Shake It Off

Prepare to have these over-the-top milkshakes bring all the boys (and girls!) to The Yard, opening at Seaboard Station in April.

There’s milkshakes, and then there’s The Yard Milkshake Bar’s spectacularly over-the-top milkshakes (we’re talking sometimes 12-inches tall, y’all). With toppings like whole slices of cake or pie, doughnuts, Pop-Tarts, and more (!), these shakes are not for the faint of heart—er, stomach. And, now, Raleigh is getting a (large) bite of the action, as local influencers Briana and Roger Kornegay of Raleigh FoodTrap are poised to open a sweet DTR spot April 12 at Seaboard Station.   

The digital creators—known to eat their way around town and beyond—saw The Yard’s 2018 debut on Shark Tank… followed by scrolls of the signature excessive shakes all over social media. After spinning up a taste for themselves at The Yard’s Ashburn, Virginia, location (the most proximal of the shake spaces), the Kornegays knew they had to open one here at home. 

“We’ve tried ice cream everywhere; we’ve seen people attempt [the over-the-top milkshakes], but there’s nobody doing it like The Yard,” says Roger. “It’s just bussin’. You can’t go wrong.”

The Yard’s Raleigh location—and its first NC outpost—will feature the same standard menu as its 30+ existing storefronts, plus monthly specials and a Raleigh-exclusive milkshake that will only be available at Seaboard Station. While still in the brainstorming stage, Roger says they’ll have the opp to partner with a local bakery on the creative flavor—and he’s pining for red velvet cinnamon roll (um, sold).

Mr. FoodTrap’s other The Yard faves include the Doughnut Touch My Coffees & Cream, a cappuccino crunch ice cream base in a Nutella-iced jar rolled in crushed Oreos and topped with whipped cream, Nutella drizzle, crushed Oreos and a whole doughnut; and the Strawberries & Cream Cheesecake feat. strawberry cheesecake ice cream in a vanilla-iced jar rolled in graham cracker crumbs and topped with whipped cream, strawberry topping, crushed graham crackers and a slice of New York cheesecake. Phew! “They’re only like 1,700 calories,” Roger jokes, “but it’s worth it.”

After sip happens (see what we did there), patrons will be able to take the exclusive Raleigh-branded Mason jar home with them—think of it like a trophy for finishing those extravagant ’zerts. The scoop shop will even have a washing station where you can clean it and bag it. 

And shakin’ things up beyond the shakes, The Yard will offer straight-up ice cream, sundaes, edible cookie dough, specialty cakes and a secret menu—plus vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free flavors. … And for those intimidated by the piled-high shakes, fear not—there are just-as-tasty tinier versions. Of course, if you’re feeling really frosty, says Roger, you can go bigger too, with The Yard’s pint shake bosses. Just make sure to wear your stretchy pants. theyardmilkshakebar.com

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