REPLIES: 198 comments
Awesome. Shamrock shakes, an article AND a commercial with a theme song. O'fun.
Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 03/12/2006 07:25 PM EST
I love long pointless hunts for shit like that. I have to get one now.
Chestnuts roasted by Mattman @ 03/12/2006 07:38 PM EST
Matt,
Which do you prefer, the Shamrock Shake or the Arctic Orange? I'm an Orange man myself.
Chestnuts roasted by Joe in OH @ 03/12/2006 08:00 PM EST
Sweet Jesus it's that time of year already. Time to start hitting the streets.
Glad to see you've finally found one. I remember you mentioning it last year.
P.S. I've never had a problem finding Sham-shakes in the Harrisburg, PA area, assuming the time of year is March-ish.
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 03/12/2006 08:10 PM EST
This year, I'm goin' on the hunt for a Shamrock Shake. Not a long or incredibly involved hunt, but I would like to try one.
BTW, by hunt, I mean probably a phone call.
Chestnuts roasted by Larry @ 03/12/2006 08:16 PM EST
I guess a mall location would be your best bet for selling seasonal dairy impulse buys...my McD's has them every year but I find the whole idea icky since McDonalds shakes are nasty even when they aren't green tinted.
Off topic but I must share my spoils from the Radio Shack toy clearance: I am now the proud owner of Kong Electronic Pinball! No clue where I'll put the dumb thing but it definitely deserves a prominent location.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/12/2006 08:34 PM EST
I've yet to have a Shamrock Shake, and I still haven't had Kool-Aid either. I feel like I'm really missing out on some great, unhealthy fluids.
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Poop @ 03/12/2006 08:44 PM EST
Shamrock Shakes are good, but they're only good for like half a small before you get McDonald Green Shake Gutrot.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 03/12/2006 08:51 PM EST
I somehow made the mistake of getting the large Shamrock Shake not once but twice. I never learn. The second one I drank the entire 15-minute drive home and still wasn't done with. And yeah, your poop will be green for about 48 hours.
Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 03/12/2006 08:53 PM EST
Now you just need to find me a Taco Bell that still serves the Chili Cheese Burrito and my life will be complete.
Chestnuts roasted by T.J. @ 03/12/2006 08:55 PM EST
They changed the recipe! At least where I live, they are no longer that delightful mint. NO! Now they've added some key lime crap into the mix. It was a sad day.
Chestnuts roasted by Beth @ 03/12/2006 09:01 PM EST
Damn that looks good. They need to make a Halloween milkshake. And by they, I mean every fast food restaurant in the galaxy.
Chestnuts roasted by Eddie Lightning Frog @ 03/12/2006 09:14 PM EST
First off, congrats Matt on being able to taste that Holy Grail of the St. Paddy's Day Celebration...that is the Shamrock Shake. I have yet to taste one of those bad boys....Sadly, when I've been checking the McDonalds near me...they never have them. I will check again...I've got all week. If it takes till the day I die...I will taste that sweet nectar. (and no I'm not a nut....the rest of my XE fam know i'm not) 
Chestnuts roasted by Jabo @ 03/12/2006 09:15 PM EST
"I'm not perfect, but I'm working on it... I'm lovin' it"
Anybody else think this is to subliminally persuade customers into feeling less guilty about gorging themselves on fast food?
Chestnuts roasted by RewolfJ @ 03/12/2006 09:52 PM EST
Oh. My. God. Matt, did you watch Sopranos? Damn. My favorite single thing was the first shot of Melfi's, with Tony and Dr. M wearing the contrasting colors. Big Love seems intriguing so far but it hasn't really grabbed me yet.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/12/2006 10:23 PM EST
I'm in a hotel lobby in Orlando, Florida -- but when I get back to Cincinnati, I vow to find a Shamrock Shake and show it who is boss!
Chestnuts roasted by Review the World @ 03/12/2006 10:23 PM EST
this is about the older st. patts article:
the cakes' "arms" are actually his mutton chops i do believe.
we are helping. we are helping.
Chestnuts roasted by Connor @ 03/12/2006 10:27 PM EST
Dude, the entire time, I was WAITING for you to make a reference to those horrible Leprechaun movies. You know! The one where you can see all the way up Angela Basset's Ass-et! So you get NOTHING. YOU LOSE! GOOD DAY SIR!
Chestnuts roasted by Boomstick McChainsawhand @ 03/12/2006 11:35 PM EST
Shamrock Shake + Lucky Charms = St. Patty goodness.
Chestnuts roasted by Xenophobe @ 03/12/2006 11:36 PM EST
Here's a webpage with some more old McDonald's commercials including another Shamrock Shake ad.
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/electronic-publications/stay-free/archives/24/mcdonalds-commercials.html
Chestnuts roasted by Luap @ 03/12/2006 11:52 PM EST
Matt, I just read the old St. Patty's Day guide again, and I've reached a conclusion. If you refrain from ever using the phrase "folds of tube-pressed vanilla" again, I would consider it a profound personal favor. That is all.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/12/2006 11:57 PM EST
Good stuff w/ the article! My gf and I have decided to go out on St. Patty's Day and buy Shamrock Shakes for the first time! Fortunately, we don't have the disadvantage of having to drive to NJ to get one...unfortunately, we have no money.
Meh...
--n8
Chestnuts roasted by psyKlone @ 03/13/2006 01:22 AM EST
I love how Tori Amos gets mentioned in this article.
I always thought Shamrock Shakes tasted like toothpaste, and drinking one was like swallowing a mouthfull of Aquafresh.
Chestnuts roasted by flygrl358 @ 03/13/2006 01:23 AM EST
Speaking of McDonalds and frustration, I could have swore to God that they briefly gave out chopsticks around '86! No one believes me and thinks I'm making stuff up. Maybe I am. For my sanity, please someone confirm or deny this.
Chestnuts roasted by Rebecca @ 03/13/2006 03:51 AM EST
Hello,
Just to let you all know, I hate all of you (except for Matt).
Why you ask? Well...
I've never:
Had a McDonald's Shamrock Shake.
Been to a concert.
Been to a Wrestlemania.
Drank Pitch Black Mountain Dew I/II.
Drank Pepsi Holiday Spice.
Drank Jones Holiday Soda (any kind).
Being in Germany I can't:
Go to Target.
Go to Wal-Mart.
Go to Toys R Us.
So no new DVD/Video Games/Sports Cards/Movies until many months after they are released.
Sigh...And it is Monday.
Semper Fi,
Erik Majorwitz
Chestnuts roasted by Erik Majorwitz @ 03/13/2006 05:49 AM EST
HEY! My Grandmother lives next to that mall!!! Maybe I'll have her stop watching that Teddy Roosevelt documentary, or whatever it is she's into, and make her go get a shamrock shake and mail it to me.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/13/2006 08:52 AM EST
I live in Central NJ, about 40 minutes from Philly, and all the McDonalds around here have them. Isn't that pretty close to you?
& Rebecca - yes, McDonalds did give out chopsticks, as part of some huge mcnugget feast I believe.
Chestnuts roasted by David @ 03/13/2006 09:56 AM EST
Roosevelt documentary? Come on, don't leave us hanging. Listings, man! Give us the listings!Just kidding, of course.. Now, if we were talking Polk, then we'd have something.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/13/2006 10:09 AM EST
Rebecca, The chopsticks came with Shanghai McNuggets. The McNuggets came in what looked like a Chinese Take-Out container and had a choice of Asian-inspired sauces. I believe we talked about them not too long ago. Of course, we talk about nearly everything at some point...
My internet stopped going online Saturday night, which meant I missed most of the SNT (after I posted of course.) I'm so mad because people were talking about stuff I'm so passionate about.
Uncut VCR recordings from the late 70's and early 80's fascinate me, but not because I'm a slave. It's because it's a glimpse into how TV was back then; how that generation lived and worked, and what was normal for them. When the ads are cut out, the illusion is shattered. I want to see it ALL.
Mars, you spoke my soul. Sure, I get an extra charge when it's something I remember and haven't seen in ages, but I most enjoy what I can only describe as a cumulative pop-culture effect of all the commercials, station breaks, etc. Besides, when I sit down to watch something I watched as a kid and it has all of the elements intact, it makes it that much more of a flashback. And, for the record, when I was a kid and stayed home sick from school, my parents had tapes of movies from the late 70's that I would watch all day just for the old commercials. And, yes, I would often fast forward through the movie just to get to them. It's so nice to tell that story and not get blank stares.
