Austin’s Best Sno Cones: 5 Cool Must Eats That Make Summer Bearable

When I was growing up, the best way to beat a hot and sticky Texas day was to stop by the one sno cone joint in our little suburb, feeling the hot pavement underneath your feet as you perused the choice of flavors. To this day, sno cones mark the quintessential freedom of summer, especially when paired with a dip in Barton Springs.

Only Austin does sno cones a little more creative than most. In this Texas food mecca, even the most humble cool treat gets special attention. Not all of them are created equal though. Making ice sing is not easy.

Here are the best sno cones in Austin:

Sno Beach

3402 Guadalupe Street and 412 Sterzing Street

After a swim at Barton Springs, head over to Sno Beach for velvety sno cones with more than 50 flavors, including sugar-free options. Top off your sweet treat with ice cream, caramel or cream.

Our pick: Horchata topped with Cream.

Casey’s New Orleans Snowballs

808 E 51st Street

According to one Yelp reviewer, the ice in Casey’s sno cones are equivalent to diamonds. And since a sno cone is only as good as its ice (and how hot the day is), this East Austin spot is the ultimate go-to for hot and humid days (in other words, any summer Austin day).

Even better, this spot has been family run since 1996, and it serves up all of the classic favorites along with specialty flavors such as Boston Cream Pie, Egg Nog and Café au Lait. There are also 100 percent fruit juice flavors for kiddos.

Our pick: Chai Cream Specialty Flavor.

Sno Co Flattop Shaved Ice

This food truck brags that it has the softest sno in Austin. All flavors are made with real fruits and veggies, with no high fructose corn syrup, and are all vegan and gluten free. Flavors change constantly, but Sno Co’s classic cocktail inspired menu never disappoints.

Our pick: Pina Colada

512 SNO

1309 W 45th Street

512 SNO has house specials specially made for Austin, including Barton Springs, Bat City, Hippy Hollow, Lady Bird and more, along with classic flavors and eccentric toppings like a crystal light packet, pickle chunks and Sour Patch Kids.

Our pick: Red, White, and Blue — a combination of cherry, coconut and blue Raspberry.

Sweet Caroline’s Snow Shack

13497 Hwy 183 N

Sweet Caroline’s food truck scoops out New Orleans-style snow balls, which are known for their finer soft ice that more closely resembles sorbet. Take a trip on the wild side with Sweet Caroline specialties like the Incredible Hulk, grape, granny smith apple, pineapple and Nerds candy (we swear it’s heavenly). Or just go with the Keep Austin Weird — a combination of banana, orange, peach, pineapple and whipped cream.

There are also more conventional flavors and you can top off any sno cone with everything from Dreamsicle cream to sour spray to gummy bears.

Our pick: Margarita with Sour Spray