Sweet Caroline’s Snow Shack

Went here today for the first time– got a tiger blood, peach, and wedding cake– so delicious! We will definitely be back.

These snowballs aren’t as juicy as New Orleans snowballs (they don’t provide you with a straw if that tells you anything), but they get this pregnant ladies snowball craving fix in. Also, coming from the girl working today, «shifts start at 3pm, but they don’t start serving until 3:30». Just so you are aware!

I’ve spent more money here than I’d like to admit. It’s so nice to have a sho-​cone place near me but especially one that is so delicious.
It was a little hard for me to find the first time, but I’m glad I finally found it. My favorite is half lime and half cherry. So good!

Awesome Snowcones. I had a banana & Strawberry Cheesecake snowcone that taste like ice cream.

Awesome price, yummy flavors, and you definitely get your 50 cents worth of Nerds! :)

A perfect treat on a hot day! Great prices, great location, chairs and shade offered for customers. Great flavors!

One of the things I miss the most about living in Louisiana is eating snowballs in the summer time so you can imagine how happy I am to have a New Orleans style snowball stand in my neighborhood! The ice is perfectly fine and snow-​like. None of that chunky ice that I hate. And the proportion of ice to syrup is good, too. There are plenty of options for syrup as well as add-​ons like ice-​cream and candy. There’s even a «Puppy cup» (ice and whipped cream) for you pet lovers out there! Prices are reasonable.
There’s no actual parking lot but there is parking around the area. There is also a small tent set up with some lounge chairs if you want to hang out and eat.
My only complaint is that they are CASH ONLY! Come on y’all! I rarely carry cash! Hook up one of those iPad/​iPhone credit card machines so I can stop by on my way home from work!
Other than that, it’s a stand worth checking out while hanging out in the hot summer heat!

Disappointed after trying this because of the high ratings. I am from out of state and was looking forward to shave ice. The flavors tasted too imitation-​like. I liked the size and amount you get, but I wasn’t able to finish even half of it due to the flavor being off. The staff was extremely polite and there wasn’t a line so the service was quick. I will be trying another shave ice stand in the area.

It has come to my attention that the owner is reopening their 183/​Anderson Mill location soon. The owner reached out and was kind and very sincere. I am anxiously awaiting for him to open so I can take the kids.

My husband always has a craving for these snow cones and I always wind up going to get one like he’s pregnant lol… They have many flavors to choose from. He usually request a blue/​raspberry. I like the piña colada, It is really good. Customer service is friendly.

Very smart flavors. Really cool add-​ons (NERDS YUM!). Prices are slightly higher than others, but comparable.
My issue: Would it kill them to actually pack the ice a little or is water/​ice that price a commodity? They bearly put any ice in the cup and round top so when they put on syrup it melts almost instantly.

Cash only. Try the piña colada.

This was a perfect way to top off my 102 degree day out and about with my family. I had just wrapped up with the family and had a snow cone craving. Having driven by Sweet Caroline’s a couple of times, it came back to me from memory. I looked it up on Unilocal!I was glad I did, because I needed to stop by the ATM to t get cash, because one review said they only accepted cash.
My wife got a Pina Colada, which was spot on very sweet. I purchased a Wild Weston (Blue Raspberry, Pineapple, and Strawberry). To might delight it the color scheme was Jamaican-​ish (of course the heat was playing tricks on me), yea mon, nothing better than imagining I’m on a Jamaican beach with this snow cone in the middle of the city. However, the Wild Weston, was delicious and not as sweet as the Pina Coloda. I also liked the fact that there are a lot of flavors, but not an abundance where you’re deciding what will be the difference between cherry and black cherry! I didn’t get any toppings, but they do offer toppings. For a small size cone mine coned out the cup almost 3 inches not bad!
I will definitely be back.

I am not really a snow cone fan, but my sons are, and when I saw «New Orleans Style Snow Ball» I knew I had to give it a try. It was such a beautiful day today, how could I resist?
This place is just about everything you could ask for in a snowball stand. Friendly kids running a tiny little trailer, plenty of choices, reasonable prices (I guess… I’ve always thought snowballs or snow cones are generally overpriced, but whatever.)
I got a tiger’s blood and it had lots of fine snow and plenty o’ sweet juice. The kids got rainbows and were delighted. I just wish they had a couple of tables with umbrellas to go with the chairs, and we would have stayed to sit a spell.
The best part — my three-​year-​old dropped his snowball on the way to the car and they replaced it, free, no questions asked. That makes a happy kid, and DEFINITELY a happy mama!
We will definitely be back, especially if my sister comes to visit, she is a snow cone/​snowball/​shaved ice fanatic.
If you open another trailer please PLEASE come to Cedar Park! Y’all are just a little to far for us to make regular treks. You’d make a ton up here, I don’t think there is a single snow cone stand in this town!
I should also add that I didn’t know it was cash-​only until we got there, and I only had $ 7 cash which was just enough for 3 small snowballs with no fancies. Next time I plan on getting something a little more elaborate as they all sound DELICIOUS!

