1) Cook Out

When comparing choice, price, convenience and overall goodness of milkshakes, one restaurant stands alone in the category. Cook Out features over 30 different kinds of milkshakes for customers to mull over, including seasonal favorites such as watermelon and eggnog. What is even better is the opportunity for customers to add a shake to the already hard-to-beat Cook Out Tray for a small price. Morrow Gordon, a senior in arts applications, said his favorite Cook Out shake was the M&M.

“I’m not much of a milkshake fan,” Gordon said. “But the best place is definitely Cook Out.”

2) Mo Joe’s

Located in downtown Raleigh, Mo Joes offers burgers, fries and shakes in a laid back atmosphere. Although the shakes only come in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, customers can add Reeses, M&Ms or Oreos into the milkshakes.

Amy Trippette, the manager of Mo Joes, said people come in to get shakes all the time, even when it is cold outside. She said the simplicity of their milkshakes are a big part of what makes them so good, adding that her favorite is plain vanilla.

“There is nothing fancy about them at all,” she said. “But people come in for them all the time.”

3) Gypsy Shiny Diner

If you are in the mood for an authentic 1950s milkshake, then put on your poodle skirt and grab one at Gypsy Shiny Diner. Each shake is served in a glass with the leftover portion brought out in the metal container it was made in. Customers can choose between the traditional vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, as well as banana. This is a perfect place if students are looking for a sit-down place, rather than fast food. The atmosphere is enjoyable, especially if customers like 50s music.

4) Ben and Jerry’s

How do you make Ben and Jerrys ice cream even better? Add some milk and grab a straw. These Legendairy Shakes bring the funkiness of this Vermont pair to customers in a new way. From the chocolate lovers dream, “Addicted to Chocolate,” which mixes “Chocolate,” “Chocolate Fudge Brownie” and “Chocolate Therapy” Ice Cream together, to the “Low-Fat Berry,” which is made with frozen yogurt, Ben and Jerrys has a specific shake for everyone. Customers are even encouraged to create their own concoction or choose from the psychedelic flavor names.

Melissa Fender, a freshman in physics, said she remembered a flavor called Caramel Sutra.

“I love it,” Fender said. “Its hot!”

5) Cold Stone

When the employees at Cold Stone add milk to their rich ice cream, they create one of the best shakes in Raleigh. Customers can choose between any flavor of ice cream to be made into a shake, or they can grab one of the unique shakes on the menu such as “Cherry Cheesecake” or “Cake and Shake,” which mixes in actual cake batter. Customers can also pick anything to add to a shake from Cold Stones many ingredients. One drawback to these sweet shakes is the price, which is more than most places.

6) Dairy Queen

Although not technically a milkshake, Dairy Queen’s Blizzards deserve a spot on the Top 10 list. Mixing delicious desserts together, ice cream and candy, creates an even better one. Blizzards are perfect for a hot day, and there are plenty of choices from which to pick. Make sure and grab a spoon, because with chunks of candy and ice cream so thick you can hold it upside down, a straw is going to be worthless.

Colin Fricke, a freshman in First Year College, said he remembers getting Blizzards from the Dairy Queen in his home town. He said his favorite flavor was always cookies and cream.

7) Hardee’s

Hardees uses hand-scooped ice cream to bring its customers the very best in fast food milkshakes. These shakes can also be made into malts, depending on the customer’s choice. Besides the basics, Hardees also offers an orange cream that tastes like a Creamsicle. These shakes are the perfect compliment to one of Hardees delicious Thickburgers, so grab one today.

8) Atrium

As far as convenience goes, the Atrium is the best place to get a shake. Located on campus, students can grab one between classes. Students can choose between chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, or Oreo cream. One upside to the milkshakes at the Atrium is the fact that they can be included on a meal plan or with board bucks. However, expect to wait in line if you go right as classes are getting out, because it can get crowded with people also purchasing smoothies and bagels.

9) Char Grill

Although they only come in two flavors, Char Grill shakes are affordable and fast. Rather than waste time mixing the shakes, there is a machine to dispense them quickly. Be prepared, these shakes can be thick at first, but give them the car ride home to melt into a slushy goodness.

Travis Bernard, a junior in paper sciences and engineering and chemical engineering, said he likes the shakes at Char Grill because of the proximity to his house and the atmosphere.

“There is something different [about Char Grill],” Bernard said. “It’s sort of set up like a 50s burger joint.”

10) Wendy’s

The Frosty is a classic treat that blends chocolate with a hint of vanilla flavor. Wendys also recently released the Vanilla Frosty to its menu. Affordable and convenient, these shakes are also great for fry-dipping.