Chestnuts roasted by Lori @ 03/13/2006 10:12 AM EST
Actually I'm more of a Taft man myself, Jedoc.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/13/2006 10:26 AM EST
Holey Cow Matt, I love you.
At the end of that article I decided to check out the "Changeables" article since I had no clue what they were, only to discover I had a shit load of those when I was very VERY young, like 3 or 4 years old and it brought back a dozen and one happy memories I thought to be lost forever. You made my day.
Chestnuts roasted by James @ 03/13/2006 11:10 AM EST
I think this is one of your best articles, Matt. I laughed all the way through it.
March was the only month of the year that my mother let us "upgrade" our happy meal drinks to a shake, cause she loved the things too.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 03/13/2006 11:16 AM EST
Truly hilarious article, Matt. Haven't actually laughed at them in a while, but this did it.
And man, now I really want a Shamrock Shake. and I've never had one before.
Chestnuts roasted by Aristobulus @ 03/13/2006 11:34 AM EST
Has anyone encountered Bubble Yum soda? I came across a bottle this weekend in what I think was a 7-11... might have been a Stop'n'Go... and I couldn't resist buying one. The first few drinks tasted just like original flavor Bubble Yum, but about a third of the way through the bottle it started tasting kind of sour. About halfway, there was definitely a sour cast to the flavor, and by the time I drank two-thirds of it, I had to pour the rest out. It was totally worth $0.99 plus tax.
There was also a "Sour Cherry" flavored Bubble Yum soda, which I did not purchase, nor did I taste.
Chestnuts roasted by ZiZak @ 03/13/2006 12:29 PM EST
I'll never get a Shamrock Shake. People around here don't believe the Irish actually exist.
Or Jews, actually. Irish and Jews. So no Shamrock Shake for me. And no matzah ball soup, either
Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 03/13/2006 12:41 PM EST
I'll never get a Shamrock Shake. People around here don't believe the Irish actually exist.
Or Jews, actually. Irish and Jews. So no Shamrock Shake for me. And no matzah ball soup, either
Chestnuts roasted by The Wukong Effect @ 03/13/2006 12:41 PM EST
ZiZak -
No Bubble Yum soda, but the company I work for is currently involved in a project for Jolly Rancher soda in 6 flavors.
Chestnuts roasted by Noah @ 03/13/2006 12:44 PM EST
Wow. One of the local McDonald's actually even has signs up in the drive-through for the shake. I had previously seen them and actually passed on the shake, but the next time through (as always, for some hot pie action) I couldn't resist.
If I realized how hard they were to find in some areas I wouldn't have let that initial opportunity pass.
Chestnuts roasted by Belgand @ 03/13/2006 12:52 PM EST
Maybe we need to start posting McDonalds that have the shamrock shake. I'll check around the E side of Cleveland this afternoon and report back!
Chestnuts roasted by Yet Another Matt @ 03/13/2006 01:08 PM EST
Noah
I hope your company's Jolly Rancher soda turns out better than the Bubble Yum did. I'm sure it will, artificial fruit flavors lend themselves better to the soda medium.
Like I said, the one bottle was worth the dollar for the experience, but I am now adding that it wouldn't be worth it for a repeat visit.
Chestnuts roasted by ZiZak @ 03/13/2006 01:20 PM EST
Ok, so I went on my lunch break and checked my local McDonald's which is in Glasgow Delaware, and they had the shakes! Got a medium...Couldn't finish it. Not to say it wasn't good; It was! I just couldn't handle so much minty Irish goodness that long. My Italian genetic code started screaming for some kind of olive oil flavored beverage.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/13/2006 01:23 PM EST
Gimme a Shamrock Shake in one hand, a shillieighleelally in the other, and a Irish piper in the background, and I'll lose all common sense, and gladly beat the ever-lovin' green crap out of anyone who gets in my way. Nothing like havin' a bit of Irish blood to make you want to hit people with great big sticks. "We drink and we fight and we drink and we die...."
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/13/2006 02:10 PM EST
Didn't Jolly Ranchers have some sort of fruity beer drink a few years back? If I remember right it was a Jack Daniels Jolly Rancher drink. Ugh.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 03/13/2006 02:28 PM EST
Huh. And here I thought we already had Jolly Rancher soda, at least for the green apple flavor. Mmm. Jones Soda, ah wish ah knew how to quit yew.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/13/2006 02:34 PM EST
Makes me wish I wasn't lactose intolerant 
Uncle O'Grimacey totally looks like a Sid & Mary Kroft creation. Creepy, fuzzy, and only slightly cute in an unsettling way.
Chestnuts roasted by violetdied @ 03/13/2006 02:35 PM EST
Jedoc
I've got a case of that in the fridge, as we speak. Also, a case of their cream soda, which tastes like cotton candy.
Chestnuts roasted by ZiZak @ 03/13/2006 02:43 PM EST
McD's was sued, successfully, by the Kroft dudes for that very reason -- many of the older style McDonaldland characters were (admittedly) based on Kroft Kreations.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/13/2006 02:44 PM EST
Only hilarity ensues when Matt has to go looking for something. I think I enjoy these more than 5,000-word pieces on candy wrappers.
And once again I find myself jealous of Mystie's tape archive (that ad's from 1978!!) It still doesn't top the Ronald ad I have on my own site, though.
http://www.platypuscomix.net/history/exercise.html
If you haven't seen this yet, strap yourself in and prepare to be blown away.
Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 03/13/2006 02:44 PM EST
I can't find a McDonald's anywhere in upstate NY that has Shamrock Shakes. If anyone knows of one, please post and tell us upstaters about it.
I am glad to hear they have them down in the Philly area, I will be down that way in a few weeks and will definitely pick up a shake.
I agree about those Taco Bell Chili and Cheese Burritos. Those kicked serious ass. I miss them.
Chestnuts roasted by Destro @ 03/13/2006 02:48 PM EST
Sorry I totally missed the rest of the SNT, as well as most of this one, I was actually out for once.
For the SNT topic of voice actors, my favs are (in no order):
-Paul Winchell
-Don Messick
-Mel Blanc
-Phil Hartman
-The Entire Simpsons cast
-Albert Brooks
-June Foray
-Frank Welker
-Jon Lovitz
-Phil Lamarr
-Billy West
-John Dimaggio
-Seth MacFarlane
-Carlos Alazraqui
-Tom Kenny
-C Martin Croker
-George Lowe
-Harry Goz (Murphy from Sealab 2021)
-Stephen Colbert
-Adam West
-Richard Epcar (Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo)
-Dave Willis
-Tress MacNellie (sp?)
On the topic of Shamrock Shakes, I'm on LI, and I don't know where to find them (I haven't began to look, to be honest with you). So I might post later to update my findings.
Chestnuts roasted by Invader Norbert @ 03/13/2006 03:17 PM EST
I like dipping my fries in the shamrock shake...sooo good! Haven't gotten around to having a shake yet though.
Chestnuts roasted by Jackie @ 03/13/2006 03:49 PM EST
I haven't had S.S. in years. Actually, I haven't had micky d's in a long. Going to and fro work I pass about 3 mcdonalds, I should take a peek to see if they even have them.
Chestnuts roasted by Geoffinsanity @ 03/13/2006 03:52 PM EST
*secretly, kingklash is glad that no-one's found any trace of Melting Grimace, one of the only true banes of his existence. any mention of McDonaldland gives him a cold shiver through his circuits.*
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash and his shameful secret @ 03/13/2006 04:03 PM EST
Great articles, great to see them back.
HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Fox @ 03/13/2006 04:07 PM EST
I checked it out today, and the first McDonald's I went to had Shamrock Shakes. I got the medium. It was pretty good.
Chestnuts roasted by Gozer @ 03/13/2006 04:33 PM EST
I have just tasted the minty sweet nectar known as the Shamrock Shake. Kool-Aid shall be next!
Chestnuts roasted by Darth Poop @ 03/13/2006 05:31 PM EST
Went on a road trip to Montreal and missed SNT! Damn. I see that there are a lot of other readers as passionate about Stephen King as I am, which is nice. My King collection, DVD collection and video cam are my top possessions.
