Portillo’s Birthday Cake Shake Sure Beats Lighting Candles

Portillo’s might have perfected the milkshake with their Chocolate Cake Shake, so I was surprised to see a second flavor option on the menu during a recent road trip. Portillo’s Birthday Cake Shake is only available for a limited time (through April 6), so I’m glad I managed to snag one alongside the chain’s new Sauce Flight (which I reviewed a few days ago—who else is taking care of you like this?) for a sweet treat of a review. Grab your party hats and gifts; it’s time to celebrate a birthday.

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Birthday Cake Shake!

Portillo’s Birthday Cake Shake Review

Pros: Much like a certain disgraced shakery, Portillo’s shakes are made by blending full slices of cake into ice cream. If you’re thinking this is some frozen cake kept in the back a la Pepperidge Farm’s layer cakes, think again. The exact same cake (in full or in individual slices) is available on Portillo’s dessert menu! Thanks to the hefty cake slice blended into every shake, the end result is thick. I struggled to get it through their standard drink straw. Bring a boba straw if you have one!

And if authenticity is a concern in your milkshakes, rest easy: Portillo’s Biirthday Cake Shake is topped with real sprinkles, while the base cake itself is made with genuine Funfetti cake mix. If this flavor was available year-round, I could definitely see myself going out for one on my birthday.

Cons: While this would be nice for a special occasion, the classic chocolate cake shake is perfect every day of the year. The rainbow sprinkles on top are tough to distribute by mixing, so you’ll likely end up with an even thicker shake at the end of the cup–if you can even finish it solo. My copilot on this Portillo’s lunch break, an accomplished eater in his own right, tapped out after half a large milkshake.

Credit: Griffin Parker / Portillo’s

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

What other cake-shake flavors has Portillo’s offered before?

Apparently, I just missed the brand’s Valentine’s Day offering: Chocolate Covered Strawberry. I’ll make a note on the calendar to track one down next year. Previously, the chain has also offered Candy Cane, Mint Chocolate, Lemon, Lemon Strawberry, and Salted Caramel Spice. I don’t know which of those I’d like to try most; maybe I should beg Portillo’s to let me into the test kitchen for an “Every Cake Shake Reviewed” ranking…