Welcome to Hansen's Sno-Bliz
Hansen's Sno-Bliz, established in 1939 by Mary Hansen, is a beloved New Orleans institution located at 4801 Tchoupitoulas St. Renowned for its fluffy, velvety-shaved ice, created by a patented ice machine designed by Mary's husband, Ernst, this shop offers an impressive array of over 30 flavors, including both classic and unique options like Thai Tea and Honey Lavender. The secret to their success lies in their meticulous layering technique, ensuring each bite is infused with flavor. With vibrant, seasonal souvenir cups designed by local artists, Hansen's is more than just a place for cold treats; it's a cherished community experience that delights visitors year after year.
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4801 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Hotline: (504) 891-9788
Welcome to Hansen's Sno-Bliz: a beloved institution nestled in the vibrant streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. Known for its artisanal shaved ice, Hansen's has been delighting palates since 1939, making it a quintessential stop for locals and visitors alike. The warmth of its rich history is matched only by the smiles of the staff who effortlessly serve up joy in a cup, all at 4801 Tchoupitoulas St.
This iconic shop is home to a dizzying array of flavors—akin to a carnival for your taste buds. From classic options like banana and strawberry to unique concoctions like Thai tea and cream of almond, each sno-ball promises a taste adventure. The innovative layering technique—where fluffy, finely shaved ice is alternated with rich syrup—sets Hansen's apart from the rest. It's not just a treat; it's a tactile experience.
- Historic Roots: Founded by Mary Hansen and her husband, Ernest, who created the patented Sno-Bliz machine, the shop is now run by their granddaughter, ensuring that the legacy endures.
- Quality Over Everything: The ice here is described as the "best ice you'll ever have," with a soft, velvety texture that melts in your mouth, unlike the crunchy limits found at typical snow cone stands.
- All-Natural Goodness: Even the syrups boast a fresh fruit base, devoid of harmful dyes, allowing true flavors to shine through in every mouthful.
- Endless Creativity: Seasonal flavors and special blends, like cream of peach and strawberry shortcake, ensure that there's always something new to discover.
As you stand in line—often extended down the sidewalk—you feel a sense of community. Patrons eagerly anticipate their turn, many sharing their favorite flavors with newcomers. Mya T. raved about the excitement of experimenting with combinations, while Patricia L. left captivated by the creamy texture and exceptional flavors. The friendly staff quicken service, ensuring that even on the hottest days, customers do not have to wait too long to indulge.
Every visit to Hansen's is not just about savoring a delightful dessert; it’s an immersion into a slice of New Orleans culture. The chatter of excited voices around you mixes with the sweet scents wafting from the charming shop, making it a must-visit destination. After taking a bite of that deliciously flavored ice, you’ll understand why a journey to Hansen's Sno-Bliz is always worth it.
For a special treat next time you're in the Big Easy—and to create sweet memories that last long after the last spoonful—be sure to stop by and discover why Hansen's Sno-Bliz has captivated hearts for decades.
Super good sno ball spot with so many flavors and toppings to choose from. I got thai tea and coconut cream with condensed milk and my partner got strawberry cream with condensed milk. Even though there was a line, it goes fast and multiple staff are available to help. I can't wait to come back
The plan was to go on a mini "sno ball" tour but we only made it to two stops and this was the second. Seeing the line form down the side walk let me know this was the place to be. Luckily it wasn't a terrible wait bc we went in October, but I imagine in the summer months you'd melt before ordering your sno ball. I made it to order and it was worth the wait! I ordered a Peach cream and nectar. First let me say the ice in these things is the best ice you'll ever have. I'm from SATX and we have "raspas" that ice is crunchy nothing like this. This is waaaay better ice. It's like velvet ice! The flavorings were peak and the combination was everything. They have so many flavors and I wish to one day try them all or at least spend my life trying to try them all because I doubt I'd experience a miss everything would be a winner. Cheers, enjoy!
Not a usual spot for me bc of the location. But when I do visit, it always hits the spot! Brought some visitors here with me for their first time experience and they loved it. They got the chocolate chip cookie snoball And I got the nectar creambow. So good!
Hella flavors and affordable prices! You can get ice cream with it too! Such a nice treat on a hot day. So many flavors that it was hard just to pick three. Place gets packed with people enjoying their snowballs outside the shop. There is street parking available. Staff are efficient and friendly too. The ice cream was good, but nothing beats that pineapple dole whip like the ones you get in Hawai'i. The shaved ice is perfection. They are generous with their syrups as to cover the entired thing esp when you get to the bottom. There was no clear ice left in our cups. Definitely getting one of these whenever I'm in town! I can't believe I only discovered this on my most recent trip!
Definitely needed this after a day of exploring in the hot humid weather. The blueberry tasted delicious. I got the strawberry shortcake one. It had a faint taste but still good.
Awesome place, best snoballs in town. I usually get cream of almond or cream of wedding cake but all of their flavors are exceptional.
The best snow ball place not just in Nola but ever! This is reflected in the perpetual line. It is a no frills snow ball standard with the same menu for decades except for the addition of seasonal flavors. The decor has an antique shop feel starting with the patented ice shaving machine. What sets Hansen's apart is the ice which is the finest ice that makes it almost creamy in texture once the syrup is added. Another great thing is they have fresh fruit based syrups without the toxic dyes like other places. Service is quick and friendly and both cash and card (with a fee) is accepted. I always aim to come visit anytime I'm in town bc it's the quintessential taste of New Orleans.
Every year at Springtime, I hear the hype about Hansen's Sno-Bliz. A few months ago, I tried a Sno-ball from a different vender. It was good but it didn't blow me away. I recently had the opportunity to try one from Hansen's. The business started in 1939 by Mary Hansen. In 1934, her husband, Ernst Hansen, designed the Sno-Bliz machine, which creates fluffy, delicately shaved ice. Mary & Ernst's granddaughter is the current owner of this iconic shop. They have a wide variety of flavors to choose from ranging from classics like cherry or coconut to creative options like Honey Lavender, Thai Tea, & Watermelon Ginger. The texture of the ice is very fine, soft & fluffy as opposed to the other one that I had, which was the consistency of small ice pebbles. What also sets Hansen's apart from the rest is their technique of alternating layers if ice & syrup as opposed to filling the cup with ice and pouring syrup on top. It really makes a difference. The Sno-balls are also served in souvenir cups designed by local female artists and change yearly, so locals collect them. Interesting fact: During the summer they go through more than two tons of ice weekly. That's how popular they are. After trying a Sno-Bliz from Hansen's I totally get the hype and understand why there is always a line.
First snoball of the season!!! And boy was it good. Line was unusually short so that made it even better! I don't get snoballs anywhere but at Hansen's for their homemade craft syrups and fine powdery ice.
Incredible! Never even heard of a sno-ball until I started researching places for my trip to NOLA. So glad I got to try one. In my opinion it was better than Hawaiian Shave Ice.