When temperatures top 100 degrees in Texas, finding relief can feel impossible—unless you’re sitting on an ice block directly beneath an air vent blasting A/C with three oscillating fans pointed your way. Luckily, there’s a tastier way to beat the heat. Ice cream certainly gets the job done, but it can also be heavy and filling. Shaved ice, on the other hand, refreshes from the very first bite, and the flavor combinations are practically limitless. Better yet, nearly every culture has its own take on the frozen treat.
Whether you’re craving a nostalgic, syrup-soaked snow cone or an Asian-inspired version topped with fresh fruit and other creative additions, you’re never far from sweet relief in Dallas-Fort Worth. Here are some of the best places across DFW to cool off—but don’t wait too long. Many of these seasonal favorites are only around for the summer.
Sno Gourmet Shaved Ice
Cool off with shaved ice at Sno Gourmet in flavors ranging from Big Red, margarita, and piña colada to all-natural, housemade syrups like kiwi, cucumber-lime, and hibiscus. Feeling adventurous? Try the pickle flavor, or customize your treat with fresh fruit or a scoop of ice cream. With so many combinations, choosing just one might be the hardest part. 10455 N. Central Expy #102, Dallas
Cocohodo
Discover the joys of Korean shaved ice treats at this popular Carrollton dessert spot. Snowflake bing su is a favorite. Unlike typical shaved ice, bing su starts with milk, which is shaved into flakes and topped with options ranging from fresh mango or coconut to black sesame or ingeolme, a Korean rice cake. Traditional Frosty Ribbon shaved ice comes in strawberry, mango, taro, or green tea. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Ste. 340, Carrollton, cocohododallas.com
So Icy
Philadelphia-style water ice may not be in your vocabulary, but it should be. The colorful creations lie somewhere between shaved ice and ice cream, almost like a sorbet. But not. Because it’s blended until smooth, it delivers a soft texture and a whollop of bold flavors. At this little hut at Trinity Groves, flavors include watermelon, sour apple, and tropical rainbow. Gelato, iced coffee drinks, and cookies round out the menu. 423 Singleton Blvd., Dallas, itssoicy.com
Mr. Sugar Rush
This old-school ice cream truck appears all over town, especially late nights outside concert venues, and can even be booked for private events. The truck serves mostly prepackaged novelties, but the shaved ice is where it’s at. Mix and match two flavors from a small list of syrups, including strawberry cheesecake, watermelon, and blue coconut. Multiple locations, mrsugarrush.com
TC Shaved Ice
With several locations around DFW, TC Shaved Ice offers about three dozen flavors, including creamy and sugar-free options. Try a Knock Out, which layers shaved ice and ice cream for a best-of-both-worlds treat, as well as elotes cups, tamales, and nachos if you’re in the mood to mix sweet and savory. Most locations are cash-only, so hit the ATM first. Multiple locations
Scoop N’ Buns
Venture to Scoop N’ Buns for traditional Filipino halo halo, which translates to “mix mix” and features shaved ice with fresh fruits. Other ingredients such as sweetened beans, ube halaya, and various jellies allow you to get creative with flavors and textures. The majority of mix-in options are homemade on-site, so inquire about the daily selections. 507 W. Walnut St., Garland, scoop-n-buns.square.site
Ululani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
This Hawaiian-based chain has only two locations in Texas, one of which is right here in Plano. Catch friendly island vibes the moment you walk in for traditional shave ice (in Hawaii, they don’t call it “shaved”). All flavors are made with 100% pure cane sugar, and some feature premium fruit purées and juices. Choose up to three flavors for your own creation, or try one of the signature combinations. Try the iconic POG (passion, orange, and guava) or the Lava Flow (strawberry, pineapple, and coconut) for a true taste of the islands. 1517 N. Central Expressway, Ste. B, Plano, ululanishawaiianshaveice.com
Bambu
The sole DFW location of this international, cult-favorite chain can be found in Grand Prairie. Here, you’ll experience Vietnamese chè, a layered, made-to-order dessert drink/treat that begins with fresh-cut and drained coconut water. Mung beans, tapioca, coconut milk, smashed avocado, taro, and lychee are among the exotic options you’ll find piled up in the cup and topped with a refreshing scoop of shaved ice on top. 2625 W. Pioneer Pkwy. #207, Grand Prairie, drinkbambu.com
