Like many humans this day and age, I am plagued with being lactose intolerant. Also like many humans this day and age, I’m stubborn and love a good milkshake. I don’t love the horrible stomach cramps it gives me afterward, but I just can’t help myself, it’s my favorite summertime treat.

Should you find yourself with a hankering for a drinkable ice cream treat in the QC, stop by one … or all … of these spots for insanely good Charlotte milkshakes.

Big View Diner

Being from the north (I always say I’m from Maine because I grew up there, but I did live in Eatontown, New Jersey for a few years in elementary school), I love Big View Diner for that New Jersey/New York vibe you get. It brings back such nostalgia for me, but trust me, it’s not just feelings talking, the milkshakes are bomb.com.

You can get a booth but why would you do that when you can sit at a countertop barstool sipping your shake.

Personal Fave: Birthday Cake

Cowbell Burger

Is there anything more classic than a burger and shake? I actually haven’t had a Cowbell Burger, burger in a while … not since becoming vegetarian earlier this year. What I have had are the milkshakes and I love Cowbell milkshakes. You can get them spiked or you can get them virgin but why would you deprive yourself?

Personal Faves: Banana Pudding and Apple Pie

Ninety’s Sandwiches and Ice Cream

In my old, college life I used to love Ninety’s for their sandwiches, but since I’ve been gone for over a decade a few years, they really upped their milkshake game.

Those awesome freakshake type milkshakes you see on Pinterest and think you may want to easily recreate at home until you realize nothing looks as good at home as it does on Pinterest … yeah, those can be found here and taste as amazing as they look. Grab one and take a stroll around the boardwalk.

Personal Faves: Ore(Oh My Gosh) and Bottom of the Cereal Bowl

Golden Cow Creamery

Golden Cow Creamery doesn’t have a set milkshake menu, you can turn any of their homemade flavors into a milkshake and what’s not to love about that?! They locally source ingredients when possible and even include a vegan option so no one has to miss out on the goodness. Keep up with their social media to find out what their flavor of the month is, which is usually what I pick as my milkshake because I’m a sucker for limited edition things … fomo.

If their bomb ice cream and shakes aren’t enough to get you in … bahahaha, who am I kidding, of course, they are … they created The Queens Share which gives a portion of their proceeds to various local charities every month. Golden Cow recently expanded into the Southpark area of Charlotte to spread the goodness to another part of town, so one less excuse for missing out.

Personal Faves: Whatever the flavor of the month is or a Dunkaroo

Pike’s Old Fashion Soda Shop

**Sadly, Pike’s closed on 18 May 2019. Rumor had it they’re opening a new location in Myer’s Park in September of the same year but to date, nothing has come to fruition. One can only hope they’ll pop back up soon … I’m keeping it on the list for this reason.**

I have loved Pike’s Old Fashion Soda Shop since moving to Charlotte in 2001. The retro feel of this Charlotte staple is like none other in the city. If you were a fan of the movie Shallow Hal, you will recognize Pike’s upon entry and if you don’t, they’ve got some pictures and memorabilia around to jog your memory.

Every once in a while you can catch a Groupon, making it easy to splurge on an appetizer, entree, and then treating yo self to a well-deserved dessert for the money you saved.

Personal Faves: Chocolate or Strawberry