Pelican's Snoballs

When the New Jersey summer heat sets in, especially on the beautiful beaches of Long Beach Island, locals and visitors alike seek out refreshing ways to cool down. While ice cream is a perennial favorite, Pelican's Snoballs in Surf City offers a delightful and unique alternative: authentic New Orleans-style shaved ice. Far from a simple snow cone, a snoball is characterized by its incredibly fine, fluffy ice that absorbs syrup, creating a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth experience distinct from coarser crushed ice.

Pelican's Snoballs has quickly become a standout destination for its vast and imaginative flavor selection, drawing inspiration from a beloved Louisiana tradition. With "ridiculous amount of options" and "bountiful" flavor lists, this spot promises a new experience with every visit. It's a place where you can find classic fruity tastes, explore unique combinations, and even discover unconventional flavors like dill pickle, providing a refreshing twist on summer treats.

More than just a cool dessert, Pelican's Snoballs delivers a unique sensory experience, offering a lighter, less sweet, and incredibly refreshing option for those hot summer days on the Jersey Shore. Whether you're a shaved ice aficionado or new to the snoball concept, this Surf City gem provides a vibrant and flavorful way to beat the heat.

Pelican's Snoballs is conveniently located at 3 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008, USA. Its address places it right at the beginning of Long Beach Boulevard as you enter Surf City, making it a highly accessible spot for anyone on Long Beach Island (LBI). Long Beach Boulevard serves as the main artery connecting the various towns on LBI, meaning Pelican's Snoballs is easy to spot and reach whether you're driving, biking, or walking from nearby accommodations or attractions. Being situated near the entrance of the island can make it a bustling spot, especially during peak summer hours, but its prominent location ensures high visibility and ease of navigation for both locals and tourists.

The shop's position near the street means it might be a bit busy with road noise, but this also highlights its accessibility as a quick stop. While parking can sometimes be an issue in popular beach towns during peak season, being on the main boulevard generally offers more options, albeit potentially requiring a short walk during the busiest times. The overall accessibility of Pelican's Snoballs makes it a practical and appealing choice for a quick and refreshing treat, perfectly integrated into the lively atmosphere of Surf City.

Pelican's Snoballs focuses primarily on delivering an extensive and unique shaved ice experience, distinguishing itself through its core product and operational approach.

• Authentic New Orleans-Style Snoballs: Their main offering is the signature snoball, a finely shaved ice dessert that is soft and fluffy, absorbing syrups much better than coarser snow cones. This authentic texture is a key draw for connoisseurs of shaved ice.
• Over 100 Flavor Options: Pelican's boasts an incredibly vast selection of flavors, reportedly over 100, providing an unparalleled variety. This includes traditional fruit flavors, unique combinations, and even unconventional choices like dill pickle, ensuring there’s a flavor for every palate.
• Customizable Flavor Combinations: With such a wide range of syrups, customers have the opportunity to create their own unique flavor combinations, allowing for a personalized treat with every visit.
• Add-Ons and Toppings: While specific details on all toppings aren't extensively provided in the reviews, the mention of "marshmallow" as an extra suggests they offer various additions to enhance the snoball experience. Other common snoball toppings can include condensed milk, whipped cream, and gummy candies.
• Dye-Free Options: For health-conscious consumers or those with sensitivities, Pelican's Snoballs offers dye-free flavor options, demonstrating a commitment to catering to diverse needs and preferences.
• Late Operating Hours: The shop is noted for being "open to 10pm," which is a convenient service for those looking for a refreshing dessert later in the evening, particularly after dinner or a full day at the beach during the summer.
• Walk-Up Service: As is common for many shaved ice stands, it likely operates primarily as a walk-up service, designed for quick and efficient ordering and serving, perfect for a grab-and-go treat.

Pelican's Snoballs is celebrated for several distinctive features and highlights that make it a unique and popular destination on Long Beach Island, though a few points of contention have also been noted.

• Exceptional Flavor Variety: The most frequently praised feature is the "ridiculous amount of options" and "bountiful flavor list," with over 100 different flavors available. This extensive selection allows for endless customization and caters to every possible taste preference, from classic fruit syrups to more adventurous and unique choices like dill pickle.
• Authentic Shaved Ice Texture: Customers who appreciate genuine snoballs highlight the quality of the ice itself, describing it as "perfect and fluffy," similar to those found in Louisiana, which is a significant differentiator from standard snow cones. This fine texture allows the syrup to be absorbed, providing a consistent flavor throughout the treat.
• Refreshing and Not Overly Sweet: Many patrons appreciate that the snoballs are "very refreshing and didn't taste too sweet," offering a pleasant and light option for cooling down on hot days, contrasting with some overly sugary desserts.
• Dye-Free Flavor Options: A thoughtful highlight for health-conscious individuals is the availability of dye-free flavors, demonstrating an awareness of customer preferences for natural options.
• Convenient Evening Hours: The fact that the shop is "open to 10pm" is a significant advantage, allowing for late-evening dessert runs after dinner or other summer activities, enhancing its appeal for both locals and vacationers.
• Potential for Inconsistent Syrup Distribution: One critical review noted an issue with the amount of syrup, stating the snoball "barely had an an ounce of syrup" and that an employee "just gave up" when attempting to add a topping. This indicates a potential for inconsistency in preparation, which is something to be aware of.
• Parking Challenges During Peak Hours: As with many popular spots in a busy beach town, parking "might be issue in peak hours," a common consideration for visitors to Long Beach Island.

For those eager to discover the refreshing and expansive world of snoballs at Pelican's Snoballs, here is their contact information:

Address: 3 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008, USA

Phone: (609) 994-8565

Mobile Phone: +1 609-994-8565

Having both a landline and mobile number provides convenient ways to reach out for inquiries or to confirm operating hours, especially if you're planning a visit during peak season.

Pelican's Snoballs is an excellent fit for locals in the New Jersey region, particularly those on or frequenting Long Beach Island, due to its unique offerings and community appeal. Its primary strength lies in providing a **distinctive and highly refreshing alternative to traditional ice cream**, making it a perfect choice for hot summer days when a lighter, less sweet treat is desired. The **incredible variety of over 100 flavors** ensures that there is always something new to try, encouraging repeat visits and allowing locals to continually explore new taste sensations. This vast selection, combined with **dye-free options**, caters to a wide array of preferences and dietary considerations within the community. Furthermore, the convenience of being **open until 10 pm** is a significant advantage for locals looking for a late-evening dessert after dinner or other summer activities without having to rush. While potential issues with syrup consistency or peak-hour parking are minor considerations common in a popular beach town, they are generally outweighed by the overall positive experience of enjoying an authentic, fluffy snoball. For locals on LBI seeking a unique, cool, and customizable treat that stands out from typical frozen desserts, Pelican's Snoballs offers a compelling and highly enjoyable option that truly enhances the summer experience on the Jersey Shore.

Pelican's Snoballs

3 Long Beach Blvd, Surf City, NJ 08008, USA