Snow Ono Shave Ice

Snow Ono is the real deal. She has a ton of yummy flavors and the portions are huge! Marianne always remembers us and makes us feel like we are a part of her ohana. The customer service here is just as amazing as the shaved ice. She closes down for a bit in the winter when Vegas gets a little chilly so I make sure to get my fill in all summer long. There is usually a long line but its cause they are so good. It is worth the wait! Snow Ono is the perfect Vegas treat.
Marianne recently sold the business. I hope whoever bought it got all her secrets and Aloha spirit. Looking forward to the weather warming up and getting my Ono fix.

I have known about Snow Ono for a long time, but only had a chance to try it last week. Specifically, their last two days of business. :(Yeah, I know, I am from Hawaii and love shave ice, but I don’t really do well with following food trucks. :P Sadly, they have shut down for good, but I’m happy I tasted the best shave ice ever! You heard that right folks, Snow Ono is better than any shave ice in Hawaii! Why? The ice is like a powder. You don’t need to chew on bits of ice because it it smooth and just melts in your mouth! Yum!
My favorite flavors and toppings were strawberry and mango with condensed milk and mochi bits. It was nice of them to give out free shave ice (and pizza from Biaggio’s Pizza) to all their customers on the last day. Although it was 50 degrees out and freezing, we could not put our spoons down until the last bite. It was totally worth it!
I’ll miss you Snow Ono!

Just preparing to write this review has got my mouth watering…
We’re punished in the summers with the scorching hot heat from the Vegas sun, but I believe everything happens for a reason. So from this torching summer fire we endure every year, comes the birth of a snow cone food truck to ease your troubles (yes they do).
The girls that run this truck are actually snow angels, blessing us with a gift of pure heaven! Good, soft, cool, sugary heaven. I love how they give you the option of the amount of syrup you’d like (light, normal, or heavy) and the fact they offer punch cards to redeem for a free snow cone in the future, if you fulfill the punches of course.
I’ve tried the Tiger’s Blood and the Melona. Tiger’s Blood is a popular choice and it isn’t bad. but I prefer the Melona. Add some condensed milk and it’s like you’re eating a Melona Bar! .If you haven’t tried Melona Bars then you need to start looking into it, I mean it! You also have the options to add on things like ice cream, mochi, a sour spray, etc!
They have several flavors but I honestly wished they had more (greedy much? why, yes, yes i am hehe). I just miss my black berry. black cherry, ice tea, cantaloupe, options that I had in TX. But still I’d have to say the snow in Vegas beats the one in TX!
In regards to sizing of cups, the kids cup is enough for one person! Small is perfect for two, and it’s like a party with anything larger!

Thank goodness Snow Ono was there to cool us off during First Friday. There was a new bunch crankin’ out the shave ice and I was told Marianne is more behind the scenes now, and makes a cameo appearance every once in a while.(Good for you Marianne!)
As always, I go big, and I go with a Tiger’s Blood with the Snow Cap and Popping Boba cause that combo is DA WINNAH! (Try it, you’ll see what I’m talkin’ ’bout!!!) Softest, smoothest ice EVER!!!
I said it before, and I’ll say it again– I grew up eating shave ice all over Hawaii (Matsumoto’s Shimazu’s Baldwin’s, Aoki’s, Island Snow and even Waiola-​BOTH locations (considered the best in Hawaii by MANY) They ain’t got nothing on Snow Ono… and that’s the fact JACK… ALOHA!!!
,

ONO INDEED!
POG is my favorite flavor and I usually get it with pineapple as well. It’s like being back on da islands. Love it!

We attended the Studio 21 Tattoo charity event and Snow Ono was on hand to provide some cool chill relief! They even had a special shaved ice concoction that included sailor Jerry spiced rum in the mix for the day.
Finally I had my chance to try some of the ice cold refreshing bliss that was so refreshing on this humid day.
I chose half banana and half red velvet cake with a free topping of sweetened condensed milk. Mmmmm yum!
It was very tasty and everything I had hoped it would be! The girls working the truck today were sweethearts and I did see their proud Unilocal sticker displayed.
Mmmm they gave me a buy 9 shaved ice treats and get one free card that also has their info on where to find them located throughout the day for my next fix!
Mmmmmm such a sweet treat to fight off the heat. Will for sure be enjoying again soon next time I need a little magic in my mouth…

omg this is what you NEED when the weather is hot and the sun is beating down on you.
I had the kid’s size (this is after my massive lunch of Hawaiian food plus poke) Tiger’s Blood and oh my lord it was DELICIOUS! the sno cone is not snow cone it’s better than that. The way their ice was so smooth and the consistency was awesome.
Geoff got the lime and lemon mix and that was yummy too.
Snow Ono you know what you’re doing.

