Hansen's Sno-Bliz and the Story of the New Orleans Snowball - Episode #61

Ashley Hansen behind the counter at Hansen's Sno-Bliz

Ashely Hansen behind the counter at Hansen’s Sno-Bliz. Hansen’s is in their 79th season of operation, and is the oldest New Orleans snowball stand in the United States.

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz and the Story of the New Orleans Snowball

In today’s episode, we head over to Hansen’s Sno-Bliz on Tchoupitoulas Street, in uptown New Orleans. We visit with Ashley Hansen, granddaughter of Ernest and Mary Hansen, and the current owner of Hansen’s Sno-Bliz.

Hansen’s is the oldest snowball stand in the United States, and is currently open for its 79th season in 2018. In the 1930s, Ernest Hansen created the first machine to shave ice into the snowy powder essential for a terrific New Orleans snowball. That machine is still put to daily use in the shop today!

Mary Hansen ran the business, while Ernest was working as a machinist on the ships docked along the Mississippi. In their later years, the Hansen’s ran the snowball stand together. As they got older, their granddaughter Ashley was their to assist, and ultimately to continue the tradition.

“There are no shortcuts to quality” – Mary Hansen

Mary Hansen uttered these words frequently, and ran her business by this code. Today, Ashley continues setting the standard, making the syrups from scratch each day, and using the best possible ingredients. Mary’s words are all over the shop – on signs and on every plastic cup sold at Hansen’s today.

Listen in and learn all about Mary and Earnest Hansen, and the ubiquitous treat New Orleans claim as their birthright today. You’ll hear great family stories, and tales of New Orleans traditions. By the end, you’ll be ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans this summer and stop in at Hansen’s for a delicious snowball!

Sponsor: The Old 77 Hotel and Chandlery

When you are ready to make your plans to visit New Orleans, you’ll need a place to stay! The Old 77 is ideally situated in the Warehouse District, just three blocks from the French Quarter. It features a variety of pet-friendly rooms, the award-winning Compere Lapin restaurant, and more.

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You’ll also get a bit of lagniappe, a little something extra. In this case, you’ll receive a $10 credit to be used at Tout La in the hotel lobby – your stop for coffee and a quick bite to eat as you head out to explore New Orleans.

Lagniappe, part II – email a copy of your reservation to mark@beyondbourbonst.com and I’ll send you my pdf guide of what to eat, see and do in the Warehouse District, including how to get to Hansen’s Sno-Bliz!

Visit and Follow Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

If you want to drive yourself crazy with snowball envy, be sure to follow Hansen’s Sno-Bliz on Instagram. Go ahead, you know you want to!

Check out their website (snobliz.com) for more history about Hansen’s and to be sure they are open for the season. You can also get updates on their Facebook page.

Better still, visit Ashley and the team over at Hansen’s in person.

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz is located at 4801 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA.

Tchoupitoulas is pronounced CHOP-i-TOO-LAS, but you would already know that since you listened to episode #11 – the Language of New Orleans. You did listen to that episode, right? 🙂

Hansen’s is open from 1-7PM, Tuesday-Sunday, when they are in season. Be sure to check before you go, and don’t go on Mondays – they will be closed. Mondays in New Orleans are for red beans and rice anyway.

Thank You

Thanks to Ashley Hansen for talking with us on a busy afternoon in the middle of snowball season. I went to meet Ashley and learn about the snowball business. What I got instead was a love story, and a new friend!

Thanks also to Paul Broussard who works with Ashley and helped set up our interview!

Thanks to our newest sponsor, the Old 77 Hotel. Nearly a year ago, I thought the Old 77 would be a good fit with the show because I kept recommending it to listeners like you over and over again. I am thrilled they saw the fit, too!

Finally, thanks to Patti Dunn over at Tchoup Industries for sponsoring the Jazz Fest ticket giveaway. They make wonderful handmade bags, including the bag I use to carry all my podcast gear!

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Finally, we prepare and deliver a pdf document with our recommendations for your trip. Depending on your needs the report will contain specific places to stay, eat and drink. It will also offer suggestions on things to do and see, all based on your budget and interests.

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