I've never found a Shamrock Shake where I live. :0(
I agree that TV nostalgia is a very important thing to understand the past and re-live those times...so my old VHS tapes are also something I should include as a favortie possession.
This has been a great week on XE! Makes me very happy.
Chestnuts roasted by Muppet Baby @ 03/13/2006 05:39 PM EST
matt, so i notice that you mentioned wheat thins in the blog a while back. here in boston, at least, they only sell new-and-improved wheat thins as of about six months ago; i was so upset when i bought a box that said 'same great taste!' and they tasted all wierd and bad that i wrote the company threatening to switch to triscuits if they didn't provide me with an explanation. i got a letter back saying that they were very sorry that i was dissatisfied with my recent triscuits purchase and here's a coupon good for a free box of triscuits or wheat thins. working man doesn't stand a chance in the this country nowadays.
Chestnuts roasted by consulatsunset @ 03/13/2006 05:46 PM EST
So I just saw a Skittles commercial involving a man with a prehensile beard. I think I need somebody to hold me now.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/13/2006 05:52 PM EST
So I just saw a Mastercard commercial involving MacGuyver. I think I'm better now.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/13/2006 05:56 PM EST
A-hunting I will go! I'm not sure if there's any place out here in Sacramento that schleps these things, but perhaps I'll take a shot at it.
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/13/2006 06:31 PM EST
I was able to find the Shamrock Shake with no problem at the Wildwood McDonald's on Rio Grande Avenue. Haven't checked the closest McDonald's to here in Westmont; may try when my bike is back up and running.
I saw nothing cute about Uncle O'Grimmacy. Frankly, he scared me. To make this even, most of the Kroft creations always scared me, too.
Chestnuts roasted by starwenn @ 03/13/2006 06:38 PM EST
T.J. and Destro - I'm up in the Great White North and our local Taco Bell still serves up an excellent chili cheese burrito. However, I've never in my life seen a shamrock shake up this way.
Chestnuts roasted by DJ @ 03/13/2006 07:09 PM EST
Should I find one, alas, this Friday, I shall sit upon me throne with me pint o' Guinness, me bowl a Lucky Charms, and me cup o' Shamrock Shake. (If not, then the Guinness and Lucky Charms will most likely still be involved; hmm, maybe I should the two? A real St. Patty's day treat!)
Chestnuts roasted by Nate @ 03/13/2006 07:11 PM EST
Shamrock Shakes taste like shit! At least, that's what I thought the first time I had one when I was about eight. Never could stomach the crap again. Until a friend convinced me I must've just had a bad one and insisted I must try another. I relented, until he bought it for me, so what the fuck? If I didn't like it, he could eat the schlep.
Man, it wasn't half bad. Although, I must admit, I like Nate's idea better of some Guinness and Lucky Charms, because that's about as Irish as most Americans ever will hope to be.
Chestnuts roasted by YUCK @ 03/13/2006 07:29 PM EST
Those McDonald's commercials are racist! Just wait until I call the ACLU on these shenannigans!
Chestnuts roasted by Mickey O'Toole @ 03/13/2006 07:33 PM EST
Scanned through the other linked articles and came across the one of E.T. Happy Meals. It was a shame that no one saw the rerelease. I saw it in a discount theater and no one was in there but my friend and I. Also the other night playing "Scene It" somebody said Skittles was E.T.s' candy of choice. Bah.
p.s. I will check to see if Idaho sells the Shamrock Shake.
Chestnuts roasted by MrJayberry @ 03/13/2006 07:39 PM EST
I saw a shamrock shake.. no wait thats just a really fat irish dude coughing up half his big mac.
Chestnuts roasted by Xenophobe @ 03/13/2006 07:53 PM EST
Dude......Mozzarella Sticks at McDonald's? When did this happen? Maybe northeast Ohio isn't the Guinea Pig Territory that NYC is but they could've tried at least!!!! They would've gone great with McPizza that I only saw in central Ohio years ago. Have mcDonald's carried Mozz Stix for long?
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 08:38 PM EST
BTW TJ they have always had Chilli Cheese burritos in NE Ohio. At first they were oh-so-cleverly titled "Chillitos" and then blandly changed to Chilli Cheese Burritos.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 08:46 PM EST
I've NEVER seen mozz sticks at McD's in Cali...I'm still pissed at Jack in the Box for getting rid of them years ago! I can't imagine the McMozzies would be very tasty though.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I can tell you I purposely skipped the ET rerelease as protest for the gun/walkie talkie substitution stupidity.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/13/2006 08:52 PM EST
They had mozz sticks on the dollar menu a few years ago in my area, but they disappeared.
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 03/13/2006 09:26 PM EST
squee i'm sure they can't be good because A) they are from McDonald's B) they are apparently on the Dollar Menu [according to the pic Matt took that prominently features the sham' shake on the menu board. I could only imagine what McD's marinara sauce could be like. I'm thinking probably the consistancy of Smucker's fruit preserves and the taste of really tart ketchup]. But don't get me wrong, my belly is brave enough for $1 double "death burgers" when i am strapped for cash. BTW It feels great posting in this blog again, I almost feel like I've been cheating on X-E and I should be punished....
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 09:34 PM EST
My boyfriend is Irish. We met in a bar. Imagine that. And yeah, he's... really really Irish. Drinks like a fish and the second night we got together he looks over at me and goes, "I'm going to have to warn you ahead of time... I'm not afraid to ask a guy to step outside. I don't care if he's twice my size, I'll still kick his ass." Considering my man is like... 6'4", has guns like the rockies and not only knows martial arts but is a trained sniper... it's not much of a problem.
My tape collection isn't really that impressive. Most of it isn't stuff I personally taped except a bunch of random Snick and stuff. But my tapes of Pinwheel have always been like solid gold when doing trades. I once traded a guy a 6hr tape of Pinwheel for tapes of Monchhichis, Real Ghostbusters, She-Ra, TMNT, Little Bits, Muppet Show and a couple other things.
Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 03/13/2006 09:37 PM EST
I wonder if one could bribe a McD's employee to snag them some of the pre-liquid Shamrock Shake powder to be enjoyed at one's own pace throughout the year? Has anyone here ever worked at McDonald's? What is the process behind setting up the milkshake machine? Does it come straight from McDonaldLand in vegetable, animal or mineral form? Is its pre-machine state more of a solid, a liquid, or a gas? I'm seriously thinking about calling around tomorrow and making a plea to the first MickeyD employee to answer the phone. *crosses fingers*
I was just thinking - Grimace is the mascot for the McD's shakes, right? Is he named after the face you make when you're trying to suck some of that gellatanous, cold magma-like product through the pin-sized hole of their famous stripey straw? You know, that look that comes over your face just before your eyewhites fill w/ petechiae and your brain depressurizes and ends up somewhere next to your spleen?
Or is that just me?
Anyway, we all love the Shamrock Shake, don't we? Erin Go Braghless!
For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that James Earl Jones had done the voice for Panthro. See that - I learned something today.
Another voice artist that I love is Cree Summer. She does Susie Carmichael's voice on "The Rugrats", Sonny from "ChalkZone", Valerie Gray from "Danny Phantom", Foxxy Love from "Drawn Together", Mrs. Tusk from "My Gym Partner's a Monkey", a bunch of voices on "Camp Lazlo", Rayna on "The Buzz on Maggie", and my most nostalgic - Cleo from "Clifford, the Big Red Dog". She has one of those voices you can spot from across the room.
Wendy Malick does a few cartoon voices now, but every time I hear her, all I can think of is Judith from "Dream On". Man, I loved that show. Of course, she was more well-known as Nina Van Horn from "Just Shoot Me", but she'll always be bitchy, man-hating Judith to me.
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/13/2006 09:43 PM EST
Hey, squee - I remember a TWoP PC Challenge entry (I can't recall the actual catagory of the challenge, though) that had a picture of Jaws coming up out of the water w/ his teeth being replaced by walkie talkies. One of the best PC entries yet, IMHO.
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/13/2006 09:48 PM EST
Oh man, I still miss that chili cheese burrito. I got addicted to those things when I worked at Taco Bell. They were extra good because I made them myself, and could exactly control the chili to cheese ratio. I still check the menus at every Taco Bell I go to. I found one in Wichita, KS that still sells them when I was home for Christmas. You can't get them in Idaho Falls, damn backwards town. Actually, it's pretty sad that a guy from Kansas can call anything backwards.
