Shaved-ice snow cones keeping customers cool

Mama Shine’s Shaved Ice and More, 2514 Smith Road, has the distinction of being the only Lake Charles snow cone stand that stays open year-round. While it’s true that the menu is supplemented with hot dogs, sandwiches, nachos, Frito pies and more, it does sell quite a few icy-cold snow cones in the dead of winter, said owner Dana Bodin. 

Pregnant women in particular seem to like snow cones when the temperature drops, said Bodin, who opened the business in October 2015.

Right now though, in the steamy July heat, Mama Shine’s shaved-ice snow cones are in high demand, with a steady stream of vehicles driving through to buy them.

Bodin, who always dreamed of having “a little community snow cone stand,” named Mama Shine’s after her grandmother, who lived to be 101. Mama Shine lived in Delcambre. Bodin said her grandmother, married to a shrimper, lived a simple life. 

“I think she would be happy to know I named this place after her,” she said.

Dana Bodin’s grandmother, Mama Shine, at age 100. 

 

Posts on social media have spread the Mama Shine name far and wide. Lots of out-of town and out-of-state travelers stop by and tell Bodin and her crew that they’ve read about Mama Shine’s online. 

“One guy comes pretty regularly from Lafayette to buy our Sno-nado,” said Michael Yates, Bodin’s friend and co-worker. The Sno-nado is a snow cone mixed with ice cream and sweet cream and topped with whipped cream and a Twizzler candy stick.

The most popular snow cone flavor, according to Bodin, is strawberry cheesecake. Tiger’s blood runs a close second.

“We are selective in everything. We buy quality products. Our machine produces true shaved ice, and that is the difference,” said Bodin, when asked what sets her snow cones apart from others.

“We make snow cones out of our hearts, not our wallets,” added Yates.

Kids will love the snow cone creations Mama Shine’s has concocted with added gummies and even cotton candy. Young princesses are sure to delight in the Princess Fun Cone, a pink-bubble-gum-and-purple-rain-flavored snow cone topped with pink cotton candy. Or, to close out Shark Week, perhaps a Shark Attack Fun Cone with shark-shaped gummies atop a snow cone of tiger’s blood and polar punch is in order.

For heartier fare, Mama Shine’s sells lots of $2 hot dogs. “Our hot dogs are all beef and roasted for full flavor,” said Yates.

A variety of sandwiches are offered too. On a recent lunch visit, I sampled The Lil’ Dana, a jalapeño, pepper jack and roast beef melt sandwich served on Texas toast for $5.50. It was spicy, juicy and flavorful.

The Lil’ Dana is a jalapeno, pepper Jack and roast beef melt sandwich. (Donna Price/American Press)

 

Next, because I was tipped off that the sugar-free strawberry cheesecake snow cone was  awesome, I ordered an 8-ounce kiddie cup, which cost $1.25. It was delicious, and the shaved ice was a welcome treat in the 90-degree midday heat. 

Other snow cones sizes are the 12-ounce small, $1.75; the 16-ounce medium, $2.25; and the 20-ounce large, $2.75. 

Mama Shine’s Shaved Ice and More is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. every day. 

It accepts credit cards. Visit or call today at 337-602-6296.

 

Online: Visit Mama Shine’s Shaved Ice and More on Facebook.

Mama Shine’s 8-ounce kiddie cup strawberry cheesecake snow cone. (Donna Price/American Press)