There’s nothing more disappointing than a milkshake that tastes like someone blended ice, milk, and a distant memory of flavor. Some fast-food chains (we won’t name names, but you know who you are) cut corners with artificial ingredients, but others stay true to the magic of real ice cream.
If you’re hunting for the creamiest, dreamiest, actual ice cream-based milkshakes, you’re in the right place.
Here are 13 fast-food joints where milkshakes are still made the way they should be—thick, indulgent, and packed with the real-deal dairy goodness.
1. Shake Shack
Shake Shack isn’t here to play around. These shakes are the gourmet version of fast food—hand-spun, made with real sugar, cage-free eggs, and milk so fresh it probably still remembers the cow.
The result? A luxuriously thick, melt-in-your-mouth shake that tastes like it came straight from an old-school soda shop.
The flavors are simple but expertly done: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies & cream, and their legendary black & white shake (a dreamy blend of vanilla and fudge).
And if you’re feeling extra indulgent, grab a malted version—it adds an old-fashioned richness that’ll make you question why all shakes aren’t malted by default.
2. Sonic Drive-In
Sonic is the fast-food equivalent of a milkshake paradise. They don’t just offer a handful of flavors—they offer an entire universe of them. With over 25 mix-ins and add-ons, Sonic’s shakes are an adventure in customization.
Made with 100% real ice cream, these milkshakes are thick enough to make you work for it (seriously, you’ll need that extra-wide straw). You can keep it classic with a vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry shake, or go wild with flavors like peanut butter, Oreo cheesecake, or banana pudding.
And let’s not forget the iconic whipped cream and cherry on top—it’s the finishing touch that makes every shake feel like a treat from a 1950s drive-in.
Whether you’re rolling through for a late-night shake or pairing it with Sonic’s tater tots (which is weirdly delicious, don’t knock it till you try it), these shakes always hit the spot.
3. In-N-Out Burger
If you’ve ever had an In-N-Out milkshake, you know it’s something special. These shakes are simplicity at its finest—just real ice cream, milk, and flavoring, blended to thick perfection. No artificial nonsense, no unnecessary fluff—just pure, creamy goodness.
The flavors? Classic and iconic: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. But the real trick is the Neapolitan shake—a secret menu masterpiece that combines all three flavors in a glorious swirl of perfection. If you’ve never tried it, consider this your sign to do so immediately.
Sure, In-N-Out is mainly famous for its burgers and animal-style fries, but their milkshakes deserve just as much hype. Plus, they pair beautifully with a Double-Double—because nothing washes down a perfect burger like a perfect milkshake.
4. Culver’s
Culver’s doesn’t do regular ice cream—it does Fresh Frozen Custard, which is basically ice cream’s fancier, richer cousin. The result? A milkshake that’s thicker, creamier, and more indulgent than almost anything you’ll find in fast food.
The flavors are classics done right—chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry—plus seasonal specials that’ll make you wish they stuck around forever (looking at you, salted caramel pumpkin spice). Each shake is blended fresh, giving you that smooth, silky texture that only custard can provide.
One sip, and you’ll understand why people drive miles just to get their hands on a Culver’s shake. And if you’re feeling extra bold, try a concrete mixer—it’s like a milkshake but even thicker, packed with mix-ins like brownies, Reese’s, or fresh fruit.
5. Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
They use freshly churned frozen custard, which is richer than regular ice cream thanks to its extra egg yolks (don’t question it, just enjoy).
The shakes are thick enough to make you question whether you need a spoon instead of a straw. You can stick to the basics—vanilla, chocolate, strawberry—or dive into specialty flavors like peanut butter, mint Oreo, or the dangerously addictive Hawaiian Delight (pineapple + coconut + macadamia nuts).
Freddy’s doesn’t just make milkshakes—they make an experience. Order one alongside their famous shoestring fries and dip them in (trust us, it’s a revelation).
6. Steak ‘n Shake
Steak ‘n Shake has been slinging hand-scooped milkshakes for decades, and they’re still doing it better than most. Unlike some fast-food shakes that feel suspiciously pre-made, these are blended fresh to order with actual ice cream and whole milk.
They’ve got the classic flavors covered, but where Steak ‘n Shake really shines is in their creative lineup of specialty shakes. We’re talking Nutella, Oreo Red Velvet, Birthday Cake, and even the outrageously delicious Butterfinger shake.
