Cookout Vanilla Milkshake: The Baseline Every Flavor Builds On

Every comparison at Cook Out starts with the Cookout Vanilla milkshake, and it is the most argued-over shake on the menu. It is the base for the other flavors, 555 calories in a 32.9 oz cup, typically $3.99, and the yardstick that shows what every mix-in adds. The Daily Meal ranks it last, 41st of 41. Viking Fusion put it in its top three.

Why is Vanilla both last and top three?

Because reviewers judge it against different standards. The Daily Meal's complaint is that ordering vanilla when 40 other flavors exist is pretty vanilla, and it points to a Wendy's Frosty for pure vanilla. The fan scorer at cookoutmilkshakereviews.com gave it 9 of 17 and compared the experience to a race where you hope for intrigue and get boredom. Viking Fusion's writer put it in the top three of about 40 and called it a true classic. Mashed recommended it as a safe pick with a wonderfully fresh vanilla flavor and a very thick body.

A Tripadvisor reviewer at a Cook Out in Charlotte praised the vanilla shake's thickness, saying it is so thick you can eat it with a spoon.

What does each flavor add to Vanilla?

Calories, mostly. Subtract 555 from any other shake and you have the cost of the mix-in.

The range runs from 17 calories lighter to 370 heavier. Cookies, candy and cheesecake do the damage.

What is a better use of vanilla ice cream at Cook Out?

A float. The Daily Meal suggests a Cheerwine or Coke float made with vanilla soft serve if you want pure vanilla. Cook Out sells both at $2.39, with 401 calories for the Cheerwine Float and 399 for the Coke Float, against 555 for the shake.

Should you order the Cookout Vanilla milkshake or a float?

Order the shake as a baseline and as a mixing partner, since Cook Out lets you combine two flavors and vanilla takes either side. Order the float when you want vanilla at its cheapest and lightest. The shake is 134 calories under the menu's typical 689.