PrintMy McDonald's Shamrock Shake Journey: An Emotional Roller Coaster
I approached the counter and excitedly said, "One Shamrock Shake, please!" The cashier replied, "What?"
I thought today was going to be a good day. I really did. Boosted by lard chips and Valrhona chocolate at Serious Eats HQ, I was ready to conquer the world. Little did I know that Mickey D's had it in for me. Here's how it happened:
Part 1: Intrigue
I came across a Talk topic on SE:NY that asked where to find a Shamrock Shake in New York City. My first thought: What in the world is a Shamrock Shake? Second thought: Where can I get one? The trap was set.
Part 2: Research
A quick Google search led me to ShamrockShake.com, a site where people post Shamrock Shake location queries and findings. Sadly, I had no luck for New York City. C'mon tipsters, get on it! We have to be hipper than Milford, Connecticut, right? Next, I called McDonald's headquarters. They said they don't have that information because, as most McDonald's are independently-owned, they have no control over who sells the shake and who doesn't. Sigh.
Finally, I looked up all the McDonald's locations in the SE HQ zip code and started cold calling. At one point I had to start speaking Spanish because the woman couldn't communicate in English. Good thing I had just spent a term in Barcelona! Unfortunately, that was probably one of the demoralizing conversations I had—she initially said she had it, then she didn't, then I was on hold for three minutes, then an English speaker came on the phone and just said, "No." Hopes dashed and dreams crushed, I persevered.
Part 3: Success or Epic Fail?
After twenty-four phone calls, I achieved success! Or did I? As I approached the McDonald's, I was hopeful. After all, the manager I spoke to on the phone had doubly confirmed this location had the Shamrock Shake. I entered through the shamrock-laden doors and entered the McDonald's where leprechauns go to die. Shamrocks hung from the ceiling and there was a small wall with shamrock charity stickers all over it. I approached the counter and excitedly said, "One Shamrock Shake, please!" The cashier replied, "What?"
Uh-oh.
Apparently, they weren't selling Shamrock Shakes, and the manager I had spoken to on the phone had conveniently left already. Is this some sort of Irish conspiracy? Is this an IPO (Irish People Only) thing? What does it take to get a Shamrock Shake around here?
After that final dream crusher, I trudged back to SE HQ. After a bit of Googling, I found this New York Daily News article from 2007 that says New York is a dry state for Shamrock Shakes. Has anything changed in the past two years? Or do I need to investigate cheap airfare options?
Mickey D, I curse you and whatever marketing genius thought up the Shamrock Shake.
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51 Comments:
Oh Grace. You're really not missing much. Shamrock Shakes are one of the grosser McDonald's creations.
BangieB at 6:23PM on 03/06/09
I'm a little freaked even to see a McDonald's shake discussed on Serious Eats, I have to say.
klg19 at 6:25PM on 03/06/09
It's not so much that they taste good, it's just that they're one of those childhood reminders. But worth a try if you've never had one.
BTW, NYS isn't dry. We have them up in Albany.
Kerosena at 6:45PM on 03/06/09
I had a very similar experience yesterday... it simply amazes me how many incompetent people can work for one company.
Yes, they're a little disgusting, but ever since I was a little kid, I knew it was almost spring when I had my first Sham-Shake :)
PocaRoja23 at 6:47PM on 03/06/09
This is so weird for me to hear. I live in PA and you can get shamrock shakes at every McDs. I thought everyone knew what a shamrock shake was. I don't drink them because I don't like vanilla shakes and that is essentially what it is except for the minty flavoring and green food coloring. My sister and love them though!
pandar624 at 7:03PM on 03/06/09
Yeah, I had one just last week here in CA, to try and re-live those childhood memories. Blech! I think my tastebuds must have been broken as a kid. It was not what I remembered it to be.
FullOn at 7:13PM on 03/06/09
I loved McD's as a kid, I'm ashamed to admit, and even I remember being unable to finish it, the one time I begged one from my mother.
Are you sure you want one after seeing this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GkQvhOtZzI&feature=related
HeartofGlass at 7:34PM on 03/06/09
How do you not know what a Shamrock Shake is?
Spanno at 7:34PM on 03/06/09
Wow. Our culture is gone then.
