER burger joint?

Well when the new joint happens to be not one but TWO legendary US burger restaurants the answer is yes, yes we do.

On July 4, our pals across the pond bestowed upon us two of the greatest burger bars known to man - Five Guys and Shake Shack.

But what's the story behind all the hype? Are they worth a visit? And how do they compare? Let's take a closer look...

Five Guys

Where can I find this hamburger haven? 1-3 Long Acre, London, WC2E 9LH (Reading location coming soon)

It all begin in…Virginia in 1986. Five Guys branches were only in the Washington D.C. area until 2003. That's when the joy began to spread. They now have over 1000 locations throughout the US and Canada. Having topped pretty much every burger poll in the US, they opened their first UK store yesterday.

What's so great about it? Err how about the best burger you've ever eaten in your whole life? They wrap these succulent sandwiches in foil so they stay juicy and hot - not that you'll probably get much further than the till before you've devoured it all. You can get every kind of topping your mind can possibly think of and FOR FREE - plus let's not forget they serve chips with the skins on (fried in cholesterol-free peanut oil). On a recent trip to LA, this writer chose a Five Guys burger for her final breakfast before flying back home and it was probably the best meal of the entire trip.

Don't leave without trying... Go All The Way and get mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup and mustard at no extra cost.

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How much do I have to cough up for one of these bad boys? It's £6.75 for a burger or £8 for a cheeseburger but don't forget they have 15 free toppings so you can customise your patty any way you like it. Little hamburgers are only £4.75 if you're not quite so peckish but they're so good you might end up getting two. Fries are extra - £2.75 for little up to £5 for large.

Do their milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard? Alas no, they don't serve milkshakes. But they do boast over 100 soft drink choices and they have these really cool touch screen machines that you'll spend ages pouring over only to end up choosing plain old Coke.

Celebrity fans include…only the most powerful man in the world, President Obama.

Anything else I need to know before I get in line? Only that you can order everything online so it's waiting for you when you arrive. We figure the less time you spend in line, the more time you can dedicate to enjoying your delicious dinner/lunch/breakfast (see above).

Shake Shack

Where can I find this hamburger haven? Covent Garden Piazza, London

It all began in…New York's Madison Square Park in 2004. There are now multiple Shake Shack locations across the east coast of the US and international branches in Istanbul, Dubai and (as of today) London.

What's so great about it? These guys bring all the best parts of fine dining to burgers - quality ingredients, designer locations and a seriously impressive menu. Their motto is 'Stand for Something Good' and they mean it - using all natural ingredients, renewable energy and decking out each restaurant with recycled materials. Oh and the food of course. 100 per cent Aberdeen Angus beef and free-range bacon make for a mighty tasty burger. They also cater to the vegetarians of the world with a 'Shroom burger' that would convert even the most carnivorous of meat eaters.

Don't leave without trying... the SmokeShack - a cheeseburger topped with free-range smoked bacon, cherry pepper and uber-awesome ShackSauce. And crinkle cut cheese fries. With a Shack-cago hot dog on the side.

How much do I have to cough up for one of these bad boys? A double SmokeShack will set you back £9, with fries at £2.50 and a shake for £4.50. Concretes will cost you more (£6.50 for a double) but you can get a single cheeseburger for £4.75.

Do their milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard? Heck yes they do and they're made with their own ice-cream, which they call frozen custard. They also have concretes - thick, dense tubs of goodness in all the classic flavours plus a few specials that you can only get in the London branch. We've got our eye on the Union Shack - Chocolate custard, St. JOHN Bakery chocolate hazelnut brownie, fudge sauce, paul.a.young chocolate chunks and sea salt. Come to mama.

Celebrity fans include…Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise.

Anything else I need to know before I get in line? They serve booze! Specifically ShackMeister Ale and their very own Napa Valley wine.

Now all we need is an In N Out and we'll never have to leave Blighty again! Just kidding…we don't have a Disneyland.