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14 Milkshakes to Try Before You Die in Los Angeles

by Matthew Kang
18 comments / new
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by Matthew Kang
18 comments / new

2008_10_hasmaps.jpgIt's the middle of summer and the perfect time for a milkshake. While there are plenty of places to get them around town, below listed are a number of different or even boozy shakes that take the simple format to new heights. But, in the end, it's hard to have a bad shake. Anything loaded with ice cream and mix-ins or toppings is going to be delicious, so dive into Eater's guide to milkshakes in Los Angeles.

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Go Get Em Tiger

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The coffee milkshake at this new cafe on Larchmont is remarkable. Based on a precise ratio of vanilla ice cream, two shots of espresso, and a splash of milk, it's refreshing, complex, and gives a major jolt of caffeine. Also available at G&B Coffee in Downtown's Grand Central Market. [Photo: FoodGPS]

230 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

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The Oinkster

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These hefty shakes, based on local favorite Fosselman's ice cream, are popular with this Eagle Rock joint's popular burgers. The ube shake is amazing, light purple and rich with the tuber's flavor.

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 255-6465
(323) 255-6465

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25°

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The boozy shakes at Tim Goodell's burger restaurant might be one of the best things to pair with the massive burgers. The Guinness shake might be the most popular, loaded with the Irish stout and chocolate syrup.

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 785-7244
(323) 785-7244

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Fred 62

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These shakes barely hurdle five dollars and come in a variety of flavors, including banana, espresso, mocha and peanut butter. They're thick, just like they were in the 50's.

1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 667-0062
(323) 667-0062

Go Burger

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There's a trio of boozy shakes at this Hollywood burger restaurant, one made with bourbon and caramel, another with coffee and Irish cream and shots of espresso (you'll be up all night), and another loaded with oreo, coffee, and chocolate ice cream. There's also regular, non-boozy shakes, with one even made with cookie dough.

6290 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 327-9355
(323) 327-9355

Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain

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This old-time soda fountain in Pasadena has all the favorites one might expect to see decades ago, completely unchanged. Hand-scooped ice cream come with an entire pint of ice cream, with flavors including butterscotch, heath bar, oreo, and fresh banana as additions. Definitely share one.

1526 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA
(626) 799-1414
(626) 799-1414

Pono Burger

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Using Strauss dairy as a base, Pono Burger makes a ridiculous bacon shake using salted caramel ice cream and Niman Ranch bacon bits. Over the top and amazing at the same time.

829 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 584-7005
(310) 584-7005

The Fat Cow

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The Moo Bar up front at Gordon Ramsay's casual pub inside the Grove is a full-on bonanza to ice cream desserts. The chocolate salted caramel shake is the recommended pick.

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 965-1020
(323) 965-1020

Umami Burger

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This location of Umami has a special salted caramel shake that's just salty enough to counter the intensely sweet and rich ice cream shake.

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 954-8626
(323) 954-8626

The Counter

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The Counter makes fully customized shakes, just like their burgers. The one with apple crumble is almost like an apple pie shake while the wine shakes come with an infusion of pinot noir or white wine.

2901 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-8383
(310) 399-8383

Top Round Roast Beef

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This remarkable new roast beef concept on La Brea makes great frozen custard shakes for a low price, starting at $2.95 for chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, then more for mix-ins. The pistachio shake is worth a try.

1000 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 549-9445
(323) 549-9445

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The Fountain Coffee Room

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This old-time coffee shop inside the posh Beverly Hills hotel has one of the richest, most delicious shakes around. The chocolate one stands out.

9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2251
(310) 276-2251

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Mel's Drive-In

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The old-fashioned shakes featuring McGoo's Ice Cream (what a name) at this modern 50's-style diner are thick and tasty, though the coffee, pineapple, banana, and coffee shakes are worth a taste.

