Hansen's Sno-Bliz — Restaurant in New Orleans

In the gritty backstreets of New Orleans, there's a culinary time capsule that's been serving up frozen delights since the Prohibition era. Hansen's Sno-Bliz, established in 1934, holds court as the second oldest sno-ball stand in the land, only overshadowed by the venerable Walther Gardens up in Baltimore, boasting roots dating back to 1928.

Through the trials of hurricanes and the passage of time, the Hansen family has kept the icy torch burning bright, until fate dealt a cruel blow with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the loss of founders Ernest and Mary Hansen.

Yet, from the ashes emerged a phoenix in the form of their granddaughter, Ashley Hansen, who defiantly resurrected the family legacy in 2006.

Their dedication and artistry didn't go unnoticed, earning them the coveted America's Classics accolade at the James Beard Foundation Awards in 2014.

But it's not just the awards that set Hansen's apart; it's the meticulous craft behind each sno-ball, meticulously shaved and drenched in a rainbow of homemade syrups, a true taste of Louisiana's vibrant culture.

Behind the scenes, Ernest Hansen's pioneering spirit lives on in the iconic "Sno-Bliz" machine, the first of its kind to transform blocks of ice into delicate snow, earning a patent from Uncle Sam himself in 1950.

Today, as patrons queue up for their frosty fix, they're not just indulging in a treat; they're savoring a slice of history, lovingly preserved by the hands of the Hansen family for nearly a century.

I opted for the Cherry flavored Snowball, keeping things simple, a choice that often leads to unexpected culinary delights. Upon my initial encounter, the freshness of the cherry flavor was a revelation, a vibrant burst that awakened my senses. This wasn't your average snow cone; it was a symphony of authenticity, with the cherry essence striking just the right chord of sweetness, never veering into the realm of artificiality.

What truly set this snowball apart was the syrup – a delicate balance of sweetness that complemented rather than overpowered the natural flavors. It clung to every icy shard, ensuring each spoonful was a journey of flavor discovery, with the cherry's innate fruitiness shining through like a beacon of culinary excellence.

As I languidly savored each bite on a scorching Saturday afternoon, the cool embrace of the snowball offered respite from the relentless heat, rejuvenating both body and soul. It wasn't just a treat; it was a moment of pure bliss, a brief escape from the oppressive weather, transporting me to a state of sheer gastronomic ecstasy. In summation, my dalliance with the Cherry flavored Snowball was nothing short of a culinary triumph, a fleeting yet unforgettable experience that left me...

We are avid Pelican Snoball fans but when on the south shore ya gotta try to “best” right? We went on a Saturday afternoon. There was a line around the building, there were about 12 people in front of us when we go to the line. There was a group in front of us of about 6 people. 5 more people walked up and got in line with those people. Behind us there were about 10 people. We didn’t say anything, however keep in mind we are standing in the sun. After about 5 more minutes a group of 6 or 7 people walked up and tried to get in front of us with the group. My husband spoke up and asked them to go to the back of the line. I don’t know how they thought that was ok. One of them said well we all rode together. Well maybe yall should all get into the line together. It’s not fair to everyone else waiting. Anywayyyy we were in line about 15-20 min. My hubby got the strawberry shortcake with condensed milk and strawberry puree, I got the cafe au lait stuffed with vanilla ice cream and topped with condensed milk. Mine was the BOMB. The ice melts in your moth, just the right consistency and the flavor was great. My hubby’s on the other hand lacked major flavor. It tasted like the syrup they used was watered down. So I think it was just a bad choice in flavor but how were we to know. He ended up...

My wife and I love snow balls, and so when we came to New Orleans we knew we had to try Hansen's. Unfortunately, I do not think it's all that special. The first time we we went, I got their Vanilla Bean flavor. It wasn't all that good. Pretty light flavor in general. Still tastey, however. The second time we went to Hansen's I asked them for Fresh Mint over Watermelon which was being advertised front and center over by the cash register. They informed me that they didn't have that. So I ordered their Cream of Strawberry. I headed to the cash register and I told them they might want to remove the Fresh Mint flavor sign until they have it. I was then told they were making it now that I told them but that it takes 20 minutes to make, so he was going to leave it up. After trying their Cream of Strawberry, I didn't really enjoy it. It didn't taste like strawberry at all. More like bubble gum. Overall, the place is expensive, has specific business hours, and the flavors are not all that special. On top of all of that, their menu is extremely confusing. There's many flavors listed in an unorganized fashion all over the place, but how much it is going to cost is any one's...