Snow Factory Waimalu

Supposedly this place wasn’t an «official» snow factory company which lead to the shut down :/​too bad cuz everyone i talked to loved this place… but never got around to trying this place…

My first time at this place. I had the Chocolate with mochi and condensed milk. My husband had the lychee flavored with condensed milk on top. It was very refreshing and tasted great! It was a nice light texture to it. The staff was very friendly and helpful in helping us choose a flavor. I highly recommend this place, especially on a hot day!

So gross. The flavor was nothing like remotely close to what it’s supposed to be. It tasted like chalky ice. Never mind that they give you a stamp card. Never going back anyway. Not one of the 5 in our party enjoyed it or could force ourselves to continue eating it. So disappointing.

This place is awesome. Yes, it is pricey for a cup of snow. Yes, the parking lot sucks. Yes, you unexpectedly become one of those people who are willing to punch a grandmother in the face to nab one of their hard-​to-​get tables. But at the end of the day, Snow Factory Waimalu has one of the tastiest ice treats I’ve ever had.
There’s no precise way to explain what they serve. The dessert has a texture that is almost like a flaky croissant that’s made entirely out of ice. This is then topped off with delicious little goodies that makes the treat savory.
I always get #18 and definitely recommend it. It’s taro-​flavored ice with condensed milk, mochi balls, and azuki beans. A great combination of flavors and textures and for the first time today I remembered to take a picture of it before scarfing it down.
I don’t really know how they run their business because they share the same room with Aloha Crepes. There’s always a ton of customers in there and not enough employees and space. Don’t expect to snag a seat or your treat right away. If you have time and $ 6 bucks to kill, though, try this place out. It’s a nice change up from ice cream and shave ice.

I went to try out this place because I’ve heard good things about it. My brother and I were going to share a snow combo which had chocolate, but they had no chocolate whatsoever, so we decided just to get a regular with two flavors. I thought the snow really did taste like snow, like I was sitting outside eating snow… it was weird… I definitely would not pay the price to eat it again, I prefer shave-​ice instead.

This is definitely not shave ice. The snow has a different texture to it, it is pretty good and reasonable priced. The workers were really nice. ID Card is accepted here.

My friends at work told me about the one in McCully Shopping Center but we hardly ever go to that area. So when we were told that they opened this location we were on it!
Another friend from work been here and raved about it, saying how it’s so good and better than shave ice. I was thinking to myself, «yeah right».

So we finally made it there, my gf ordered the taro and coconut, I had the strawberry and vanilla w/​condensed milk, chocolate syrup and mochi balls.
We were the only ones in line, after ordering we sat down. My gf’s order took about five minutes. Someone else came in and ordered. They got theirs in about five minutes… hmmmm. Then a few minutes later I got mine. That’s the only downside, it does take a while.
Well worth the wait! Flavors were really good, the texture is hard to explain. Definitely not shaved ice, not ice cream but more like a shaved frozen yogurt? If that makes sense? You gotta try this! Price wise it’s about the same if you go to one of those specialty ice cream or frozen yogurt places. But this is waaaay better!
Gotta say my friend was right, this IS better than shave ice!

I came here with no idea of what it was. The sign says «This is not shave ice, frozen yogurt, or ice cream.» Okay I get it. So we order a combo, which was strawberry/​vanilla with mochi balls and azuki beans, condensed milk and chocolate syrup. We got extra mochi balls instead of the azuki beans.
My opinion… THIS SUCKS!!! It was waaay too sweet, the mochi balls weren’t that good and it felt like I was eating mush. The texture was like mush. The best way I can describe it is like a hybrid of shaved ice and ice cream. Anyway, this is not my cup of tea. For almost $ 6, I’d rather eat dessert elsewhere.
I definitely will NOT be back.

The texture of the «snow» is pretty interesting. The #1 is really tasty.
The reason for the 3 stars is due to the service. We asked to try a piece of azuki bean because we didn’t know if we’d like it but the guy with the crazy hair and tats said no. We ordered a #1 with no azuki beans and he proceeded to give us our order WITH beans. Pretty ridiculous. I’ll stick to shaved ice from ice garden.

Love the first time you try this snow. It’s like nothing I have ever tasted during my time in HI we came here a few times so I got to try a few different combinations, like milk and coffee, strawberry, mango, taro, melon, but my favorite was definitely the coffee and milk. The pricing is a little steep but it is HI. Other than that the service was a hit and miss and the place always smelled of a combination of crepes and pine-​sol, probably the biggest turn off. Definitely will be back next time we are in HI.

I always go to the Snow Factory in McCully but since my family and I had dinner at Bravo’s we decided to stop here for dessert. I thought the service and whatnot would be just like McCully but I was wrong.
The man at the register was incredibly slow. I don’t know what he was doing on his computer, but it took him so long just to put in a quick order which I didn’t understand because he would just write it on the bottom of our bowl and give it to the people in the back. The line was short but we waited forever!
Then, they had a «mix up» and my mom ended up waiting almost 20 minutes for hers. So when she went up to the register the man was still in the back so the girl from the crepes side had to call him out. Even then he took long. Turns out they hadn’t even made it and he said «sorry, there was a mix up.» My mom just asked for her money back and he gave it to her plus the snow.
Another thing that bothered me was the fact that they used paper bowls. Hello… paper + melted snow = soggy bowl. Gross.
The service just totally sucked and was not a good first impression. Plus the parking in that lot sucks too. I don’t think I’ll be returning to that one. McCully is where it’s at!

