When it comes to comfort food, nothing hits the spot quite like a juicy burger paired with a creamy shake. At Cookie Dough Monster in Pigeon Forge, we’ve perfected both, offering you bold burgers stacked with flavor and thick shakes made with Hershey’s premium ice cream. But here’s the secret—when you know how to pair your burger and shakes the right way, your meal becomes a full experience rather than just another bite to eat.

This guide walks you through the art of pairing burgers and shakes for balance, flavor contrast, and ultimate satisfaction.

Why Pair Burgers and Shakes?

Pairing burgers and shakes isn’t just about indulgence; it’s about creating a meal that excites every part of your palate. The savory richness of a beef patty works beautifully with the sweet creaminess of a shake. The textures—crispy bacon, melted cheese, soft bun, and icy-cold milkshake—play off each other in a way that feels satisfying and fun.

At Cookie Dough Monster, our menu of burgers and shakes is designed to give you plenty of options, so you can mix and match flavors that suit your mood.

Step 1: Start with the Burger

The burger sets the foundation for your pairing. Each one on our menu has its own personality:

• Betty White Burger – 8oz beef patty, white American cheese, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and pickles. A true classic that’s clean, crisp, and flavorful.
• Ci’s 6 Burger – 8oz beef patty, crispy bacon, white American cheese, sautéed yellow onions, pickles, and mustard. Smoky, salty, and tangy all at once.
• BBQ Bacon Burger – 8oz beef patty, bacon, pepper jack cheese, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, grilled pineapple, and smoky BBQ sauce. A bold, tangy, and sweet option for adventurous eaters.

When you choose your burger, think about whether it leans classic, smoky, tangy, or sweet. This makes it easier to pick the right shake for balance.

Step 2: Choose the Shake

The next step is selecting the shake that complements your burger. At Cookie Dough Monster, our shakes are just as customizable and unique as our burgers.

Here are some favorites:

• Vanilla, Strawberry, or Chocolate – The timeless classics, made with Hershey’s old-fashioned ice cream.
• Fluffernutter Shake – Hershey’s vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, and marshmallow cream.
• Strawberry Banana Shake – A fruity blend of Hershey’s strawberry ice cream and fresh banana.
• Cookies & Cream Shake – Hershey’s vanilla, chocolate, or mint ice cream base with Oreos.
• Reese Cup Shake – Hershey’s vanilla ice cream blended with peanut butter and Reese’s chunks.

Each of these shakes has a distinct flavor profile, so your pairing options are endless.

Step 3: Match or Contrast?

When pairing a burger and shake, you have two strategies: matching flavors or contrasting flavors.

Matching Flavors

This means you’re amplifying what’s already there in your burger. For example:

• A BBQ Bacon Burger with a Reese Cup shake gives you layers of smoky, sweet, and peanut-buttery richness all in one meal.
• A Betty White Burger paired with a Vanilla shake keeps things classic and straightforward.

Contrasting Flavors

This strategy balances out strong burger flavors with lighter or fruitier shakes. For example:

• A Ci’s 6 Burger with bacon and mustard pairs beautifully with a Strawberry Banana shake to cut through the saltiness with something refreshing.
• A bold BBQ Bacon Burger gets balanced out by a Fluffernutter shake, where marshmallow cream softens the tang of BBQ sauce.

The Best Burger and Shake Pairings

Here are some of the best burger and shake pairings we recommend at Cookie Dough Monster:

1. Betty White + Vanilla Shake

A timeless duo. The Betty White Burger delivers fresh, clean flavors that pair effortlessly with a Vanilla shake made from Hershey’s old-fashioned ice cream.

2. Ci’s 6 Burger + Strawberry Banana Shake

The salty crunch of bacon and the tang of mustard in Ci’s 6 gets balanced beautifully by the fruity lightness of a Strawberry Banana shake.

3. BBQ Bacon Burger + Cookies & Cream Shake

The bold mix of BBQ sauce, grilled pineapple, and bacon pairs perfectly with the crunchy sweetness of Oreos in a Cookies & Cream shake.

4. Betty White + Fluffernutter Shake

A simple burger with lettuce, tomato, and cheese pairs playfully with the rich, nutty, marshmallow sweetness of the Fluffernutter shake.

5. Ci’s 6 Burger + Reese Cup Shake

For true indulgence, match bacon and onions with peanut butter and chocolate chunks—it’s salty, smoky, sweet heaven in one meal.

Don’t Forget the Fries

Of course, no burger and shake combo is complete without fries. At Cookie Dough Monster, we offer a variety of sides that make your meal even more satisfying.

Some fan favorites include:

• Classic Fries – Perfectly golden and crisp, they complement any shake flavor.
• Loaded Fries – Topped with cheese, bacon, and more—great for sharing or pairing with a lighter shake.
• Sweet Potato Fries – A slightly sweet and savory option that goes well with fruity shakes like Strawberry Banana.

Fries provide that extra crunch and salt that ties together the richness of a shake and the heartiness of a burger.

Make It a Group Experience

Pairing burgers and shakes is also about the experience you share. Whether you’re on a family night out, a date, or just craving a solo indulgence, mixing and matching meals is half the fun.

For larger groups or events, our catering services bring the Cookie Dough Monster experience straight to you. Imagine your guests building their own burger and shake pairings—it’s interactive, delicious, and guaranteed to be a hit.

How to Experiment Like a Pro

The best pairings often come from experimenting. Here are a few tips to guide your creativity:

• Keep balance in mind – If your burger is already heavy and rich, balance it with a light and fruity shake.
• Play with temperature contrast – Hot, juicy burgers taste incredible alongside icy-cold shakes.
• Mix sweet and savory boldly – Don’t be afraid to match smoky bacon with peanut butter or tangy mustard with sweet fruit.

The next time you visit, try a pairing you wouldn’t normally choose. You may just discover your new favorite combo.

Ready to Try Your Own Pairings?

If all this talk about burgers and shakes has your mouth watering, it’s time to experience them for yourself. Explore our full menu of shakes and burgers and find the perfect pairing that speaks to your cravings.

Want to ask about specials, catering options, or large group meals? Reach out to us through our contact page and let’s create something delicious together.

FAQ: Pairing Burgers and Shakes

1. What’s the most popular burger and shake pairing?
The Betty White Burger with a Vanilla Shake is a classic that never fails.

2. Can I mix different shakes with one burger?
Of course! Many of our guests order two smaller shakes to experiment with multiple pairings.

3. What shake goes best with a bacon-loaded burger?
Fruit-based shakes like Strawberry Banana cut through the richness of bacon beautifully.

4. Do you have dairy-free shake options?
Our shakes are made with Hershey’s ice cream, but you can reach out via our contact page to ask about alternatives.

5. Can I customize my burger and shake pairing?
Yes! You can add toppings, mix-ins, and extras to both burgers and shakes for the ultimate experience.

6. What’s the best shake for kids?
Cookies & Cream or Chocolate shakes are always a hit with younger guests.

7. What shake balances out BBQ flavors best?
The Cookies & Cream shake is a great choice because the Oreo crunch and vanilla balance the tangy sweetness of BBQ sauce.

8. Can I order burger and shake combos for parties?
Yes! Our catering service lets you create burger and shake experiences for groups of any size.

9. Do fries really pair well with shakes?
Absolutely. The salty-sweet contrast is one of the best flavor combinations you can try.

10. Can I get limited-time shakes with my burger?
Yes, we often feature seasonal shakes, which you can pair with your favorite burger for something unique.

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