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It’s March 1, which means Spring is coming up, Easter is around the corner and, more immediately, St. Patrick’s Day is less than three weeks away. The parade is two Sundays away, and Chicagoist is busy planning a weekend of binge drinking green beer.
But somewhere in the recess of our minds, we have vague memories of sipping cool, frothy green concoctions, and that’s when we realize: It’s Shamrock Shake season at McDonald’s! 
A close friend of Chicagoist says the minty goodness is available in some suburban McDonald’s, but what about here in the city? We stopped by the McDonald’s in the Illinois Center, and not only did they not have the Shamrock Shakes, the milkshake/ice cream machine was out of commission entirely.
Turning to McDonald’s for answers, we came up empty handed. The corporate Web site has no mention of the Shamrock Shake, except locations in Ireland.
So, we throw the questions out there: Is the Shamrock Shake available in the city? Where can we get our hands on one? And does anyone remember Uncle O’Grimacy?
To get you through these confusing times, we’ve included a recipe for a homemade Shamrock Shake.
In a blender, mix:
2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 1/4 cups milk
1/4 teaspoon mint extract
8 drops green food coloring
Blend until smooth, pour into glasses and dream of a day when Shamrock Shakes are available year ‘round.
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How 'bout it!?! I have been OBSESSED with Shamrock Shakes for years. I moved from Chicago to NC two years ago, but back when I lived in the city, the McDonald's near my workplace in Evanston consistently served the minty goodness every year. I would buy several at a time and keep some in the work freezer as back-up.
Last year, here in Durham, I was both fiending for a Shamrock Shake AND pregnant--a lethal combination. Much to my shock and horror, McDonald's down here not only didn't serve Shamrock Shakes, they had never even HEARD of the sweet nectar. Lunacy. My poor husband was forced to make an emergency home verion much like the one you describe--except we used Reese's spearmint syrup. It's already bright green, so you can skip the food coloring. Still--it's just not the same as the real thing.
I saw signs for the shakes at the McDonald's on Clark and Lake.
I enjoyed a cool frosty sham-crack shake at McDonald's on Chicago next to the Red Line on February 14th. (Yes it was V-day, but my wife was working all night at the hospital.)
Yes, they're here in the city and have been.
I just heard a McDonalds ad for shamrock shakes on the radio yesterday. They said "now available at McDonalds." As in all McDonalds.
I was in Michigan (or somewhere like Michigan) last year on St. Paddy's, and I too tried to order one but ran across McDonalds workers who had never heard of it. The travesty...
That must have been west Michigan (or not Michigan at all). We had them growing up in Detroit.
in a pinch you can make a shamrock shake with vanilla ice cream, a crushed up mint, and some mouth wash. that's how we used to do it in the big house...
Where's the liquor in that recipe?
when i was a little kid i remember my mom and aunts and grandma would drink something called a grasshopper.. i think it's like a shamrock shake but with creme de menthe?
They had them on Monday in Winnetka. I know, the rich always get everything first.
...and the poor servents like me get to share in the benefits!
In college we definitely added vodka to Shamrock Shakes on St. Patty's Day. That was the day I threw up green.
I had one at the Midway McDonalds last weekend.
The McDonalds at 405 N. Wabash has them as well.
Damn. After reading this, I had to run right out and hunt one down. As luck (o' the Irish) would have it, the McDonald's on Ashland 'tween Belmont and Diversey serves them. Mmmmm! Mmmm, bitch!!
I've had one at the Rock 'N Roll McDonald's on Clark Street and at the McDonald's on Chicago and State Street.
I saw the discarded hulls of two shamrock shakes on Ravenswood near the intersection with Montrose.
they are readily available for your enjoyment at the location in streeterville. i think the intersection is huron and fairbanks... ish?
I had one Sunday at the
Mickey D's on Clark across
from Wrigley.
...
We always had them in West Michigan, too.
McDonald's on Clark and Wrightwood by Wiener's Circle has them
McDonald's on Clark and Wrightwood by Wiener's Circle has them
McDonald's on Clark and Wrightwood by Wiener's Circle has them
There are signs for them at the McDonald's at Bryn Mawr and Clark.
I last had a shamrock shake a few years ago at the McDonal's near the Wrigley building, though, and I remember being disappointed. I expected the cool minty deliciousness of which you speak, but as I recall, it was cloyingly sweet and tasted more of orange than mint. But perhaps there was a mix-up; I should give the shake another try.
I had no idea that Shamrock Shakes weren't available everywhere for st paddys day. I wonder if Boston and NY woud have them too?
If you have an ice cream maker, use skim milk and Splenda Granulated and make a fat-free, sugar-free version!