Oh, Sweet Caroline’s…how I love you so much!!! Being a recent transplant from New Orleans, I thought I had to leave snoballs 8 hours away until… I made my way down Anderson Mill and found what can only be described as heaven in a cup!
Their snoballs are seriously just as good as the best snoballs you’ll find in NOLA and that says A LOT! The staff is always so friendly and the owners couldn’t be better! What a great way for my family to scratch that homesick itch with an authentic New Orleans snoball.
My favorite is always the peach with condensed milk (Peaches and Cream). My oldest son digs into the stuffed snoball which is a snoball flavor of your choice and a big scoop of ice cream in the middle. He chooses rootbeer with vanilla ice cream to accomplish his version of a rootbeer float. It’s so good!!! My younger son sticks to the Incredible Hulk. It has a rainbow of three flavors and they top it with Nerds. I thought that was odd at first since I hadn’t heard of that topping for a snoball before but it is pretty dang tasty!!! My littlest son sticks with the classic strawberry and ends up looking like a miniature vampire with all the red on his mouth. It’s too funny when he smiles as he’s enjoying such a tasty treat!
We made sure to visit on the last two days that they’ll be open for the season and cannot wait for them to open again for the Spring. Follow them on their Facebook page for updates and hours. Bring cash and get the XL. Trust me, you’ll want more when you’re looking at the bottom of the M cup. Lol!
We miss you already, Sweet Caroline’s! See you in a few months! :)

I’m pregnant, and it’s really hot. So shaved ice suddenly sounded like a GREAT idea. I was excited to find there was something way up in this NW part of the world.
When I was in college there was a fantastic shaved ice place called Bahama Bucks that I frequented. They had like 100 flavors! My favorite combo was to get half Jamaican Rum and half cinnamon.
This place had a good selection of flavors, but not that many, and not those ones. I was a little disappointed about that, but they do let you sample the flavors they have, if you’re indecisive, and that was nice. I tried not to abuse the privilege.
I ended up getting half silver fox (sort of a vanilla/​almond) and half coffee. It was good. I got a medium, but I think a small would have been plenty.

Yeah, I’m one of *those* customers. The one that saunters up to the window of this sunny little locally owned shack like an ominous thundercloud and states «I don’t really like snow cones. What would you recommend?» I bet they hate folks like me… already determined not to like what they work hard to produce… but they never let on and were sweet as, well, as snow cone syrup.
Honestly, their options were numerous and overwhelming. Fifty plus flavors as well as add ins and options and combos. I was tempted to go dill pickle but didn’t think I could eat a bunch of that without some Russian vodka added in, so I of course went with the Tiger’s Blood, cause I’m winning. And since the idea of eating ice with syrup on it does not appeal to me, I kicked it up a notch (BAM!) with the «Special Cream», cause everything is better with cream on it.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked this! Tart berry flavors with the richness of sweet cream made me happy despite the fact that I was eating this in 50 degree temps and had begun to shiver uncontrollably. I think my lips were turning blue even tho my tongue was bright red. Quite clownish.
So, even tho I prioritize my calories differently… I would rather get them in wine than in syrup… I would come back for a summer treat, maybe ADD a little wine or prosecco in! Yeah… that’s the ticket.

What do New Orleans style snowballs, Ninja Turtles, Unilocalers, and the first day it actually felt like autumn all have in common?
Absolutely nothing – on a regular day. But on a Saturday afternoon in Northwest Austin, they all came together for Joe C.‘s ROTDC at Sweet Caroline’s Snow Shack.
Located off Anderson Mill and 183, Sweet Caroline’s is one of several family-​owned trailers located around the city, and thankfully they decided to set up shop in the far flung nether regions of NW Austin. They’re on the grass right outside one of those shopping centers that actually has a sign that says «Liquor & Guns». You know, the type of sign that doesn’t do a thing to dispel any awful stereotypes about Texas.
But Sweet Caroline’s and the employees are just as sweet as can be. Boasting 50 flavors from old stand-​bys such as cherry and bubble gum, to the more exotic such as sweet nectar and dill pickle, there is certainly something for everyone. Add in toppings such as whipped cream and Nerds candy, and it may take you a while to figure out just the right combination.
When I walked up, Shannon B. was already there with her family. I met her husband, and noticed her son whom I had met at our Yogertz shin dig was dressed as a Ninja Turtle. Having grown up a Ninja Turtle fanatic myself, I was heartened to see they were coming back. (Side note: I discovered a banana and lime snow cone here is called a «Ninja Turtle». Two references to the Turtles in as many minutes? How crazy is that?)
The woman in the cart told us we could sample anything, so I copied Shannon and sampled the dill pickle (with AND without their «sour spray»), just for the hell of it. While I liked it without the spray, I totally prefer a flavor more «in my comfort zone».
After much thought, I ordered their signature «Sweet Caroline»: Coconut, Strawberry, and Cream. I added Nerds, because I hadn’t had Nerds since I was like, 10. We sat in the comfy lawn chairs just a step away, and they will bring your snowball to you once it’s ready. We received a special offer of a medium size for the price of a small, and believe me – a medium size is a VERY generous portion.
I agree with Errol – I was never much of a snow cone fan, either. I couldn’t tell you the last time I had one, but again, it was probably when I was like, 10. But once I started digging into my treat, I realized I might be a fan again.
It was sweet, of course; but the best part was that it was chock full of Nerds. The initial presentation was deceiving. Once I started digging into the flavorful ice, I found more and more of the sweet and sour candies. I loved it. And even though it was kind of cold outside, I was still actually really jazzed about my deliciously cold treat. I can only imagine what it’s like to enjoy one when it’s scorching hot outside.
As I worked my way through my snow cone, not only did we discuss Unilocaler restaurant topics, but I realized I could carry on a conversation with a child about Ninja Turtles better than I could have imagined. We discussed such weighty issues as the difference between a «katana» and a «sai», why Donatello is our favorite (he’s usually the best player in any TMNT arcade game), and I may have lost my cool during a very heated debate about why they shouldn’t change the Turtles’ catch phrase from «Cowabunga», to «Booyakasha». Seriously, it’s a real thing. Look it up. DO NOT mess with a classic, I say!
As we wrapped up our time at the cart, two things occurred: 1.) We insisted Keri B. show us her recently purchased panties from Victoria’s Secret, along with her cute dress from bebe, and she said that was fine; and 2.) It was decided that since I was the only person in the circle who hadn’t been to Barley Swine, Errol would go with me that evening and introduce me to the phenomenon. I was excited. Finally – I could feel like a complete person again.
One disappointment: a Neil Diamond «Sweet Caroline» sing-​a-​long was conspicuously absent. But I’ll live.
Shannon remarked (as we ate our snow cones in 60 degree weather): «One day, we will all say: ‘Remember that time it was the first cold day after summer? And then we had snow cones?’»
And with a hint of nostalgia, I can say: «Yes, I’ll remember. And we rock.»
So does Sweet Caroline’s. 5 Stars.

