22 Fast-Food Chains With the Best Milkshakes
Milkshakes are a true American classic. Most fast-food restaurants have milkshakes on their menu, making them the perfect dessert or a time-honored accompaniment to burgers and fries.
Whether you prefer classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla or more creative options like Nutella and jamocha, the fast food milkshakes on our list are sure to satisfy your craving.
Delicious and creamy, these milkshakes at fast food chains are worth trying!
22. White Castle: Vanilla Shake
White Castle is a fast food chain famous for popularizing hamburger sliders, but it also serves milkshakes.
There are almost 400 White Castle locations in the US, most of which are in the Midwest or New York.
White Castle has three milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Milkshakes at White Castle come in small, medium, and large sizes.
White Castle’s vanilla shake is your average, run-of-the-mill vanilla milkshake, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.
The nutritional content may vary depending on where you order your vanilla shake.
You can visit White Castle’s nutritional info page to see the values in your area.
21. Hardee’s: Strawberry Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shake
Hardee’s is a fast food chain famous for its hand-breaded chicken tenders and made-from-scratch biscuits, with over 1,700 locations in the US.
In addition, they also serve hand-scooped milkshakes.
Hardee’s sells three hand-scooped ice cream shake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Each milkshake at Hardee’s comes in one standard size.
Hardee’s strawberry hand-scooped ice cream shake is made from creamy, hand-scooped strawberry ice cream, real milk, and a generous swirl of whipped cream on top.
This shake comes in at 690 calories and contains 35 grams of fat, 250 milligrams of sodium, and 12 grams of protein.
20. Jack in the Box: Vanilla Shake
Jack in the Box is a fast food chain with a vast menu encompassing everything from tacos and egg rolls to burgers and milkshakes.
There are over 2,000 Jack in the Box locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Jack in the Box serves four milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and Oreo cookie.
Milkshakes at Jack in the Box are available in two sizes: 16 oz. and 24 oz.
Jack in the Box’s vanilla shake is a classic and thick vanilla milkshake topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
A 16 oz. vanilla shake at Jack in the Box has 580 calories and contains 23 grams of fat, 340 milligrams of sodium, and 12 grams of protein.
19. Del Taco: Strawberry Shake
Del Taco is a fast food chain most famous for its Mexican food, but it also sells milkshakes.
There are nearly 600 Del Taco locations in the US, including Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington.
Del Taco serves three permanent milkshake flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
In addition, Del Taco rolls out limited edition milkshake flavors, like the Strawberry Piñata Shake with M&M’s.
Each Del Taco milkshake comes in two sizes: regular and large.
Del Taco’s strawberry shake is rich, creamy, and hand-blended, mixed with real strawberry bits.
A regular strawberry shake at Del Taco has 520 calories and contains 9 grams of fat, 280 milligrams of sodium, and 14 grams of protein.
18. Burger King: OREO Cookie Shake
Burger King is one of the most popular fast food chains famous for its burgers, and it also sells milkshakes.
There are over 7,000 Burger King locations in all 50 states.
Burger King serves four milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, Oreo cookie, and the chocolate Oreo cookie.
Milkshakes at Burger King come in one standard size.
Burger King’s Oreo cookie shake is made with creamy vanilla soft-serve ice cream, Oreo cookie pieces, and vanilla sauce.
An Oreo cookie shake at Burger King has 640 calories and contains 17 grams of fat, 460 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
17. McDonald’s: Vanilla Shake
McDonald’s is the biggest and most popular fast-food chain worldwide, with almost 13,500 locations in the US.
McDonald’s sells three different milkshake flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
McDonald’s also sells limited edition milkshake flavors, like their famous Shamrock Shake, which gets re-released every year around St. Patrick’s Day.
All McDonald’s milkshakes come in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
McDonald’s vanilla shake is a true classic, made from creamy vanilla soft serve and topped with whipped cream.