PommeDG at 8:40PM on 03/06/09
Hey!! stop hating!! Shamrock shakes are awesome--I make it a point to get them when MickeyDs and once did "shamrock hopping" on a drive back from Las Vegas to California (yes, I'm a pig, I had like 3 as did everyone else in my car). I miss them-they're actually pretty good. why don't you try making your own version with mint and vanilla ice cream? Or you can use mint chocolate chip ice cream. Okay, so not exactly the same, but will be yummy all the same and a fitting end to your search :) (then post the recipe)
dead_brontes at 10:44PM on 03/06/09
I got one last year and swore it tasted like green vanilla! Before it tasted minty. My friends assured me that I'm crazy and that it's mint flavored.
ag3208 at 11:14PM on 03/06/09
it was def mint flavored at one point-- hopefully it still is... i do remember getting them and sometimes the green syrup that was pumped into em wouldnt be mixed thoughly... swirly even but unintentionally. i loved em as a kid too, but im sure back then they were at least a little closer to what youd expect to be in a milkshake (ice cream, milk.. etc..) these days its prob 100% chemicals and corn syrup...
yum!
bigfatgm at 1:31AM on 03/07/09
it was def mint flavored at one point-- hopefully it still is... i do remember getting them and sometimes the green syrup that was pumped into em wouldnt be mixed thoughly... swirly even but unintentionally. i loved em as a kid too, but im sure back then they were at least a little closer to what youd expect to be in a milkshake (ice cream, milk.. etc..) these days its prob 100% chemicals and corn syrup...
yum!
bigfatgm at 1:32AM on 03/07/09
I haven't seen one in NYC in years. Sadness.
irishnyc at 8:06AM on 03/07/09
Perhaps you could get on the Metro North and come up to Milford, Connecticut? Much cheaper than airfare... Though I don't see Milford listed on the lookup site... but I'm pretty sure the Trumbull Mall is accessible by public transit... Explore your options thoroughly
ktoth04 at 8:18AM on 03/07/09
Seriously, stop hating, I love me some shamrock shakes, especially if the workers are extra nice and willing to mix it with chocolate for you!
klisty at 9:21AM on 03/07/09
While I've never had a chocolate shake, Burger King had a black cherry shake called the Love Shake. It came out on Valentine's Day. I wonder if those are still made.
fatitalianbroad at 10:28AM on 03/07/09
@fatitalianbroad - THE LOVESHAKE?! what are all these limited edition shakes i've never heard of?!
leeber at 11:52AM on 03/07/09
I'm so glad to see this topic discussed. My first March in NYC, I asked at every McDs, only to be looked at as if I were an insane person. I couldn't believe there could be a gap in NYC's offerings, but there it is: no shamrock shakes (which frankly, in my opinion, are the only reason to ever enter a McDs).
Rizbon at 1:12PM on 03/07/09
Having been one of the witnesses to the madness that was "Grace calling seemingly every McD's in NYC," I think you should get a peek into her phone exchanges:
"Do you carry the Shamrock Shake?"
"The Shamrock Shake?" [99% of the time she had to repeat herself because the person at McD's didn't know what she was talking about]
"It's the shake that comes out in March for St. Patrick's Day.."
The conversation could go two ways here. If the McD's person asked for more info...
"It's green and...oh, ok, thanks."
[no shake]
If the McD's person thought they might have the shake...
"Is it green?"
"Are you sure?"
[no shake]
After hearing the conversation about 50 times, it's pretty funny. I'm not sure Grace got as much fun out of it though. ;)
roboppy at 5:00PM on 03/07/09
Grace, to think all I was trying to do was to help my younger brother who lives in midtown east. I am glad I can inspire you and possibly McDonalds to find the Shamrock Shake a home in Manhattan. If you are ever in Alexandria, VA in march look us up and you can join me at the Rosehill McDonalds for a Shake!
rossadavis at 5:02PM on 03/07/09
Make your own!! They are way better without all the additives.
3 cups vanilla ice cream
1 cup whole milk
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
10 drops green food coloring
Serves about 2.
Seriously, don't go to McDonalds.
JoanieLSpeak at 6:44PM on 03/07/09
I feel your pain!
The other day I resorted to getting chickn "mcnug-guts" at the drive thru. I drive up to the pick up counter where the fella working there has a limited grasp of the English language. I ask for sweet and sour sauce and he says: "86!...barbeque?"
I'm like: "what?..can I get sweet and sour sauce?"
he says: no... 86! barbeque???
me: what does that mean? no sweet and sour? Is it out?
Him: 86...no.
me: 86???? I don't understand soes that mean you don't have it? Is it out is it lost? Can I just have hot mustard instead?
