Photo by Samuel Cruz via Unsplash.
An East Dallas resident is bringing shaved ice to the neighborhood.
Cari Weinberg, who lives in Mount Auburn, operates the I See Dallas tour company with her husband, who works in advertising.
One of their favorite seasonal events comes during the winter, when they wrap the small school bus they use for tours with lights and take groups to look at holiday displays.
“I love leaning into the different seasons to kind of find the fun of that time of year,” she said.
Thinking about what she might want to do for a summer job, Weinberg remembered how she loved getting shaved ice as a high-schooler in Frisco. And having lived in East Dallas for about 15 years, she knows the love neighbors have for places like Bahama Bucks or TC Shaved Ice.
“Shaved ice — any kind of sweet, icy treat — just always seems to be something so special about summertime,” she said.
She found a food trailer that was barely used by the former owner and already had a name, Beary Cool Shaved Ice. And she decided to stick with it. It’s just a coincidence that her dad’s nickname for her when she was a kid was Cari Bear.
Weinberg said she has a permit from the city, and she’s working to get the rest of the trailer wrapped.
She’ll make the shaved ice with a Southern Snow machine, the kind used to make snoballs, which are popular in New Orleans. The ice is fluffier and allows for better layering of flavors compared to snow cones, Weinberg said. For flavors, she’ll focus on popular favorites and some “more sophisticated mixes.”
The trailer should be operational by early June, and Weinberg said she has an agreement to park it at East Dallas Vintage, though the dates aren’t set yet, and she hopes to find other spots to sell her shaved ice. Plus, she can take it to private events.
“I want to serve a great, tasty shaved ice product, but just give people a little treat to look forward to when the weather is so hot, and make it kind of a neighborhood tradition, too,” she said.
Check back with the Advocate for updates on Beary Cool Shaved Ice.
