There is no shaking this Texas heat, it clings to you like the aroma of barbacoa on a Sunday morning. Stepping outside in the summertime means risking third-degree burns and sweating off more than half your body weight. But luckily for us, San Antonio is home to many great spots that specialize in favorite frozen treats. From raspas to mangonadas, here’s a list of places to stop by and get a tasty snack that will keep your insides cool during the summer.
Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More
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Winner of SA Current’s “Best of SA: Best Raspa” this year, Las Nieves Fruit Cups & More is worth a stop! But it’s not their traditional raspas that has everyone raving, it’s their Italian shaved ice, also called a nieve. Imagine fruit-flavored snow in a cup—that’s what you’re getting when you order their natural fruit shaved ice in one of their fourteen flavors. Want a mangonada-eque taste? The mango shaved ice topped with chamoy and chili powder is just for you. Something a little sweeter? Try the strawberry or piña colada. You can enjoy your refreshing shaved ice with some friends at the Hildebrand location’s patio seating or swing by one of their food trucks. With various locations throughout SA, check out their website to find the closest one near you.
Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats
If you’re looking for a mangonada with a splash of creativity, Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats is the spot. Their menu offers mangonadas and fresanadas (the strawberry version of a mangonada) with cucumbers, pickles and even gummy bears. Big Daddy’s also allows their customers to customize their “-nada” to their liking with more than ten different delicious add-ons. Each towering treat is bathed in chamoy and chili powder and ready for devouring. Another popular snack is their Blue Dream—a blue coconut syrup and ice cream combo. You can find Big Daddy’s at 228 E. Cevallos and at 5368 W. Military Dr. and read more about Big Daddy’s on SA Flavor here!
Chamoy City Limits
Chamoy City Limits is a food truck that takes the classic raspa and transforms it into a one-of-a-kind concoction. Their raspas are mountains of ice, loaded with different flavored syrups and toppings, like their Shark Bite (cherry, pineapple brine, jalapeno syrup, and chamoy) and Grape Invader (grape brine, blue coconut, chamoy and cherry Kool-aid). Their menu offers a large variety from sweet to spicy and everything in between. The best part is that Chamoy City Limits makes their own syrups and chamoy, adding to their distinct taste. Their food truck can typically be found at Lion’s Field off of Broadway, but it’s best to follow them on social media to see what location they’ll hit up next. Read more about them on SA Flavor here!
Snowcone Addiction
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Snowcone Addiction lives up to their name. This food truck has garnered a large fanbase because of its “Gorilla Drank” and “Gorilla Blood”—secret mixtures of Kool-Aid flavors complemented with lemon wedges. You can even add a scoop of ice cream to top off your “drank” or purchase a gallon to satisfy your cravings from the comforts of your home (and away from the blazing sun). Snowcone Addiction also receives praise for their mangonadas, piccadillys, affordable prices and homely atmosphere thanks to owner Ernest Morales—AKA Mr. Drank! Follow Snowcone Addiction on Facebook or Instagram to be updated on their daily whereabouts.
SA Pops
Paleta shop SA Pops shows that simplicity in ingredients can pack a yummy punch. Their paletas are handcrafted and offered in an assortment of colorful flavors, like mango chamoy, pink lemonade and fan-favorite pistachio. After ordering your paleta, you can have it covered in chocolate and/or coated in pistachios. But the most impressive part about this shop is each paleta’s packaging has the ingredients neatly printed on the front, displaying how natural their products truly are. You’ll be amazed at how many paletas are made out of ingredients that you can count on one hand. SA Pops is located at 3420 N. Saint Mary’s St. and you can read more about them on SA Flavor here.
San Antonio definitely has many places that serve incredible frozen treats, so if yours didn’t make the list, hit us up on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with your favorite place to beat the heat!
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