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The Best Place for an Ice Cream Shake in Each State

The Best Place for an Ice Cream Shake in Each State

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The United States is the birthplace of the modern milkshake, that delicious creamy beverage we all know and love. The frosty shaken ice cream concoction started in the early 20th century in Chicago when Walgreens employee Ivar “Pop” Coulson added ice cream to malted milk (a drink that was simply milk, malted milk powder, and chocolate syrup). It was named after the method of creating it – shaken, not stirred – although its name dates even earlier, to the late 19th century when the term was used for the method of mixing an alcoholic beverage that contained cream and eggs.

While the original “milkshake” wasn’t intended for children, the technique for making it helped create a dessert that all could enjoy. The machines first used were crank-driven, a process that could be laborious and time-consuming. It wasn’t until Stephen J. Poplawski invented the electric blender in 1922 – a machine created purposefully for making milkshakes – that their popularity increased.

A milkshake is one of the easiest ways to eat dessert. These liquified treats come in a basic form – mixtures of milk, dairy, or non-dairy ice cream of choice (or sometimes frozen yogurt or sorbet), and usually, syrup of some kind, often topped with whipped cream. But there are many different interpretations now available. Add-ins are quite popular, like crumbled cookies, chopped candy bars, or various fruits. (These are milkshakes with more calories than entire meals.)

24/7 Tempo has assembled a list of the best place for an ice cream shake in each state by drawing on reviews and ratings from numerous crowd-sourced platforms, including Yelp, Tripadvisor, and Foursquare, as well as a range of local and regional websites. Even with the modern-day elaborate versions available, something is appealing about a simple, old-fashioned milkshake with just the basics.

It may come as no surprise that many of the locations listed here are old-school diners or ice cream parlors. The classic shakes are, like the classic ice cream flavors, chocolate, strawberry, and vanilla, but as evidenced here with the “Shake to try,” there is an immense variety of possibilities.

Here is the best place for an ice cream shake in each state.

Alabama: Oscar Moon’s

Source: Courtesy of Oscar Moon’s Milkshake Shop via Yelp

  • Location: Huntsville
  • Shake to try: Alabama peach pie

Alaska: Lucky Wishbone

Source: Courtesy of Madai P. via Yelp

  • Location: Anchorage
  • Shake to try: Hot fudge

Arizona: The Stand Arcadia Burger Shoppe

Source: Courtesy of Stefany V. via Yelp

  • Location: Phoenix
  • Shake to try: Chocolate chile

Arkansas: The Original ScoopDog

Source: Courtesy of J B. via Yelp

  • Location: North Little Rock
  • Shake to try: Cherry

California: Shields Date Garden

Source: Courtesy of Haneen O. via Yelp

  • Location: Indio
  • Shake to try: Date

Colorado: Milkbox Ice Creamery

Source: Courtesy of Melissa H. via Yelp

  • Location: Denver
  • Shake to try: Rum-Drenched Churro Boozey Shake

Connecticut: A.C. Petersen Farms

Source: Courtesy of Tiffany G. via Yelp

  • Location: West Hartford
  • Shake to try: Victus Coffee cold brew

Delaware: Farmer & the Cow

Source: Courtesy of Emily M. via Yelp

  • Location: Wilmington
  • Shake to try: You’re Killing Me Smalls (marshmallow, graham crackers, and chocolate, with optional Plantation Rum)

Florida: Cousteau’s Waffle & Milkshake Bar

Source: Courtesy of Nisha M. via Yelp

  • Location: St. Augustine (2 locations)
  • Shake to try: Electric Jellyfish (vanilla with homemade fresh blueberry compote)

Georgia: Leopold’s Ice Cream

Source: Courtesy of Melissa C. via Yelp

  • Location: Savannah (3 locations)
  • Shake to try: Honey almond and cream

Hawaii: Rock Island Café

Source: Courtesy of Brenna C. via Yelp

  • Location: Honolulu
  • Shake to try: Coca-Cola

Idaho: Fanci Freez

Source: Courtesy of Christina J. via Yelp

  • Location: Boise and Meridian
  • Shake to try: Watermelon

Illinois: Edzo’s Burger Shop

Source: Courtesy of Tim M. via Yelp

  • Location: Evanston and Chicago
  • Shake to try: Nutella

Indiana: Gordon’s Milkshake Bar

Source: Courtesy of Jennifer S. via Yelp

  • Location: Indianapolis
  • Shake to try: Honey-roasted peanut butter

Iowa: Hamburg Inn No. 2

Source: Courtesy of Stephanie B. via Yelp

  • Location: Iowa City
  • Shake to try: Wilson’s Dutch Apple Pieshake

Kansas: Cookee’s Drive-In

Cookee's Drive-In
Source: Courtesy of Cookees D. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Cookees D. via Yelp
  • Location: Pleasanton
  • Shake to try: Pineapple

Kentucky: Tolly Ho

Source: Courtesy of Alan C. via Yelp

  • Location: Lexington
  • Shake to try: Banana pudding

Louisiana: Original Dearman’s Soda Shop

Source: Courtesy of Scarlett E. via Yelp

  • Location: Baton Rouge
  • Shake to try: Dreamsicle

Maine: Red’s Dairy Freeze

Source: Courtesy of Joy S. via Yelp

  • Location: South Portland
  • Shake to try: Licorice

Maryland: Papermoon Diner

Source: Courtesy of Karen C. via Yelp

  • Location: Baltimore
  • Shake to try: Captain Krunch

Massachusetts: Cabot’s

Source: Courtesy of Ilana O. via Yelp

  • Location: Newton
  • Shake to try: Tropical fruit frappe

Michigan: Brome Modern Eatery

Source: Courtesy of Sam S. via Yelp

  • Location: Dearborn
  • Shake to try: European cookie butter

Minnesota: The Malt Shop

The Malt Shop
Source: Courtesy of The Malt Shop via Yelp

  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Shake to try: Fig

Mississippi: Brent’s Drugs

Brent's Drugs
Source: Courtesy of Shercole K. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Shercole K. via Yelp
  • Location: Jackson
  • Shake to try: Ginger Finger (Butterfingers, ginger syrup, vanilla ice cream)

