i like the scorching heat for the most part… as opposed to the bitter cold. But somedays in Texas are just SO ridiculously hot. This summer wasn’t too terrible but there were definitely days that the temp reached well over 10. It’s days like that when you have to stop what ever you are doing (because surely you’re about to pass out anyway), hunt down the nearest sno-cone stand and select your delicacy from an array of beautiful colors and crazy flavors. Shaved ice, snow cones,sno-cones - call them whatever you want are the perfect cure for those days when the sun is just belting down on you. Since this is the last weekend in August (certainly not the last weekend of heat I’m sure) but it seemed appropriate to have a “last call” before open snow cone stands are hard to find!
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So I’m recommending three of my favorite places, I know you all with have many more so PLEASE feel free to comment and share your icy goodness with the rest of us. My ABSOLUTE HANDS DOWN favorite is SnoBeach in Austin. I have dreams about it. It’s so delicious…there is NO drive through like all these Dallas joints. Instead you can look forward to a long line no matter what time you go but they always have umbrellas to shield you from the hot hot sun. SnoBeach’s ice and then the cream are really what knock it out of the ball park. I vote for Mandarin with Creme.
But slow your roll folks before you totally have a melt down over not being able to make it to Austin this weekend because my SECOND MOST FAVORITE is right here in Dallas, it’s the T. C. Twister! OMG. Soooo good. Basically you can get creme here too but the twister has PINA COLADA ICE CREAM on top.
Almond Joy, Amaretto, Banana, Blackberry, Blue Coconut, Blue Hawaiian, Blue Raspberry…picking up a theme here…
MC’s ice is primo, very soft and delicious - I’ve only been there once but it was a really strong third.
Snow Beach: 34th and Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78705 or 801 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
TC Shaved Ice: 10999 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
MC Snow Cones: 1103 W Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062
Aunt Stelle’s in Oak Cliff - a huge local fav: 2002 W Clarendon Drive, Dallas, TX 75208-7632
The Snow Cone Lady, Frisco: John W. Elliott Drive near Frisco Square and Pizza Hut park
The sights of Sno Beach nearly brought a tear to my eye! Twister is a definitely a close 2nd tho - i couldn’t agree more!
My fav flavor (aside from the dreamsicle) at Sno Beach - Iced Tea with Lime!
Sno-Beach is our all time classic! Great way to beat the heat.
How did you track all these great places down? My niece has told me about Aunt Stelle’s in Oak Cliff forever, where her dad used to take her when she was little. It’s so nice to see it listed. I haven’t had a sno cone since I was in college…
Tucked into the back of Doc’s Food Store, in the shopping center at Meadow/Central is a tiny snowcone location called Summer Snow. The proprietor is George Rubio. An interesting aside is that he’s a UT Law grad who chose to make snowcones rather than practice law! Anywhoo, his snowcones (snowballs, to use his exact lingo) put TC’s and Aunt Stelle’s to shame. He has all of the typical syrups, including the cream toppings. What makes him really stand out, though, are his fresh fruit flavors. He literally grinds up the fruit and pours on the juice. …The best are mango and pineapple. He’s open until around Halloween; go give it a try! His location is short on ambience, but long on flavor!