Food companies have a history of rolling out faux-Gaelic, ersatz mascots around St. Patrick’s Day: Carvel space cadet Cookie Puss flies his cousin Cookie O’Puss (seen here in the 1980s; 2009 Cookie O'Puss after the jump) in for the short season, and Grimace once welcomed his Uncle O’Grimacey (video below), who in a typically avuncular move introduced the dining public to the Shamrock Shake, a minty green milkshake.
As we've noted every year, Shamrock Shakes are never sold in the city. Serious Eats tried last week (with no success) to find the beverage. Despite an explanation proffered by McDonald’s, the Shamrock Shake paradox still seems unacceptable to some. To make things worse, Uncle O’Grimacey was last seen in Toronto creating a Facebook profile. In a statement released to Gothamist, NY Metro Region Marketing Supervisor Marcelo Fajnerman said:
“The Shamrock Shake has been offered seasonally in regions throughout the country. We are always listening to our customers' needs and changing tastes. It's a regional decision and currently the New York market is not offering the Shamrock Shake.”
In the meantime, the flicker of a food memory for some has been relegated to a Where’s Waldo-style, Internet mashup: the DIY set has offered a cupcake tribute to the Shamrock Shake, and a Times commentor named Alan Williamson from Minneapolis keeps the home fires burning by name-checking the drink each time he leaves a comment.
For New Yorkers, there is one choice alternative to the missing shake: every Tuesday in March, the frozen custard flavor at Shake Shack is “Peppermint Patty,” or peppermint custard garnished with the chopped candy on top. St. Patrick’s Day happens to be next Tuesday.
From Carvel's 2009 St. Patrick's Day-themed newsletter
And the classic Shamrock Shake commercial:
