3 Ways to Keep Cool With Shaved Ice (Ice Baby)

Image: Monica Fuentes
Shaved ice takes many shapes in our diverse city. Whatever your mood, here’s where to get your fix:
Moody Ice
Among the many options at this Heights favorite are giant, fluffy Hawaiian shaved-ice treats. Flavors include lemon-lime, chocolate-coconut, and a creation we absolutely adore: an earthy matcha (green tea) ice topped with a helping of sweet azuki bean paste (vegan upon request).
Nu Ice & Drinks
If you’ve never had Taiwanese snowflake ice, you should know that it’s about going big. Novices to this Galleria-area cafe should try the milk tea flavor, which arrives in a veritable tower of ice ribbons. Go for the condensed milk topping and gummies, too.
Friohana Shave Ice
You can find this shaved-ice truck parked near Buffalo Bayou, among other places, when the sun is out (they always tweet the deets). And since many of the syrups are made from fresh fruit, these treats, which come in classic Hawaiian, New Orleans, and refresquería-inspired flavors—think tamarindo with chamoy topping, y’all—can’t be that bad for you. Right?