/Just as good, and just as thick, because you are using an ice cream maker.
The Shamrock Shakes they now serve in no way resemble the Shamrock Shakes that used to be served in the early 80's.
It's a real shame because every year I think, maybe, just maybe, they brought the old ones back. But no, they're not even close.
Don't get me started on the Shamrock shakes of the 50s!!!
/I lived in No. Dak. - they didn't have Shamrock shakes - they didn't really have any Irish - OK, a few - my dad's boss's name was Durkin.
My huband is from Chicago & I am from Pittsburgh,Pa area and we both grew up waiting for Shamrock shakes just like we waited for Christmas morning. We just moved to Texas and this is our first St. Pattys day away from home and there are NO Shamrock Shakes to be found. Not sure what we'll do, I may have to get the blender out and make my own.
I too have grown up with Shamrock shakes. I am originally from Michigan. I can not remember a year that I have not been able to enjoy one. I have been to Arizona and Nevada and was able to treat myself each year to a green shake. This year I just moved to Louisiana-Shreveport/Bossier. Do you think they have them? NOT! I went to two McDonald's stores and they looked at me funny. The employees, as well as a manager, had never heard of them. It just is not right. Even with the recipe, it just is not the same.
I did call the McDonald's toll free number and spoke to an actual person. I gave her my first name and zip code and said it would be nice if they offered this "seasonal item" in this region. Maybe one day McDonald's will get the idea that people really do like the green shake.
I too have grown up with Shamrock shakes. I am originally from Michigan. I can not remember a year that I have not been able to enjoy one. I have been to Arizona and Nevada and was able to treat myself each year to a green shake. This year I just moved to Louisiana-Shreveport/Bossier. Do you think they have them? NOT! I went to two McDonald's stores and they looked at me funny. The employees, as well as a manager, had never heard of them. It just is not right. Even with the recipe, it just is not the same.
I did call the McDonald's toll free number and spoke to an actual person. I gave her my first name and zip code and said it would be nice if they offered this "seasonal item" in this region. Maybe one day McDonald's will get the idea that people really do like the green shake.
I too have grown up with Shamrock shakes. I am originally from Michigan. I can not remember a year that I have not been able to enjoy one. I have been to Arizona and Nevada and was able to treat myself each year to a green shake. This year I just moved to Louisiana-Shreveport/Bossier. Do you think they have them? NOT! I went to two McDonald's stores and they looked at me funny. The employees, as well as a manager, had never heard of them. It just is not right. Even with the recipe, it just is not the same.
I did call the McDonald's toll free number and spoke to an actual person. I gave her my first name and zip code and said it would be nice if they offered this "seasonal item" in this region. Maybe one day McDonald's will get the idea that people really do like the green shake.
what is this... 2005??!? where is the google-map hack?
Thank you for the reminder. On my way to Rock 'N Roll McDonalds now...
A number of years ago my college age son and daughter and I were traveling through Nebraska heading west to Colorado. I saw a McDonalds sign and said the next town (North Platte) we were stopping for Shamrock shakes! This McDonalds had just opened and when we asked for 3 Shamrocks the young man said he had never heard of them. I immediatlely went into a tizzy as to how any McDonalds could not have Shamrocks in March. Our mouths had been watering for the last 60 miles anticipating our green shakes. My kids were very embarassed and to this day have not let me forget it.
For a quick Shamrock. Take a few scoops of ice cream, add just a few drops of green Creme de Mint. Put it in the microwave for 6 0r 7 seconds and stir. It's really good.
The shake and ice cream machine at the Illinois Center McDonald's has been down for over a month. It was working for about a day last week and they did have Shamrock Shakes. Although not as good as the ones I remember from the 80s, but everything seems like it was better in the past.
I used to work at McDonald's looong ago and we used to mix half shamrock and half chocolate shakes for a mint chocolate shake...mmmmmmm
I just found shamrock shakes in Woodstock, VA (1.5 hours SW of Washington DC)
Why Mcdonald's doesn't sell Shamrock shakes nationwide, especially near St. Patty's day, is one of the greatest marketing/sales blunders in all of fast food history. I moved to Phoenix, Arizona a few years ago and did find a location in north Phoenix selling them last year. Now that same location is not selling them and I several phone calls have determined that they aren't being sold anywhere in the Phoenix area this year. Shame on you, Mcdonald's!
They used to sell them in the Los Angeles area until this year....I'll be moving back to Chicago in time for next year's St. Patty's Day, and I wonder if they'll still have them there then. *sigh*
Dear Sir or Madam, May 23, 2007
Please bring back the shamrock shake,
I am deeply cercerned about the shamrock shake.
Sincerly yours, ER Chase Jr.