The number of milkshakes I’ve downed this week from Yella’s Grill at UCC is frankly absurd. But it’s all in the name of research for this article, right? There’s no denying the glory of Yella’s Grill’s seasonal pumpkin spice milkshake, a beloved creation that has become a running joke among my friends. My hunt for this milkshake turned into a full-on adventure. I was in crisis mode the day I decided to grab one — Grubhub was a no-go, and the UCC kiosk betrayed me by not having it listed. The heartbreak was real; I stressed this to everyone I know. So instead, I settled for the strawberry shake from Yella’s Grill, which was fine, but let’s be honest: nothing screams “fall” like the pumpkin spice milkshake. This Friday, as I made my way to UCC to pick up the latest edition of The Stute from the newspaper rack, I ran into my group of friends. I shared my frustration over failing to get my beloved pumpkin spice milkshake despite several attempts the day before (yes, I know it sounds melodramatic, but food is serious business). While sitting and pondering ideas for a Foodie Finds article, I felt my prayers had been answered when the pumpkin spice milkshake magically reappeared on the Grubhub app. Without wasting a second, I placed my order, finally ending the search. While waiting for my milkshake to be made, everyone around me had different opinions. I won’t let my bias dominate this review — this milkshake comes down to personal preference. Some felt it had too much pumpkin spice, and I’ll admit, the flavor was intense. However, others adored the rich spice flavor (like me).
I perfectly embodied the notion of fall when I got my milkshake in a knitted golden-colored sweater; all I was missing was my Uggs. This milkshake has motivated me to enjoy and dress for the great things about fall, like apple cider and pumpkin picking. I found the milkshake to have a robust cinnamon-forward flavor complemented by a sweet, almost marshmallow-like vanilla base. The creamy texture balanced the rich pumpkin spice with vanilla notes, providing a spicy kick with smooth, fluffy sweetness from the ice cream base. As for the finishing touches, the bright orange sprinkles and whipped cream were more than just decorative. I found myself enjoying the sprinkles the most. I usually have a habit of eating them by the handful, but in this milkshake, they added an unexpected layer of texture that enhanced the whole experience. The milkshake has a slight waft of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger aroma, adding to the feeling of deeply rooted, cozy autumn memories. Don’t sleep on the other Yella’s Grill milkshakes — the caramel milkshake is also another perfect fall flavor with luscious buttery caramel with that same pillowy vanilla-flavored base, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream, with a drizzle of thick, golden caramel on the top. Yella’s should top the pumpkin spice milkshake with caramel as well — imagine bringing together the top fall flavor to create a harmonious blend of flavors. The slightly burnt sugar notes in caramel provide a depth that can round out the flavor of pumpkin spice. I can’t wait to order more pumpkin spice milkshakes this October while writing more about fall desserts, especially my favorite, pecan pie, and watching Gilmore Girls.
