Shake Shack, Covent Garden

Having visited and reviewed Five Guys a few months ago, I have been thinking it is only fair that I do the same for its fellow American burger expat, just around the corner. Shake Shack was established in New York just over ten years ago and since then has become somewhat of a legend in the world of American fast food chains - something which, for some reason, has become rather trendy of late. If you don't know your In and Out from your Taco Bell, and your Bubba Gump from your Krispy Kreme, well then who are you?

Shake Shack has a prime spot right in the middle of the old Covent Garden market. There is a small area to order the food, whereby you are given some kind of contraption which should be out of star trek, which shouts at you when your food is ready. We had always been put off by the enormous queue which signposted Shake Shack in its first month of opening. Now, though, it remains busy but a nice kind of busy - Embankment on a weekend, not Bank on a Monday rush hour. Once your have ordered and been handed the shouty klingon device, you can choose to either sit outside overlooking the Apple and the street performers, or inside in a small not particularly inspiring room, or in the central section of the market itself. You have barely sat down and already you are summoned. I went to collect my food only to find that a very helpful lady said she would bring it to my table. I then had to awkwardly escort the lady to the place where I was sitting so that she could safely deliver our meal to the table. One of the more bizarre concepts of service I have to say.

Anyway, the food. I would say, the burgers were good. They were very tasty, the chips were really good, and the beer was already (but £5 a pint). That all said, we couldn't help but feel that the whole thing was riding on one huge, distinctive and unique selling point. Because of this, it will probably do very well here. Because of this it will probably always be busy. Because of this people will be talking about it still. It is, unfortunately, probably only this which inspired me to blog about it. Shake Shack is riding on the novelty: it's from New York, it has become legendary, and now there is one in London. Sure, if there is not a queue, try it. The food, like I say, is pretty good. But for the price, I think I will be more likely to grab a burger at Five Guys. If ever I am in Covent Garden and craving an overpriced American fast food novelty burger. Also can't help feeling we should have tried a shake - oops!

24, Market Building, 

The Piazza, Covent Garden, 

London 

WC2E 8RD