03/18/2005 Entry: "Shamrock Shakin Mah Head."

Yesterday: A few work buddies and I spent our lunch break scouring every McDonald's in and around Times Square in search of the elusive you-know-what -- the Shamrock Shake. When I proposed marriage to the seasonal treat during last year's St. Patty's tribute, a couple of readers chimed in with wild claims that the big city still supplied the goods. Fucking lousy liars. The people working the registers seemed almost appalled that we'd even ask for these allegedly still-made shakes, and what's worse, we spent so much time hunting down fast food joints that there wasn't even time to enjoy a much safer bet: green beer.

Regardless, this was my first ever St. Patrick's Day spent in NYC, and it sure was an experience. Though there's been major crackdowns over the past few years on public intoxication and just generally having anything resembling drunken fun, the sea of green-donning Irishmen and tourists posing as Irishmen almost made me wish my blood wasn't so fully rooted in spicy meatball woposity.

Anyway, it was nutsy. More people were walking around in costume today than on Halloween -- and by costume, I don't just mean "green clothes." We're talking all-out styrofoam hats, ties, green hairspray...the works. So gloriously tacky. There was even a guy in a big shark suit. I'll show you the pics when I get home.

They're totally hard to find. If anyone wants to snap a pic of the shakes, send it to mattcaraxe@aol.com and I'll post it.

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/18/2005 09:04 AM EST

They still exist, because I got one in Bumfuck Harrisburg, PA. I'll snap a picture if they're still selling them this weekend.

Chestnuts roasted by MTrox @ 03/18/2005 09:25 AM EST

I managed to get one Shamrock Shake this year. I hadn't been to McD's in forever, and forgot they might be out, so I was pleasantly surprised. I tried to get another a couple days later but they were out.

That actually caused one of two humorous drive-thru exchanges I've had in the past week. The order-taker didn't say anything about being out of the shakes, but when we drove up and got our order, the shake was a strawberry one. When we handed it back and said it was supposed to be Shamrock, the guy at that window said they were out, and demanded "who sold it to you?!" I don't think he even realized the silliness of the question, he seemed really peeved.

The other exchange was at Long John Silver's when some guy from the kitchen handed over a box with the raised eyebrows and sly grin of someone sharing some really great weed. "You want some chicken planks?" wink wink. You had to be there, but it was pretty surreal.

Chestnuts roasted by maglizrd @ 03/18/2005 09:50 AM EST

cant wait to see the pics

Chestnuts roasted by IHAQ @ 03/18/2005 10:09 AM EST

Right on! I'm over here in Scotland right now, for totally unrelated reasons.. but, I avoided all the hoopla by lying in bed wrapped up like a mummy.

Chestnuts roasted by Review the World @ 03/18/2005 10:37 AM EST

Sad to hear of the demise of NYC's Shamrock Shake. So so so sad.

Chestnuts roasted by Sweetie @ 03/18/2005 10:55 AM EST

Shark suit? It better have been a green shark.

Chestnuts roasted by radiodj19 @ 03/18/2005 11:12 AM EST

Wisconsin? Yeah, we got 'em. And I hit it, too! But, I can't snap a pic, I don't really eat at McD's. Can someone please tell me what's the difference between a Shamrock and a regular mint shake? Just the ground up leprechauns and clover?

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/18/2005 11:17 AM EST

I don't go to any fast food places ever, so I don't know if they're around here (DC area). I'm vegetarian, so they got nothing for me. As for St Pat's, I didn't go out last night. I usually do, but this year I didn't want to have to deal with the amatuer drinkers. Leave it to the pros folks. No one wants to step in your green puke.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/18/2005 11:22 AM EST

They do have McDonalds here in Korea, but as nobody seems to have heard of St. Patty's Day, I didn't even look for the shakes- although I did have an argument last night with a friend about whether or not they still existed! I knew I was right!

Sadly, the McDonald's breakfast doesn't exist here in Korea....they just don't have it. And that's the only thing I actually liked at McDs.

Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 03/18/2005 11:28 AM EST

They are indeed all over MA.
Mcdonalds in Chicopee had them.

Matt, did you still want that Koolaid? You never told me where to send it.

Chestnuts roasted by SuperRecoome @ 03/18/2005 11:38 AM EST

I had every intention of going out and getting sloppy-ass drunk yesterday, but I contracted a nasty case of pinkeye from my 5-year-old nephew on Wednesday from which I'm still recovering. I guess I'll just have to make up for it on Easter...

