It’s the most anticipated new Wendy’s menu item since breakfast was unveiled! That’s right, folks. Wendy’s has a Strawberry Frosty.
Yup, it took over fifty years for the chain to add a Strawberry “shake” to its menu. Let that sink in.
Like breakfast, Wendy’s has always been pretty late to the desert game. Sure, the Chocolate Frosty has been a fast food staple for decades, but it didn’t even add Vanilla to the menu until 2006. Now, sixteen years later, Vanilla is getting the temporary boot during the big Strawberry rollout.
So, is it worth all the buzz?
I’d say, yeah… tentatively.
Actually, I’m not entirely sure.
I love a good Chocolate Frosty. I’ve always categorized it as its own entity – not quite a milkshake, but also not quite ice cream. It kinda exists between the two, and it has a texture all its own. The Strawberry Frosty I had just reminded me of a decent strawberry shake.
At no other time would I be disappointed slamming a “decent strawberry shake,” but I guess I expected a little more here. In what might seem like a huge nitpick, I actually think it was too creamy. Also, you’ll rarely hear me say this about anything like this, but I wish it was sweeter.
The Frosty tasted like Strawberry Nesquik, a childhood favorite, but it was as if they released something called “Strawberry Nesquik Lite.” Say you were mixing it yourself and only used 75% of the suggested amount of syrup. That’s where I landed on the flavor. That might be right up your alley, but I was mildly bored.
To be fair, Wendy’s is pushing the idea that it has the flavor profile of “freshly picked strawberries,” so it’s probably not supposed to be the super artificial sugar bomb I was anticipating.
Don’t get me wrong that would be just fine overall, but I also noted a very faint medicinal aftertaste. Did you ever have chewy Tums or Rolaids antacids that look like candy? I swear I tasted a similar faux fruit taste and the accompanying chalkiness, and that was all I could think with every spoonful.
It sounds like I’m ripping on it, but it wasn’t that bad. I think most people are gonna like it more than I did. If I had to rank it against the other Frosty flavors, it’d be third. If I had to rank it against (my vague memory of) fast food strawberry milkshakes, it would probably be last.
I loved the color. I loved the aroma. I semi-enjoyed the taste.
I didn’t get fries to dip, but it did a great job neutralizing the heat of my Spicy Nuggets, so I certainly wasn’t upset about my meal.
Overall, Wendy’s Strawberry Frosty is not a hit, but it’s also not a dud. It’s a “decent strawberry shake.” There’s a place on the menu for a decent strawberry shake. In fact, I think Wendy’s should bring Vanilla back so people can order a Neapolitan-style mix. I also think it should add toppings and try to make a McFlurry rival called… ready for this obvious gem? Wendy’s Blendies. Let’s chat, Wendy’s R&D.
Purchased Price: $1.89
Size: Small
Purchased at: Wendy’s
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 350 calories, 8 grams of fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 40 mg of cholesterol, 150 milligrams of sodium, 61 grams of total carbohydrates, 52 grams of sugars, 0 grams of fiber, 8 grams of protein.
Was in the test market last summer and I found the strawberry flavoring to be way too subtle. Had hoped it would be improved this year. Sounds like that is not the case 🙁
Ooh, spurred on by an idea in the review, how about getting a half strawberry, half chocolate frosty? A chocolate-covered strawberries frosty! 🙂
May I take a moment to revel in the brilliance of “Wendy’s Blendies”!?!! Nicely done, Vin!
Great review, too!
They had them back in 2007. They were called twisted frostys though. It would be nice to see them make a comeback
I’m just mad they got rid of the vanilla Frosty to put this on the menu! I love the original chocolate, but I’ve always been a vanilla girl. I hope they bring back vanilla soon.
Saying they are late to the “desert game” kind of works here as I imagine it will be delicious in the heat of the desert. This looks like it would taste like artificial strawberry, not that it would bother me, but the malty chocolate is the GOAT.
As someone who hates strawberry (really any berries except cherries, and I’m not sure they count) I’m both annoyed that they got rid of vanilla, and that it sounds so meh for those of you who do enjoy berry flavors.
I don’t know if it’s true, but I’d always heard that the traditional chocolate Frosty is actually a mix of chocolate and vanilla. If so it makes me wonder what a full strength chocolate would be like. As for combos they could do a sorta patriotic strawberry/vanilla/blueberry concoction.
UMMM Wendy’s only has room in the machine for two flavors. So Vanilla had to go for a while
I liked it even if it was not as strong as some people wanted it.
Yeah, your review captures my sentiments exactly. It just is what it is. And honestly, it really doesn’t taste very “real” strawberry.
I read this yesterday and I am still laughing at “Wendy’s Blendies”… love it.
The large strawberry shake is a joke for the price I hate to see what a small is Wendy’s has gone down the toilet with there food fry’s not crispy they are greasy and soggy hamburgers are cold and gross if I had to rate them they are the worst for fast food
The large strawberry shake is a joke for the price I hate to see what a small is Wendy’s has gone down the toilet with there food fry’s not crispy they are greasy and soggy hamburgers are cold and gross if I had to rate them they are the worst of. the worst for fast food
An interesting perspective. I actually find to the contrary, and that the Wendy’s baseline burger tastes better than the baselines from McDonald’s and Burger King–it actually tastes like beef, and with the addition of a tiny amount of salt and pepper, far better than the other stores’ options. And a small Frosty hits the sweet spot for me: lower calories (due to the size) and lower cost, and the perfect cap to a meal–I love the Frosty texture and flavor (typically, chocolate for me–I haven’t tried the strawberry yet).
My wife and I tried the strawberry frosty today. Both of us thought the same thing, just a very faint strawberry flavor. Could have been just our Wendy’s, but a waste of money for a bland treat. Only thing good about it was it was cold on a hot day. Will not buy one again.
Not nearly enough strawberry flavor! It is a very light flavor….so subtle you can barely taste it after a few bites. Needs about 10x more flavor.
Not nearly enough strawberry flavor! It is a very light flavor….so subtle you can barely taste it after a few bites. Needs about 10x more flavor.
I LOVE the Wendy’s strawberry frosty! I love the malt taste – tastes just like the ones from the old malt shops. It takes me back! I think it is just enough strawberry flavoring. Thank you and may I have another please?