Gave these guys another chance at the cinco de mayo celebration at nacho daddy’s. This time things were a lot better. The service was a lot more quicker. I had the watermelon shaved ice w/​condensed milk. I have no idea how they make their ice but you would swear that you are eating a sorbet of some sort. It was so creamy. This is not your dad’s shaved ice. I’ll definetely be back!!!

Expect a mound of ice and two teaspoons a flavor, but try the condensed milk. It’s good!
I chased the truck forever! Last month at First Friday or something downtown, I finally caught it and I had cash (required). They have a bagillion flavors. red velvet cake, pink lemonade, birthday cake. Interesting stuff.
I went with pink lemonade and the classic Tiger’s Blood with a drizzle of the condensed milk. I dug my spoon into my spoon into the concoction twice before I reached pure unflavored ice (insert disappointment).
Did I mention that it’s expensive? Yeah. too much for what you get. If it were a premium item I wouldn’t mind paying extra, but it really didn’t meet my expectations.
I’d pass!

Creamy Ice — Oh yes– So darn refreshing and yummers!!!
I finally got the chance to try Snow Ono at the Fresh 52 Farmer’s Market at the Sansone Plaza right near my house.
I saw the truck there before but it was just too cold but today was a sunny 74 degrees and I knew I was ready to try the Famous Sno Ono Truck.
I got a small (that size is too big so I suggest a kid’s size) POG –Passion, Orange & Guava topped with Sweet Condensed Milk and Mochi Bits. Onolicious!!! You can easily distinguish all the different flavors, the condensed milk just adds to the creaminess and the mochi bits are so soft and chewy. I loved this combo!!!
The BF wanted a Rasta Rainbow so he got lime, strawberry and pineapple. He enjoyed his combo as well. I tried his and the lime was rather tart so I think next time I’ll get lime with sprinkled lemon/​lime salt on top and some sour spray. My lips are smacking as I write!!!
I love that there are so many flavors to choose from, other than something for your sweet tooth they also have options for those who want a sour tangy experience as well, the ice is so creamy and hello, they have mochi bits!!!
I have a feeling Snow Ono is going to be a constant cold treat for me this summer,…

I discovered shave ice back during my Kauai adventure. I’ve always loved sno-​cones, but so entranced was I by these delicious treats, I would actually stop what I was doing on my trip, drive across the island, and hit up Wishing Well as fast as I could. Upon returning home, I checked into shave ice rehab, and knew the day would come when I would fall off the wagon.
Enter South Point’s Food Truck Fest.
Snow Ono actually parked in front of our business during an event one day, but I was too busy to try them out. This time, I was going for it.
So I waited in a crazy long line, but it gave me time to size up flavors, and all the little side additions that they would put upon it. Upon getting to the window, the lady asked what I wanted, and she must have hexed me or something, because I was pretty much answering «okay» to whatever suggestion she offered to enhance the shave ice experience.
I waited a little more, and was served this beast of a treat that was three parts tasty, four parts delicious, and another three parts heaven. So what if it was early February and I was freezing my butt off? Man, that shave ice was awesome. I saved a little for the missus, and then had to fight her off from eating the rest of it.
I’m telling you now: When it hits those batmess hot 100+ degree temperatures this Summer, I am hunting these guys out. I don’t care if they end up making their way to Pahrump. I’ll still drive over there to find them. If I can cover an island, I can make any drive. Gollum has his ring obsession. Mine lies in shave ice.
Actually, writing about it now makes me want one…

I had SnOw OnO from when their truck came to UNLV. They were giving away free shaved ice to students who had voted in the UNLV student government elections.
I was imagining a product like a snow cone… something icy and filled with really sweet and artificial flavors. This was not it. The ice was powdery and it had the consistency of snow as opposed to ice. The flavorings tasted real and not artificial. It’s what a snow cone should be. If you have the opportunity to try their products, go for it!
I had blue hawaiian which had a lovely coconut flavor that wasn’t overpowering, and I also had the green apple which was tart without being too tart. They have mastered the art of their flavorings. Next time, I’m definitely going to try their red velvet cake flavor.