Kinglash, I haven't listened to the "Traditional Irish Drinking Song" in ages, but I think I might still be able to sing along. Definitely going to bust that one out on the road trip me and a friend are taking on Friday/Saturday.
Chestnuts roasted by spaz307 @ 03/13/2006 09:54 PM EST
Traj-
8 years ago when i was enslaved by the local McDonald's (which still serves Sham' shakes) All milkshake flavors came in a somewhat concentrated liquid that was encased in a plastic bag. I recall being the "bitch" who had to refill it on many occasions. This liquis was mixed with the vanilla base to create whichever flavor you desired in a big vat complete with a tap.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 10:01 PM EST
sorry for double post but there were three seperate chambers to fill with flavor liquid- chocolate, strawberry, and whatever special flav' we had at the time (i.e. sham shake) since vanilla was the base for all flavors it had its own compartment...
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 10:04 PM EST
Traj-
one of my fave discoveries in the past year is that James Avery who played Uncle Phil on Fresh Prince is also the voice of The Shredder from TMNT.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 10:11 PM EST
The return of trajeal AND phunqsauce!! What a week on the X.
Traj, between the TWOP Sopranos thread and the great Sham Shake hunt going on here I've had great reading material all day. Though I haven't been on the TWOP boards much since Carnivale ended so it makes me a bit misty-eyed wistful.
I'm getting ill simply imagining a Taco Bell chili cheese burrito. Just...ugh.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/13/2006 10:15 PM EST
I'm glad my presence is appreciated 
I think I'm getting misty eyed...
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 10:25 PM EST
One of the best articles in recent memories. Apparently good enough to bring some out of the woodwork and back to their rightful places on the blog.
Never had nor seen a shamerock shake. Maybe I could check in Dublin. Click the name to see what you think...
Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 03/13/2006 10:46 PM EST
Welcome back old school regulars! Yay!
Caught The Sopranos premiere last night, obviously. Pretty good. Was previously spoiled to the events, so they didn't hit as hard, but I'm really digging Frank Vincent and will forever play his verbal box-shoving assault on Chris's mother from last season whenever I'm feeling blue.
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/13/2006 10:48 PM EST
I never caught The Sopranos when we had HBO and I feel left out of many conversations about it. Perhaps I need to fire up good ol' Netflix and strap myself to a chair, A Clockwork Orange style, and watch the entire thing....someone has to promise to administer moisture to my eyes. You could take turns.....?
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 10:59 PM EST
I hate my Mcdonalds they never seem to participate in these kind of special event food crap, not that I'm entirely upset about missing out on a sham shake cuz ever since time I drank waaaaaaaaay too much Peppermint Schnapps for my 80 body to handle a couple years ago anything remotely minty tends to evoke the uncontrollable urge to barf.
The thing I've also wondered about Mcdonalds is why they don't make carrying the limited time only food mandatory. Case in point the McBLT and the Mcrib. I know that they didn't discontinue either of them entirely cuz I saw them on the menu of a mcdonalds my ffamily stopped at on our way to a family reunion. Then again the disapearance of the MCBLT wasn't a big surpise since it was more or less the bastard offspring of a BK Whopper and a Big mac. Luckily the Mcrib is easily duplicated all you havve to do is get one of those Swanson's Spare rib TV dinner then slap it in a bun
Chestnuts roasted by The Krypt Angel @ 03/13/2006 11:28 PM EST
Got my first Shamrock Shake of the season in the Jacksonville suburbs in Florida..and it cost more than Matt's did in New York City! WTF?
Chestnuts roasted by Another Matt @ 03/13/2006 11:34 PM EST
KryptAngel-My college buddy ahd that happen with Rumple Minz, and he couldn't even use regular toothpaste without barfing for a long time! I feel your pain. we had to get him the little kid's toothpaste flavored like bubble gum.
Chestnuts roasted by Another Matt @ 03/13/2006 11:45 PM EST
I was also going to mention about the mozz sticks. When did this happen? I was at McD's about a month ago and don't remember seeing them. Although they still had the Eggnog milkshake on the menu.
Dairy Queen has a Oreo Mint Ice Cream Blizzard this month if you can't find the Shamrock Shake. Don't know if it's the same thing since I've never had a Shamrock Shake before.
I don't know if this is true or not, but I've been told that years ago McD's once had McPizza on the menu but failed. True or false?
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 03/13/2006 11:47 PM EST
Yes they did and I tried it. Somehow I managed to live through it....If I'm not mistaken Taco Bell tried something similar to pizza back in the day as well.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/13/2006 11:49 PM EST
They even had the option to get the Pizza with your happy meal.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/13/2006 11:54 PM EST
Phunqsauce: The Taco Bells around here still have mexican pizza on the menu. Same thing?
I would love to see a McPizza commercial if they ever did one.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 03/13/2006 11:59 PM EST
apparently they still offer "mexican pizza" at Taco Bell but i haven't heard of it or seen it in years
apparently these scouts found some McPizza
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 12:01 AM EST
If I remember correctly, one of the commercials consisted of a greezy teenager employee saying "hey we got pizza now". I'm paraphrasing but I don't remember much more depth to it. Now new characters like Governor McPepporoni
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 12:02 AM EST
ok, fuck mcpizza
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 12:12 AM EST
I swear this site is good for the economy. After read this, I went out and bought one. I was lucky no real search involved, just a trip to my local Mac-Shack.
X-Entertainment = A Better Economy
Chestnuts roasted by West @ 03/14/2006 12:14 AM EST
McLobster?? WTF !!??
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 12:19 AM EST
damn, beat me to it doho. nice!
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 12:20 AM EST
McPizza BOGO coupon!!
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 12:28 AM EST
Damn that site, ruined my life long dream I just had 20 minutes ago. I was just thinking how successful a speciality McDonalds would be that featured all the weird stuff that's usually regional specific or long gone from the standard menu.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 12:33 AM EST
I just ordered S1 of Lost from Blockbuster.com and watched the entire season in about a week. Now I'm up on all of the Lost lingo. Since S2 is going on right now, and i've missed a ton, I'm going to have to read through all of the recaps to find out what's going on. I'm dying to find out why Hurley was in the mental institution, and what happened to Locke to cause his paralysis. Also, what Claire's family life was like, and what Charlie did between his first hit of smack to the day he was begging at his brother's door, trying to get him to join the band again. Thank goodnes I was able to get past the Dominic-Monaghan-is-a-hobbit thing pretty early on. How many seasons of the Sopranos are there? I've always been interested but never wanted to bother after missing so much. I also have The Highlander: The Series, the Freaks and Geeks first and only season, and Law & Oder: Criminal Intent S1 in the works. I just want the Freaks and Geeks DVDs to burn, since I've seen them all 100 times over. Good times.
Hey, squee, how did you do on your paper that was due today?
Hey, Matt, any chance we'll see you doing a "Yeah, he's one of us" Nick commercials starring you? I can't imagine that they have real actors doing those ads - I swear I saw one of the Jones' soda drinkers starring in one. But, it would be pretty cool to see you you hanging out w/ Jimie Nuetron's Sheen, both of you wearing blck sunglasses while standing in line at the DMV w/ your ASL licence plate. You could be passing the time reading Ultralord comic books and trying to find Sheen's non-existant chin. Booyah!
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/14/2006 12:44 AM EST
whoah....i can order paninis through a drive thru??? I think i may have to move to florida soon... damn you www.mcfun.com
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 12:45 AM EST
Indeed, the Mexican Pizza is one of the few menu items I choose when making a run for the border.
Somehow I managed to remain completely unspoiled for Sopranos (though it was really hard the last few days when the episode recap leaked) so I was completely surprised by everything. I'm only now realizing how much I'm going to miss Tony-Uncle-Al (and poor dumb Ade, of course. I didn't buy the dream sequence fakeout, but I wanted to so badly). It's funny, I've gotten really into Lost since the last Sopranos season ended but now that Sopranos is back I realize Lost is not in the same league in terms of the whole "waiting between episodes is inhuman torture" thing.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/14/2006 12:51 AM EST
Fantastic article. Growing up in the 80s in New England, St. Patricks Day for me was always celebrated with as many Shamrock shakes as I could drink in the month of March and watching The Quiet Man with my family on St. Patrick's Day night. Its weird for me now in Colorado, as there seems to be no such thing as Shamrock shakes here. And does it seem ironic to anyone else that McDonalds across Maine sell McLobster rolls each summer, where FRESH lobsters are a fucking way of life, yet here in Colorado, no McLobster rolls, where surely they would be more of an oddity???
