Chillin’ on the Westbank

By Stephanie Barback

Ice is a hot commodity in our area in the intensity of the July heat. From Westwego to Gretna, snowball stands provide a sweet oasis from sweltering south Louisiana days. Most of the shops I visited carried other treats, usually sodas, candy, and chips. Some offered beignets, funnel cakes, pickles, hot dogs, and nachos.

An anonymous snowball aficionado gave a list of her criteria for a really good snowball stand:

Texture of the ice—not too coarse, but with a fine, “melt-in-your mouth” texture.
Selection of sugar-free flavors—in this case more is more.
Will they charge extra to put your size into a bigger cup so you don’t spill it in your car?
Consistency of the flavor throughout—does it sink in or just lay on top, or in the case of extras, do they put some in the middle before they cap the snow?
Is there anywhere to sit, or do you have to take it and run?
What other frozen (or non-frozen) treats do they offer?

4^th Street Treats in Westwego has it all. The very colorful shop offers indoor and outdoor seating. During busier times, you may order from an outdoor window on the shady porch or inside the shop. It’s nice to know air conditioning will await you on that midday snowball run. The snowballs are on the big side. You’ll get your money’s worth on the extras here. Condensed milk goes in the middle before the very generous cap of ultrafine snow is added. The amount on top is a gracious plenty, too. Their non-snowball menu offers shakes and sundaes and other snacks. 4^th Street Treats is the only place south of Mandeville where frozen custard may be found. Frappecinos and smoothies will be added soon. Open 7 days, 12-8, year ‘round.

Barataria Boulevard is a hotbed of icy treats. The Cold Spot and Scuba Steve’s may be found between Estelle Elementary and Cousins Boulevard. The Cold Spot is a walk-up stand of long standing. Soft serve and soft drinks, as well as nachos and other snacks, round out their menu. Their ice is soft and flaky and well flavored. Theirs was the longest list of sugar free snowballs, with eight flavors listed.

Scuba Steve’s could easily be missed if you are headed north on Barataria Boulevard. A walk-up stand tucked between a carwash and an auto garage, it offers some of the most unusual concoctions, such as Frog in a Blender (Watermelon and lime). Poured rainbow style, this concoction is half red and half green. (If you work it right, your tongue will be, too.) They also offer Toxic Waste (bubble gum and apple) and Dinosaur Egg (mango and blueberry). Daring folks can have Sno Sour added as an extra, (think Warheads). Their menu of non-snowball offerings is quite extensive, and they are available for parties.

Gretna boasts its share of stands, as well. Amy’s Café and Sno-balls offers several sugar-free flavors and plenty of inside seating. Amy’s offers a strong sandwich menu with a standout hot roast beef. The snowballs are generous and are available year ‘round. Snow World anchors the east end of the French Riviera parking lot on Behrman Highway. Snow World is a walkup stand that features sundaes, and other snacks. The folks at this stand take pride in their customer service and quality.

Area stands include (from west to east):

Mama Lou’s on Glendella Drive (191 Glendella Dr., Westwego, 324-8725)
Buck’s on LA18 in Westwego
4^th Street Treats in Westwego, (415 4^th Street, Westwego, 644-4786. Open Noon to 8, 7 days)
A-Bear’s Snowballs on the Westbank Expressway next to Hebert’s Fina (978 Ave. A, Westwego)
Big Mel’s Snowballs (6325 Acre Road Ste. E, Marrero)
Juneau’s Sandwich Shop (4016 7^th St., Marrero, 341-6879. Snowball counter 1-8p.m. only)
The Cold Spot (2837 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, 349-3444)
Scuba Steve’s Snoballs, Inc. (2400 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, 341-8967)
Rooty-Tooty’s Snowballs (1001 Gretna Boulevard. Gretna, 11-8, 7 days)
Rachel’s Snowball Shop (1109 Gretna Blvd., Gretna)
Amy’s New Orleans Snowball Café (320 Lapalco Blvd., Gretna, 392-9288. M-Th 11:30-7:00, Fri 11:30-8, Sat 12-8.)
Snow World (629 Behrman Hwy., Gretna. 12:30-8:00 p.m., 7 days.)