Shake Shack’s 2025 Summer BBQ Menu: Every New Item, Ranked and Reviewed
We taste-tested the entire Shake Shack 2025 Summer BBQ menu—handhelds, sides, shakes, and more—to help you choose your standout summer order.
Shake Shack’s 2025 Summer BBQ Menu: Full Taste Test, Honest Review & Ultimate Ranking
Shake Shack launches its 2025 Summer BBQ Menu, and this year’s lineup ignites the season with bold new hand-helds, zingy sauces, and nostalgia-driven shakes. As a loyal ShackBurger fan, tackling every new menu item was an irresistible challenge. Below you’ll find the full results of our summer taste test—including a ranking of each burger, chicken sandwich, fry, and shake—so you’ll know exactly what to order at your next cookout run.
Table of Contents
- About the 2025 Summer BBQ Menu
- The New Handhelds: Burgers & Chicken
- Summer Sides: Spicy Fries & Cheese Fries
- Nostalgic Summer Shakes
- Full Ranking: Which Items Are Worth It?
- FAQs
About the 2025 Summer BBQ Menu
Shake Shack is a cult-favorite fast-casual chain revered for its ShackBurger, crinkle-cut fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. Each summer, they remix their offerings with limited-edition flavors. The 2025 Summer BBQ Menu blends classic American cookout flavors—think tangy barbecue sauce, fried pickles, crispy onions, and summer-dessert-inspired shakes.
The menu boasts nine new or returning items for a full-on summer feast. Prices and availability can vary, but most items fall in the $8–$10 range for handhelds and $4–$7 for sides and shakes.
The New Handhelds: Burgers & Chicken
This year’s BBQ menu lets you choose your protein: juicy Angus beef or crispy white-meat chicken. Both are layered on Shake Shack’s signature toasted potato bun and loaded with punchy summer toppings.
- Smoky Classic BBQ Burger: A 100% Angus beef patty smothered in creamy American cheese, applewood-smoked bacon, fresh pickles, crispy onions, and Shake Shack’s “smoky” BBQ sauce. (Starts at $8.99)
- Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles: Angus beef and pepper jack cheese paired with applewood-smoked bacon, a pile of fried pickles, and distinctively tangy Carolina-style barbecue sauce. (Starts at $8.99)
- Smoky Classic BBQ Chicken: Swap the beef for crispy chicken, but keep the cheese, bacon, pickles, crispy onions, and BBQ sauce—giving the handheld a crunchy, savory twist. (Starts at $8.99)
- Carolina BBQ Chicken: Pepper jack cheese, bacon, fried pickles, and the sweet-tangy Carolina sauce over fried chicken, all bundled in the pillowy potato bun. (Starts at $8.99)
Each sandwich delivers a distinct barbecue flavor profile. The “Smoky” offerings lean savory and rich, while the “Carolina” options are brighter and punchier, thanks to their vinegar-based sauce and fried pickle crunch.
Tip: Sub chicken or beef in any BBQ sandwich to suit your preferences.
Summer Sides: Spicy Fries & Spicy Cheese Fries
No BBQ feast is complete without a salty, spicy side. Shake Shack debuts two new spins on their beloved crinkle fries:
- Spicy Fries with Ranch: Crinkle-cut fries tossed in the “Shack hot pepper blend”—cayenne, garlic, paprika—and served with a tangy ranch dip. (Starts at $3.99)
- Spicy Cheese Fries with Ranch: The same spiced fries, lavished with Shake Shack’s creamy cheese sauce and a side of ranch. (Starts at $4.99)
Expect legitimate heat levels; even spice fans will appreciate the subtle kick balanced by the cooling ranch.
Note: Spice is present, but the flavors don’t overpower the savory, craveable fries.
Nostalgic Summer Shakes
Every summer menu at Shake Shack leans into dessert nostalgia. For 2025, milkshake lovers can pick among three limited-edition frozen custard creations—each capturing the spirit of a classic warm-weather treat:
- Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake: Vanilla frozen custard blended with Oreo cookies and crispy funnel cake crunch, crowned with whipped cream and Oreo crumbs. (Starts at $4.59–$6.99, depending on location)
- Banana Pudding Shake: Real banana pudding custard swirled with vanilla wafer cookies, topped with whipped cream and more cookie crumbles. (Starts at $6.49–$6.99)
- Campfire S’mores Shake: Vanilla frozen custard mixed with graham cracker, rich chocolate, and toasted marshmallow fudge chunks, then finished with whipped cream and s’mores crumble. (Starts at $6.49–$6.99)
Each shake is hand-spun to order. The true test is whether the nostalgic mix-ins (Oreos, funnel cake bits, graham, marshmallow fudge) are texturally pleasing and balanced against the sweet frozen custard base.