Him: Barbeque?
Me: NO... HOT MUSTARD.
Him: ....mustard?
Me: YES. HOT MUSTARD. please.
note to self: I hate Mc Donalds.
bisbee at 10:07PM on 03/07/09
I have such fond memories of Shamrock Shakes.
While we were in high school, my older sister and I would make our spring pilgrimage to McDonalds, where we'd pick up a couple of those tasty (ack!) green shakes. I'd drive and as I'd pull up to a stop light or stop sign she'd fill her mouth with Shamrock Shake, and when the car was at a complete stop she'd lean out the window and spew green shake all over the pavement a la The Exorcist. For some reason we found this highly entertaining. We did this every year until we went off to college and stopped doing stupid stuff.
She passed away at a young age, and one of my favorite memories of her is faux-vomiting Shamrock Shake out of my car (which was nasty to clean up afterwards). Your quest for the green is indeed worthy. I wish you luck.
coffee_roaster at 10:27PM on 03/07/09
Aww. I would have picked one up for you at the Atlantic City McDonald's (the one right off the AC Expressway) this morning. Or at least ordered one in your honor. They have them there and lots of signage to that effect.
eschk at 10:32PM on 03/07/09
Really, you aren't missing much. The only time I ever had one I threw it up.
Perksofliving at 11:26PM on 03/07/09
does anyone else think that the shamrock shake would be improved by putting booze in it? i mean, it IS st patricks day. i need to make some sort of booze/mint shake.
@leeber-- your excitement over bk shake flavors is really heartwarming :) thats the spirit kids!
redzerostar at 12:11AM on 03/08/09
"I ask for sweet and sour sauce and he says: "86!...barbeque?"
I'm like: "what?..can I get sweet and sour sauce?"
he says: no... 86! barbeque???
me: what does that mean? no sweet and sour? Is it out?"
@Bisbee: "86" is restaurant lingo for "we've run out." The guy was trying to tell you they were out of sweet-and-sour, and asking if you wanted barbecue.
klg19 at 3:59PM on 03/08/09
i. love. shamrock shakes. cast your stones but when i drink those things i know spring is near and it makes my heart happy....
i agree with redzerostar... a little booze would just be fantastic...
hungrygrl7 at 10:02PM on 03/08/09
They have them all over Chicago, but I don't think they exist in Atlanta. I think they're gross, but my husband loves them.
O_Leaozinho at 10:42AM on 03/09/09
Spanno, did you not read the article? The whole point of the story is that the writer doesn't know what a shamrock shake is because she lives in New York City and you can not find shamrock shakes in New York City.
kevlney at 1:00PM on 03/09/09
You're not missing anything fantastic. I've had one in my whole life and it reminds me of minty toothpaste foam.
pandapants5 at 8:01PM on 03/09/09
I stumbled across this on Tastespotting and thought I'd share it with you.
http://penniesonaplatter.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/shamrock-shake-cupcakes/
kbiceling at 10:37PM on 03/09/09
We have them in Rochester, so things have changed. Not sure about NYC though.
aarons44 at 11:23AM on 03/10/09
I wrote to Midtown Lunch a couple of years ago, asking about them in NYC... no such luck. We need to drove to upstate NY or NJ or CT. :( I LOOOOOOVE those shakes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ambitous at 5:02PM on 03/10/09
We've always had them up here in Rochester, NY. They are a childhood classic - so minty and good (and yeah, vaguely gross too, in the way of all McD shakes). I buy *one* every year.
BigGUM at 10:03AM on 03/11/09
I adore the Shamrock Shake. Where I currently live, I can't get one, but growing up in Savannah, GA I developed a strong addiction for them. I am currently working on a home recipe for the delights....I just have to finish tweaking the alcohol content......
http://www.haleysuzanne.wordpress.com
appoggiatura at 8:27PM on 03/11/09
It's SO nice to know that others out there share my frustration with NYC and love of shamrock shakes. This is my first March in NYC and I've walked into at least 7 McDonald's asking for shamrock shakes, receiving the same blank look or aggravated head-shake each time. They act as though I'm crazy (perhaps they have a point...) but they have them all over the rest of the country! [Another reason I hate NYC.]
As gross and full of fake chemicals as they are, I love them! I look forward to them all year long, and eat as many as I can during the month of March to tide myself over the remaining 11 months. And this year I've been craving one even more because last year in March I was living overseas and they definitely don't have shamrock shakes at McDonald's anywhere in the UK (believe me, I checked).