A medium vanilla shake at McDonald’s has 610 calories and contains 16 grams of fat, 270 milligrams of sodium, and 14 grams of protein.
16. Arby’s: Jamocha Shake
Arby’s is a fast food chain famous for its roast beef sandwiches and curly fries; however, it also offers milkshakes.
Arby’s sells three permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, jamocha, and vanilla.
In addition, Arby’s sometimes releases limited edition flavors, like its orange cream shake.
Milkshakes at Arby’s are available in four sizes: snack, small, medium, and large.
One of the best and most unique Arby’s milkshakes is jamocha, which combines the complementary flavors of chocolate and coffee.
The shake is then topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle.
A medium Arby’s jamocha shake has 830 calories and contains 23 grams of fat, 510 milligrams of sodium, and 19 grams of protein.
15. In-N-Out: Chocolate Shake
In-N-Out is a California-based fast-food chain famous for its burgers and fries.
It has almost 400 locations in seven states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
In-N-Out has three different milkshake flavors on its menu: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
Each In-N-Out milkshake comes in one size only.
In-N-Out’s chocolate shake is a true classic, made from real chocolate ice cream.
This shake has 580 calories and contains 28 grams of fat, 400 milligrams of sodium, and 10 grams of protein.
14. Whataburger: Vanilla Shake
Whataburger is a Texas-based fast food chain famous for its jumbo-sized burgers; however, it also sells milkshakes.
There are over 900 Whataburger locations in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Whataburger sells three permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Whataburger’s milkshakes are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Each flavor is also available as a malt containing malted milk powder.
Whataburger occasionally sells limited edition flavors, including their banana pudding milkshake.
Whataburger’s vanilla shake is a classic, very basic vanilla milkshake.
A medium vanilla shake at Whataburger has 500 calories and contains 12 grams of fat, 500 milligrams of sodium, and 10 grams of protein.
13. Dairy Queen: Chocolate Shake
Dairy Queen is a restaurant chain best known for its ice cream treats, including Blizzards and milkshakes, with over 4,500 locations in the US.
Dairy Queen sells eight permanent milkshake flavors: s’mores, chocolate, hot fudge, peanut butter, caramel, banana, strawberry, and vanilla.
In addition, Dairy Queen offers limited edition and seasonal milkshake flavors like pumpkin cookie butter and mint chip.
Each of these flavors is also available as a malt.
Milkshakes at Dairy Queen come in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Dairy Queen’s chocolate shake is made with soft serve, milk, and chocolate syrup and topped with whipped cream.
A medium chocolate shake at Dairy Queen is 710 calories and contains 23 grams of fat, 290 milligrams of sodium, and 16 grams of protein.
12. Wendy’s: Classic Chocolate Frosty
Wendy’s is a fast food chain famous for its burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and Frostys, which are their signature milkshakes.
There are almost 6,000 Wendy’s locations in all 50 states.
Wendy’s Frostys come in two flavors: strawberry and chocolate.
Each Frosty comes in four sizes: junior, small, medium, and large.
Wendy’s classic chocolate Frosty is thick enough to be eaten with a spoon but smooth enough to be drunk with a straw, making it the perfect accompaniment to a burger and fries.
You can also try dipping your fries into the Frosty for the ultimate sweet and salty treat!
A medium Wendy’s classic chocolate Frosty has 470 calories and contains 12 grams of fat, 210 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
11. Five Guys: Shake
Five Guys is a fast-food chain famous for its simple yet delicious burgers, fries, and milkshakes.
There are over 1,400 Five Guys locations in 49 states, plus Washington DC.
Five Guys only sells one basic milkshake, the Five Guys shake, which only comes in one size.
However, Five Guys offers many different mix-ins that can be added to the shake, including bacon, peanut butter, cherry, chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel, coffee, malted milk, banana, and Oreo pieces.
You can also opt to add whipped cream on top of your shake.
The basic shake at Five Guys with no mix-ins or toppings is 670 calories.