Special deal: Some locations offer an afternoon “shake happy hour” ($4 shakes via kiosk or app from 2–5pm). Check your nearest Shack for participation.
Full Ranking: Every Summer BBQ Menu Item from Best to Baseline
After a hands-on taste test of all nine new menu items, here’s how each stacks up—for flavor, value, and fun. If you can only order one thing, consider our top picks!
| Rank | Menu Item | Standout Features | Who Will Love It |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake | Creamy, crunchy, perfectly balanced sweet-and-salty; tastes like a fried Oreo at a fair | Everyone seeking a whimsical dessert; funnel cake fans |
| 2 | Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles | Pepper jack cheese, crispy bacon, tangy sweet Carolina sauce, ample fried pickles | Burger purists, pickle lovers, Carolina BBQ devotees |
| 3 | Banana Pudding Shake | Intense banana flavor, real vanilla wafers, whipped cream; pure nostalgia | Banana pudding enthusiasts, Southern dessert fans |
| 4 | Smoky Classic BBQ Chicken Sandwich | Juicy fried chicken, crispy onions, smoky BBQ sauce, bacon; satisfying crunch | Chicken sandwich aficionados, fried onion fans |
| 5 | Carolina BBQ Chicken Sandwich | Fried pickles, tangy BBQ sauce, pepper jack; lighter and vinegary | Fans of tangy sauces, those seeking brightness |
| 6 | Campfire S’mores Shake | Graham cracker, chocolate, toasted marshmallow flavor, s’mores bits | Classic s’mores lovers, anyone craving nostalgia |
| 7 | Smoky Classic BBQ Burger | Bacon, crispy onions, smoky sweet BBQ sauce, classic American cheese | Burger traditionalists, those who love savory depth |
| 8 | Spicy Cheese Fries with Ranch | Crinkle-cut spice, melty cheese, side of ranch; notable flavorful heat | Spice seekers, late-night snackers |
| 9 | Spicy Fries with Ranch | Hot pepper blend adds meaningful kick, no cheese | Minimalists, those who skip cheese |
Key Takeaways
- Highs: The shakes (especially Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake and Banana Pudding) are summer must-tries—texturally playful and full of memorable dessert flavor.
- Best Burger: Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles shines for flavor balance and creative toppings. If you love fried pickles or zippy sauce, go for this.
- Top Chicken: Smoky Classic BBQ Chicken sandwich brings rich, savory crunch with bacon and crispy onions.
- Fries: Legitimately spicy, especially dipped in the cooling ranch. Cheese fries edge out the plain spicy version for decadence.
- Most Skippable: While the spicy fries are craveable, the summer burgers and shakes outshine the sides for uniqueness.
Ordering Tips, Pricing & Availability
- Menu items are available for a limited summer run; check your location for exact pricing.
- Look for special shake hours (2–5pm, weekdays) for lower-priced shakes at participating Shake Shack locations.
- Items can be customized: swap beef for chicken or vice versa in your BBQ handhelds.
- Some items (like shakes and fried pickles) tend to sell out during peak times. Order early for the full summer experience!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are the BBQ burgers and chicken sandwiches really spicy?
A: The burgers and chicken sandwiches aren’t very spicy; the “Carolina” options are tangy and slightly peppery, while the “Smoky” ones are mild and sweet. Most of the heat is in the spicy fries.
Q: Which item is the best value for money?
A: The Carolina BBQ Burger with Fried Pickles offers a unique, loaded experience compared to the baseline ShackBurger, making it a strong value for its flavor variety and portion. The Oreo Cookie Funnel Cake Shake also stands out given its texture and nostalgia factor.
Q: Are any of the summer desserts dairy-free or vegan?
A: All the shakes are custard-based and contain dairy. At this time, there are no vegan options among the summer shakes, but some locations offer a dairy-free shake or frozen dessert separately.
Q: How spicy are the Spicy Cheese Fries and Spicy Fries?
A: Shake Shack’s house pepper blend delivers medium heat. Even spice fans find them satisfyingly spicy (but not overwhelming), especially with the ranch dip acting as a creamy palate cleanser.
Q: Will the summer BBQ menu return next year?
A: While Shake Shack usually brings back hit items from previous summers, each season’s menu is slightly different. Most limited items disappear after the summer, so get them while you can!
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Shake Shack Summer BBQ Menu explores classic cookout motifs—savory bacon, tangy barbecue, fried pickles—while its shakes channel pure summer-festival joy. If you’re after peak flavor, aim for the top-ranked shakes and burgers or chicken sandwiches. But no matter which way you order, don’t forget extra napkins—this seasonal lineup is gloriously messy, boldly flavored, and designed for summer fun.