Thank goodness I'm going home to good old Rochester, NY the weekend after this. I've already told my mom to buy some and freeze them for me just in case they run out before I get a chance to stop by every McDonald's in Monroe County.
Long live the shamrock shake!
alikins26 at 10:28PM on 03/11/09
The reason NYC proper does not sell the shake has to do with political correctness. You have to understand how NY'ers are. If McDonald's has a shake for St. Patrick's Day, then they have to have one for every other ethnic group in NYC. Sounds nuts, but it's true.
The "5 Boro" consortium of McDonald's owners vote every year not sell the shake in the NYC area. That's the real reason this shake is available in such places as Wal-Mart of Gibsonton, FL, but not on Fifth Ave NYC, home of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
People in NY are very race/ethnic conscious, and keep scorecard of every little thing that they can call "offensive". Having a menu item for St.Patrick's Day, but not the one for the Puerto Rican Day Parade, West Indies Parade, etc........is just not how you do business in NYC in 2009.
Call me crazy, but that's the truth people.
LuchAAA at 1:57AM on 03/12/09
Hello.
LuchAAA at 2:05AM on 03/12/09
My local Mcdonalds outside of Toronto does not sell the Shamrock Shake either! Booooo.
ag3208 at 4:15PM on 03/14/09
I make mine with Creme de Menthe and vanilla ice cream.
dksbook at 4:41PM on 03/14/09
So last year, I dragged my Australian husband out to get a Shamrock Shake, due to the nostalgia factor for me. I thought he should experience this as a newly minted American citizen. No trouble finding them here in CA. However, the one's we got were somehow strawberry mixed with the tiniest amount of mint. I was so angry. I wrote a letter to the manager of that store and got some free Big Mac coupons. Whoo hoo. (note lack of !).
The biggest memory I have of Shamrock shakes from when I was a kid, was having green bowel movements after drinking them (no joke). I'm sure/hope they are using less toxic dyes now.
Muhlyssa at 9:21AM on 03/16/09
FYI... I grew up on Shamrock Shakes in the great city of Chicago. To the person who thinks this is an inappropriate topic for SE'ers... you clearly have not had one. You probably don't know that an Egg McMuffin is one of the best breakfast sandwiches ever made either.
I moved from Chicago to Miami and also got nasty looks when asking for a Shamrock Shake. I thought it was a the norm come March. I then moved to NY where they don't have them either.
I'm going to give you a little tip to quench your taste buds that I discovered when I was craving one...., but it sure isn't a Shamrock Shake......
Go to your local Starbuck's and order a green tea frapaccino (no whipped cream)- have them add mint flavoring. The green tint and the mint is all you need to appreciate a Shamrock Shake if you cannot have one this St. Patrick's Day season. I know what I'm having today.
akap9 at 9:41AM on 03/16/09
If you want one with a kick, there's always this...
http://www.food2.com/blog/2009/03/06/weekend-cocktail-the-irish-pirate/
PhinneyNYC at 9:51AM on 03/16/09
My high school would sell our own version's of Shamrock shakes as a fundraiser for one of the clubs. They didn't have any mint in them, but we waited al year to taste those shakes. So good!
erysheep at 10:06AM on 03/16/09
I had one this weekend in NJ.
jeffmoore at 11:36AM on 03/16/09
They're not the best shakes in the world, but I still have fond childhood memories of the McDonald's Shamrock Shakes and wish I could find them too!
While we're on the subject, does anyone remember the cherry pies that McDonald's would sell to celebrate President's Day (previously called "Washington's Birthday?) Now those were delicious!
marianas671 at 5:41PM on 03/16/09
i went on a similar sojourn, and finally went DIY: http://flavorwire.com/14132/mchack-we-shamrock-ourselves
have to say, shamrock shakes are even better w/ the addition of a little creme de menthe!
rawksavvy at 9:54AM on 03/17/09
I live in Western NY. SO far I have been to 2 Mcdonald's for these Shamrock Shakes.. one location was out - meaning ran out of the shakes, and the other had it! so I had my one for the year.. They are delicious!
KW21079 at 2:57PM on 03/17/09
Definitely a fond childhood memory... not so much as an adult... Only try one if you've never had one, otherwise just keep the memory...
ddvierra68 at 5:27PM on 03/18/09