Hansen's Sno-Bliz and the Story of the New Orleans Snowball - Episode 227
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Release Date: 04/04/2025
EP 242 - 2026 Mardi Gras Preview with Arthur Hardy
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
As we’ve done for many years, today we’re going to preview Mardi Gras 2026 with our friend Arthur Hardy. This one is especially sweet as Arthur is retiring after 50 years. We look back on his career, on the iconic Mardi Gras Guide he created, and look to the future and what this Carnival season holds for us.
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EP 241 - Tenth Anniversary Show
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today's episode is both a celebration of our 10th anniversary, and a question and answer show. Here are the timestamps for each question: 06:00 - Timbo Kite - ICE Impact 07:18 - Chad Lancaster - Pitching Guests 12:33 - Tracy Popken - Mardi Gras House Decorations 15:56 - Charles Goldberg - Mark’s Interview Style 25:27 - Cliff Hochberg - Moving Back to Raise the Girls 31:23 - Mark Wingfield - Things You’ve Changed Your Mind On 35:50 - Jeff Singer - How New Orleans Has Changed Since You Started the Show 39:35 - Brandon Breath - What Surprised You Most to Learn About the City 44:27 -...
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EP 240 - Holiday Hodgepodge
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is all about things to do in December and early next year in New Orleans.
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EP 239 - Meteorologist Margaret Orr
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Meteorologists in New Orleans tend to become well known locally, probably due to our reliance on them during hurricanes. My guest today retired in 2024 after a long career as chief meteorologist at WDSU tv. Join me as I interview Margaret Orr about her career, Mardi Gras, retirement, and more.
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EP 238 - The Life and Legacy of Anne Rice
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today's episode is all about the author Anne Rice, known for her books about vampires. To help me dive into all things Anne Rice, I’m, joined by Joel Sharpton, co-host of the podcast The Articulate Coven.
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EP 237 - The Obituary Cocktail
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today's show is about a darkly named drink; the Obituary Cocktail. Made with gin, vermouth, and absinthe, it's origin is as mysterious as its name. Join me and author Sue Strachan as we discuss the drink, its origin, and where to sample one.
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EP 236 - Loretta's Authentic Pralines
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s epsiode is about two of my favorite New Orleans treats, pralines and beignets. One of my favorite places to get both is Loretta’s Authentic Pralines. I’m joined today by the owner of Loretta’s, Mr .Robbie Harrison to discuss pralines, beignet's, and his mother's legacy. We also dive into the upcoming Beignet Fest.
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EP 235 - The Trail They Blazed: Civil Rights in New Orleans
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today, we talk about an exhibit at the Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) called The Trail they Blazed, featuring notable people and moments in the fight for civil rights in New Orleans and Louisiana at large. I am joined by HNOC curator Eric Seiferth.
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EP 234 - Antigravity Magazine
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Ever wonder about those free magazines you pick up around town? Well, I did. It led me down the path of wanting to find out more about Antigravity Magazine. Join me and editor/publisher Dan Fox as we discuss what Antigravityh is all about!
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EP 233 - Save Our Cemeteries, an Interview with Sally Asher
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Discover the unique charm and rich history of New Orleans' cemeteries, where each one tells its own story. Explore beyond the famous spots and uncover hidden gems with Sally Asher in our latest episode
info_outlineHansen'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 86th season in 2025. 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!
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!
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Thanks for listening!
Mark