The end of summer is just a few weeks away so before the temperatures cool down get your fix of cool milkshakes at these local spots. The offerings include everything from traditional shakes to creative blends and even a seemingly impossible shake challenge.
So check out these places and end your summer with a cold treat.
Beeps Diner
16063 Sherman Way, Van Nuys; beepsdiner.com
You can’t miss this bright pink building on the corner of Sherman Way and Woodley Avenue, and you can’t miss the simple but delicious milkshakes here either. Since opening in 1956, the diner serves all sorts of comfort food that can be paired with its milkshakes. The shakes range from classic flavors like strawberry and the incredibly rich and earthy chocolate to sweeter offerings like cherry, pineapple and caramel. If its your first time here, start with the chocolate, which is the house specialty, then come back for more.
Blue Burro
9332 Washington Blvd., Pico Rivera; 4240 Long Beach Blvd. and 5726 E. 7th St., Long Beach; and 1313 Sepulveda Blvd., Torrance; eatblueburro.com
When it comes to a delicious trifecta of food, it’s all in the name at this spot since it’s called Blue Burro: Burritos Shakes Fries. As far as milkshakes go, there are of course some Mexican-influenced concoctions like the Mazapan Shake, which is made with the traditional candy, and the Choco Banana shake. Pair it with burritos stuffed with fries and you’ll triple the deliciousness. Blue Borro also recently opened a location in Riverside.
ALSO SEE: 7 very good milkshakes in Orange County
Fair Oaks Pharmacy & Soda Fountain
1526 Mission St., South Pasadena; fairoakspharmacy.net
Step back in time at this drug store soda fountain that’s been around for 111 years and sip on some seriously big milkshake servings. There’s a whole pint of ice cream in every hand-dipped shake. Options include caramel, butterscotch, peanut butter, banana and crumbled Oreos.
Fat Sal’s
Various locations in Los Angeles County; fatsalsdeli.com
This small chain is primarily known for its huge and delicious sandwiches, but it also makes pretty “fat” milkshakes. For big eaters, there’s a big fat challenge they can attempt too. The regular people can try “Fat Shakes” like the coffee and smashed pretzel or the vanilla-chocolate marshmallow and cracker crumb shakes. But if you think you have what it takes to really shake things up then take on the Big Fat Shake challenge. It’s 30 scoops of vanilla ice cream, plus 30 scoops of chocolate ice cream plus cake, candy, cookies, pretzels, syrup and whipped cream toppings. The shake weighs in at 14 pounds and costs $99.99, but if you can consume it all in 10 minutes, you don’t have to pay and you get a swag bag.
ALSO SEE: 6 places to try creamy shakes in the Inland Empire
Mel’s Drive-in
8585 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; 14846 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; and 1670 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; melsdrive-in.com
Founded in the 1940s, Mel’s Drive-in still has that old diner look and still pours a generous selection of thick milkshakes in tall old-fashioned glasses. A must-try is the Thick Old Fashioned with your choice of chocolate, strawberry or vanilla. They’re all super thick with the right about of sweetness so they’re not overwhelming. And if you want a kick with your shake spike things up with shakes infused with bourbon, rum or sake at the West Hollywood and Santa Monica locations.
Turn Dough
6771 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles; 1425 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; turndough.com
This spot is not for rookie milkshake fans since it makes some seriously flavored shakes that can also be a little intimidating to look at, like a milkshake made with Nutella’s hazelnut richness Ferrero Rocher candies with vanilla soft serve. Then two Kinder Buenos, a chocolate biscuit wafer, are impaled on top. And to feel like you’re glamping, try the s’mores-inspired shake that mixes vanilla gelato, chocolate with Graham crackers. It’s then topped with homemade whipped cream and Nutella-filled graham crackers.