Has anyone been to England or other countries and experienced interesting McDonalds food not found here in America? My favorite discovery at a London McDonalds was a lamb rogan josh burger, and you can get curry sauce in the same little size containers that sweet and sour sauce comes in here. Fucking fantastic.
Chestnuts roasted by Heather @ 03/14/2006 01:04 AM EST
Never heard of these before....Creepy commercial, though.
I just want to add: on the note of McD's not using characters besides R. McDonald anymore: This past Basketball season, our local McDonalds made a commerical which featured Birdy, Hamburglar, and Grimace in a sort of race through the Basketball arena. The final part of it rotated so that a different character won every time.
I play in the Basketball band, so I saw this commerical at least 20 times this year. It was fun predicting who would win. My guess is they had the costumes from way back and wanted to get some use out of them.
Humoursly, the first time that Grimace won, they spelled his name "Grimis" on the big TV-o-tron thingamabob.
Good times....Good times...
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 03/14/2006 01:16 AM EST
Damn, they're playin' Grimace like a chump...Grimis? C'mon man show the purple dude some fuckin' respect!!!
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 01:22 AM EST
How could the Hamburglar not out race Birdy and Grimace?
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 01:38 AM EST
I don't know why I just had a flashback to my days of working at McDonald's and eating the Big 'n' Cheesy, the closest thing to a heart attack on a bun. Three beef patties + four slices of cheese = Vomit and/or heart attack. Of course it might not have been as bad as the fajitas...we premade the fajita mix at 10 AM and we were still using it at 10 PM. Of course I was working there when the sandwhiches were mostly pre made and put under that heat lamp. The sandwiches are still technically premade, but the seperate ingredients and stored seperately and are slopped together by the army of toothless old women and greesy teens who work in the grill area. I think we were selling boxes of fried chicken (a la KFC) near the time i quit that wretched job. I wish they would've used my idea though...I always like making my double crispy chicken sandwich with big mac sauce (otherwise known as thousand island dressing, yeah some BIG FUCKING SECRET MCDONALD'S). It also was a heart attack on a bun but a much more pleasurable heart attack.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 01:38 AM EST
Oops trajeal I hadn't even seen your post about Lost yet. So far we've only learned one of your wonderings thus far (more about Charlie's escalating drug habit, though I think we're going to be hearing from Hurley soon). There are plenty of new developments that are going to keep your brain occupied while you'll still be dying for answers to the old questions. New characters as well...most people seem to despise Ana Lucia instantly but I think she's badass and I encourage people to keep an open mind.
(I got the assignment in on time, so of course it turned out to have been okay to turn in next week :p)
We're starting Sopranos season 6, which is going to be split into two, a la Sex and the City (it sucks, but we get more eps in the end so blah). Really picks up steam in season two, some people say it had peaked by season four (not me) and we've been waiting approximately 400 years since season five ended.
Did anyone watch Big Love? I was expecting something like Weeds with a little Sex and the City thrown in, but it turned out to have more than a touch of Carnivale (everybody has some backward relatives hiding somewhere). I kind of liked it (pretty lukewarm on it) but I don't get how they billed it as a comedy. Literally not a gag in the entire hour.
Chestnuts roasted by squee4242 @ 03/14/2006 02:28 AM EST
Hey, I think Ana-Lucia is a great character too. And I thought I was alone.....
Chestnuts roasted by Mars @ 03/14/2006 02:46 AM EST
The Taco Bell here still has Mexican Pizzas, and Big Red! The only restaurant you can get Big Red soda at!
By the way, do you guys get Big Red out East? If not, you have no idea what you're missing.
Chestnuts roasted by Tommy @ 03/14/2006 04:10 AM EST
I rememebr seeing McPizza for the first time while on a vacation to the UK. The McDonald's in Heathrow Airport had McPizza back in 1994. I was STUNNED when I saw the sign in the window, boldly reading "McPizza". I figured it was some sort of weird UK-only menu item. I had just ate a big lunch and was completely full, but just HAD to stop and risk internal gastronomical damage to sample this mysterious, novel "McPizza". It was... ok. Not bad, not great. But satisfying. A "personal pan pizza" McPizza was about six or seven bucks in US money, about twice what it was for a similar product at a US Pizza Hut. But the thought of being the only kid in school who had tried such a fast food "rarity" made it well worth the money.
Years after I remember being in a McDonald's, I think in Northern PA near Binghamton, NY, and they had fried chicken, similar to Roy Rogers chicken. Nothing too memorable, it had no clever name like "McFried Chicken". Anyone else remember seeing this? I have also eaten in a few McDs where they had tacos, which were pretty good.
Chestnuts roasted by Destro @ 03/14/2006 05:17 AM EST
This is going to sound like a lie but it is true. In Jacksonsonville circa 1990, there WAS a rare and elusive McDonald's Cafe which served pizza and other McRareities. It was on the corner of Normandy Blvd. and Fouraker Rd. for all of you Jax natives out there. It did not last long and was soon changed to a regular McDonald's. I don't think I ever branched out and tried anything exotic.
P.S. for the record, I have never been to a Taco Bell that did not have the Mexican Pizza...
Chestnuts roasted by The Manimal @ 03/14/2006 06:39 AM EST
No fond memories of McPizza/McTacos/McFried Chicken, but anyone else remember the McDonalds Summer Hot Dog they had a few years back?
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 03/14/2006 08:34 AM EST
ah, McDonald's hotdogs - they were the easiest thing to make when I worked there. Most enjoyable to make too!
Chestnuts roasted by CWH @ 03/14/2006 09:18 AM EST
Here's one that lasted a whole 5 days, does anyone remember the 30 cent cups of cheese you could order for your fries? It was during the same time as one of those 2 for 2 6 piece nugget deals (24 nuggets cost less than 20). They started charging you for the dip sauces and got the bright idea a cheese sauce for frys would be worth 30 cents. Mcdonalds is not the type of fry you dip cheese in and it didn't last long at all.
Also, I beg for the day they bring back honey as an optional choice for your mcnuggets.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 09:33 AM EST
See, Matt? You can find almost anything in the Woodbridge Mall...NEW JERSEY ROCKS!!! 
Chestnuts roasted by Dave @ 03/14/2006 09:52 AM EST
Man, looks like I missed an exciting evening. Although all this talk about McDonald's food has given me an idea. We should all get together and create a stage persona of a rapper named MC Donald. And we can write all kinds of lame Vanilla Ice style rhymes, each track immortalizing a different obscure McDonald's flavor adventure. We'd almost have to get thousands of dollars in sponsorship at that point. Or sued. It could go either way, really.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/14/2006 10:06 AM EST
I found another odd one. in the Philippines you can get Spaghetti with your happy meal. Ironically (or is it, I don't know) I think that would depress just about any kid.
Chestnuts roasted by dohopoki @ 03/14/2006 10:19 AM EST
Tommy I remember when I visited South Texas many years ago, EVERY food place had Big Red. That stuff is huge down there.
I don't think anyone's mentioned it. The McDonald's in Madison, WI on Regent Ave. has McBrats. I was too scared to order bratwurst from a fast food place.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 03/14/2006 11:26 AM EST
Fortunately, every single McDonald's in my area (South Jersey) sells Shamrock Shakes, my yearly obsession. I've already had 10 this season, and I'm looking at #11 on the way home from work today. They've been available since March 1, so I'm batting a hearty .769 at the moment, and my arteries haven't exploded yet. I'll check back after the season ends on the 17th.
Chestnuts roasted by Chris @ 03/14/2006 11:40 AM EST
Jedoc:
MC Donald is a genius idea. I'm going to freestyle in my head at work today, and I'll come back with something hardcore gangsta.
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 03/14/2006 11:46 AM EST
Cowboy riding giant chicken! COWBOY RIDING GIANT CHICKEN!!!
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/14/2006 12:02 PM EST
Here in GR, MI I've had no trouble getting the shammy's. I've gotten 4 so far at 4 different McD's. Back in the day when my stomach was stronger I wouldn't just settle for a large shake, I'd get a SUPER SIZE and drown in an orgy of frozen mint goodness.
