Photograph: Shake Shack

The best milkshakes in Chicago

The best milkshakes in Chicago come in a variety of flavors, from espresso to chocolate cake, at spots around the city

Monday August 29 2016

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Written by Amy Cavanaugh & Elizabeth Atkinson

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It's not hard to find the best milkshakes in Chicago, considering we're a city with lots of terrific ice cream shops. But Chicago restaurants also turn out some pretty mean milkshakes, from diners to fine dining spots. Here's where we head when we're having a craving.

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Best milkshakes in Chicago

1. Boston Shake at Scooter’s Frozen Custard, $5.45

Ice cream parlors
Lake View
price 1 of 4

Photograph: Wendell Remington

Scooter's uses frozen custard in its excellent shakes, but order a "Boston shake" and a small chocolate syrup sundae will be added on top. To repeat: That's a sundae on top of a milkshake, and the reason why this is the best shake in town. — Amy Cavanaugh

Hamburgers
Evanston
price 1 of 4

Nutella Milkshake at Edzo’s Burger Shop, $4.75

Photograph: Edzo Burger Shop

Served in a paper cup, festooned with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, this looks like a basic old-school shake you'd get at any diner. But with rich Nutella swirled into the thick shake, it reaches a whole new level. — AC

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3. Secret Shake at M Burger, $3.49

Hamburgers
Streeterville
price 1 of 4

Photograph: Anjali M. PInto

You already know that M Burger has a secret menu (right?). Along with extra hot hurt burgers and cheese fries, there's at least one secret shake at a time. No matter what this is, you want it—sometimes it's coffee, other times it's seasonal, like a mint-chocolate grasshopper for St. Patrick's Day, but it's always thick and delicious. — AC

Vegetarian
Boystown
price 1 of 4

Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake at Chicago Diner, $6

Photograph: Erica Gannett for Time Out

This thick, rich shake, packed with peanut butter and ribbons of fudge, is both vegan and gluten-free, which makes it a good pick for all diners. Omnivores won't even notice that there's no dairy, while vegans can slurp up one of the best shakes in Chicago. — AC

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5. Espresso Milkshake at DMK Burger Bar, $6

Hamburgers
Lake View
price 1 of 4

Photograph: DMK Burger

DMK offers rotating monthly shakes, like the Lucky Charms shake, but the straightforward classics are always a good bet. Made with ice cream from Oak Park’s Petersen’s, the shakes are thick, creamy and full-flavored, like the espresso version. Add a shot of booze for $5.

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6. Miso-Butterscotch Milkshake at Allium, $8

Contemporary American
Streeterville

Photograph: Wendell Remington

Yes, Allium is in the Four Seasons. But if you don't want to shell out for a pricey dinner, grab a spot at the bar and order the shake, which is a perfect blend of salty and sweet. It comes with the added bonus of feeling fancy while you drink it. Wanna get boozy? Add a shot of Fantasia Liqueur ($12).

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7. Original Creamy Oatmeal Milkshake at Tiztal Café, $5.49

Mexican
Uptown
price 1 of 4

Photograph: Wendell Remington

Tiztal offers four versions of its oatmeal shake, classic or with added pecans, bananas or granola. It's creamy and sweet and would work just as well with a plate of chilaquiles for breakfast or as a dessert after lunch. — AC

River North
price 1 of 4

Salty Caramel Milkshake from 25 Degrees, $13

Photograph: Jason Little

The California burger spot is perhaps best known for its huge, creamy, boozy shakes, like the salty caramel, well-balanced between vanilla ice cream, butterscotch, Hawaiian red sea salt and a glug of Maker's Mark. It's big enough to share with a friend or serve as dinner on its own, but that's OK—this is one hell of a milkshake. — AC

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9. Black & White Milkshake at Shake Shack, $5.29

Hamburgers
River North
price 1 of 4

Photograph: Shake Shack

Go to Shake Shack for the burgers, but stay for the milkshakes, which are made with frozen custard. While there's a special Shake of the Week, the black and white adds thick ribbons of fudge to the classic vanilla, making for a very satisfying treat. — AC

Sandwich shops
Lincoln Park
price 1 of 4

Oreo Milkshake at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, $3.10

Photograph: Jaclyn Rivas

Potbelly may be known as a spot to pick up a quick sandwich or soup, but you can also get delicious milkshakes there. Grab the Oreo milkshake, filled to the brim with the delicious cookies, blended with creamy ice cream and topped with two tiny shortbread cookies on the straw. — Elizabeth Atkinson

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11. Chocolate Cake Shake at Portillo's, $3.25

Hot dogs
River North
price 1 of 4

unknown

Portillo's blends its very good chocolate cake with ice cream for a shake that's very smooth, with occasional chunks of cake and a layer of frosting that settles at the bottom. It's ridiculous, but hey—you only live once. — AC

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12. Guava Batido at Cafecito, $3.50

Cuban
Loop
price 1 of 4

Photograph: Wendell Remington

Batidos, fruity and refreshing Cuban milkshakes, are available in rotating flavors at Cafecito. If the guava is available, get it—light and creamy, it's a great match for one of the superb Cuban sandwiches on offer. — AC

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13. Horchata Milkshake at Antique Taco, $5

Mexican
Wicker Park
price 1 of 4
Recommended

Photograph: Jaclyn Elizabeth Rivas

Antique Taco's milkshake is like a horchata crossed with a fresh banana shake. So the result doesn't taste much like the traditional cinnamon rice milk, but rather a refreshing banana cinnamon shake. It's firmly a dessert, so while it may come out of the kitchen with your tacos, save it until the end. — AC

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Find more desserts in Chicago

The best desserts in Chicago

Photograph: Anjali M. PInto

Chicago's top pastry chefs know what people want: ice cream, doughnuts and pie. But while they've mastered—and elevated—traditional desserts, the best spots go above and beyond, with s'more macarons and chamomile creme brulee, to name a few. When you have to end your dinner with the best, here's where to find the best desserts in Chicago.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

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The best milkshakes in Chicago

Best milkshakes in Chicago

1. Boston Shake at Scooter’s Frozen Custard, $5.45

2. Nutella Milkshake at Edzo’s Burger Shop, $4.75

3. Secret Shake at M Burger, $3.49

4. Chocolate Peanut Butter Milkshake at Chicago Diner, $6

5. Espresso Milkshake at DMK Burger Bar, $6

6. Miso-Butterscotch Milkshake at Allium, $8

7. Original Creamy Oatmeal Milkshake at Tiztal Café, $5.49

8. Salty Caramel Milkshake from 25 Degrees, $13

9. Black & White Milkshake at Shake Shack, $5.29

10. Oreo Milkshake at Potbelly Sandwich Shop, $3.10

11. Chocolate Cake Shake at Portillo's, $3.25

12. Guava Batido at Cafecito, $3.50

13. Horchata Milkshake at Antique Taco, $5

Find more desserts in Chicago

The best desserts in Chicago