Chestnuts roasted by The Yeti @ 03/18/2005 11:40 AM EST

SuperRecoome -- could you resend me your reply to mattcaraxe@aol.com? I guess the spam has totally killed the point of my site addy. :/

Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/18/2005 11:41 AM EST

Shamrock shakes are alive and well in Detroit! I've had at least 3 this St. Patty's season. Also the only 3 times I've been to McDs in the last year

Chestnuts roasted by Jett @ 03/18/2005 11:53 AM EST

The diff 'tween and 'twixt a normal mint and Shamrock shake? The color for a Shamrock doesn't break down in your system, or at least that was the case last time I had one. And I'll leave it at that.

By the way, over at Fark, in a thread about the BK Cowboy Hootie Ad, I mentioned my childhood trauma over the McDonaldland melting Grimace commercial. In my Excite e-mail this morning, I recieved a message about a secret X-E stash of ads that may contain said incident. Just as long as I can see more of the four-armed Grimace, I can maybe tolerate the liquified kind.

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/18/2005 12:03 PM EST

Well Matt, it still sounds like you had way more fun than me yesterday. I ended up sitting at home working, with no money to go out and drink green beer. I had the thought of just staying home and getting drunk by myself...but that seemed a little more pathetic than what I was already doing so I cancelled it. Shitty shitty day!

Chestnuts roasted by Well @ 03/18/2005 12:59 PM EST

kingklash, Matt had mentioned the ad collection in a blog post maybe a year or so back. It will no doubt be worth the wait, so take your time Matt.

Chestnuts roasted by YooHoo @ 03/18/2005 01:18 PM EST

Here are some video diaries from upcoming movies:
King Kong
Superman Returns (This just started filming.)

Chestnuts roasted by ME @ 03/18/2005 02:09 PM EST

I did get the Shamrock shake this year here in Central VA. Does anyone else think it tastes like a vanilla shake with ground up Rolaids in it? Also has anyone tried the Banana/Chocolate shake at Mcdonalds? Ye gods, it HAS to be as addictive as crack!

Chestnuts roasted by Mike @ 03/18/2005 02:09 PM EST

I always get addicted to the Starbucks Gingerbread Latte every Christmas season. THAT stuff is crack. Apparently it's still at my local Starbucks (one of about 9000 of course, but the one closest to my house) but it just isn't the same when it's always available. It's too Christmas-seasony. Of course, I'm saying that on X-E with it's Christmas decorations still up and I don't mind that. No offense meant Matt.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/18/2005 02:17 PM EST

It was St patricks day?! Anyway, I haven't bothered to check for the Shamrock Shake because, GASP, I'm never going to get fast food again. The reason being that I read the book "Fast Food Nation" and now know the evil that lurks behind Ronalds smile. I cant beleve the miseries they caused to all their workers as well as independent farmers and ranchers.

Chestnuts roasted by TOM @ 03/18/2005 02:31 PM EST

Yes! Awesome book Tom! It wasn't the reason I became a vegetarian, that was a spur of the moment thing, but it is one of the reasons I remained one. I am proud to say no fast food place has gotten any of my money in about 5 years. That industry is truly evil, but it's kind of a subtle evil, which is probably the worst kind. I also recommend his book "Reefer Madness". Obviously it's about much different subject matter, but that guy is a great muckraking author. A great read.

Chestnuts roasted by jhnnywalkr @ 03/18/2005 02:42 PM EST

Did anyone catch the Sci-Fi Leprechaun double-feature on St. Paddy's day? I saw the last hour of the original and it was cheesy fun. Perfect for an x-article if it hasn't been done yet. I believe it was Jen Aniston's first movie.

Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 03/18/2005 04:12 PM EST

I wish Wendy's would make a green frosty.

Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 03/18/2005 05:24 PM EST

I live down in Orlando, FL, and I had a Shamrock Shake just a few days ago. So they are`definitely still sold here.

Chestnuts roasted by Jamie @ 03/18/2005 05:57 PM EST

I hope there's a someone jumping over that costumed shark picture. Especially if it's any actor from That 70's Show or Everybody Loves Raymond.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/18/2005 07:18 PM EST

Ok, let me rephrase that.

I hope there's someone jumping over the costumed shark in the picture you took yesterday.

There, that sounds better.

Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/18/2005 07:19 PM EST

I've had 3 shamrock shakes this season. Oh god jesus yes.