These shakes are so thick you might need to put in some effort to get that first sip—but that’s part of the charm. Pro tip: Go during happy hour (yes, they have a milkshake happy hour) and get one for half-price. You will want seconds.
7. Potbelly
If you only know Potbelly for its toasted sandwiches, you’ve been missing out. Their hand-dipped milkshakes are criminally underrated and, dare we say, one of the best-kept secrets in fast food.
Made with real, hand-scooped ice cream, these shakes are thick, smooth, and packed with rich, creamy goodness. The flavor lineup is simple—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—but they also have an irresistible Oreo shake that’s basically cookies-and-cream perfection.
What makes Potbelly’s shakes even better? They throw in a cute little butter cookie on the straw. It’s a small touch, but somehow it makes the whole experience feel extra special—like a reward for knowing where to find real milkshakes in a world full of imposters.
8. Johnny Rockets
If you’ve ever stepped into a Johnny Rockets, you know they go all-in on the retro diner vibe. Chrome stools, jukeboxes, and—most importantly—old-school, hand-spun milkshakes that are as thick as they come.
Johnny Rockets doesn’t just use real ice cream; they practically make you watch them scoop it. These shakes are blended to that perfect, smooth consistency that somehow manages to be both rich and drinkable (well, barely—it’s still thick enough to test your straw strength).
Their classic flavors—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—are stellar, but the real game-changer? The peanut butter banana shake. It’s like a creamy, dreamy tribute to Elvis himself.
9. Arby’s
Arby’s might be best known for roast beef sandwiches, but don’t sleep on their milkshakes—especially the Jamocha shake, which is basically a love letter to coffee and chocolate lovers everywhere.
Made with real ice cream, the Jamocha shake is smooth, thick, and packed with a deep, mocha-rich flavor that’s both refreshing and indulgent. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and slightly bitter, giving it an edge over your usual chocolate or vanilla shakes.
If coffee isn’t your thing, Arby’s also serves classic vanilla and chocolate shakes, each one made with that same real ice cream base. But let’s be honest—once you try the Jamocha shake, you won’t look back.
10. Carl’s Jr.
They proudly call their shakes Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes, and they mean it—these bad boys are made with actual scoops of premium ice cream, blended fresh for every order.
The result? A thick, creamy, no-nonsense shake that tastes like it came straight from a 1950s malt shop. You can stick to the basics—vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry—or mix things up with Oreo, which adds a satisfying cookie crunch to the mix.
It’s the kind of milkshake that reminds you why real ice cream matters. No artificial fluff, no weird aftertaste—just pure, old-fashioned deliciousness.
11. Jack in the Box
Jack in the Box is famous for being there when you need it most—whether that’s after a long night out or during an irrational 2 AM milkshake craving. And lucky for us, their shakes are made with real ice cream, so you’re not just drinking flavored syrup and crushed ice.
These shakes are thick, smooth, and ultra-creamy, with classic flavors like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. But the real star? The Oreo shake, which blends real Oreo cookie pieces into the mix, creating that perfect cookies-and-cream texture.
Bonus points for the whipped cream and cherry on top—it’s like a little reward for making the excellent life choice of ordering a Jack in the Box milkshake.
12. Dairy Queen
Dairy Queen is best known for their Blizzards (aka the shakes so thick they can be flipped upside down without budging), but their traditional shakes deserve just as much love. Made with real ice cream, DQ’s milkshakes are smooth, creamy, and packed with flavor.
You can’t go wrong with a classic chocolate or vanilla, but if you’re feeling adventurous, try one of their seasonal flavors—DQ has a way of rolling out limited-edition shakes that leave you obsessed (and slightly devastated when they disappear).
And yes, it’s not quite as thick as a Blizzard, but that just means you can actually drink it through a straw without risking an arm workout. A win-win.
13. Five Guys
They might be best known for its burgers and peanut-oil fries, but if you’re skipping their milkshakes, you’re doing it so wrong. These shakes are made with hand-spun, real ice cream, and the best part? You can customize them exactly how you like.
They start with a thick, creamy vanilla base, then let you add mix-ins like Oreo pieces, peanut butter, coffee, salted caramel, and even bacon (yes, really—bacon). The result? A milkshake experience that’s different every time, but always ridiculously good.
And if you’re wondering, “Should I really try a bacon milkshake?”—the answer is yes. Something about the salty-sweet combo just works. Five Guys milkshakes are proof that when you start with real ice cream, you can’t go wrong.
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