I’m so far away from being a dessert snob… if it’s sweet, I’ll eat it! But, it does take quite a bit for me to rant and rave about something… and I’ll tell you this much, Snow Factory is rant and rave worthy. I ordered the #01 combo — strawberry and vanilla with condensed milk, chocolate syrup and mochi balls… One taste and I was hooked. There’s really no other way of describing the texture of it, aside from whay’s advertised ‘frozen cotton candy’… So good, so worth it, so happy it’s closer to home!

Tried out Snow Factory while running errands, and I’m stoked! Ordered the 17 (green tea snow ice with mochi, azuki beans, and condensed milk), and the 18 (taro snow ice with mochi, azuki beans, and condensed milk). Fluffy tasty snow with gooey sweet milk topping, chewy mochi and creamy beans! So so so good! Portions are decent, I was very pleased. And I love the vinyl covered chair seats with cute printed fabric. The guy at the counter actually messed up and made a 13 instead of what I ordered, but he was nice about it, and apologized when he hand delivered the right order to my table. Thank you sir!

I like this Snow Factory better than the one at McCully Shopping Center. They have lots of combos for a delicious dessert. My bf and I split the strawberry and vanilla with condensed milk and chocolate syrup and mochi balls. The regular serving is huge! A good size to share with someone. The place is kind of small but has good AC which I liked since it was blazing hot outside.
The only thing I didn’t like about this place is how dirty the chairs look. It looked like they were picked up from the side of the road… totally soiled and stained. I didn’t really want to sit on them. However, despite how gross the chairs looked, the dessert made up for them.

Glad that there is SNOW on the west side. It beats having to truck it out to McCully Shopping Center. Tasty flavors and toppings. Staff seemed friendly enough. It is connected to Aloha Crepes. The indoor seats were damaged with stains and not welcoming to sit on to enjoy your dessert. But, we intended to take it to go. The place could be a little more clean and organized.

This is NOT shave ice, frozen yogurt, or ice cream, but what it is, is ADDICTING! so addicting, I became the Duke of this place! (and I still am, for now.)
«frozen cotton candy» and «guri guri» (from Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui) are
what people «associate» the texture and appearance of this «snow» and try to compare with when they first get a taste of this latest frozen concoction.
They offer about 20 different flavors of snow, and you can have it by itself, or as one of their many creative combos. My Favorite is the Taro and Coconut Snow with Condensed Milk, Mochi, Azuki Beans, and Coconut Jelly.
One of the Guys behind the counter says it is «something» they do with their snow that contributes to the appearance and texture (Liquid Nitrogen??? Hmmmm???)
The snow is actually dairy based, flavored (I’m guessing by boba drink powders because that’s what it tastes like), frozen, and then shaved, resulting in that unusual appearance.(Their machines are blocked from public view???) What’s also unusual is that this snow doesn’t melt as quick as shave ice does, and you eat it with a FORK as opposed to a spoon and straw!!!
During our short vacation, we also hit up Island Snow and Waiola Shave Ice which doesn’t even compare, but were total disappointments IMO… ALOHA!!!
Unilocal 365 CHALLENGE-(46/365) «Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!»

In the area and gave this place a try. Located near Kapiolani Coffee Shop in the Waimalu Cntr.
Great selections. Tasty cool treat but the texture is bit odd for me. I would prefer yogurt or shave over this but it was tasty.
Other reviews describe is as «Frozen Cotton Candy» is spot on. The photos of the treats looks like shave ice but is not. I am sure i will be back for another taste.

HC and I had tried the Snow Factory frozen «cotton candy» in town, so when I heard that there was a new location close to us, I was excited to have the frozen treat again.
I noticed at this location, they had combos, which were basically the frozen treats with a variety if toppings, which included mochi balls, condensed milk, and azuki beans. I liked how they had pictures of the different combos. I ended up with a #20, which was pineapple flavored with li hing powder, mochi balls and condensed milk. HC got a #16, which was li hing flavored with the powder, mochi balls, and condensed milk. We were both extremely satisfied with our picks. There were several others who were there enjoying their treats as well. Prices were reasonable with small combos being $ 5.50. It was a great treat for a hot day.

Snow Factory Waimalu is open! It is located in the Waimalu Shopping Center and shares the same space as Aloha Crepes. I don’t know if it’s the same owner or what but I’m SOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited it’s here!
I was going back to Baldwin’s to get some snacks and while I drove around the extremely ridiculously full lot I saw the sign. To my surprise it was open! Yay! So of COURSE I had to stop in.
The people working were absolutely awesome! Very friendly and welcoming. I got the lychee flavor, without all the extras on it. I figure until I try all the flavors plain is great. But the lychee was very tasty…
I met 2 nice ladies there that were trying Snow for the first time… And we came up with the description of «shaved frozen guri guri.» Now, if you’ve had guri guri, it’s kinda like a milky icee but more frozen like ice cream rather than drinkable like an Icee. Also it’s very smooth. So to me, I guess that’s the best description of Snow… although once you taste it I’m sure you will come up with your own description.
They had many flavors and the small single (what I got) only costs $ 4! It’s served in a styrofoam bowl and heaped pretty high. True to the original location, the already made combo options are displayed and they also had dry toppings (no extra charge) that you can add to your mountain of snow. I had to laugh at the sign up on the menu that says «THIS IS NOT SHAVE ICE» cause at first glance you may think it’s shave ice.
If you enjoy Snow Factory in McCully, you will definitely enjoy this location! Especially if you live this side of the island. Also, if you’re with friends who want something else, since it shares space with Aloha Crepes you have variety! The only junkie thing about Waimalu Shopping Center is the parking so just be patient cause Snow Factory is totally worth circling twice to find a space!
#Yelp 365 Challenge-​034/​365