Sonic Real Ice Cream Chocolate Shake vs McDonald’s McCafe Chocolate Shake
I have a confession to make. I am a chocolate milkshake addict! Seriously, Every week I whine and complain until I get my chocolate milkshake fix! It is my one fast food indulgence that I allow myself to enjoy.
Recently I was asked to do a taste test comparison between two fast food restaurant milkshakes. For my taste test, I chose the McCafe Chocolate Shake and the Real Ice Cream Chocolate Shake from Sonic.
Since I can NOT drink two full size milkshakes in one day…I enjoyed one on a Saturday afternoon and the other on a Sunday afternoon. For my taste test comparison I judged the two shakes on the following:
* Flavor Variety
* Presentation
* Taste
* Texture
* Melt Factor
So, here is what I thought about each of the two chocolate milkshakes.
McCafe Chocolate Shake by McDonald’s
Flavor Variety: I personally thought that it tasted like your run of the mill chocolate shake. I don’t get McDonald’s milkshakes often as they are typically not my preferred brand because I can only get chocolate, vanilla or strawberry unless they are running a special promo like the Shamrock Shake in March. I found the shake to be nothing special to rave about but it was good.
Presentation: It comes in your standard style disposable cup, lid and straw. The shake was finished off with a big dollop of whipped topping & a cherry on the top.
Taste: As I previously stated…it tasted like your classic fast food chocolate shake. Good but nothing I would rave about.
Texture: It was creamy, semi-thick and smooth. I didn’t experience any chunks and it was properly mixed.
Melt Factor: The shake melted super quickly because it is given to the customer in a thin plastic cup. McDonald’s needs thicker cups or foam cups to help cut down on the quick melting on a hot summer day.
Real Ice Cream Chocolate Shake from Sonic
Flavor Variety: I was pleasantly surprised at the variety of milkshakes and beverages that Sonic has to offer. Wow, their beverage menu is extensive and I have never seen a fast food restaurant with more yummy options than Sonic. I selected the Real Ice Cream Chocolate Shake from the menu so that I could adequately compared the two. You know, chocolate vs chocolate type of thing.
Presentation: Personally, I prefer Sonic’s presentation because the shake comes in a foam cup (see melt factor below) with lid & straw. Just like the previous shake, I got a nice dollop of whipped cream and a juicy cherry on top.
Taste: Well, this is really where the 2 shakes distinguish themselves. I am a milkshake fanatic and I am pretty picky about them. I found that the Sonic shake had a much richer chocolate taste to it which I prefer. I also found it to be a tad sweeter than the McCafe.
Texture: Just like the McCafe shake…it was smooth & creamy with no lumps or bumps. Beautifully mixed together.
Melt Factor: Hands down…the Sonic shake is the winner here! This is due to it being packaged in a foam cup which is insulated and better for the hot summer months!
Overall, if I had to choose a winner, it definitely would be the Real Ice Cream Chocolate Shake from Sonic based on taste and the melt factor. They were both pretty equal on presentation and texture. Hands down, Sonic has more icy cold beverage choices than McDonald’s.
With that said, if a Sonic wasn’t nearby…I would go for a McCafe Chocolate Shake but it wouldn’t be my first choice.
Disclosure: I was provided with promotional items to participate in this taste test comparison. My opinions, thoughts and ideas are 100% my own and unbiased regardless of the sponsor of this taste test. Your opinions & thoughts may differ.