Bahama Buck’s
You can find franchises of this national chain nearly everywhere in the U.S., including several in the DFW metroplex. Bahama Buck’s is known for its Signature Snos, brightly colored, icy creations topped with curated flavor combos and a paper umbrella for added flair. Try Sour Patch Kids blue raspberry, Mangonada with mango and Chamoy, and Oreo cookie, or create your own from dozens of flavors. You can even get a flavorless Pup Sno if your dog’s with you. Multiple locations, bahamabucks.com
NOLA Snoballs
As the name suggests, it’s all about New Orleans-style snoballs at this Oak Cliff joint. Choose from more than three dozen flavors, including creamy, vegan, dye-free clear, all-natural, or sugar-free options. Then go wild by stuffing your snoball with pickles, cheesecake, or ice cream. Pick up a praline or Pez dispenser while you’re at it. 349 W. Jefferson Blvd., Dallas, nola-snoballs.com
Polar Penguin’s Snowcones
This seasonal snowcone stand in North Richland Hills offers a bounty of shaved ice flavors, including 20 gourmet options. Sample your way through selections including German chocolate cake, thin mint, peach bellini, Harry Potter’s butter beer, and French vanilla espresso. Add on toppings like sour worms or pickle chunks, or say “Dress it up!” to get housemade ice cream and whipped cream added in. For the ultimate experience, try an Extravaganza, which features your snowcone inside a fresh coconut, pineapple, or watermelon. 6714 Smithfield Rd Ste. 1 North, Richland Hills
La Super Ice Cream
For authentic Mexican raspas, shaved ice topped with jammy syrups, head to Garland. Choose a large or small cup, which is packed with crunchy shaved ice. Skip the artificially flavored syrups and instead add on your choice of natural flavors, from mango and tamarind to guava and coconut. While you’re there, make it a full meal with fresh shrimp cocktails, street tacos, gorditas, tortas, and chiles rellenos. 3325 W. Walnut St., Ste. 300, Garland, ejemplola2323.my.canva.site
Sweetzy’s
With nearly 75 flavors on demand, plus the option to upgrade to a giant snowcone inside a fresh pineapple or watermelon, this tiny seasonal snowcone stand is a real crowd-pleaser. Create your own tour of sodas with syrups like Big Red, Dr. Pepper, cola, cherry cola, and root beer, or request one of nearly 40 Sweetzy’s Specials. Options include the Barbie Doll with banana and pink bubblegum, the Jolly Rancher with green apple and watermelon, or the Tangerango with mango and tangerine. 3400 Bernie Anderson Ave., Fort Worth
Snoconelove
“We sell love, not snocones.” That’s the tagline at this tiny Fort Worth drive-thru. Look straight to the “For the Lovers” menu for carefully composed desserts, such as the Frosted Lemonade, Banana Laffy Taffy, or the signature Snocone Love, made with strawberry, banana, and blue coconut over shaved ice with a vanilla drench and sweet condensed milk. Or, opt for a simple classic snocone with your preference of light, regular, extra, or extra-extra syrup. 5795 Crowley Rd., Fort Worth, instagram.com
Wicked Snow
This beautifully designed storefront resembles a high-end coffee shop, which makes it a real standout among many of the more temporary-feeling shaved ice spots around town. The specialty here is bingsu, a South Korean specialty that starts simply enough with shaved ice. To that, the artisans behind the counter add condensed milk and all sorts of topping options, from fresh fruit and red beans to a variety of syrups. The Strawberry Matcha Snowflake, a massive bingsu with matcha shaved ice and fresh strawberries, is a gorgeous sight to behold. 2625 Old Denton Rd., Ste. 546, Carrollton
Dat’s a N’ice Homemade Italian Ice
With traditional, made-from-scratch, Long Island-style Italian Ice, a shaved-ice-adjacent treat that’s more like sorbet with fresh, bold flavors, this trailer’s worth a short road trip to experience. You’ll find standard flavors such as lemon, blue raspberry, and cotton candy, but the biggest differentiator can be found in the adults-only section of the menu. Indulge in nine different Tipsy Ice infused desserts, including a Lemon Drop with vodka, a Strawberry-Lemon Margarita with infused pink tequila, and a Long Island Tea with iced tea and lemon vodka. 3447 FM 720 #8, Oak Point, datsaniceice.com
