Discover the Best Snowball Stands in Southwest Louisiana: A Local Guide
Charming mom-and-pop shops define the appeal of Lake Charles. Since relocating to southwest Louisiana in 2007, I've been captivated by local gems like donut shops, boiled crawfish stands, drive-thru daiquiri shacks, and especially snowball stands.
Snowballs were a delightful discovery for me in Louisiana. Unlike childhood snow cones—coarse crushed ice in leaky paper cones with basic syrups—these feature finely shaved, dense ice that perfectly absorbs vibrant syrups. Shaped into cones and served in Styrofoam cups, they offer an impressive array of flavors.
My passion has taken me to numerous stands. In Westlake, Mom and Pop's delivers authentic treats. I savored their red velvet flavor.
Mom and Pop oversee operations after 20 years in business, often enjoying the local paper.
In Lake Charles, Mr. Snow draws long lines down McNeese Street after school. Popular add-ons include 'stuffed' snowballs with ice cream or 'cream' drizzle made from condensed milk, evaporated milk, and sugar.
I opted for a classic cream soda snowball. On Nelson Road near Country Club Road, Fox's Snow Cones (at Fox's Pizza lot) offers vanilla or Neapolitan hard-pack ice cream. Their concise flavor menu includes standout kiwi—though beware vivid greens for your smile!
In Sulphur, Famous New Orleans Sno-Balls on Maplewood Drive boasts 38+ years, fluffy ice, bold flavors, and a feature on KPLC-TV's Louisiana Traveler.
My top pick: Famous New Orleans Style Snowballs in Moss Bluff, the only spot with chocolate soft serve. Try mint-chocolate stuffed or coconut with chocolate for a Mounds bar vibe.
As temperatures rise, visit these southwest Louisiana favorites to cool off. What's your go-to snowball stand?
