After starving myself for the majority of the day, I was ready to take on the quest: to drink five milkshakes at five different places around Atlanta. In order to judge this correctly I had to understand the basics of a good milkshake: the consistency, taste, preparation and texture or thickness. With an empty stomach and a half tank of gas, my journey to discover the best chocolate milkshake in Atlanta began.

Chick-fil-A (Colony Square) might be known for its excellent ability to fry chicken, but what are fried chicken and waffle fries without a good milkshake? Resisting my urge to order a No. 1 combo with a sweet tea, I requested the chocolate shake. The price barely lightened my wallet. Before I settled down at a table, the cashier called me back to grab my milkshake.

The milkshake, topped with a cheap looking cherry, appeared about as classy as a fast food dessert beverage could be. With chocolate on the plastic cap dripping down the sides of a Styrofoam Chick-fil-A cup, I prepared myself to devour the shake. After the cherry brought an explosion of flavor, the shake took hold of my taste buds. Unlike many shakes, the thickness was almost perfect. The usual struggle to get the shake through the straw was nonexistent. It was a wonderful experience.

Recap: Chick-fil-A provided a cheap shake quickly and with near perfect qualities. My journey took a turn back towards Grady.

Woody’s (Monroe), across the street from Grady, is known for its delicious yet expensive Philly Cheesesteak. With the Knight Card’s 20 percent discount at Woody’s, the milkshake I ordered went from ridiculously expensive to a moderate price.

Woody’s provided a different feel altogether. Instead of Chick-fil-A’s corporate atmosphere, Woody’s provides the warm, neighborhood feel. The classic music and the friendly people gave the establishment more of a homey feel.

After the longer than expected wait, the most easily available milkshake because of its proximity to Grady brought nothing but disappointment. Woody’s provided a shake that was all too thin to meet my standards.

Looking for a true competitor for Chick-fil- A, I stopped at Flip Burger (West Midtown). Flip stays true to its name by decorating its ceiling with tables and booths above the ones on the ground.

At the bar, I ordered a chocolate milkshake, only to be informed that Nutella was the equivalent on hand. Nutella boasts the sweet properties of a chocolate treat mixed with hazelnut.

A mist escaped through the burnt marshmallows laid on top of the milkshake. The waiter gave me a spoon to scoop up the burnt marshmallows along with the milkshake. This was the epitome of a perfect bite.

After my taste buds experienced the milkshake of gods, I drove off to Yeah! Burger (West Midtown/Virginia Highland). I walked into the restaurant and my wallet screamed in agony at the $7 milkshake, an outrageous price compared to its competitors. With a price that large, it should have a taste that large. It was too bad it didn’t.

After the longest wait yet, the Yeah! Milkshake was more of a Nope! Milkshake. No matter how well it was prepared, it was not worth the money at all. The shake felt more like a glass of half frozen chocolate milk than a chocolate shake.

The Varsity (Downtown), an Atlanta landmark, is incomparably famous and I have no idea why. Inside was a living nightmare of rowdy customers and snappy cashiers.

The servers quickly prepared my cheap $2 milkshake. I had just enough time to pay before she handed me the dessert. I put on my classic Varsity hat and my mood lightened.

The milkshake’s cheapness did not correspond with the taste. It surpassed both Woody’s and Yeah! Burger. It was enough of a surprise to take my mind off the environment.

After a long day of stuffing myself with milk and chocolate, it was over and it was time to decide which milkshake was the best.

The best plain chocolate milkshake goes to Chick-fil-A, which delivered a milkshake as close to perfect as you can get; speedy, delicious and different.

If you are too cool for chocolate, Flip’s switch to Nutella was the right one. It had the classiest shake, the most unique toppings, the boldest taste and overall, the best milkshake in Atlanta.