Chestnuts roasted by Pigeon @ 03/14/2006 12:20 PM EST
I once tried something called a McClub at a McD's. It was a hoagie bun that had three patties, three pieces of cheese, lettice, tomatos, and something like that tasted like a cross between the Big Mac Sauce and Cheese Whiz. TASTY.
I also remember the McHot Dog and McBrat but never ordered one.
I think the McCafe still exist. I saw a report on it on Inside Edition a couple of years ago. Basically, they're trying to expand into sitdown eateries ala Perkins, Denny's, or your local steakhouse.
I remember Hardee's Fried Chicken. My family LOVED it and we practically had it once a week. KFC was too expensive and I never was a big fan of them. Nowadays, I just get local grocery store fried chicken that's pretty good.
Speaking of Hardee's, they now have a Taco Salad there.
Wish I had a McPizza.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 03/14/2006 12:38 PM EST
JEDOC:
Ok, so I'm trying to think up some rhymes for this MC Donald guy, and I'm having trouble rhyming "McJordan Burger" with "Arch Deluxe". I'll have to take some more time and think of some other promotions. Maybe a freestyle joint about the gender issues between the hot wheels/barbie happy meal toys.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/14/2006 12:58 PM EST
KB - Big Red is based in Texas I believe, but we have it a lot around here in Indiana. If anyone has never had it, it would be worth it to buy a case and get it shipped, its delightful.
Chestnuts roasted by Tommy @ 03/14/2006 01:04 PM EST
I must admit, Big Red is big delicious.
Chestnuts roasted by ZiZak @ 03/14/2006 01:33 PM EST
Hey, it could be worse. We could be trying to rap about Orange Julius. Or Long John Silver's.
Curse you, word primes.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/14/2006 01:40 PM EST
OK, so the McDonalds in the Beachwood mall in Cleveland has the Shamrock Shake.
I haven't had one in years, and this one wasn't as good as I remember. I think it's because your shake is essentially the flavor you want swirled with vanilla.
I miss the old McDonalds, where things were fried in beef fat, and the shakes were semi-real.
Chestnuts roasted by Yet Another Matt @ 03/14/2006 01:44 PM EST
Matt inspired me to get my own shamrock shake today. It was nothing but an adventure in disappointment. I get to McDs and see no signs of Shamrock advertisement and was about to walk out when I spy a small piece of notebook paper taped to the milkshake section of the menu board. It simply read "Shamrock Shake" Instant excitement ensued and I approached the counter knowing there was no way I'd be denied a shake. Shamrock logic dictates they have the shake. Hey, local McManagement went to the great trouble of ripping out a notebook page, scribbling the flavor, and posting it for all the world to see. This was no general McD false promises via commercials or fancy billboards. No, this was a direct statement from this particular McDs that they could Shamrock a shake.
I walk up to the cashier, take one last look at the "Shamrock Shake" addition to the menu and place my order. The cashier looks at me funny, turns towards the milkshake machine, turns back towards me and says: "We don't have Shamrock Shakes" I motion to the handwritten note and ask: "Really???" She then looks at the note too and then at the machine again and states affirmatively: "Yes, really"
I don't know if the cashier was oblivious to the addition, a mean nasty lier and denier of Shamrock, or if the handwritten note was nothing but a McJoke on the general public.
Chestnuts roasted by Carri @ 03/14/2006 01:47 PM EST
http://theimaginaryworld.com/ikk92.jpg
Chestnuts roasted by Zachary @ 03/14/2006 01:49 PM EST
I bow before Zachary
Chestnuts roasted by Yet Another Matt @ 03/14/2006 01:55 PM EST
We've got McCafes all over the place were I'm from, well, I've seen a few, maybe not all over, but they are still around. I've never been into one though because it is not on my side of town. Also, I remember McDonalds offering special dipping sauces at one time (way back) that were like world themed or something. Anyone else remember that?
Anyone see that Taco Bell has brought back the Chicken Cesar Burritto, AWESOME.
Anyone remember the Baja Blast Mountain Dew that was blue at Taco Bell?
Chestnuts roasted by Fox @ 03/14/2006 02:06 PM EST
Well, call me un-American, cos I just don't like McDonalds. Actually, I'm a vegetarian, so I don't eat at a whole lot of fast food places. However, before the convert, I still wouldn't eat at McDonalds. I love their place in pop culture, but I was never much a fan of their food. As far as fast food goes, I'm a Wendy's fan. I like Sonic, too. Green apple slush FTW!
Chestnuts roasted by violetdied @ 03/14/2006 02:27 PM EST
I remember the Corning, NY McDonald's had a bratwurst sandwhich back in summer/fall of 2000 (I think it was a nationwide promotion, but can't be sure). They just called it a "brat", or a "Johnsonville Brat", not a "McBrat". They were ok, like a big, slightly more saugage-y hot dog. It was one of those "limited time only" items. I was a bit disappointed they had that, instead of the McRib.
I always liked the original Arch Deluxe, the Big 'n Tasty, and the McDLT, the latter being my favorite. I was so disappointed when they stopped selling those in the late 80s. I always liked bending the double compartment styrofoam container at the middle, folding it over and putting the "cool" side on the "hot" side. If I remember right, they discontinued those when McDonald's stopped using styrofoam containers.
Chestnuts roasted by Destro @ 03/14/2006 02:50 PM EST
I remember arch deluxe. . . the "grown up" burger. Good sauce.
Chestnuts roasted by kb @ 03/14/2006 03:14 PM EST
The hot stays hot, and the cool stays cool, how do it know?
now to go back trying to post rude things on that LED sign site....
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/14/2006 03:15 PM EST
I just have to add that the commercial for the Arch Deluxe had some guy wearing a Chef's outfit in some swanky restaraunt kitchen hand making the glorious Arch Deluxe. That always ticked me off because whenever I ordered it all I ever got was some squished looking thing in a box.
Chestnuts roasted by TC Falcon @ 03/14/2006 03:29 PM EST
Matt! I remember a super old article on x-e that asked "what ever happened to Mayor McCheese?"
Well...A lawsuit was brought up that banned him from mc d's ads cause he looked "too similar" to H.R. Puffnstuf. I know that sounds like bs, but it says this info on wikipedia when you search for mayor mccheese!
check it out dude, and let me know if you will be in central park for 4:20, we could go up together, we are practically neighbors, or if we could just meet up. My email is cobracommander1984@gmail.com
Chestnuts roasted by Armand @ 03/14/2006 03:32 PM EST
not only did i also think that the mr. belvedere theme was referring to the kid, i also thought the opening lines were "a steam boat to china, never happened before"... who cares?!
Chestnuts roasted by gr8grendel @ 03/14/2006 03:43 PM EST
Fox
Anyone remember the Baja Blast Mountain Dew that was blue at Taco Bell?
They still have it at my Taco Hut(Taco Bell/Pizza Hut hybrid... 2/3 as cool as a Ken-Taco Hut, which has bonus KFC). In fact, the wife and I each had an XL Baja Blast this past Saturday Night.
Chestnuts roasted by ZiZak @ 03/14/2006 03:47 PM EST
Another McD's character I miss is the Moonman. One of the McD's here is sorta 50's theme and has a statue of him sitting at a piano. He rocked.
Chestnuts roasted by JLAJRC @ 03/14/2006 04:04 PM EST
JLAJRC, The guy who played the Moonman, Doug Jones, does a lot of work as creatures in movies and is best known from recently playing Abe Sapien (with David Hyde Pierce's voiceover) in Hellboy.
I just remembered this has a Shamrock Shake reference: Bloodhound Gang - "Mope"
Chestnuts roasted by Bob's Evil Twin @ 03/14/2006 04:21 PM EST
I seem to remember the Moonman of which you speak as "Mac Tonight." Or perhaps that was just the campaign in which he appeared. At any rate, I quite enjoyed that.
Chestnuts roasted by Rhino @ 03/14/2006 05:11 PM EST
unfortuntly I had the same problem down here in Florida. I finally found one near my home. I stop in few times a week for one and have spread the good word about Shamrock shakes to my co-workers who are addicted as well!
Chestnuts roasted by T-dog @ 03/14/2006 05:38 PM EST
On the topic of Big Red: Is there anyone else out there that has had Big Peach? Our fraternity declared it the official soft drink. Like Big Red (bottled by the same company), but with Peaches. It even has a pinkish color to it.
