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Grabbing a snow cone is a summer tradition for much of the country, but in Texas we’re lucky enough to enjoy them year-round. Because there are tons of shops, we narrowed it down to our favorites, focusing on locally owned businesses and what makes them special. But the real question is: Do you call it a snow cone, a snowball, or shaved ice? Inquiring COURIER DFW editors want to know.
Address: 5422 Bernal Dr, Dallas, TX 75212
Snow cones adorned with gummy worms, mangos, and pickles, Rainbow Snow is a pot of gold in West Dallas, seemingly the only snow cone shop before you land in Irving. They even host birthday parties. Have you ever seen a snow cone cake?
Photo courtesy of Rainbow Snow via Instagram
Address: 508 W Euless Blvd, Euless, TX 76040
The owners of this new shop serve Hawaiian shaved ice and are so inspired by Hawaiian tradition that they also serve malasadas, fried dough that oftentimes has fruit filling. Ohana also caters, offering party packages or pulling up to your event in their shaved ice party bus.
Address: 1220 Narcissus Ln, Mesquite, TX 75149
At Bahama Cones, you can get 36 flavors, nachos, funnel cake, and Frito pie! This year-round spot is a neighborhood favorite, and that could be because it’s a brick and mortar with lots of seating, which makes it different from the typical snow cone stand, but it’s most likely because of the owner, Jessica, that everybody seems to love.
Address: 349 W Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75208
What makes NOLA special is their New Orleans speciality cream flavors with evaporated milk mixed in. They’ll stuff your snoball if a plain iced cone isn’t exciting enough for you. Stuff with vanilla ice cream, cheesecake, or pickles! Also, according to New Orleans natives and owners of NOLA Snoballs, It’s called a snowball.
Address: 6500 Boat Club Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76179
We are, indeed, snow excited about the neverending list of flavors, ample toppings, and great prices of this snow cone stand. Margarita, red velvet cake, and something called Spiderman are just some of the flavors offered and sour straws and pop rocks are on standby for a little extra razzle dazzle. Operated out of a refurbished shipping container, this shop impresses with $2.50 kids bowls and consistent Google reviews highlighting how great the service is.
D L Shaved Ice
Address: 3741 S Malcolm X Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215
As you leave South Dallas, be sure to stop at D L Shaved Ice this summer for a one stop shop of all those things that remind you of the season. Along with their snow cones, they have a full food menu of hot dogs, chili cheese fries, and funnel cake bites. Look for the sign that says Snow -Cones “R” Us. Don’t ask.
Address: 311 E Front St, Arlington, TX 76011
This snow cone shop delights customers with cones that really pack in flavor. There’s no skimping on the homemade syrups at BrrBearry! March through October you’ll find the trailer slinging candy coated iced treats while offering a perfect view of the city’s firework shows.
Address: 3400 Bernie Anderson Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76116
Here you’ll find watermelons halved, hollowed, and filled with Hawaiian shaved ice! You could share it, but why? Fort Worth residents liked this sweet shop so much that they voted it top-notch, putting it on the 2023 Best of Fort Worth list for Fort Worth Magazine.
Photo courtesy of Sweetie’s Snowcones via Instagram
Address: 6020 Denton Hwy, Watauga, TX 76148
A stone’s throw from Knapp Lake, Texas Snow Store has our rapt attention.
We counted at least 95 flavors on a posted menu and were gobsmacked at $1.95 kids size cups. Open late six days a week, this shop offers fluffy ice gourmet flavors like coconut cream pie and white russian.
Address: 2405 E Belt Line Rd, Carrollton, TX 75006
Lyn’s snow cone hut has been dubbed the best in Carrollton by a number of Yelp and Google reviewers, but draws the attention of customers outside the area who can’t get enough of Lyn’s flavor mixes and the surprise at the bottom of each cone. Lyn’s encourages customers to create their own flavor combos and often offers happy hour deals.
Address: 2190 E Dove Rd, Southlake, TX 76092
Tin Roof might be the cutest little snow cone shack you ever did see. Serving Southlake for 20+ years, they offer a couple dozen specialty flavors like Summer Breeze (a mixture of watermelon, peach, and strawberry) and Paradise Island (a mixture of mango, guava and coconut cream) and serve their treats in colorful dishes with rims to catch the fallen snow.
Address: 2201 Pipeline Rd, Bedford, TX 76022
For nearly 50 years, Bedford Snoball has been serving up some of the softest ice west of I-35. They have flavor combos like Shark Bait (blue razz, pomegranate, grape, green apple) and Witch’s Brew (blackberry, peach, cherry.) This family-owned business is beloved and considered a local tradition. Also, they have a drive-thru, how cool is that?
Address: 7800 Windrose Ave., Plano, TX 75024
This is not the nostalgic snow cone experience you remember so we had to add it to the list. On the first floor of Plano’s Legacy hall, you’ll find a Hawaiian shaved ice experience that only uses pure fruit purees, 100 percent cane sugar, and specially filtered water. They also offer alcoholic treats featuring Bailey’s, Kaluha, and Absolut to spike their ice bowls.
