It’s a sno-ball, not a snow cone. And yes, you must get a crème flavor and condensed milk on top to do it right. New Orleans does this shaved ice dessert better than anywhere else, known for shops with impressive homemade specials and more flavors than you could dream up.
If you’re looking for the best of the best in the world of New Orleans sno-balls, look no further.
Casey’s Snowballs, Metairie
Casey’s Snowballs is located in Metairie with an old-school feel and neighborhood vibe. Their famous chocolate flavor is rich without being overpowering. For a cheap sno-ball from a spot that feels like your childhood sno-ball stand, I couldn’t recommend Casey’s more.
Droopy’s Snowballs, Harahan
Droopy’s went viral on TikTok for their signature flavor “The Droopy,” a mystery flavor with a bright blue color. The business has been family owned and operated for over 30 years, and only family members know the exact recipe for “The Droopy” — not even the employees are allowed to know.
Droopy’s is also known for their BMT, which stands for bottom, middle and top. Referring to condensed milk, Droopy’s BMT takes the popular New Orleans sno-ball topping a step further, layering it throughout rather than drizzling it only on top.
I always get a BMT with “The Droopy” flavor and I can best describe as a mix of wedding cake, bubblegum and something else I can’t quite figure out. They have lots of flavor options and interesting specials as well, such as the strawberry cheesecake sundae and other crazy creations.
Pandora’s, Mid-City
If you’re looking to get a sno-ball year-round, look no further than Pandora’s in Mid-City. Known for also having great homemade ice cream and great nachos, this is my favorite place to get a scoop of ice cream under my sno-ball. I especially love their honeycomb ice cream with their homemade honeycomb brittle.
Considering that it’s hot even in December sometimes, it’s great to have a year-round sno-ball spot.
Chance in Hell Sno-balls, Bywater
Located in the Bywater, Chance in Hell started as a sno-ball stand on the owners’ porch — and they have kept the homey vibe in their permanent storefront.
With a much smaller menu than other spots on the list, they are making every syrup in-house with love. Their sour watermelon and mint lemonade flavors especially stand out.
They are delivering on the perfect ice texture and variety of flavors they promise. They also do random pop-ups throughout the year with hot chocolate and vegan red beans and rice — just deepening their roots in the cozy community.
Hansen’s, Uptown
Hansen’s may be the most talked about sno-ball spot in New Orleans — and for good reason. Operating continuously for 86 years, they have plain, tart, cream and fancy flavors along with frequent specials and collaborations. During the winter, they have flavors like apple cider and eggnog to get into the holiday spirit with an icy treat — the most New Orleans thing ever.
Williams Plum Street Sno-balls, Uptown
Located a 15-minute walk from the middle of campus, you could miss Plum Street Sno-balls if you weren’t looking for it since it blends in with the neighborhood. Serving sno-balls out of take-out containers, this spot feels like a quintessential sno-ball stand — complete with spontaneous run-ins and subsequent catchups with old friends.
Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls, Uptown and Lower Garden District
Imperial Woodpecker is a sno-ball stand on Magazine Street that transforms into The Nell Shell for the winter. In the summer, they serve great sno-balls with flavors like their house-made cereal cream, cream of chicory coffee and Earl Grey cream. They also have a location around a 20-minute walk from campus on Freret Street, so it’s as easy as ever to get your hand on one of these great sno-balls.