"milkshake" news and stories

Even before the plummeting economy bred the trend toward downscaling, the idea of the burger joint as a gourment restaurant was popular. However, it's hit Las Vegas in a big way, with two casinos introducing their high-end take on the American classic--BLT and LBS. I guess this initial thing is in fashion now too....

As the weather turns chill and the holidays loom dimly upon the horizon, one's thoughts begin to turn to comfort food. But who's able to take the time to prepare lengthy, old-school recipes or ready to pack one's gut like a hibernating bear?

Luckily, Sonic has combined the flavors of a favorite old-fashioned, homemade dessert with the speed of the drive-thru in their new Banana Pudding Shake. The shake is made with genuine Nilla Wafers, just like the it should be (seriously, without the Nilla, it is not banana pudding), as well as vanilla soft serve, bananas and something called "pudding-flavored syrup," topped with a scoop of whipped cream the size of a monkey's head. A large monkey.

The chunks of banana and Nilla render it a bit chunky to suck through the straw, but when you savor a mouthful of shake and a crunch of cookie, it's a truly delightful moment. I personally wish the puddingshake tasted a bit more strongly of banana and packed a bit less vanilla-ness, but it's still a welcome coming attraction for one's post-Thanksgiving desert hoedown. And I will battle unto the death anyone who has the temerity to argue with the brilliant idea of a pudding-flavored shake. Unless, of course, they can hook me up with a few gallons of pudding-flavored syrup.

In honor of a friend (who shall here remain nameless) whose guilty secret is that she likes the Oreo shakes at Jack in the Box, I thought that I would mention that the popular fast food chain will be offering a Chocolate Oreo Cookie Shake for a limited time. It is a twist on the regular Oreo shake, which is made with real vanilla ice cream and Oreo cookies and is widely reputed to be one of the best milkshakes in the fast food sector. The restaurant will still use the same vanilla ice cream, but will be adding bittersweet chocolate syrup to the mix for an extra-chocolaty kick.

So, if you like the shakes from Jack in the Box (you know who you are!), you might want to consider giving one of these a try before the limited time offer expires. Or just start carrying chocolate syrup in your car so you can make your own from the regular ones.

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It's a bit out of season, but I can't help loving these stainless steel straw spoons anyway. Exactly what they sound like, these are straws that have small spoon projections on one end that make it easy to scoop up ice cream or fruit from a cold milkshake, float or smoothie, but still give you the ability to sip the liquidy parts. Usually, you'll only see cheap plastic versions of these at 1950s-themed eateries (and the occasional convenience store), but because of the material used to make these, they are built to last for repeated uses. They're great to have on hand in the summer when you're more likely to indulge in an ice cream-based drink on a regular basis.

They're $10 for a package of four and would make a great gift with a set of sundae glasses, especially if the recipient is someone who really likes root beer floats.

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Oh yeah. In the summer-time, either it's gotta be fire-breathing, sweat-inducing spicy, or...ice cold, baby.

The Los Angeles Times this week puts up the timeliest article for summer - a feature on milkshakes - where to get a good one in LA (not those fake and shake mix-ups from the nearest fast food drive-thru), and how to make them at home. The two things to remember are using the freshest, highest quality ice cream that isn't too ice cold, and having the perfect ratio of ice cream to milk. In LA, the milkshakes that bring all the boys to the yard can be found at:

• 25 Degrees, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 785-7244, http://www.25degreesrestaurant.com
• Pazzo Gelato, 3827 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 662-1410
• Lucky Devils, 6613 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 465-8259
• Fair Oaks Pharmacy, 1526 Mission St., South Pasadena; (626) 799-1414, http://www.fairoakspharmacy.net
• The Land of Fruits and Nuts, Aboard the Queen Mary, 1126 Queen's Highway, Long Beach; (562) 499-1611, http://www.lofan.com
• Scoops, 712 N. Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles; (323) 906-2649
• Mashti Malone's, N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 874-0144, http://www.mashtimalone.com
• Papoo's Hot Dog Show, 4300 Riverside Drive, Burbank; (818) 846-1511
• Fred 62, 1850 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles; (323) 667-0062, http://www.fred62.com
• Watson Drug and Diner, 116 E. Chapman Ave., Orange; (714) 633-1050
• Fosselman's, 1824 W. Main St., Alhambra; (626) 282-6533, http://www.fosselmans.com
• Beverly Hills Hotel Fountain Shop, Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills; (310) 276-2251, http://www.thebeverlyhillshotel.com

Where's the best place to get a real, good milkshake in your neck of the woods?