It’s getting hot in New Orleans. Really hot. Luckily, I’ve been assigned to write a story for the July issue of New Orleans Magazine about how to stay cool in New Orleans. It’s a great assignment for me because this year will be my first full summer here, so finding ways to beat the heat is not just my job, it’s also necessary for my survival.
Through my research of ways to stay cool this summer, I’ve been reading a lot about all the frozen treats in New Orleans. There are many places for snowballs and daiquiris, ice cream and frozen yogurt… Lots of options. However, if you’re a Midwest transplant like me, you have probably noticed one summer treat that is missing: frozen custard. Here’s my list of frozen treats to try in New Orleans, plus a spot to find custard, even though it involves a bit of a drive.
Snowballs
I was quite skeptical about snowballs when I first moved here. My original thought was “Why are people so crazy about snowballs?” I thought a snowball was another name for a snow cone and snow cones are cheap desserts little kids buy at carnivals or pools. I have since changed my mind. I had my first snowball two weeks ago and it was tasty. I went to Lou Lou’s Snoballs & Ice Cream in Metairie and ordered a strawberry snowball. At the recommendation of a colleague, I added condensed milk. The snowball made my tongue red and it melted quickly, but it was delicious and much better than a snow cone. Not better than ice cream, but still a tasty treat.
Ice Cream
Ice cream is my favorite summer dessert and in New Orleans I love The Creole Creamery, particularly the Lakeview location. It’s the perfect spot for dessert after dinner on Harrison Avenue. It does bother me that both of the creamery’s locations are cash only (it’s 2013!!!), but as long as you stop by the ATM first, this is a great ice cream spot.
Frozen Yogurt
The build-your-own frozen yogurt trend seems like kind of a new thing here. To me, yogurt chains such as Orange Leaf and Pinkberry don’t seem as exciting because they were all over Missouri, where I moved from. However, they’re still a good choice for frozen dessert, especially if you’re looking for a healthier option; there are lots of fresh fruit toppings to choose from. There’s a new Pinkberry coming in at the Mid-City Market, so that will be convenient for all you Mid-City folks.
Daiquiris
To be honest with you, I’m not a huge fan of daiquiris. I think they’re too sweet and they give you a quick brain freeze. However, there are a ton of daiquiri places here, so other people must love them, and they’re worth trying if you’re new to New Orleans. You should also check out the super portable beverages by Cordina, a company started by three guys from New Orleans. I love the Mar-GO-Rita. It's like a juice box for adults.
Frozen Custard
And now for my frozen treat complaint: As much of a foodie town that New Orleans is, why is there no custard? By custard I mean frozen custard, which is similar to ice cream but has a slightly different consistency and the toppings are blended in a different way. You can find custard all over the Midwest, but apparently not in New Orleans. My significant other, Chris, LOVES custard so he was particularly disappointed when he learned there is no custard in New Orleans. We’ve asked around and have not found any frozen custard places here, but we did find a spot across the lake: Bop’s of Mandeville. And yes, we did drive all the way across Lake Pontchartrain for custard.
What are your favorite spots for a frozen snack in New Orleans?
