In Texas, the seasonal lines can get blurred and 100-degree days start early. But you don’t have to crack an egg on the sidewalk to know that it’s officially summertime — just look for the open sign at Otto’s Hawaiian Shave Ice.
In the Lake Travis area, there is only one true Hawaiian shave ice stand and it is Otto’s.
Open from noon until dark, Otto’s serves the finest in Hawaiian shave ice, tall piles of finely-shaved ice that hold the sweet syrup so famous during summer months. With dozens upon dozens of flavor combinations, including Mai Tai, Ocean Pacific, Silverfox and Peach Razzmatazz, there is a taste for everyone.
Shaded by decades-old Live Oak trees and rainbow parasols, Otto’s is a welcoming watering hole that promises to cool you down and chill you out, one cup at a time.
One small margarita shave ice later, I was a few degrees cooler on the inside and ready to go about my errands again. Sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that make it that much better.
Owners and operators, Mike and Tania McCorkle, took over the shop June 14 and have been working to reconstruct the land and business ever since. Their love for the community shows, from hiring local Lake Travis High School students to help around the shop to converting the plot into a place Texans can be proud of. This might be the closest you’ll get to Hawaii from here, but you can at least have a little taste of it while you’re enjoying the scenes of the Texas Hill Country.
The stand opens every year when the weather gets hot, which usually happens to be around Spring Break. They close up as the temps cool and Halloween nears, so there is plenty of time to stop by during the summer months to try a cone and pick your favorite flavor.
Next time you’re in the area, be sure to bring a few bucks and stop by to cool off with an authentic Hawaiian shave ice at Otto’s.
Cash only!
Otto’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
2111 Ranch Road 620 North Lakeway, TX 78734 (map)
