<b>Find it:</b> 117 W. Hickory Street, Denton. 940-384-1818. <a href="http://www.bethmaries.com/">www.bethmaries.com</a>.</p><p><b>The shake:</b> Sure you can find suitable cool and creamy concoctions without hiking up to Denton. But if you really want the best -- and don’t mind a pleasant little drive -- Beth Marie’s is worth the trip for its home-made ice cream and shakes. </p><p>It’s a full milkshake experience here: the malt-shop atmosphere, the smell of waffle cones, the jovial employees (they even seem happy when there's a line of cranky customers out the door.) But aesthetics aside, Ms. Marie makes damn fine milkshakes. </p><p>The chocolate malt, for instance, is dreamy perfection – thick, but drinkable through a straw; chocolaty, but not bitterly so. You may think you can’t get through the entire one-size-fits-all serving, but before you know it, you’ll be hearing those sad final slurps.</p><p><b>When ordering your shake, remember:</b> Consume slowly to avoid cranial discomfort, and try flavors that don’t have large chunks as opposed to, say, black cherry. You have dozens of choices, so sample your options before you commit. </p><p><b>While you're there:</b> Explore the Northern frozen-in-ye-olden-times downtown area. It’ll relax you.</p><p><b>Honorable mentions:</b> Great Outdoors (Eight locations: seven in Dallas, one in Fort Worth) The best, no-frills, straight up milkshake within driving distance of your office. </p><p>Twisted Root, Dallas, and Spiral Diner, Fort Worth and Dallas (It's a tie). The former is for the trendy meat-eating set, the latter for equally trendy vegans.