Pre-birthday burgers for Barack Obama and staff

President Barack Obama and five members of his team have celebrated with burgers and fries ahead of his 50th birthday.

After his meal at the Good Stuff Eatery on Capitol Hill, the president shook hands with cheering customers before returning to the White House for a cabinet meeting.

Speaking on the eve of his 50th birthday, he said: "I'm going to get advice from some around the table...about how to handle this milestone."