I’m just not the biggest fan of snow cones. They always strike me as being halfway to ice cream, but somebody forgot to bring the rest of the ingredients. My family were big snow cone aficionados, so of course I chose to ignore them completely as I was growing up. But that’s another story.
The point is I’ve had exactly four snow cones since I’ve been in Austin, and three of them were because of Unilocalers I know. This latest one was for an ROTDC for Sweet Caroline’s. Was it as good as it gets? Sure, why not — I don’t do the stuff often, you get lots of good product for the price, and how many ways are there to reinvent frozen water and syrup? My «First Dance» house concoction of strawberry and wedding cake topped with cream was as yummy and tasty as anything I recall before, although I’m not sure why I kept calling it «First Date.»
There are apparently a handful of Sweet Caroline trailers around town, I don’t know what the story is, but the one here way up north on 183 and Anderson Mill has lots of easy parking, that Midori place is directly across the street, and there’s a Starbucks on the other side of 183. That pretty much covers all the food groups in one compact area. It occurs to me the snow cone business must be seasonal and subject to random weather outbursts on any given day.
In any case, I enjoyed chatting with Tara the owner, it’s always a pleasure to see Shannon and Brian again. Keri is one of my fave people and as always, spectacularly adorned by Petticoat Fair. And Nathan surprised me by being the first person I’ve actually seen in Austin with an i5 in their hand: At the last ROTDC we were at together, the two of us were the last Unilocalers in the entire Universe standing by our Blackberrys. That may have been around the time I had my last snow cone too. The times, they are a-​changin’.

Well, who am I to be the first non-​5* review for this location?
Came by on a not-​terribly-​hot Sunday afternoon. Uh oh, long line, and people waiting. Unfortunately, there was a lull earlier, and the poor guy’s helper was sent home for the day. But oh well, we were already there.
Normally I just stick to the one or two things I know I like. But I saw something that, as a greying 40-​something, intrigued me… Silver Fox.
«Oh, that? It’s a mix of almond and vanilla. Would you like a taste?»
Never turning down something free, I accept his offer, and proceed to get a tiny paper ketchup cup sample of the syrup. Now, straight snowcone syrup is strong enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. But I did like it. So instead of picking one of the plentiful combos on the board, I instead ask if he can just create for me «…a silver fox/tiger’s blood situation» (nope, neither of us said «winning»), which he happily agrees to do.
Then a charming young gal comes by, and he recruits her to join in on the cone-​making fun. Ends up, it was an employee that just happened to be coming by, who did an awesome job at helping him out of the hole. Her smile to all the customers seemed strong and genuine. Lickity split they caught back up, and my item was called for pickup.
«Ummm… Excuse me, what was that flavor he just picked up? Something about a fox?»
To which she replied: «Oh, that? That’s silver fox. It’s a mix of almond and Vanilla. Would you like a taste?»
We’ve also been to the other locations, on Mesa, and on Burnet. All of them have the same perfect ice, but this one is our fave. The seating area on the grass seemed more fun for some reason, except for the blaring music wafting over from the Texas Roadhouse parking lot. Maybe it was the staff, maybe it was the sweet little puppy that someone had brought. But no complaints about our visit.
PS May be hard to see from 183. It’s a couple hundred feet up Anderson Mill (towards Parmer), across Anderson Mill from the Walgreens. Park in that shopping center that includes the Compass Bank.