I am extremely judicious in giving 4 & 5 star reviews so please don’t kill me, angry mob of loyal Ono fans.
It is election day @ UNLV today and student government is using student funds to buy each voter a snocone. I voted so I got a ticket, good for one free kid cone. Normally they are $ 3 but they are more than enough for an adult.
I wasn’t sure if the add ons were included today, otherwise I would have gotten sour spray. Cherry, blue rasberry and blackberry were the flavors I picked. Blackberry was really strong and was my favorite. I almost spit out the cherry. I thought they got my order wrong because it tasted like my most hated flavor — bubblegum. I thought «of all flavors to accidently give me, it had to be that one? I would have preferred any flavor, even say, grass flavor, to bubblegum.» Yeah it was inedible on that corner because of the overwhelming similarity to that heinous flavor that permeates all flavors in hell — bubblegum. AGH! Please, Snow Ono, change your cherry syrup to a more cherry flavored one.
I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority here, but I love crunchy snocones. This reminded me of a Slurpee texture — soft, almost pudding consistency.
I’ll give it another try on a warmer day. I’m eyeing the pomegranate + sour spray + condensed milk.
Update: I appreciate the owner comment. I will be back with little siblings in tow!

I recently checked out the Food Truck Festival in Las Vegas and was delighted this truck made an appearance. The title of the truck alone clued me in these folks were the real mccoy. Having dated a girl from Hawaii, I learned that Hawaiians call it shave ice, not shaved ice, although the grammatical inconsistency still baffles me. I guess one could argue popcorn should be popped corn, but I digress… The other word I learned is that ono means «delicious» in Hawaii, although it may as well be your last words when you realize you’ve already eaten the entire bowl and there’s none left (Oh Nooooooooo!!!).
It’s the perfect dessert for the vegas summer since it is refreshingly sweet and they have a million combinations ranging from tropical (mango and lychee) to the decadent (wedding cake, red velvet) to the bizarre (afraid of what «Tiger Blood» tastes like). I went with the lychee shave ice and added some mochi balls and azuki beans. The ice is definitely velvety smooth without the choppiness of snow cones and they managed to distribute the syrup evenly throughout the bowl so that every bite is consistent. Mochi balls had the right amount of chew for contrast in texture and azuki beans added some depth and color. Sweet condensed milk and vanilla ice cream were other options, but I was already dangeously close to approaching a diabetic coma, so my only recommendation would be to request them to go easy on the syrup, but then again, my sweet tooth is a bit on the subtle side.

We love these girls and we love their shaved ice!
SnOw OnO has been on our radar since the first mention of their truck and we finally got around to trying them a few months ago! Boy, are we glad we did!
For the Husband and I, we usually share a large with ice cream added. Our favorite flavors are POG (Passion, Orange, Guava), Mango, Tiger’s Blood, and Melona. But there are still so many we have yet to try! They use those plastic flower cups (that are recyclable) that are often used in Hawai’i. We think their version is powdery soft, just like Waiola’s!
They have about 40 (give or take) flavors of syrups to choose from and you’re allocated three for your shaved ice choice. They also have sugar-​free varieties too!
Customer service — these girls are super nice! Not only do they do their best to remember you, but they make a point to thank you for coming by again and again. (And you actually feel like they really mean it too!) On our first visit, they made sure we had enough syrup for our shaved ice and if we didn’t, to let them know so they could add more.
This the real deal here! No snow cone action! Just real island style shaved ice! The President would be proud! If he can’t make it home and has to stay on the mainland, he knows where to go now! This truck will be waiting!
Prices:
Kids size $ 2
Small $ 3
Large $ 4
Bowl $ 5
$ 1 extra for ice cream, mochi, or azuki beans
Free for snow cap with condensed milk, chocolate, caramel, sour spray, or li hing powder.
Check out their website for their weekly schedule. For the most part, they are pretty steady on certain days, but private and special events mix it up a bit!

Saw that the shave ice truck was going to be at Fresh 52 Farmers Market so I headed on over there. It was busy afternoon for sure but I was willing to wait cause oh how I miss shaved ice from Hawaii!
Service — Excellent! They treat you like Ohana!
When I ate that first spoonful I’m telling you, Sno Ono didn’t disappoint. This is da real thing! Powdery soft melt in your mouth take you back to da islands kinda shave ice. I was happy to see they had Lychee! So I had Lychee, Blue Hawaiian and Guava w/​condensed milk and not a small cup, not the large one, but the bowl! Oh so ONOlish!

