March 02--Come March, two things are certain: The Chicago River will soon be green, and so will the city's oceans of milkshakes. Three options if you're downtown and craving a minty dessert:
Fans of the Portillo's chocolate cake shake have a new treat to try: The local chain released a mint chocolate shake (from $2.99) this week, available at all locations until the end of the month. Don't trust everything you see on social media; the dessert doesn't come studded with chocolate chips as it appears in a couple of posts from Portillo's. But the chocolate, pulverized into atoms, is actually the famous chocolate cake frosting blended with mint ice cream, yielding a texture hovering between milky and custardy. Forget about the boys -- this milkshake is bringing everyone to the yard. 100 W. Ontario St. and other locations, www.portillos.com.
Burger joint 25 Degrees updates the shamrock-hued shake with a glug of Crown Royal ($12). A shot of Irish whiskey would have made more sense, thematically, but who's complaining? The cold creaminess of this shake becomes a chest-warming sip, courtesy of the whiskey, while a cloud of Lucky Charms-studded whipped cream contributes a bit of whimsy. 736 N. Clark St., 312-943-9700, www.25degreesrestaurant.com.
With locations throughout Chicago and the suburbs, Lettuce Entertain You's M Burger is known for its monthly shake menu. March's offerings include a Grasshopper that's blended with chocolate sandwich cookies and the mint-forward Leprechaun ($3.99), which is a cool-as-ice shake with crushed mint chocolates. It's silky and delightfully aromatic, so if you're a mint superfan, seek out this one. www.mburgerchicago.com.
jbhernandez@tribpub.com
Twitter @joeybear85
