Sometimes, it is important for me to remember that when you go "out", you are paying for the experience and memories just as much as you are paying for the actual items being purchased. This was an important reminder as I visited the Milkshake Factory with my family of five.
Let me start by saying the desserts at the Milkshake Factory are top notch. If you are craving a perfectly crafted dessert consisting of premium ice cream, milk and various toppings and mix-ins, Milkshake Factory is THE place. Some of the best milkshakes I've had since Kelis was bringing me to the yard. ;)
After much deliberation from my children, we decided on two Choclatiers, a Cookie Brownie Fudge, the surprising delicious Campfire S'mores and a classic strawberry shake. (Fun fact: Sometimes I just crave a strawberry shake. Not usually ice cream, but an actual shake. If I am ordering a milkshake and can't decide ... strawberry for the win. It's also interesting that a strawberry milkshake will let you know if the ice cream establishment is actually any good. Anyone can throw more chocolate or brownie pieces into a cup and make it taste good. You want to know if a place really knows what they are doing? Order the strawberry. You heard it here, first.)
The milkshakes were incredible. Based on taste alone, 5 stars and more! My strawberry shake had bits of strawberries all throuhout and was simply refreshing. The various chocolate shakes were perfect. But let me tell you about that Campfire S'mores! True confession: I don't like s'mores. A Hoosier who loves to camp who doesn't like s'mores. I feel like a disgrace to the Midwest (Not really! You can keep your crappy dessert). However, I'll pay respect where respect is due. And this freaking Campfire S'mores milkshake deserves ALL the r-e-s-p-e-c-t! It cost a little more because it also includes a s'more topper, a marshmallow dipped in chocolate and then coated in crushed golden graham cereal. Even that was good! But that milkshake had something special. Maybe the marshmallow cream? I don't know, but I had SEVERAL tastes of my daughter's shake, to her dismay. Haha. Next time, I am going to order the (gasp!) s'mores! Crazy talk.
The service was great. It took some time to make the shakes, but not long. And the people behind the counter were very patient with my indecisive family.
So far, everything has been a 5-star rating. So, why the 4 stars? Simply put, as a 48-year-old dad, spending $55 on ice cream that will vanish into bellies in the next 30 minutes is a little hard to, well, stomach. Each milkshake we purchased was between $7 for the classic all the way to almost $12 for the s'mores. For me, the Milkshake Factory would be the perfect end to a 1:1 date. That's $20 to sit across from each other and stare into each others eyes as you gently, yet firmly suck ... your delicious ice cream through a straw. (Yes, this dad also has some pretty good date tips. The milkshake ends well for you, I promise.) In all fairness to Milkshake Factory, we had also gone to dinner so it was hard for this dad not to think: "Oh, I wasn't really planning on dropping $200 on food today" Haha. So, $50 for delicious ice cream and a fun family memory is not out of the question every once in a while, but if they had some sort of kid's menu (they do not), this would have been 5 stars. read more