"Sunset Slush is New Orleans’s only shop dedicated to Italian ice — a bold move in the land of sno-balls. But if you’ve ever sucked your sno-ball dry and been left with bland, flavorless ice, or found them just a bit too sweet, Trevail Thomas has the treat for you. Thomas opened Sunset Slush at its current location in 2021 (it was previously located in Old Metairie, first opened by Thomas’s friend as an independent operator of the original in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina). Thomas fell in love with the consistency and softness of Italian ice, finding it flavorful but not overly sweet or sugared — she says it’s like if ice cream and sno-balls had a baby. It’s non-dairy (and vegan, and gluten-free), but comes in soft scoops like ice cream. Sunset Slush offers 31 flavors (not including the sugar-free options), all of which can be combined, or “swirled,” making for infinite flavor combinations. Thomas’s favorite is the piña colada, and says her top-seller is the Sunset NOLA, a strawberry-mango combo. Other local favorites include the strawberry shortcake and wedding cake, a combo of almond and cupcake. There’s the option to top your ice with sweet or sour gummy candy; caramel or chocolate syrups, and of course, condensed milk. Sunset Slush is open Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 7 p.m. on Gentilly Boulevard, and a mobile store is available to hire by schools, summer camps, and for private events." - Clair Lorell