8585 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-7200
(310) 854-7200

Short Order

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Using a Strauss frozen custard base, chef Christian Page makes some of the smoothest, thickest shakes around, in simple chocolate and vanilla, or coffee and a daily special, depending on the day. [Photo: Let Me Eat Cake]

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 761-7970
(323) 761-7970

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Go Get Em Tiger

230 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

The coffee milkshake at this new cafe on Larchmont is remarkable. Based on a precise ratio of vanilla ice cream, two shots of espresso, and a splash of milk, it's refreshing, complex, and gives a major jolt of caffeine. Also available at G&B Coffee in Downtown's Grand Central Market. [Photo: FoodGPS]

230 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90004

The Oinkster

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041

These hefty shakes, based on local favorite Fosselman's ice cream, are popular with this Eagle Rock joint's popular burgers. The ube shake is amazing, light purple and rich with the tuber's flavor.

2005 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 255-6465
(323) 255-6465

25°

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

The boozy shakes at Tim Goodell's burger restaurant might be one of the best things to pair with the massive burgers. The Guinness shake might be the most popular, loaded with the Irish stout and chocolate syrup.

7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 785-7244
(323) 785-7244

Fred 62

1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

These shakes barely hurdle five dollars and come in a variety of flavors, including banana, espresso, mocha and peanut butter. They're thick, just like they were in the 50's.

1850 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 667-0062
(323) 667-0062

Go Burger

6290 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

There's a trio of boozy shakes at this Hollywood burger restaurant, one made with bourbon and caramel, another with coffee and Irish cream and shots of espresso (you'll be up all night), and another loaded with oreo, coffee, and chocolate ice cream. There's also regular, non-boozy shakes, with one even made with cookie dough.

6290 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 327-9355
(323) 327-9355

Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain

1526 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA

This old-time soda fountain in Pasadena has all the favorites one might expect to see decades ago, completely unchanged. Hand-scooped ice cream come with an entire pint of ice cream, with flavors including butterscotch, heath bar, oreo, and fresh banana as additions. Definitely share one.

1526 Mission St, South Pasadena, CA
(626) 799-1414
(626) 799-1414

Pono Burger

829 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA

Using Strauss dairy as a base, Pono Burger makes a ridiculous bacon shake using salted caramel ice cream and Niman Ranch bacon bits. Over the top and amazing at the same time.

829 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA
(310) 584-7005
(310) 584-7005

The Fat Cow

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036

The Moo Bar up front at Gordon Ramsay's casual pub inside the Grove is a full-on bonanza to ice cream desserts. The chocolate salted caramel shake is the recommended pick.

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 965-1020
(323) 965-1020

Umami Burger

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036

This location of Umami has a special salted caramel shake that's just salty enough to counter the intensely sweet and rich ice cream shake.

189 The Grove Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 954-8626
(323) 954-8626

The Counter

2901 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

The Counter makes fully customized shakes, just like their burgers. The one with apple crumble is almost like an apple pie shake while the wine shakes come with an infusion of pinot noir or white wine.

2901 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 399-8383
(310) 399-8383

Top Round Roast Beef

1000 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019

This remarkable new roast beef concept on La Brea makes great frozen custard shakes for a low price, starting at $2.95 for chocolate, vanilla or strawberry, then more for mix-ins. The pistachio shake is worth a try.

1000 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
(323) 549-9445
(323) 549-9445

The Fountain Coffee Room

9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

This old-time coffee shop inside the posh Beverly Hills hotel has one of the richest, most delicious shakes around. The chocolate one stands out.

9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2251
(310) 276-2251

Mel's Drive-In

8585 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069

The old-fashioned shakes featuring McGoo's Ice Cream (what a name) at this modern 50's-style diner are thick and tasty, though the coffee, pineapple, banana, and coffee shakes are worth a taste.

8585 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 854-7200
(310) 854-7200

Short Order

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Using a Strauss frozen custard base, chef Christian Page makes some of the smoothest, thickest shakes around, in simple chocolate and vanilla, or coffee and a daily special, depending on the day. [Photo: Let Me Eat Cake]

6333 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 761-7970
(323) 761-7970

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