The Five Guys menu lists the caloric content of each mix-in and topping, so you can calculate the nutritional value of your custom milkshake.
10. Chick-fil-A: Vanilla Milkshake
Chick-fil-A is a fast food chain most famous for its chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, and waffle fries, plus they have delicious milkshakes.
There are nearly 3,000 Chick-fil-A locations in 47 states, plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.
Chick-fil-A sells four permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and cookies and cream.
All milkshakes at Chick-fil-A come in one size.
Chick-fil-A occasionally releases limited edition seasonal milkshake flavors, like peach, which is only available in the summertime, and peppermint chip, available during the holiday season.
Chick-fil-A’s vanilla milkshake is hand-spun the old-fashioned way and is topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
A vanilla milkshake at Chick-fil-A has 580 calories and contains 23 grams of fat and 13 grams of protein.
9. Johnny Rockets: Hershey’s Chocolate Shake
Johnny Rockets is a ‘50s diner-themed fast-casual restaurant chain famous for its burgers, fries, and milkshakes, with nearly 150 locations in 26 states.
Johnny Rockets serves three original milkshake flavors: Hershey’s chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.
Johnny Rockets also offers many deluxe milkshake flavors, including the Oreo strawberry crumble, Hershey’s chocolate banana, and peanut butter.
Each milkshake at Johnny Rockets is only available in one size.
Johnny Rockets’ Hershey’s chocolate shake is made with real Hershey’s chocolate and is served with a generous dollop of whipped cream on top.
A Hershey’s chocolate shake at Johnny Rockets has 920 calories and contains 40 grams of fat, 310 milligrams of sodium, and 10 grams of protein.
8. Smashburger: Strawberry Shake
Smashburger is a fast-casual restaurant chain most famous for its eponymous Smash Burgers. However, they also make a great milkshake!
There are over 200 Smashburger locations in 34 states.
Smashburger sells five permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, Oreo, and peanut butter.
All Smashburger’s milkshakes are house-blended and made with Haagen-Dazs ice cream.
Milkshakes at Smashburger are available in one standard size.
Smashburger’s strawberry shake is made with delicious Haagen-Dazs ice cream and served with a swirl of whipped cream on top.
A Smashburger strawberry shake has 780 calories and contains 48 grams of fat, 180 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
7. BurgerFi: Coffee Mocha Shake
BurgerFi is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in chef-created, eco-friendly, and fresh burgers, fries, and milkshakes with over 120 locations in the US.
BurgerFi serves seven different milkshake flavors: red velvet, vanilla, Ghirardelli chocolate, black and white, strawberry, Oreo cookie, and coffee mocha.
All milkshakes at BurgerFi come in one size.
BurgerFi’s coffee mocha shake is made with custard and flavored with a delicious blend of coffee and chocolate, with a swirl of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top.
A coffee mocha shake at BurgerFi has 910 calories and contains 37 grams of fat, 270 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
6. Sonic Drive-In: Churro Shake
Sonic Drive-In is a ‘50s drive-thru-themed fast food restaurant famous for its burgers, fries, milkshakes, and other American fast food classics.
There are over 3,500 Sonic Drive-In locations in 46 states.
Sonic’s milkshake flavors include strawberry, chocolate, banana, vanilla, Reese’s peanut butter, hot fudge, and caramel.
Sonic also offers a variety of Master shakes, which are more deluxe flavors, like churro, strawberry cheesecake, and Oreo and Reese’s peanut butter.
Each shake at Sonic Drive-In comes in four sizes: mini, small, medium, and large.
Sonic’s churro shake is made from real ice cream blended with caramel and cinnamon sugar and topped with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and a cinnamon sugar churro.
A medium Sonic churro shake has 960 calories.
5. Culver’s: Strawberry Shake
Culver’s is a Wisconsin-based fast food chain famous for its ButterBurgers, cheese curds, and frozen custard. Plus, they make delicious milkshakes.
