March has arrived, and with it basketball madness, funky weather, and excuses to get drunk and eat green-colored things — the most delightful (and rare) of which is definitely the elusive vanilla-with-a-dash-of-mint Shamrock Shake at McDonald’s. I tried to buy one of the tasty green treats the other day, but was devastated when I got to the counter and asked for one, only to be met with a blank stare. My sister updated her Facebook status on March 1 with ”It’s officially Shamrock Shake season!” — then texted me, furious, when the three different McDonald’s she tried didn’t have them either. We’re not alone in this conundrum — people from NYC to San Francisco to Ireland have searched to no avail. You can make your own, but will it really be the same? No. The answer is no.
Which brings me to today’s site of the day: the bare bones, to-the-point ShamrockShake.com. Illustrated with animated GIFs and a couple of YouTube videos, the site doesn’t even have instructions. But I’ll spell it out for you. Go to site. Search by state. Locate shake. Or, if you’re me: Go to site. Search by state. Get abnormally upset that they’re not available in your area. But there’s good news, people of Shawnee, Kan., and Sabraton, W.Va., — Shamrock Shakes are readily available for you to consume. The data is user-compiled, so if you’ve enjoyed a Shamrock Shake this year, add your location to the list. The entries are pretty sparse, so it would be a little more helpful if people actually used it. Those of you who are hoarding the locations of delicious, minty shakes for your own benefit, I implore you: Share your whereabouts. Please. The drive-thru line might be a little longer tomorrow, but it’s one sacrifice for the good of many.
Is anyone else as obsessed with Shamrock Shakes as I am (besides my sister)? How hard are you judging me right now for caring so much about a dairy dessert? Have you fulfilled your Shamrock Shake quotient this March?
I had my shamrock shake as soon as I heard a commercial for them. Shamrock shakes are alive and well in the Chicagoland area!
I’ve always been able to get one in Connecticut. Don’t make me nervous. I’m going to the Cape today and traveling through Mystic, CT,going to the McDonalds there, so they better have them, or watch the news.
I’ve had 2 of them so far in NJ–both of them in the month of Feb. Since then, I’ve heard several people say they were sold out when they went to McDonalds. The problem is that they only ship a limited amount. By the time March comes along, they’re pretty much sold out already…because of people like me that jump the gun.
OMG I always look forward to march for shamrock shake season. I’m addicted to those things. In fact it’s probably some of the only times I ever go to McDonalds. My Home state of Michigan carries them but unfortunately NYC is without. I was so excited a few years ago when I moved here I went to a MickeyD’s and was told they don’t have them! It was a sad day.
Love love LOVE Shamrock Shake season (yes, definitely alive & well in Chicagoland) – get a shake with half Shamrock, half Chocolate – it’s wonderful!
They are in Ann Arbor, MI! ..and tasty too!
It is a tradition dating back to college that I get a Shamrock Shake on/near St. Patrick’s Day. So when I lived in NYC, I walked into the nearest McDonald’s to order one and I was met with a blank stare. Then the employee turned around and asked her manager, “do we have Shamrock shakes?” The guy next to me in line leaned over and told me that I wasn’t crazy, they just don’t have them here.
I now live back in Michigan and drive by many a McDonald’s proudly advertising Shamrock shakes on their signs. That’s where I’ll be on Tuesday.
To McDonalds (if you are reading this): All McDonalds should have All items at All times! We are all hooked on the Steak/egg/cheese bagel here. My daughter moved to Montana (cattle/beef country) and they have never heard of them. Makes my vacations there oh so boring!
Its not fair to get us hooked on something and then not be able to get it while traveling. Boo McD’s! (Still love ya though!)
We’ve got ‘em in Orlando, and I’ve already had a few since they made their debut about two weeks ago. LOVE them, and *have* made them myself: http://tr.im/hkuy
You know, I don’t even like them *that* much, but all the commercials on the radio (Chicagoland area) have got me craving one. It’s a strange drug-like pull.
OK, so my friend went to his local McDonalds and ordered a fish filet and a Shamrock Shake. Well they were all out of the shakes that day. So not knowing what to do, he ordered another fish filet. So he waits in the drive-thru and decides he doesn’t want either of the fish filets. But he doesn’t just get out of line, he waits until he’s at the drive-thru window to tell them. He basically got up there and said “Yeah, I changed my mind,” and drove away (I picture the employee with a bag of fish filets to hand to him being all confused.) I was like, “Now you can never go back there.” Haha, I guess he did a couple days later and got his shake. Hopefully it wasn’t the same person working the drive-thru. That McDonalds is in the Southwest Suburbs of Chicago at 88th Ave. and 95th St. in Hickory Hills.
We have Shamrock Shakes in Chicagoland McDonalds and thank God! I’ve already had one, and I’m sure I’ll have another one or two this March. Now if only Obama and the Senate would enact legislation making Shamrock Shakes available all year long! I demand minty deliciousness!
I’ve had three. Do you know you can order a child size shake with a happy meal? Best thing going! Then I don’t feel AS guilty…
I LOVE shamrock shake season!
The Mickey D’s next door to my office building has them. At first I was thrilled, but in the past week I’ve been going so often I think they’re contemplating a restraining order. Is there some kind of 12-step program for this?
Went to McDs the other week and ordered a Shamrock shake, which was advertised on the menu sign at the drive-thru. Was so disappointed to learn when I got home that what I was given was instead a plain vanilla shake. The incident so disappointed me that I haven’t even tried to go to another McDs and get another one.