Walk up to a Culver's custard counter and you'll face a delicious dilemma: the Culver's concrete mixer or a classic shake? Both start with the same rich frozen custard, but they go in very different directions from there. This guide breaks down the difference, the mix-in universe, and exactly which treat matches your craving.
This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Culver's.
What Is a Concrete Mixer?
A concrete mixer starts with Culver's fresh frozen custard — vanilla or chocolate — and blends in your choice of mix-ins: candy pieces, cookie chunks, fruit, nuts, and more. The result is famously thick. Thick enough, in fact, that it's traditionally handed to you upside down to prove it won't fall out of the cup. (It's a fun little ritual — enjoy it.)
The mixer is a spoon dessert. You dig in, and every bite is a different combination of creamy custard and whatever you chose to fold into it. It's substantial, customizable, and unapologetically indulgent.
What Is a Shake?
A Culver's shake is frozen custard blended with milk and flavoring until it's smooth and sippable through a straw. It comes in classic flavors — vanilla, chocolate, strawberry are the usual staples — plus rotating seasonal specialties.
The shake is a drink dessert. It's creamy and rich like everything Culver's makes, but the experience is sipping rather than spooning. It's the nostalgic, drive-with-it-in-the-cupholder option.
The Key Differences at a Glance
| | Concrete Mixer | Shake | |—|—|—| | Texture | Ultra-thick, spoonable | Smooth, sippable | | Customization | Endless mix-in combos | Set flavors, fewer combos | | Eating style | Spoon from a cup | Straw from a cup | | Best for | Dessert lovers, mix-in fans | Sipping, pairing with a meal | | Portability | Sit-down treat | Great to-go |
The Mix-In Universe
This is where the concrete mixer truly shines. Mix-ins generally fall into a few families:
Candy
Chopped candy bars, peanut butter cups, mint candies, and similar sweets. These are the most popular mix-ins — they add crunch, chocolate, and familiar flavors that pair beautifully with vanilla custard.
Cookies and Brownies
Cookie dough pieces, crushed sandwich cookies, brownie chunks. If you love texture contrast — chewy, crunchy bits against smooth custard — this family is for you.
Fruit
Strawberries, raspberries, bananas, and other fruit options. Fruit mix-ins cut through the richness of the custard and add freshness. A strawberry mixer in vanilla custard is a classic for a reason.
Nuts
Peanuts, pecans, almonds, and similar. Nuts add crunch and a toasty flavor that works especially well with chocolate or caramel custard bases.
Sauces and Swirls
Hot fudge, caramel, peanut butter sauce, and fruit purees can be blended in or layered. A hot fudge swirl through a mixer is pure decadence.
Pro tip: You can combine mix-ins from different families. Peanut butter cups plus hot fudge? Cookie dough plus caramel? The counter staff has seen it all — don't be shy about building your dream combination.
Shake Flavors Worth Knowing
While mixers win on customization, shakes hold their own with beloved flavors:
- Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry — the timeless trio, done exceptionally well with real custard
- Seasonal specialties — flavors that rotate through the year; pumpkin, mint, and berry variations make appearances
- Malted shakes — ask for malt powder in any shake for that old-fashioned malted flavor
If you're a purist who believes great custard needs no additions, a plain vanilla or chocolate shake is one of life's simple pleasures.
Thickness: A Real Consideration
Let's talk thickness honestly, because it affects the experience:
- Concrete mixers are the thickest item on the custard menu. You need a spoon, some determination, and ideally a few minutes for it to soften slightly. On a hot day, this thickness is a feature — it melts slower.
- Shakes are thick by fast-food standards (this is custard, not soft-serve), but they're engineered to move through a straw. If your shake arrives too thick to sip, give it a minute — or ask for it a touch thinner.
Neither is "better" — it's about what you want. Spoonable indulgence or sippable comfort.
Which Should You Pick? A Craving Guide
Pick the Concrete Mixer when…
- You want dessert, full stop — the main event, not a side
- You love mixing flavors and textures — candy, cookies, fruit, nuts
- You're dining in and have time to savor with a spoon
- You want the thickest, richest custard experience
- You're sharing — mixers are generous; two spoons, one cup, zero regrets
Pick the Shake when…
- You want something sippable alongside or after your meal
- You're on the go — shakes travel better
- You prefer classic, clean flavors without chunks and pieces
- You're pairing it with food — a shake alongside fries is a time-honored combo
- You want a lighter-feeling treat (relatively speaking — it's still custard)
Can't decide?
Order a small mixer. It's the signature experience, and the small size keeps it reasonable. Or split the difference across visits — that's what return trips are for.
Size and Value Notes
Both mixers and shakes come in multiple sizes. A few practical notes:
- Small is plenty for most people, especially after a full meal. Custard is dense and rich — a small satisfies more than you'd expect.
- Sharing works well. A regular or large mixer split two ways is a great date-night or family move.
- Prices vary by location and by size, with mixers generally priced a bit above shakes due to the mix-ins. Prices and nutrition information may vary by location, so check the menu board for exact numbers.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Options
One of the joys of the Culver's custard menu is rotation. Seasonal shake flavors and limited-time mix-ins appear throughout the year — often tied to holidays or seasons. If you see something new on the menu board, try it. Limited-time flavors are limited for a reason, and regulars plan visits around favorites.
Ask the staff what's seasonal when you visit. They'll usually light up telling you about it.
Making It a Meal Finale
The classic Culver's arc: ButterBurger, fries, and then the custard decision. If you've saved room, the mixer is the grand finale. If you're comfortably full but want a sweet note to end on, a small shake is the gentler landing. Either way, you've done Culver's right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a concrete mixer and a sundae?
A mixer blends the toppings into the custard for a uniform thick treat, while a sundae layers toppings on top of scooped custard. Mixers are thicker and more integrated; sundaes are simpler and let the custard shine on its own.
Can I choose my own mix-ins for a concrete mixer?
Absolutely — that's the whole point. Pick your custard base (vanilla or chocolate, typically) and add any mix-ins you like, from candy and cookies to fruit and nuts. Combining multiple mix-ins is encouraged.
Which is thicker, the mixer or the shake?
The concrete mixer, by a wide margin. It's thick enough to be served upside down. Shakes are thick for a shake, but they're designed to be sipped through a straw.
Are concrete mixers available in different sizes?
Yes, mixers come in multiple sizes, from small to large. The small is a satisfying portion for most people, especially after a meal. Larger sizes are great for sharing.
What’s the most popular concrete mixer combination?
Candy-based mixers — particularly those with chocolate and peanut butter candies — are perennial favorites. That said, the "best" combination is deeply personal; part of the fun is finding yours.
Can I get a shake in a seasonal flavor?
Yes! Culver's rotates seasonal shake flavors throughout the year. Availability varies by location and season, so check the menu board or ask the staff what's current when you visit.
Conclusion
The concrete mixer vs. shake debate has no wrong answer — only different cravings. Want thick, spoonable, endlessly customizable indulgence? Mixer. Want smooth, sippable, classic comfort? Shake. The real win is that Culver's makes both with fresh frozen custard, so you're starting from an excellent place either way.
Next time you're at the counter, you'll know exactly what to order. Find your nearest Culver's on our order page and settle the debate for yourself.