When I was growing up in Minneapolis, non-fast food milk shakes and malts were both lumpy, with lumps of ice cream and partly mixed liquid. That's the way I like them. They were not of uniform consistency.

I dislike the current milkshakes (and malts, if I can find them), which are so thick that the spoon stands up in them and so thoroughly blended that they may as well be made of pure soft-serve ice cream.

Took my sons to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger in White Plains on Friday. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of their milkshakes. The burger wasn't too bad either.

In agreement on Ted Drewes' milkshake. Decent, but not great. Now the rest of the menu is amazing. I usually just get a dipped cone because I enjoy the taste of the custard so much.

Find an old fashioned diner in New York City and have a vanilla or chocolate egg cream. Nothing like the real thing (and the bottled variety doesn't come close - sorry)

A few years ago I had a milk shake at a Steak and Shake that had ice chips in it (not ice crystals as if it been re-frozen, but lots of small chips.) It ended up tasting like "ice milk" I remember getting as a kid - very watered down. One of the worst shakes I have ever had. Based on all the positive comments here about Steak and Shake, that shake must have been an anomaly for the chain, so I guess I'll give them another try.

In Calgary, hands down for shakes.. is Peter's Drive In..

Lots of flavors.. I wished they accept cc, so that I can dine there more.. using a cc, I can expense to my company..

cash is out of my pocket.. and no miles..

Hey! While I totally agree making shakes & malts is not difficult, one really shouldn't underestimate the people working in those jobs.*

In high school and college, I worked at a place that makes great milkshakes in the middle-of-nowhere Ohio. It was a soft-serve place, and for chocolate shakes & malt, we used the chocolate/vanilla twist ice cream (along with chocolate syrup, of course). In general, you can get really good shakes and ice cream all throughout the various small local ice cream places in Ohio.

* I was wearing my [fancy East Coast] college t-shirt one day at work. One customer made a comment, "Oh, you go to [fancy East Coast] college? I thought you were just a dumb waitress." This was more than 15 years ago, and I am still amazed and horrified by that comment. This "dumb waitress" now has a PhD.

I think OP meant.. to start.. and receive the necessary training to make a great shake..

But I agree.. when paying premium for shake or malt.. you want the product bang on..

I turned into a shake snob a few years ago. Agreed on the comments for Whitey's and Steak n Shake. I would also add the UDF (United Dairy Farmers) convenience stores in the Cincy area. Really good stuff.

At Steak n Shake, the shakes are half price from 2-4...happy hour!

Smashburger doesn't make a bad shake either. I disagree on the support for Culvers--both times I've had their shakes I've been disappointed. Carl's Jr. is just OK in my book.

Try the strawberry. Not to get maudlin, but several years ago when my mother was deathly ill, there was a Culver's right near the hospital. One of the few things we could get her to eat/drink was a Culver's strawberry shake. That might have something to do with my affinity for them. :)

As kids we used to step off the plane in TPA and head straight to the Shake Pit in Bradenton, FL before getting to our grandparents' house. We would also stop one last time before heading to the airport.

i heard Uneeda in Seattle makes a great salted Caramel milkshake. I'll be trying it someday.

In Louisville, Graeter's makes a terrific shake. I also think, as far as chains go, Chic Fil'a has good shakes.

Carl's Jr is ok, just like McD's..

run of the mill soft serve..

Black and White milkshake from Brigham's

No doubt there is one person here who, in a thread about THE best grilled cheese sandwich, would tell us how he enjoys Wonder Bread, Kraft American singles and Imperial Margarine. :rolleyes:

If you're ever in San Francisco try Pearl's Deluxe Burgers. They have amazing burgers and shakes. I had a peanut butter shake. Had small little shavings of peanuts and stuff in there. It sounds weird but was so good.

Then I came back the next day to have an Oreo mint shake. My friend had a chocolate banana shake. Had chunks of banana in it.

I had been there for burgers but this was my first time trying the shakes. A must try if you're in the city. Amazing.