What are some famous specialty milkshake shops or chains?

Which milkshake shops and chains are well known?

In the United States, these chains are widely known for milkshakes. Menus and flavors change, so check the current menu before you go.

• Steak ‘n Shake: operating since 1934; shakes are made from real ice cream blended with candy, cake or cookies, topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
• Shake Shack: shakes are made from frozen custard, made fresh daily, with a few classic flavors and occasional limited-time ones.
• Sonic: shakes and Blasts built on its soft serve, which it calls real ice cream, with many mix-ins.
• Culver’s and Freddy’s: frozen custard shakes with mix-ins.
• In-N-Out and Jack’s Family Restaurants: shakes from real or hand-scooped ice cream. Jack’s Family Restaurants is not affiliated with Jack in the Box.
• Milk Bar: a bakery brand known for its cereal milk soft serve (milk, cornflakes, brown sugar and salt), which started as a dessert at Momofuku and is sold in store; menus vary by shop.

What is a specialty milkshake?

It usually means a shake that goes beyond chocolate, vanilla and strawberry: cookie or candy mix-ins, cake flavors, cereal milk, or toppings piled on the glass. Some shops sell thicker frozen custard drinks next to shakes.

Ice cream, custard or soft serve: what is the difference?

How to choose a milkshake shop

• Look at the menu for the base (real ice cream, custard) rather than the name alone.
• Ask for the size you want. Shakes are high in sugar and calories, so treat one as a dessert, and check the chain’s nutrition page for numbers.
• If you avoid dairy, nuts or gluten, check the allergen list; mix-ins add cookies, nuts and candy.
• Local independent shops often have the most unusual flavors, so search for your city as well.

Making a thick shake at home

Use less milk than you think. Start with a few scoops of ice cream and only a splash of cold milk, then blend and add more milk a little at a time until it pours slowly.