I've only seen it in a few places in Texas, though...
Chestnuts roasted by Cameron T. @ 03/14/2006 06:35 PM EST
Found a place that has them last night. Tried a medium. Not bad at all.
Chestnuts roasted by Larry @ 03/14/2006 06:55 PM EST
I remember one of my friends had their birthday party at McDonald's one year, and there was this cake (McCake?) which nearly killed us all because it had a paper-thin layer of "cake product" and the rest was pure icing. We also got to sit in the scary basement staff room and watch a couple minutes of some McDonald's cartoon until the staff supervising us decided they were bored and we should go upstairs and make punch-out cardboard crowns.
Chestnuts roasted by Lizzy @ 03/14/2006 07:30 PM EST
Shamrock Shake confirmed first McDonalds I stopped at in Boise.
Speaking of McCafes Jack in the Box tried something similar in our area called JBX they converted three or four of our regular Jacks. I don't know of a single person who ate there and I think they all have gone back to regular jack menus only now you eat your food in a fancier setting(complete w/ fireplace)
Chestnuts roasted by Mrjayberry @ 03/14/2006 07:40 PM EST
Wow, I remember Shamrock Shakes...I was actually reminded of them a couple weeks back when I walked into Starbucks and was greeted by a sign advertising "Leprechaun Lattes." They're basically mint mochas but they're...well...green. Am I the only one that's seen these? Not sure if it's regional (I'm at the University of Connecticut in Storrs.)
btw Matt, your website is awesome. I've been a fan for 4 years, but I've never posted before.
Chestnuts roasted by James @ 03/14/2006 07:42 PM EST
Does anyone remember the "Friday is fry day at McDonald's" commercial? Perhaps the commercial where these two douchebags are immitating French waiters at McDonald's trying to impress these two chicks? I just remember the one kid says "My name is Jacque! (and makes popping noise by hitting his mouth with his open hand). Still makes me laugh when I think about it.
Chestnuts roasted by phunqsauce @ 03/14/2006 07:49 PM EST
Hey mtrox! Guess what I got today! Peeps SOCKS! Four different styles! From Big Lots! I also got a third coloring book, and a couple Peeps craft kits from JoAnn fabrics! I think tomorrow I'm gonna go to the Big Lots in Allentown and see if they have any more Peeps stuff since that's right around the corner from where Peeps are born. I'm gonna have the most Peeps junk of ANYBODY!
Chestnuts roasted by Mystie @ 03/14/2006 08:23 PM EST
Peeps socks? I need to start building up my Peeps army, lest you out-Peeps me.
Chestnuts roasted by mtrox @ 03/14/2006 08:32 PM EST
To Erik Majorwitz:
You live in Germany... they have the Wacken festival there. I would kill to go to Wacken (not literally but you know what I mean).
Shamrock Shakes taste terrible, like mint toothpaste.
Wrestling is boring - a male soap opera.
But it does suck that you cant go to Target. I love Target.
Chestnuts roasted by Kittycatgirl @ 03/14/2006 08:46 PM EST
You know, once I think about it, "Peeps socks" aren't really that bizarre. I kind of wish that my initial mental image reflected the reality, though. I just think the world might be a better place with sugar-sprinkled marshmallow footwear in it.
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/14/2006 08:56 PM EST
For the first time ever I just tried a Shamrock Shake today. Its some tasty green minty shit.
Chestnuts roasted by Reid @ 03/14/2006 09:05 PM EST
MANIMAL- I live about 4 miles from the Jax McDonald's of which you speak. It has since become a run-of-the-mill one, unsurprisingly The newer one on Chaffee Road by the 10 exit has Shamrock Shakes, though.
Chestnuts roasted by Another Matt @ 03/14/2006 09:08 PM EST
DOH! Now I see your past already stated that it had regressed..sorry, I'm new to Jax.
Chestnuts roasted by Another Matt @ 03/14/2006 09:10 PM EST
When I arrived in Hell Paso a few years ago, I desperately searched for Shamrock Shakes. I met with a lot of "No comprende, gringo" stares and I've yet to find one in this town.
Gah, I miss those delicious shakes... they bring back memories of elementary school talent shows and pre-birthday (March 21) meals for the express purpose of the Shamrocky goodness.
Chestnuts roasted by TR Rose @ 03/14/2006 09:22 PM EST
Does anyone else remember that you could get foreign coins at McD's? They came in paper envelopes (like the kind teabags are stored in). I always seems to get the same Philipino coin. But then again, did they follow through w/ this promotion in other countries? Did they give out American coins?
Oh, yea - another question for all you English majors. Any reason why we don't say, "I didn't see an one?" Why do we say a one? Shouldn't the whole "a = consanant, an = vowel" rule be in use?
Thanks for the Lost-up, squee. I'm really dreading reading all of those recaps. At least I could do other things besides use up all of my computer time when I was watching S1 on DVD. Hurley is definitely someone I'm looking forward to finding out more on. Who is Ana-Lucia? Another plane crash victim? Or one of The Others? Any news on where The Others originally came from? Why didn't they seek out the plane crash survivors (and Danielle) to add to their populace, instead of trying to keep the two "tribes" seperate?
Chestnuts roasted by trajeal @ 03/14/2006 09:23 PM EST
NIIIICE.
Since I moved back to NYC from Flint MI almost 7 years ago, I've only managed to partake of 1 Shamrock Shake - at that sketchy Atlantic City one ajacent to the bus terminal last April (warning sign #1) - which was promptly puked back up once we reached the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Argh.
The McDonalds on Washington in Hoboken near the PATH station has it on their menu too this year - but they were out when I was drunk and in there at like 2am March 4th. Hope I didn't berate the poor flunkies too badly...
Chestnuts roasted by Rich Depping @ 03/14/2006 10:10 PM EST
I've never been moved to comment before....until this topic rocked my world. I live for these things.
I moved from MN to Orlando 8 years ago and cried myself to sleep for the first three 3/17's I passed here without anyone even knowing what the f*** a shamrock shake was. (My parents fed us these shakes with the filet o fish sandwiches every friday during lent for my entire childhood...and i will drink them long past 40 for sure).
ANYWAY--a few years ago, I worked for a company in Orlando that was hosting a slew of McDonald's execs during an event. As I drove them from their McPlane to their hotel, I took advantage of the moment I'd long waited for. It was there that I let my McCaptives know that some of us were still waiting for the shamrock shake at the end of the rainbow in FL...they stared at me in amazement, probably dumbfounded that someone actually gave a shite. They slipped me McDonald's Dollars for the priceless--and endless--feedback I'd given them....and when the shamrock shake showed up here 2 years later, i took all of the minty credit. I've been loving them ever since...alive and well in orlando, FL.
Chestnuts roasted by Kelly @ 03/14/2006 10:21 PM EST
Great article. I'm suprised to see that so many people are having a hard time finding the Shamrock shake... they're at every location around here.
I had to work at one of those shitholes (McDonalds) for 3 years as a teenager. The job sucked and the food was terrible. But there was one good thing about it when March rolled around: Free Shamrock Shakes.
Chestnuts roasted by J.R. @ 03/15/2006 01:57 AM EST
Umn, aren't the mint oreo shakes from Jack in the box about a million times better????
Chestnuts roasted by westcoast hottie @ 03/15/2006 02:52 AM EST
trajeal: Because the word begins with a "phantom consonant." Thanks to the patch-work nature of the English language, we have words like "one" and "ewe" that begin with vowels when spelled out, but consonants when written phonetically: "wun" and "yew." Interestingly, it was considered correct to write "an one" or "an ewe" up until the mid-seventeenth century. At this point, it was also grammatically acceptable to use "an" before a word beginning with an H, since British english tends to drop that consonant sound. In modern English, that rule has evolved into a handy way to identify pretentious wankers by their usage of "an historical."
Ah, English degree. Where would I be without you?
Chestnuts roasted by Jedoc @ 03/15/2006 10:17 AM EST
Dammit Matt, now I have to get one. My weekend will not be complete.
V for Vendetta, and a shamrock shake. Life is sweet.
Chestnuts roasted by Knegative @ 03/15/2006 10:24 AM EST
Phantom Consonant.
Phantom Rectum.
Phantom Planet.
