Best Date Shakes in Southern California

Date Shake sign at Hadley Fruit Orchards. Photograph from kthread on Flickr
California is a date mecca, especially in the southern half near Palm Springs. The prune-resembling pellets are packed with natural sugars, which makes them a great—yet shocking to outsiders—ingredient for milkshakes. The goal is to achieve a paste-like texture with minimal chunks and top it with a shake of nutmeg.
When I recently mentioned this to a New Yorker friend, she responded, "Wait, milkshakes you drink on a date?" I mean, that's possible. But in the Coachella Valley and Inland Empire regions of California, where date farms are abundant, it's the default shake flavor over vanilla or chocolate. Here are some favorite date shake spots.