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 253 - Two Chicks Walking Tours
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guest today is a long time sponsor of the podcast, and the founder of Two Chicks Walking Tours.
info_outline
EP 252 - Q & A July 2026
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
This week's episode is a Q&A show with questions from listeners like you. 02:13 - Cliff Hochberg - under appreciated neighborhood 03:55 - Dan Tamura - three traits it takes to live in New Orleans 06:20 - Heather Heise - New Orleans Opera Festival 08:20 - Nick Savides - Tales of the Cocktail 10:35 - Mark Wingfield - Rainy Day Drinks 12:14 - Mark - Where to find oysters 14:50 - Mark - How to Save NO Restaurants 17:06 - Steve Mule - Decatur Street Construction 19:35 - Jeff Singer - Under-appreciated museums 21:45 - Meera - Out of the way activities 23:56 - Mike Tuomey - How...
info_outline
EP 251 - Revisiting the Upstairs Lounge Fire
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is is a replay of one I did several years ago about the fire at the Upstairs Lounge. The anniversary of this tragic event was on June 24th, so I thought it was a good time to play it again for those who might not have been listening back then. I think it’s one of the most moving and important episodes I’ve recorded.
info_outline
EP250 - Dining with Ian McNaulty
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today, I’m joined by local food writer Ian McNaulty to talk about what’s going on with dining and drinking in New Orleans.
info_outline
EP 249 - Oysters
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s show is all about oysters! I’m down in Grand Isle, about two hours South of New Orleans. I’m joined by the owner of Bayside Oysters, Mr. Kirk Curole
info_outline
EP 248 - Summer in New Orleans
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
This week's episode is all about things to do in the summer in New Orleans. We discuss ways to beat the heat, summer time festivals, and more!
info_outline
EP 247 - Live at Seven Three Distilling
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is our fisrt ever podcast recorded in front of a live audience. We’re at Seven Three Distillery and interviewing their head distiller, Luka Cutura..
info_outline
EP 246 - Accidental Cajun Experiences
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s show is focused on a local business that offers cullinary tours of New Orleans called Accidental Cajun Experiences. It’s led by James Cullen, a chef and photographer. James is also a former guest on the podcast, a sponsor of the podcast, and the person who did much of the photography found in my travel guide book.
info_outline
EP 245 - St. Roch Market
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
My guest has been a vendor at St. Roch Market since its 2015 reopening — and when the historic food hall was on the brink of closing in 2023, he refused to let it die. Today he runs the whole operation, a 150-year-old New Orleans landmark home to twelve independent vendors serving everything from Gulf oysters to Egyptian falafel to Burmese noodles under one roof on St. Claude Avenue. Join me and Kevin Pedeaux as we discuss the St. Roch Market.
info_outline
EP 244 - New Orleans Traditional Jazz Camp
Beyond Bourbon Street, an Insider's Guide to New Orleans
Today’s episode is all about a traditional jazz camp held each year in New Orleans. About 15 years ago my guest, Banu Gibson, looked up and realized there was no jazz camp in New Orleans, so she and a couple other people decided to create one. Join me as we learn all about the camp - what it's about, who it's for, and how even non-participants can enjoy their work!
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!
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you enjoy the show, please subscribe to the podcast on
Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play Music or wherever you get your podcasts. If you do enjoy listening, please share Beyond Bourbon Street with someone who shares our love of New Orleans.
Join Us on Facebook
We have a free Facebook group where you can ask questions, share your New Orleans experiences and engage with others who love all things New Orleans! Join us by going to beyondbourbonst.com/facebook
Contact Us
Got an idea for an episode, have some feedback or just want to say hi?
Leave us a message at 504-475-7632 or send an email to mark@beyondbourbonst.com
Thanks for listening!
Mark