Phantom of the (Amusement Park, Paradise, Opera, Oprah, Mutiplex, what have you.)
Coincidence?
Chestnuts roasted by kingklash @ 03/15/2006 11:54 AM EST
nothing beats a shamrock shake.
or a chilli cheese burrito. god, how i miss 'em.
Chestnuts roasted by rickel420 @ 03/15/2006 01:22 PM EST
Woodbridge Mall... land of mystery and wonder!
Chestnuts roasted by Double G @ 03/15/2006 03:39 PM EST
Well, you inspired me and i snagged one yesterday. Ah, the wonders of living in the DC metro area.
Chestnuts roasted by oddbodkins @ 03/15/2006 05:59 PM EST
It's sad that you have to go on a damn search like that. I can name three McDonalds within a mile of my house that are selling Shamrock Shakes here in Lansing, Michigan.
Chestnuts roasted by Jake @ 03/15/2006 08:26 PM EST
I got one. Finished it about ten minutes ago. B)
Chestnuts roasted by Somethin' Funny @ 03/15/2006 09:45 PM EST
I wish we had Shamrock Shake here. It's been a few years since I last saw one. My birthday is on St Patrick's Day so everybody take a shot of something green and (preferably) alcoholic for me!
Chestnuts roasted by earthwormgoddess @ 03/15/2006 10:02 PM EST
The mcdonald's up the road from me gives small Shamrock Shakes out for free if you go in wearing green and ask for one on St.Patrick's Day.
And they aren't exactly strict on the wear green rule either. I got a shake one year and all I had was a green balloon. Thats not even clothing.
Chestnuts roasted by elMike @ 03/15/2006 10:33 PM EST
After reading the article and thinking they wouldn't be in the Saint Paul, MN area, i joked with my mother to get my one when she stopped at MC'Ds and i almost fainted when she came back with a large Shamrock Shake.
My life then became full-circle.
Chestnuts roasted by AMWKE @ 03/16/2006 01:52 AM EST
what it does matt? I'll start reading your site again holmes. good shite
Chestnuts roasted by tyler @ 03/16/2006 06:08 AM EST
Thankfully the Shamrock Shake is around here in MI. They sell them the whole month of March and once in awhile we can get them in April too. To bad we can't fed-x one over to you.
Chestnuts roasted by Alyssa @ 03/16/2006 03:53 PM EST
I've never heard of shamrock shakes before so of course have never had one. But after reading this article a few days ago I went on a mini quest of my own to find one. It was a pretty short quest, thought it'd be a lot harder given the luck I've had finding anything else from this website. But the McDonald's in the local mall had 'em. I may very well go get another one tomorrow, just in case they decide to disappear after the 17th.
Chestnuts roasted by GrrrArrgh @ 03/17/2006 01:16 AM EST
I had no idea that shamrock shakes were so rare. I'm an assistant manager at mcdonald's in upstate new york, and i've worked there for 8 years, and we've had them every year. If i knew there was such a vast amount of people who didn't have access to them, i'd have been stealing shamrock shake syrup from work for the past 8 years and selling it to them on ebay for a generous portion of their soul. I guess it's never too late to start...
Chestnuts roasted by Jason @ 03/17/2006 01:28 AM EST
My local McDonald's has the sign for Shamrock Shakes up year-round, but never once have they actually had the shakes themselves availible when I asked.
ME: Can I have a Shamrock Shake?
CLERK: Oh, we don't have no Shamrock Shakes.
I was also going to mention a song with only two lines: "When I am laid in Earth" by Henry Purcell from his opera Dido & Aeneas. The entire song consists of the words "When I am laid in Earth, let my Woes create no Trouble in Thy Breast. Remember Me, but O! Forget my Fate." This is then repeated over and over again for 5 minutes, making an aria that, believe it or not, landed on at least one collection of "operas most beautiful moments."
Chestnuts roasted by Talia @ 03/17/2006 02:02 AM EST
Man, I keep forgetting how New Jersey-an Matt is- I Thought that mall-McDonald's looked familiar...
(I'm sure Every mall-McDonald's looks exactly the same, but it was nice to recognize something from yester-couple-o'-years)
Chestnuts roasted by heyursnisstupid @ 03/17/2006 08:19 PM EST
I'm sure you'll be happy to know that today as I was walking down the street (in Pittsburgh, PA, on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh), I heard someone on his cell phone exclaim, "you had a SHAMROCK SHAKE?!" to the person on the other end. I can only assume that he found this article (perhaps from the link on collegehumor.com)- I don't know of anyone else that can generate so much interest or excitement in a milkshake.
I just wish the kid hadn't shouted it quite so loudly, because I was right next to him. That's ok, I didn't use my left eardrum that often anyway.
Chestnuts roasted by X-E Fan @ 03/18/2006 04:01 AM EST
They have them at the McDonald's in my town (mesa, az). No search was required.
Chestnuts roasted by shamrockshakeluverOMGzz @ 03/18/2006 01:20 PM EST
I was also on the hunt this year and found mine in Milltown, NJ.
Very tasty, but the "triple thick" was very intense.
Chestnuts roasted by Allison @ 03/18/2006 05:45 PM EST
I too enjoy the shimmysham...
If it is what you say it is... Holy Pistachio Piss... then I am truly a man of fetish and i let that liquid flow o'er me and you can see it on my webcam...
www.sloppygreen.com
Love "U" want some, "U" get some!!
Chestnuts roasted by If a Uterus falls in the forest... then it's most likely me!! @ 03/18/2006 06:38 PM EST
Not a fan of the Shamrock Shake, but damn do I miss the deep fried cherry pie.
Chestnuts roasted by CL @ 03/18/2006 09:11 PM EST
Every McDonalds in my town has Shamrock Shakes. Not hard to belive, my town used to have the highest percentage of McDonalds per capita then anywhere in the U.S. It probably still does.
Chestnuts roasted by Jake @ 03/18/2006 10:19 PM EST
They shakes are GREAT!
Get a large.
Chestnuts roasted by RickRude @ 03/19/2006 06:12 PM EST
Doesn't "Shamrock" sound like an Irish conman from The Flintstones?
Answer: Yes, it does.
Chestnuts roasted by tom @ 03/20/2006 07:15 AM EST
alright, so my suggestion is that for future reference (like March 2007), we use this comments page to reference where one can find a Sham Shake since they are so elusive.
I had my first (2005) and second (2006) green shake from the 24 hour McDonald's Drive through in Somerville, Mass off McGrath Highway near the Science Museum. I made the mistake of getting the large. Although my dude finished his in 20 minutes, mine lasted three days going in and out of the freezer. it was actually better frozen since they usually give it to you slightly warm and 'oozy'.
anyone else want to add to the list?
Chestnuts roasted by steph @ 03/20/2006 11:43 AM EST
Dude, you need to do a mcdonalds article on the dinosaur food transformers, and the ronald mcdonald video game. The game was ridiculous it's got enough rainbows and clouds and ballons and shit to make a little girl or gay man pee their pants.
Chestnuts roasted by Spanky @ 03/21/2006 11:46 AM EST
I had one on St. Patty's day in Clarinda, IA. I think you could easily recreate the flavor by mixing a vanilla shake with a little egg nog and a bunch of toothpaste.
mm mmm...
Chestnuts roasted by MoFizzle @ 03/21/2006 10:13 PM EST
on freemont st. in vegas they sell them year round...you should move there
Chestnuts roasted by CuNt?!?@%$#^ @ 03/24/2006 07:10 PM EST
Hold on....what's a Lamb McGrill?
Chestnuts roasted by PeglegBates @ 03/25/2006 09:01 PM EST
Oh my god thats the Woodbridge mall! Thats only 10 minutes from my house! OH GOD WHERE ARE MY KEYS!!!
Chestnuts roasted by Matt @ 03/29/2006 09:56 AM EST
No problem for Shamrock Shakes in Milwaukee, WI
Chestnuts roasted by Chris @ 03/29/2006 08:11 PM EST
I haven't seen the shamrock milkshakes in ages. I remember the strawberry milkshakes though. My mom got herself a nice skinrash from eating it. I guess those industrial strawberries didn't agree with her
Chestnuts roasted by The Adamantium Elbow @ 03/31/2006 08:06 PM EST
Shamrock Shakes, they're a beautiful green...the most beautiful green that you've ever seen! In somewhat of a Part 2 to my old 
