I tried barbecue burgers from Burger King, Shake Shack, and Smashburger. The best one tasted restaurant-quality.

I tried barbecue-flavored burgers from Burger King, Shake Shack, and Smashburger and ranked them worst to best.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

• I tried barbecue burgers from Burger King, Shake Shack, and Smashburger.
• Burger King had the most classic barbecue burger with lettuce, tomato, and bacon.
• But I liked Shake Shack's burger topped with fried onions the most.

Tart, crunchy pickles, fried onions, and a hearty slathering of tangy, smoky barbecue sauce: that's what the best barbecue burgers are made of.