NYC Shamrock Shake Prohibition Lives, Shake Shack Has Homage

Food companies have a history of rolling out faux-Gaelic, ersatz mascots around St. Patrick’s Day: Carvel space cadet Cookie Puss flies his cousin Cookie O’Puss (seen here in the 1980s; 2009 Cookie O'Puss after the jump) in for the short season, and Grimace once welcomed his Uncle O’Grimacey (video below), who in a typically avuncular move introduced the dining public to the Shamrock Shake, a minty green milkshake.

As we've noted every year, Shamrock Shakes are never sold in the city. Serious Eats tried last week (with no success) to find the beverage. Despite an explanation proffered by McDonald’s, the Shamrock Shake paradox still seems unacceptable to some. To make things worse, Uncle O’Grimacey was last seen in Toronto creating a Facebook profile. In a statement released to Gothamist, NY Metro Region Marketing Supervisor Marcelo Fajnerman said:

“The Shamrock Shake has been offered seasonally in regions throughout the country. We are always listening to our customers' needs and changing tastes. It's a regional decision and currently the New York market is not offering the Shamrock Shake.”

In the meantime, the flicker of a food memory for some has been relegated to a Where’s Waldo-style, Internet mashup: the DIY set has offered a cupcake tribute to the Shamrock Shake, and a Times commentor named Alan Williamson from Minneapolis keeps the home fires burning by name-checking the drink each time he leaves a comment.

For New Yorkers, there is one choice alternative to the missing shake: every Tuesday in March, the frozen custard flavor at Shake Shack is “Peppermint Patty,” or peppermint custard garnished with the chopped candy on top. St. Patrick’s Day happens to be next Tuesday.

From Carvel's 2009 St. Patrick's Day-themed newsletter

And the classic Shamrock Shake commercial:

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Hugh Merwin in Food on March 13, 2009 3:10 PM

Comments [rss]

rawksavvy

man, just DIY it. bonus: you can add booze! http://flavorwire.com/14132/mchack-we-shamrock-ourselves

jm1975

I had a Shamrock Shake in NJ this weekend. Just like I remembered as a kid. It was neon green and tasted like melted toothpaste.

thelexiphane

Thanks for digging up that McDonald's youtube commercial Hugh. No wonder I felt as if my entire childhood was an acid trip. It explains SO much!

NannyState

Thankfully, Carvel pulled their "Drunkie the Negro" cake before word got to that nosy Newsday reporter. And yes, the employee was suspended and later restricted to cones.

Nick S

Is that headline some sort of cryptic riddle?

blablanyc

Does Carvel still sell those creepy cakes?

thefacts

Where are all the Politically Correctoids on this racial stereotyping?

The hypocrisy, double standards and knee-jerkism of the Loony Left and their minions reveals itself yet again.

fastergrace

Aww man, I used to love the shamrock shake as a kid.

longacre

McD's shake machines are broken about 60% of the time anyway.

Polite New Yorker

"Let me talk to... Cookie O'Puss, Cookie Chick, anybody man, I want to speak to them."

Nyctini11

Is it really banned? (agreed HBDC)

Guest

So this is fine but the negro cookie isn't?

C-Dub

I go through this every year, and am glad to see some acclaim of a clearly shared plight.

It should be known that it's not difficult to make a Shamrock Shake yourself at home. As long as you have a blender (or a Magic Bullet like I do), this recipe is foolproof:

http://foodgeeks.com/recipes/recipe.phtml?recipe_id=6368

P.S. I'm Black Irish and am neither offended by the Negro Cookies nor the Cookie O' Puss

Rocknrope

I'm sure people would be equally as upset if it were named "Mick O'Rummy"

thefacts

I'm sure they wouldn't!!

There are St. Patrick's Day cards on sale every year which constantly refer to drunken Irish, and the Politically Correctoids in their White Guilt Trip are deafeningly silent about it.

Here are just two quick Google example:

http://www.zazzle.com/drunk_leprechon_st_patricks_day_humor_cards-137633380983990389

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/irish_i_were_drunk_greeting_card-137833862464785686

Clearly: a double standard for white people and for black people in an nation of equals.