Chestnuts roasted by Mike @ 03/18/2005 07:20 PM EST

oh, you lousy leprechauns...
I don't know but I have the feeling that St. Patrick's day is even more celebrated in the States than in Ireland.

Here in Spain it's not even a known day. Oh yeah, we get some shots of the totally wasted irish guy in a pub and that's all folks.

Now, today it's officially starting Easter here, so for a week what you'd see here is people dressed as if they were from KKK dragging around their processions...we're a weird weird country...

Chestnuts roasted by melonian @ 03/18/2005 07:45 PM EST

I got like 3 Shamrock Shakes this year. But one of them wasn't especially minty, it was almost just like green vanilla. I went out to the club I ususally go to, Legends in Reading, PA. There were man men in kilts and one guy was playing tunes on a bagpipe. Guys who can play the bagpipe are hot. I dyed my hair green for the celebration. And got pawed at by lots of drunken men asking my to go "hang out" with them after hours. I seriously doubt they just wanted to go play Mario Party, though..."

Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 03/18/2005 08:10 PM EST

I don't like the shamrock shake. It tastes like toothpaste. But, I'm still sad you couldn't find one, Matt. It's hard when you're hungry for something you can't find.

BTW jhnnywalkr, I've never heard of the book "Fast Food Nation". What kind of stuff do they do?

Anyway, you all had a better St. Patrick's Day than I had.
Holiday's are rough on me.
I need a social life.

Chestnuts roasted by Tetsu Deinonychus @ 03/18/2005 10:36 PM EST

Getting a Shamrock Shake was about the extent of my celebrating yesterday, since liquor of any color and I don't get along and I had to work anyway. A girlfriend invited me to a party, but I pleaded a cold and didn't go (and it wasn't entirely a lie - I WAS really tired). Turns out the party was a bust anyway, just a lot of co-workers making awkward conversation.

Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 03/18/2005 11:21 PM EST

I live in Milwaukee, and we still have shamrock shakes at all our McDonalds here.
In fact, I remember my middle school from 4th grade until 8th grade (I am currently in 11th grade, so it's not as nostalgic a memory as it appears) would let kids preorder and pay for Shamrock Shakes. Then, on St. Patricks day, some teacher made a run to McDonalds, bought the 4.6 billion shamrock shakes our school ordered, and tote them to back to school where they would be engulfed by mint-crazed twelve year olds.

To this day, I think it is the coolest thing any public school has ever done.

Chestnuts roasted by Garrett @ 03/18/2005 11:41 PM EST

I'm from Windsor, Ont. I Went to the nearest McDonald's in search for the Shamrock Shake - the girl at the counter said they havent had them for the past two years now, and when I asked, she said no other locations in Windsor had them.

I was very dissapointed.

Chestnuts roasted by Grimspoon @ 03/19/2005 12:58 AM EST

I don't drink the Shamrock Shake because they are mint flavor and my mom told me they were no good. I'm not a really big mint fan anyway.

Chestnuts roasted by pikachulover @ 03/19/2005 01:26 AM EST

God I pity you poor bastards who must go without shamrock shakes on St Patricks day. They're still available here in backwoods Oregon, though it seems like every year the window gets smaller. I'm sure that the green shakes will only be available for 30 seconds in coming years.

Chestnuts roasted by jalansk0 @ 03/19/2005 03:05 AM EST

Did schoolwork and theatre lighting work for my school all day. Didn't do shit as far as anything fun went.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/19/2005 05:09 AM EST

I lead a boring life.

Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/19/2005 05:09 AM EST

Well, no Shamrock Shakes in Germany, but I did get married to the most wonderful girl in the world yesterday! Happy day!

Chestnuts roasted by Mad Cow @ 03/19/2005 06:45 AM EST

I totally forgot about Shamrock Shakes. Maybe that's a good thing.

There better be an Easter article soon, Matt!

Chestnuts roasted by Jeff Mack @ 03/19/2005 11:40 AM EST

congrats Mad Cow! Hope you had a great day!

kingklash...yeah, thanks for the info. "Shamrock Shakes and your GI tract...a match made in hell!"

Chestnuts roasted by kidneyboy @ 03/19/2005 12:17 PM EST

Well, Pitch Black Mt. Dew wasn't the first to bring out the funky color for the holidays, lemme tell you. Just another chance to do your best Montgomery Scott impression. "It's... it's green!"

Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/19/2005 02:31 PM EST

Congrats Mad Cow, where in Germany? Butzbach here.

Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz

Chestnuts roasted by EMajorwitz @ 03/19/2005 02:37 PM EST

Out Here in L.A. I've seen shamrock shakes in all the mcdonalds I've been into. The thought of a green shake kinda creeps me out though....
By the way Matt, When can we expect to see some new articles???

Chestnuts roasted by D-Roc @ 03/19/2005 04:27 PM EST

Woposity, LOL. I think we went over this last year. Saints days belong to all Catholics, whether they hail from potato riddled islands or boot shaped penisulas.
Seconding D-Roc: we still have the Sham Shakes in So Cal. The concept of a mint shake is beyond nasty to me though, so I celebrated with one of Carl Jr's deeeeeelishious new real ice cream shakes. So freaking good; better than In-N-Out even.
Congrats Mad Cow! So, are you registered at TRU or KB?
Trajeal, just in case Matt can't come through with the shark jumping pic: The Fonz jumps the shark, again. Best. Gag. Ever.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/19/2005 10:45 PM EST

I had a shamrock shake last weekend, it was great.

I read Fast Food Nation a couple years ago. I found the information in it disturbing, but not nearly enough to shake my fast food habit. Watching Super Size Me made me want some fries.

Chestnuts roasted by marioshoku @ 03/20/2005 01:11 AM EST

Speaking of obscure McDonalds Mascots, what was the name of the Cop with the Big Mac for a head? I've been trying to find that out for the last two years, but to no avail.

And on the topic of easter, we here at KB got STUFFED PEEPS. both in classic Chick and Rabbit kinds. they have single big ones and 4 packs of tiny ones which look exactly like their real counterparts in their packaging.

The big thing with them is, the big peeps have squeakers, so they "peep" when you squeeze them.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 03/20/2005 01:23 AM EST

Invader Norbert, the Cop with the big mac head was named (appropriately enough) Big Mac
heres the link where I found it, http://www.kevinhebert.com/alt.mcdonalds.html#3

Chestnuts roasted by MissKitty @ 03/20/2005 12:22 PM EST

Spring Break Shark Attack airs tonight at 9 on CBS. It's exactly what it sounds like.
I've seen the stuffed Peeps; they've also got stylish handbags shaped like pink bunny heads. Very fashion forward.

Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/20/2005 03:07 PM EST

Marioshoku: thats the same with me, I thought either the moive or the book would turn me off to fast food well Mcds my fav, but nope my love for my childhood comfort food is stronger than the nasty facts about about it. I just may have a problem!?

Chestnuts roasted by IHAQ @ 03/20/2005 06:48 PM EST

we had them upstate near syracuse...but they ran out on like saint pattys day...

Chestnuts roasted by LordSorrow @ 03/20/2005 10:54 PM EST

we had them upstate near syracuse...but they ran out on like saint pattys day...

Chestnuts roasted by LordSorrow @ 03/20/2005 10:54 PM EST

we had them upstate near syracuse...but they ran out on like saint pattys day...

Chestnuts roasted by LordSorrow @ 03/20/2005 10:54 PM EST

we had them upstate near syracuse...but they ran out on like saint pattys day...

Chestnuts roasted by LordSorrow @ 03/20/2005 10:54 PM EST

Rumor has it that they had 'em upstate near Syracuse, but they ran out on like St. Patty's day... word.

Chestnuts roasted by The Yeti @ 03/20/2005 11:48 PM EST

MissKitty...THANK YOU! Another mystery solved. That link also solved another question I was asking, What the hell was Birdie representing?!

It turned out to be the McDonald's Breakfast Menu.

Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 03/20/2005 11:49 PM EST

i found the recipe for the shamrock shake! here ya go:

You'll find it very easy to recreate the flavors of McDonald's annual St. Patrick's Day shake using only four ingredients. The two that make this holiday shake unique are the mint extract and green food coloring. Make sure your extract says "mint" and not "peppermint." And if you don't want shakes that are green like the real ones, you can certainly leave out the food coloring. Happy St. Patty's Day, kitchen cloners!

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1 1/4 cups low fat milk
1/4 teaspoon mint extract (not peppermint)
8 drops green food coloring

1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth. Stop blender to stir with a spoon if necessary to help blend ice cream.
2. Pour into two 12-ounce cups and serve each with a straw. (http://www.topsecretrecipes.com)
Serves 2.

hope this helps everyone.

Chestnuts roasted by jessica_76 @ 03/21/2005 12:50 PM EST