A Shake That's As Rare As A Leprechaun

One of the simple treats I miss most from my childhood is the Shamrock Shake that McDonald's used to offer in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick's Day.

I can still remember how they tasted. They were simply the vanilla shakes with a bit of mint and green coloring added to them.

But if you were a kid in the 70s and 80s, it was something to look forward to.

Now, sadly, they are as rare as good service at a drive-thru, as rare as Leprechauns themselves.

You are out of luck unless you live in Ireland, where they are exclusively sold now. But I don't live in Ireland.

Apparently some rare markets still sell my childhood treasure, but none around me. I have lost 14 pounds on my diet, so I need a Shamrock Shake like I need a hole in the head. But the THOUGHT that I can't have one even if I WANTED one makes me sad.

I am not sure what makes me sadder...the fact that the McDonald's locations that I called didn't even know what I was talking about or that my children will probably never taste one.

For those of you who are nostalgic for the days before fast food felt obligated to apologize for their sinful offerings, when you went to McDonald's for the fries not the fat free dressing, spend a few minutes on Google and reminisce with old Shamrock Shake commercials from the Glory Days of the chain.

Whatever happened to the Grimace, Big Mac, Captain Crook, and the Hamburger patch?

They all died when the company streamlined the character lineup in the 80s. Actually, the Grimace lived until 2007 when he was dropped.

Somebody tell Mayor McCheese, please, to stop the insanity! To bring back the Shamrock Shake and all my favorite fast food friends!

Oh wait. He's gone, too.