Missouri: Crown Candy Kitchen

Source: Courtesy of Demarcus B. via Yelp

  • Location: St. Louis
  • Shake to try: Johnny Rabbit Special (banana malt with whipped cream, nuts, and nutmeg)

Montana: Huck’s Grill at St. Regis Travel Center

Source: Courtesy of Jason K. via Yelp

  • Location: St. Regis
  • Shake to try: Huckleberry

Nebraska: Angus Burgers & Shakes

Source: Courtesy of Diane H. via Yelp

  • Location: Omaha
  • Shake to try: Toasted marshmallow

Nevada: Beefy’s

Source: Courtesy of Cory P. via Yelp

  • Location: Reno
  • Shake to try: Lavender chai

New Hampshire: Brgr Bar

Source: Courtesy of Jessica D. via Yelp

  • Location: Portsmouth
  • Shake to try: The Dude (vanilla ice cream, Kahlúa, and vanilla vodka)

New Jersey: Holsten’s

Holsten's
Source: Courtesy of Kristin W. via Yelp

  • Location: Bloomfield
  • Shake to try: Maple walnut

New Mexico: Shake Foundation

Source: Courtesy of Heather F. via Yelp

  • Location: Santa Fe
  • Shake to try: Mexican chocolate Adobe Mud

New York: Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream

Source: Courtesy of Magz M. via Yelp

  • Location: New York City and Brooklyn
  • Shake to try: Ginger Grape Nut

North Carolina: Tony’s Ice Cream

Source: Courtesy of Sheila F. via Yelp

  • Location: Gastonia
  • Shake to try: Black walnut

North Dakota: The White Maid

Cotton candy
Source: Choe Hyeonsu / Shutterstock.com
Source: Choe Hyeonsu / Shutterstock.com
  • Location: Napoleon
  • Shake to try: Cotton candy (blue or pink)

Ohio: Tommy’s

Source: Courtesy of Mike M. via Yelp

  • Location: Cleveland Heights
  • Shake to try: Root beer

Oklahoma: Burger Punk

Source: Courtesy of Emily F. via Yelp

  • Location: Oklahoma City (2 locations)
  • Shake to try: Punk Shake (vanilla bean soft-serve, miso caramel, and choice of Butterfinger or Oreo topping)

Oregon: Fields Station

Source: Courtesy of Callie S. via Yelp

  • Location: Fields Station
  • Shake to try: English toffee

Pennsylvania: Flip City Shakes

Source: Courtesy of Dana S. via Yelp

  • Location: Southampton and Quakertown
  • Shake to try: Apple pie

Rhode Island: Harry’s Bar & Burger

Source: Courtesy of Nakyah D. via Yelp

  • Location: Providence (2 locations)
  • Shake to try: The Bam Bam (Fruity Pebbles, strawberry syrup, vanilla ice cream)

South Carolina: Kaminsky’s Dessert Café

Source: Courtesy of Lauren K. via Yelp

  • Location: Charleston and Columbia
  • Shake to try: Mint Chocolate Chip

South Dakota: Phillips Avenue Diner

Source: Courtesy of Jordon O. via Yelp

  • Location: Sioux Falls
  • Shake to try: Butterscotch

Tennessee: Franklin Milkshake Bar in Fork of the South

Franklin Milkshake Bar
Source: Courtesy of Kristine M. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Kristine M. via Yelp
  • Location: Franklin (temporarily closed)
  • Shake to try: Peaches N Cream

Texas: Chill Milkshake & Waffle Bar

Source: Courtesy of Oz E. via Yelp

  • Location: Spring and Magnolia
  • Shake to try: Chocolate chip banana bread

Utah: Dairy Keen

Source: Courtesy of David S. via Yelp

  • Location: Heber City
  • Shake to try: Heath Bar

Vermont: The Scoop

Source: Courtesy of The Scoop via Yelp

  • Location: Shelburne
  • Shake to try: Malted milk ball

Virginia: Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar

Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar
Source: Courtesy of J D. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of J D. via Yelp
  • Location: Roanoke
  • Shake to try: Cracker Jill (salted caramel ice cream with butter-toasted peanuts)

Washington: Shake Shake Shake

Source: Courtesy of Demitri R. via Yelp

Banana Brûlée shake at Shake Shake Shake in Tacoma, Washington (Courtesy of Char M. via Yelp)

  • Location: Tacoma
  • Shake to try: Banana Brûlée

West Virginia: Bramwell Corner Shop & Soda Fountain

Source: Courtesy of Ashley W. via Yelp

  • Location: Bramwell
  • Shake to try: Lemon

Wisconsin: Babcock Dairy Store

Babcock Dairy Store
Source: Courtesy of Sherwin C. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Sherwin C. via Yelp
  • Location: Madison
  • Shake to try: Blueberry Swirl

Wyoming: Johnny J’s Diner

Johnny J's Diner
Source: Courtesy of Kim O. via Yelp
Source: Courtesy of Kim O. via Yelp
  • Location: Casper
  • Shake to try: Chocolate banana pineapple
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