Shake Shack Barbecue Menu review: Shake Shack's new burgers taste like summer days by the grill

Living in Texas means eating tons of barbecue and fried foods. And as a foodie, I’m not complaining! But this also means that I am a lot more critical of BBQ. I’ve tried so many varieties of barbecue that my tastebuds have become tough to impress. Still, when I learned that Shake Shack was taking on the BBQ world, I was excited. After all, what’s better than BBQ paired with one of Shake Shack’s iconic shakes?

Shake Shack is not one to fall behind on the trends. The fast-casual chain is also known for taking risks. That said, I wasn’t surprised Shake Shack wanted to tap into the grilling season. And so the chain released two new burgers, the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and the Carolina BBQ Burger. Both of these new offerings are topped with fried pickles and guests have the option of adding cheese sauce. Shake Shack also added BBQ fries as an option (I did not order these). If these two new meals don’t sound like they were made for Texas, I don’t know what does! 

I ordered the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger while my husband tried the Carolina BBQ Burger, which I stole several bites from. You know, for work purposes! Let’s start with mine. 

Smoky Classic BBQ Burger 

This tasty BBQ burger features an Angus beef patty topped with American cheese, bacon, fried onions, pickles, and smoky BBQ sauce. When it comes to burgers, I’m not too picky! All I ask for is a juicy patty and a rich flavor that is not overpowering. I want to my tastebuds to know this is something unique and different, but not so much so that the taste is overwhelming. The Smoky Classic BBQ Burger checks all of the boxes!

The textures work perfectly together, with the crispy bacon and fried onions adding a crunch that just hits the spot. Pro tip: Ask for extra BBQ sauce. You seriously can’t have enough of it. Pictured above is the Double Smoky Class BBQ Burger, I had the single.

The Carolina BBQ Burger 

The Carolina BBQ Burger also features a beef patty and bacon, but this is where the similarities end. It is topped with fried pickles, jalapeno jack cheese, and Carolina gold BBQ sauce. Let me tell ya, the jalapeno jack cheese makes all the difference here. The jalapeno jack cheese paired with the Carolina gold BBQ sauce gives it a real nice kick that foodies searching for something more daring are sure to enjoy. 

Maybe I’m biased because the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger was my order, but this is my favorite of the two. From the two new burgers, the Smoky Classic is more comforting and reminds me of summer days by the grill. Both the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and the Carolina BBQ Burger will set you back $8.99 (prices may vary based on region). For a Shake Shack burger and one that is only available for a limited time, it’s a reasonable price! 

Don’t take my word for it, though! Stop by your local Shake Shack and give one (or both) of these burgers a try! Remember, the Smoky Classic BBQ Burger and the Carolina BBQ Burger are only available for a limited time, so don’t wait.