Extravagant Milkshakes Made This Philly Bar Famous. But It’s Their Menu’s Quality That’s Raising the Bar for Casual Dining

It’s straight out of a dream you had as a kid: a colossal milkshake, swirled with whipped cream and syrups, rimmed with the dust of cookies or graham crackers, and topped with decadent desserts—think an entire slice of cake, or a melt-in-your-mouth s’more. But these shakes—Kook Burger and Bar’s iconic creation, called Shoobie Shakes—aren’t just for kids, and the hundreds of thousands of likes they’ve garnered across social platforms prove that they’re about more than just sugar.

So what exactly is it about the Shoobie Shake that strikes a chord with Philadelphians? According to Philly restaurateur Braeden Anderson, it’s the same philosophy that drives Kook Burger and Bar’s entire menu: The shakes represent a blend of energetic fun and indulgence with high-quality, fresh ingredients.

“In a world where expenses add up, the Shoobie Shake offers an affordable luxury, a moment to cherish,” says Anderson. “It’s a memory-maker, a unique experience, and a source of laughter and delight. That, I believe, is invaluable.”

In a word, the Shoobie Shake is about joy—and that’s a throughline for Kook’s menu. By staying exclusive with ingredient selection, Anderson builds Kook’s menu with all the luxury of a high-end eatery, but patrons don’t experience an air of pretentiousness or inaccessibility. Instead, these ingredients are spun into fun, creative concoctions that breed conversation and a festive feel—all within a casual, vibrant atmosphere. And while it’s a great spot for your next celebration, it’s also the perfect excuse to indulge for the sake of indulging.

From shareable drinks to creative entrees to the iconic burgers that have earned their spot in the restaurant’s name, a trip to Kook isn’t a trip to your average sports bar. The undeniable visual appeal—served in signature, take-home glasses—of Shoobie Shakes might have earned them some social media engagement, but what they deliver demands to be experienced three dimensionally. And don’t go just for the shakes—go for a culinary experience from drinks and starters all the way through to the dessert. Here’s your guide to making a lasting memory of your dining experience at Kook, featuring our favorites and saving the best (in our opinion, the Sunburnt Berry Shoobie Shake) for last.

Drinks and Starters

When you sit down at Kook Burger and Bar, you’re in a vibrant energy that brews conversations, memories and fun—all of them as authentic and real as their ingredients. You’re sharing a moment with your group, so why not share your food and drinks, too?

Margarita Flight: At Kook, they’re asking the question on everybody’s lips: Why have one flavor of marg when you could have four? The margarita flight is perfect for couples, groups or those of us who are chronically indecisive. The classic margarita is beautifully crafted, but it’s also essential to try the mango, passionfruit and strawberry renditions—and where else are you going to find a fruity flight in a sports bar?

Cheesesteak Egg Rolls: There aren’t enough good cheesesteak options in Philly…and the sky is green and grass is blue. We know there are thousands of cheesesteaks and hundreds of cheesesteak egg rolls you’ve probably tried—but Kook’s freshly sliced rib-eye steak stands out for that mouthwatering, authentic taste, and the mozzarella and sauteed onions that complement it. It’s rolled in a crispy, egg-noodle crust and served with the most stand-out feature of all: Kook sauce, a “secret weapon” with notes of pickle and citrus. It’s a must-try, shareable dish to start off your night.

Nanna’s Nachos: House-made tortilla chips are the centerpiece of Kook’s refreshed classic, which features fresh cheese, jalapenos and a chive creme fraiche (a French-style cultured cream, like an elevated sour cream, that Kook imbues with chives to add a certain—in the spirit of the French—je ne sais quoi).

Burgers

It’s in the restaurant’s name: Burgers are a mainstay of Kook Burger and Bar. Their menu features twelve burgers—including a chicken and a vegetarian option—each offering a different take on the classic. You really can’t go wrong, but these three are our recs.

Kook Burger: Don’t leave without trying the timeless sandwich that’s helped make Kook so beloved. With two fresh patties, iconic Kook sauce and the traditional burger works, this one is our favorite. Try it with truffle fries.

Broski Burger: It’s named with a familiar Philly dialect, but this burger will surprise you—goat cheese, sriracha mayo and bacon top this double-stacked sammy. With all fresh, local ingredients, this is a unique burger that’s liable to make other bars’ burgers seem boring by comparison.

Kalifornia Klassic: On the East Coast (also known as the superior coast), we’re far from California—but the guac atop this burger tastes just as authentic as it does on the West Coast. Complete with the works and that famous Kook sauce, this one is a hit.

Breakfast All-Day

Kook’s food is high-quality without any of the pretentious upscale attitude: You can have breakfast anytime of day (or night), and it’ll be a delicious breakfast at that. And for those who are into brunch, there’s a brunch prefix menu that comes with bottomless mimosas, caesars or bloody marys. 

Braeden Special: Few things are as timeless as the bacon, egg and cheese—it’s a breakfast, it’s a midnight snack, it’s the only thing your dad knows how to make. At Kook, the classic is elevated: Fried eggs, hash browns, cheddar and Kook sauce decorate fluffy brioche. There’s a reason this one is named after Anderson himself; it’s that good.

Shoobie Shakes

Finally we’re talking about dessert—it’s what some of us (who never grew out of our childhood sweet tooth) look forward to throughout the meal. Every Shoobie Shake is served in a twenty-six ounce signature glass that you can take home with you, and the menu possibilities are as Instagrammable as they are wide. And while Shoobie Shakes have earned their fair share of viral recognition, their visual appeal isn’t what matters the most to Anderson and Kook’s patrons—it’s all about the intricate details.

“We spared no expense in sourcing the finest local bakery cakes, picked fresh daily,” says Anderson. “Some questioned if it was all worth it for a mere milkshake, but to me, it meant more.”

A memorable experience begins each time a Shoobie Shake is set down at a table. These are our recommendations, and you can make any of them boozy.

The Kake Shake: For those of us with that sweet tooth, the Kake Shake is the perfect fix. The birthday cake-flavored shake emblems a child-like joy with vanilla frosting, sprinkles, whipped cream and a strawberry drizzle. But that’s not enough for Anderson: The Kake Shake is complete with a generous slice of birthday cake, fresh from a local bakery. It’s the chaotic, delicious dream of your inner child, and is sure to have you smiling.

Even S’more Waves: Have you ever had a toasted marshmallow milkshake? We hadn’t either. At Kook, this uniquely flavored shake is topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle, and rimmed with marshmallow fluff and graham cracker dust. With marshmallows and a fully stacked s’more on top, this shake is like a makeshift campfire—and sharing it around a table at Kook can inspire that same family camping trip feel.

Sunburnt Berry: If you’re going to listen to one of our recommendations, let it be this one—this shake combines cheesecake, cream cheese frosting, graham crackers, whipped cream and strawberries for an absolutely over-the-top treat. The strawberry cheesecake-flavored milkshake supports an entire cheesecake slice on top, fresh from a local bakery and just as decadent and delicious as you’d imagine. It’s a celebration in a glass—and you deserve it.

This is a paid partnership between Kook Burger and Bar and Philadelphia Magazine