There are nearly 900 Culver’s locations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Culver sells eight permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mint, raspberry, peanut butter, salted caramel, and root beer.
Some of these flavors are also available as malts, like chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and raspberry.
Milkshakes at Culver’s are available in three sizes: small, medium, and large.
Culver’s strawberry shake is made with its famous frozen custard, milk, and real strawberries.
A medium strawberry shake at Culver’s has 720 calories and contains 38 grams of fat, 180 milligrams of sodium, and 12 grams of protein.
4. Oberweis: Strawberry Shortcake Shake
Oberweis is an Illinois-based dairy company that sells premium milk but also operates ice cream stores with decadent milkshakes.
There are over 40 Oberweis locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri.
Oberweis offers nine delicious milkshake flavors: chocolate, caramel, banana, strawberry, pineapple, vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate cake, and strawberry shortcake.
Each milkshake comes in two sizes: regular and large.
Oberweis’ strawberry shortcake shake is made with farm-fresh milk, ice cream, strawberries, and real slices of strawberry shortcake.
The shake is then topped with whipped cream and a Pirouline cookie.
A regular Oberweis strawberry shortcake shake has 1,340 calories and contains 85 grams of fat, 460 milligrams of sodium, and 17 grams of protein.
3. Shake Shack: Black and White Shake
Shake Shack is a New York-based fast food chain famous for its burgers and eponymous milkshakes.
There are over 250 Shake Shack locations in 30 states, plus Washington DC.
Shake Shack’s hand-spun shakes come in six permanent flavors: vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, salted caramel, black and white, and cookies and cream.
In addition, Shake Shack frequently releases limited edition or seasonal milkshake flavors, like the chocolate churro shake.
Milkshakes at Shake Shack only come in one size.
Shake Shack’s black and white shake is made with real vanilla frozen custard and chocolate fudge and is modeled after a black and white cookie.
A black and white shake at Shake Shack has 770 calories and contains 42 grams of fat, 950 milligrams of sodium, and 19 grams of protein.
2. Portillo’s: Chocolate Cake Shake
Portillo’s is a Chicago-based fast-food chain famous for its Italian beef sandwiches, hot dogs, and signature milkshakes.
There are over 70 Portillo’s locations in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Portillo’s serves four permanent milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate cake.
Each milkshake at Portillo’s comes in two sizes: small and large.
The chocolate cake shake is Portillo’s signature milkshake.
It’s similar to their chocolate milkshake, but real pieces of their famous chocolate cake are blended into this milkshake, creating an extra chocolatey flavor and a super thick, decadent texture.
A small chocolate cake shake at Portillo’s has 850 calories and contains 25 grams of fat, 740 milligrams of sodium, and 13 grams of protein.
1. Steak ‘n Shake: Nutella Shake
Steak ‘n Shake is a Midwestern fast food chain famous for its steakburgers and milkshakes, with over 450 locations in 29 states.
Steak ‘n Shake sells four classic milkshake flavors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and banana.
In addition, Steak ‘n Shake offers a dozen of specialty milkshake flavors, including Nutella, Oreo cookie mint, Butterfinger, Snickers, and cotton candy.
Milkshakes at Steak ‘n Shake come in two sizes: small/kids and regular.
Steak ‘n Shake’s Nutella shake is made with real Nutella, giving it a delicious chocolate and hazelnut flavor.
Then, it’s topped with whipped cream and an additional drizzle of Nutella on top.
A regular Nutella shake at Steak ‘n Shake has 820 calories and contains 36 grams of fat, 260 milligrams of sodium, and 40 grams of protein.
Conclusion
There’s nothing like a delicious milkshake on a hot summer day. The fast-food milkshakes on our list are great options to satisfy your sweet tooth or complement your burger and fries.
Whether you prefer a classic chocolate or vanilla milkshake or are looking for a more creative option, we’ve rounded up the best fast-food milkshakes that are worth trying.
