"Shamrock Shake" news and stories

It's that time of year - a week of green-tinted beer, green-tinged bagels, and an overabundance of green streamers and shamrock-shaped accessories and five dollar Old Navy shirts with clovers prominently displayed on the chest.

What would St. Patrick's Day be without our bizarre, Americanized version of a culture we apparently know very little about? It is our job, as Americans, to mock and exploit the Irish culture by upholding commonly-held stereotypes. And the best way to do this? Through these five products.

Oh: and as a person with a good amount of Irish heritage in her blood, I'm proud to say that I've never ingested that green goo-like substance that McDonald's sells every year around this time. And now I'll brace myself for the inevitable barrage of hate comments from Shamrock Shake devotees...

I first heard of this McDonald's mint shake that's offered in the month of March on Chowhound the other day. Apparently this triple-thick threat, er treat, holds fond childhood memories for some folks who are seeking it out only to find their local Mickey D's no longer carries it. Full disclosure: I have no childhood memories, fond or otherwise, of this spacklish looking green confection.

Ronald and company used to offer this frappé throughout the month of March with much greater frequency. Apparently there are some parts of the U.S. where it's now, hold onto your Happy Meals kids, completely unavailable.

Chowhounds aren't the only ones baying for the return of this seasonal shake. Gothamist notes that New York City residents are also craving the shake. There's also a Web site, Bring Back The Shamrock Shake, where fans can fill out petition to McDonald's. They can also read the origin of the fabled Uncle O'Grimacey.

[photo: Gothamist]