The Shake Shack Burger We Ranked The Absolute Best

Shake Shack has never been shy about its burger ambitions. What started as a humble hot dog cart in Madison Square Park, in New York City, now confidently boasts locations all around the world and a unique menu that flirts with fast-casual perfection. But, with limited-time drops, secret menu surprises (like Shake Shack's Smoke 'Shroom), and regional one-offs constantly rotating through the lineup, the real question isn't whether the chain makes a good burger — it's which one actually deserves your money.

So, Daily Meal got to work, ranking 10 core Shake Shack burgers — from the OG Shack Burger to the Black Truffle Shack Stack and beyond — from worst to best based on flavor, texture, balance, and overall execution. Some were heavy on concept but light on cohesion. Others came dangerously close to greatness, only to trip over thanks to a soggy bun or a chaotic topping ratio. But one stood out among the pack: The Avocado Bacon Burger.

With no fried jalapeños or double-stacked chaos to hide behind, this burger relied solely on doing each ingredient right. The balance struck between the creamy, hand-sliced avocado and the smokiness of the bacon felt tailored to the beef itself, not just stacked on top of it. And Shake Shack's burger meat standards are higher than you may think (they go for real cuts of beef and skip the antibiotics and hormones entirely). Plus, the patty here came perfectly cooked, with a strong flavor that could hold its own even without all the extras.

The Avocado Bacon Burger didn't just win over our test panel; it's been confidently holding its own across the internet, too. Over on Reddit, one user pointed out the avocado was "fresh and tasted quality," calling the slices a noticeable upgrade from the usual fast food mush. It's a sentiment echoed across multiple reviews: This burger may not be flashy, but when you're craving avocado and bacon, it delivers exactly what it promises, and does it better than expected.

Impressively, that also appears to be the through-line across the board more generally. One YouTuber called the ShackSauce and avocado a "lethal flavor combination," especially paired with the creaminess of the cheese and crispiness of the bacon. Another described the textures as "heaven on earth," noting how well the ingredients worked together without stepping on each other. The burger's strength isn't excess, it's focus. And that's what keeps people talking it up.

The price, though, is hard to ignore. Shake Shack is known for having some of the highest fast-food prices around, but at $9.49 for a single and $12.49 for a double (no combo), it ranks among the most expensive burgers on Shake Shack's menu too. It's a clean build, which will feel steep if you're expecting visual drama. But the feedback is clear: What the Avocado Bacon Burger lacks in shock factor, it more than makes up for in quality.