Boudreaux’s: Louisville’s hottest secret (it’s not Cajun, but It’s close)

Boudreaux’s New Orleans-Style Sno-Balls is one of Louisville’s hottest secrets. (Photo courtesy of Boudreaux’s)

By Andrew Toy

Special to Hello Louisville

You’d blindly drive by it if you didn’t know about it. It’s not visible from busy Shelbyville Road in Middletown. In fact, you would have already placed your order for an Oreo blizzard at the neighboring Dairy Queen before you even batted an eye at this tasty little secret.

The only fanfare this place gets is a banner that was probably ordered from Signs.com. The sign has seen its fair share of years. It’s missing a “U” and a “D” after the first two letters, but that’s probably to fit the long name on the banner. It says, “Bordeaux’s Sno-Balls.” Don’t look for it in November, or even in April. Boudreaux’s New Orleans-Style Sno-Balls is open only during the hot months, which makes this tasty little stop Louisville’s hottest little secret.

You’ll see the sign directly across the street from a Jiffy Lube. The driveway is nearly hidden, so just drive as though you’re looking to refurnish your home, because once you’ve hit Details Furniture Gallery & Design, you’re in. Just pull your vehicle around to the right of that building and you . . . might be underwhelmed by the shack-like snowball stand. That’s sno-ball. Not snow cone or shaved ice. Sno-ball.

Admittedly, it’s a step up from your run-of-the-mill snow cone shack parked on pedestrian-heavy roads. And it’s likely you’ll find a line of people waiting to get in, and the line moves slowly. But for good reason.

Just as the best meals have a long wait, the same rule applies to icy, frosty desserts. At first it’s daunting, choosing your flavor. The list is not short. Your choices range from fruits to sweets to baked items. Yes, baked items are offered as flavors on your Boudreaux sno-ball. Like wedding cake and this year’s new and popular cookie dough. And you must make sure someone in your group orders the tiger’s blood. What is the flavor, exactly? Who knows, and who cares? It’ll likely be the first at your table to be devoured.

There will probably be a line, but it’s worth the wait. (Photo by Andrew Toy)

But that’s just the beginning of your experience here. You get the option to top your flavored sno-ball with a little something extra, whether that be chocolate cream sauce or sweetened condensed milk. But don’t forget to have the hard workers behind the counter squeeze on some whipped cream and shower it with sprinkles. By they way, you’ve heard of a stuffed sno-ball, haven’t you? Be sure to inquire about that, because that’s something you don’t want to miss out on.

Once you get your order, you’re directed out to the newly polished patio area. The chairs are as colorful as your sno-ball, and you’re instantly transported to the Big Easy. Mardi Gras masks smile wickedly down at you from the walls, beaded necklaces adorn the different pictures that represent the life of New Orleans. The only thing that’s missing is some jazz music. But you’re going to be so caught up in the taste of your sno-ball that you wouldn’t even notice it if there was music.

You’ve had snow cones where the sharp ice sticks to itself and the watery syrup sinks directly to the bottom of your cup. You have to be a beaver to chew a chunk out of the hardened ice. Maybe you’ve had a snow cone that could scratch a hole in the side of the Titanic. Well, you won’t have that experience at Boudreaux’s.

Finely shaved ice makes the sno-balls super smooth, and the toppings add the “wow” factor. (Photo by Andrew Toy)

The secret to Boudreaux Sno-Balls is that the ice is finely shaven. So fine, in fact, that it’s nearly powdery. But it’s not powdery enough to fall apart easily. And the amount of syrup they drizzle – no, drench – on the fine and powdery ice is extremely generous. Remember I told you the line moves slowly? That’s why. It’s almost shocking how easily your spoon slips into your sno-ball, and you find that it’s as soft as ice cream, but with an ever-so light crunch to it.

You might think this is just a family affair. Stuff the minivan up with the kids and away you go to Boudreaux. But you’d be surprised by the wide variety of people that stop by this little joint. Delivery drivers willingly spend their lunch break in line for a dreamsicle sno-ball. Executive-types will pass on P.F. Chang’s occasionally and conduct important business over a medium cup of cotton candy- or root beer-flavored sno-ball. Hipsters might sneak away from Bardstown Road to strum their guitars while downing a candy apple-flavored treat. Coated with that sweet condensed milk, of course.

So no matter who you are, or what the occasion is, if you’re lookin’ to “pass a good time” now that the quarantine is being lifted, and you want to continue to support small businesses, then you should check out this humble little shack and say hi to Connie and JJ Bordeaux (pronounced BOO-droh). This is one sweet dining experience where you’ll be asking to compliment the chef.

You’ll find no shortage of flavors at Boudreaux’s. (Photo courtesy of Boudreaux’s)