While Baskin Robbins hasn't been the place to go for ice cream for years, they still make a pretty good shake or malt (unlike places like McDonald's, which has pre-made shake machines). A good shake has to be mixed. What stuns me, however, is that they are pre-made at so many places that people no longer know how to make them. They have to resort to recipes. Two out of the last four times I've requested chocolate malts, I've had to stop them from making them with chocolate ice cream. With one person, when I said I wanted a chocolate malt made with vanilla ice cream, she got so confused and upset with me that she had to get her manager who came out and made it. A chocolate shake or malt is made with VANILLA ice cream, unless you request something else. Not often, but sometimes I really do long for "the good old days."

Chocolate shake is made with chocolate ice cream and syrup.

Black and white shake is made with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup.

Don't ask for a shake in Boston. Regional variations may apply.

If you're in the Southeast, Cook Out is my go to place for shakes. They have a lot of variety and they're handmade. My favorite is the Elvis (peanut butter and banana) but they have lots of good ones. Just thinking about this makes me want to hit the drive thru tonight!

Come to The City and go to Ronnybrook inside the Chelsea Market. They make a tasty shake. Then walk it off while wandering up to Shake Shack and get yourself their shake and burger. Waddle down to E 5th Street to Black Iron for their delicious burger, I suggest the pepperjack and onion burger, and a malted.

In NYC, I really like Shake Shack.

In Chicago, Oberweis is the best for all things ice cream, hands down.

Completely agree...

I wouldn't set foot in there, given the politics of the owner.

I guess we're dating ourselves. Historically, it was made with vanilla ice cream. A lot of recipes now call for chocolate.

It's a guilty pleasure. He may be a near-fascist, but he does make good ice cream.

Never drank a drop of the milk, never a taste of the ice cream (as far as I know).

Johnny Rockets can usually be counted on for a proper malted milk shake.

amen.

A guilty pleasure of mine is heading to Aglamesis Brothers when I'm in Cincinnati for a chocolate soda (made with VANILLA ice cream thank you) or a good shake.
www.aglamesis.com

Back in the day, my Pop would treat me once in awhile to a chocolate soda at Peacock's in Skokie. (been closed for a long time now: http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1554865.html )

Never thought of Cookout. Gotta to try it, thanks.

Shakes abound. Why is it so hard to find malts?

Because most places that serve shakes have shake machines. And the shake comes out like soft serve ice cream, a "recipe" for mediocrity. Generally, you can only get a malt at a place which specializes in ice cream treats. They mix their shakes (ice cream, syrup and milk) with a mixer/blender and they just add the malt powder to the mix.

I'm far from a connoisseur of milkshakes, but I had a superb salted caramel shake at 5 Napkins in Boston (though technically a small NYC chain).