I am so glad that there is a Hawaiian shaved ice truck here in Las Vegas. Going to food truck gatherings, especially when the weather is getting warm, it is a godsend to be able to hit up the SnOw OnO Shave Ice truck and order a bowl (largest size available) of shaved ice to cool your insides.
For those that are not familiar with SnOw OnO, you can order up to 3 different flavors for your shaved ice out of their menu of 30+ flavors. You also have different add-​ons that can be selected for free (sour spray, condensed milk, plum powder, etc) and others you can upgrade with for a nominal price (scope of vanilla ice cream $ 1, red beans, mochi bits) to customize your shaved ice into your personal favorite.
My favorite flavors thus far are lilikoi, lychee, and mango. But you should try whatever flavors that catches your eyes or ask the lovely ladies of SnOw OnO to make something up for you.
Tips: At food truck gatherings, try to hit up SnOw OnO early, as the line can get pretty long on hot days. If the line is long, place your order, go get some food from another truck and come back to wait for your order to be made. No need to stand around in line waiting for your number to be called.
Service: ⁵⁄₅ Always service with a smile.
Taste: ⁵⁄₅ Yes, it is flavored syrup on shaved ice, but it is real shaved ice!

If u know shave ice — and I mean, shave ice. like da kine from Hawaii (pidgeon coming out) — then, you know that this is LEGIT!!!
Ice is suuuuuuuuuuper soft. Not no ice chunks or bits but, just melts in your mouth goodness.
And they have the best flavors!
Just to name a few: POG (passion orange guava), horchata (with cinnamon sprinkled on there), wedding cake, king’s cake, AND tiger’s blood. HAHA #WINNING
This stuff is perfect for the Summer heat we about to have in Vegas. And something I could still prolly go for in Winter.

Let’s get on to confusions first. This is NOT a snowcone! There is a DIFFERENCE!
Snowcones is like snow, rougher, uneven pieces of ice because you use the machine to crush ice into small pieces. It’s kinda crunchier pieces and doesnt hold syrup as well. Shave (d) Ice is finer fluffy ice and comes from shaving off fluff from a block of ice. It holds syrup better so you get full flavor in every bite and melts the flavor into your mouth like how cotton candy would.
They’re the only shave ice in town, but I think I could still say it’s the best. There are so many syrup flavors to choose from so there is something for everyone and they’re the real deal, shipped from Hawaii syrups. There are a few sugar free options too (the consistency of the ice slightly changes with that syrup– but still amazing for those who can’t do sugar!). You can pick up to 3 flavors and a «snowcap» of either chocolate, caramel or condensed milk syrup on top. Premium toppings can be added on: vanilla ice cream, azuki beans, li hing mui powder, mochi bits.
The sizes are generous– a small ($ 3) is way more than enough for me. Vanilla ice cream ($ 1 more) and condensed milk is a must! My favorite flavors so far are: melon, rosewater, green tea, POG (passionfruit, orange, guava mix), lychee.
Can’t beat the quality, generous portions and variety for the price.
Customer service is really good and friendly. Yes, I know the ladies through the Unilocal so I may be biased a bit, but really– they’re always so nice! What Hawaiian business isn’t about hospitality though?!!
It’s getting hot so come and cool down with something Ono!!!

Have you ever had shaved ice?
Me either. until today and most definitely whoops the butt of any ice related dessert I have had in my life.
There are 36 flavors and additional toppings such as condensed milk, sour spray, and azuki beans. They also offer sampling the flavors before you buy it, similar to when you buy gelato :). You can get up to 3 flavors for each order, which is great that they don’t limit the flavors based on size. I had the melona and tiger’s blood with condensed milk, and holy wow I don’t know the origins of those flavors but mhmmm they’re good.
The shaved ice comes in four different sizes which are child, small, medium, large, and bowl. The sizes are really an understatement though, because every size is hugeeeee. I think it should be renamed medium, large, the small island, and the really big island. I think the child or small is great for individual and medium and up is big enough to share.
I honestly don’t know the difference between good shaved ice and GREAT shaved ice, but I know that the shaved ice from SnOw OnO delicately melts in your mouth very quickly like. cotton candy.
When the weather warms up I can definitely see SnOw OnO being crazy busy because of their super value and its ONOlicious (ono means delicious). SnOw OnO is usually found at farmer’s market, such as Fresh 52, Bruce Trent park, and the Garden’s Park.
for more information :)