The Ice Cream Parlor You May Have Missed (Because it’s On a Bus!)

Snow may not be in D.C.’s weather forecast for a few months, but it’s definitely on the dessert menu. For an icy treat experience the whole family will love, head to Snocream Shavery, an inconspicuous food bus located in an Annandale, Virginia K-Mart parking lot. The coolest thing since the District saw liquid nitrogen ice cream, this is one sweet spot you’ll want to repeat.

Find It
You’d think that a pimped out antique school bus hawking Taiwanese ice cream would be a cinch to find, but this one is actually easy to miss if you aren’t looking closely. It’s located in a K-Mart strip mall parking lot, but not in front. Drive around to the left side of the center where you’ll likely spot the bus, a handful of cube benches and tables, and a small crowed gathering.

Pick It
A cross between ice cream and shaved ice, this dessert features soft ribbons of flavored “sno,” created by using milk, water, and out-of-the-box natural flavors (think: thai tea, mango, and honeydew). After freezing, a machine shaves ribbon-like bands from the ice into your cup. The one-size option is $7 and comes with two toppings (there’s everything from Fruity Pebbles to grass jelly) and one drizzle of condensed milk, caramel, chocolate, or white chocolate.

Eat It
While you might want one all to yourself, the serving size is large enough for two kiddies to share. How it works: After climbing on the bus, you place your order (note: it’s an extra $1 to mix flavors). You give the friendly staff a name (Starbucks-style) and wait outside the bus near the front-side driver’s window for your name to be called. While there is no seating on the bus, there is some outdoor seating and a bunch of parking if you’d like to sit in the car with the bambinos on a cool night. Bonus: When the sun goes down, fun glow colors are lit and it’s like a party on a bus.

Snocream Shavery
4221 John Marr Dr. (Annandale, Va)
202-656-6144
Online: snocreamcompany.com

Have you been to Snocream yet? Tell us your favorite flavor combinations in the comments below. 

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos: Ayren Jackson-Cannady