From classic vanilla to seasonal specials, we put every Awful Awful flavor to the test. Here's our definitive ranking of the milkshake that built a Rhode Island institution.
The Shake That Started It All
If you've spent any amount of time in Rhode Island, you've heard of the Awful Awful. "Awful Big, Awful Good" — that's been the tagline since the beginning. But with over a dozen flavors on the menu at any given time, which ones are actually worth ordering? We decided to settle the debate once and for all.
Our team tasted every single flavor across multiple locations, multiple times, and put together this definitive ranking. Some of these will be controversial. We're ready for it.
The Top Tier
1. Coffee. This is the one. The coffee Awful Awful is so good it should be illegal. The balance between the richness of our house-made ice cream and the deep coffee flavor creates something that transcends a typical milkshake. If you only try one Awful Awful in your life, make it coffee.
2. Chocolate. The classic. The best-seller. There's a reason more chocolate Awful Awfuls are poured than any other flavor — it's the purest expression of what makes this drink special. Thick, rich, and intensely chocolatey without being cloying.
3. Peanut Butter. The dark horse that regulars already know about. Real peanut butter blended into our ice cream base creates a flavor that's nutty, creamy, and dangerously drinkable. Pair it with a burger and you've got the most Rhode Island meal possible.
The Excellent Middle
4. Mint Chocolate Chip. Cool, refreshing, with little chocolate chip pieces that come through the straw as a bonus. This one is especially popular in summer, and for good reason.
5. Cookies and Cream. Chunks of real cookie blended throughout. It's indulgent without being overwhelming, and the texture contrast between the smooth ice cream and cookie pieces makes every sip interesting.
6. Strawberry. Made with real strawberries, not syrup. You can taste the difference. It's the lightest flavor on the menu but still delivers that signature Awful Awful thickness.
7. Vanilla. Don't sleep on vanilla. A great vanilla milkshake is one of the hardest things to get right, and ours nails it. The ice cream does all the talking here — pure, clean, and impossibly creamy.
Solid Choices
8. Maple. A true New England flavor. This one tastes like fall in liquid form. Pair it with our pancakes for a breakfast experience you won't forget.
9. Black Raspberry. Bold, fruity, and a little tart. This is the adventurous choice — the one you order when you want something different from the usual suspects.
10. Butter Pecan. Warm, nutty, and buttery. It's comfort food in a glass. Particularly great in autumn and winter.
The Seasonal Stars
We won't rank the seasonal flavors against the regulars because availability varies, but keep an eye out for pumpkin in the fall and peppermint around the holidays. Both are limited-run and both are outstanding.
The Bottom Line
There's honestly no bad Awful Awful. Every flavor starts with the same house-made ice cream base that's been perfected over nearly a century. But if you're standing at the counter paralyzed by choice, go with coffee. Trust us.
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