I would NEVER go back to this place. If you are a person of color or someone with dark skin, DO NOT go. Today, I went with my friend and asked the female worker what a "Hawaiian snow cone" was. She mentioned a topping, so I asked further, "What kind of topping?" She replied that it was condensed milk. I said "Oh," and ordered a small shaved ice. As she handed me my order, she looked at her male coworker and said, "Es por eso que no me gusta servir a las morenas." (Note: Morenas can mean brunette, but in other contexts, it refers to dark-skinned people. I am a Black woman.) I didn't understand what was said, so I thanked her and left. However, my friend, who speaks Spanish, overheard the remark and said "Muchas gracias" to let them know she understood. The male worker then smiled at us. As we walked away, my friend explained what the female worker had said, which translates to, "That's why I don't like serving dark-skinned women." Shocked, I decided to go back and address the situation. When we returned, the woman refused to come to the window, so my friend asked the male worker to get her. When she finally came out, I calmly asked her what I had done to upset her. She claimed she didn't understand English. At that point, I had my friend translate the conversation. I told her I was shocked that she would say something like that in front of a customer. I explained that we live in a diverse community, and it's upsetting to hear such remarks, especially when I had done nothing wrong. Her first excuse was that there was a language barrier, which was why she made the comment. I responded that the interaction had lasted only two minutes, during which I asked just two questions. I explained that I understood her point, but asked if she realized how her words could be taken to mean she didn't like serving dark-skinned people, not just people who don't speak Spanish. She then claimed she was joking. I told her I didn't find it funny, and I didn't think anyone else would either. You shouldn't speak negatively about a customer in front of them--if you're going to make such a joke, say it when they're gone. Her next excuse was that she didn't remember saying anything. At that point, I walked away because it was clear the conversation was going nowhere. I didn't record the encounter because I wanted to have an open discussion and give her a chance to learn from this. However, it felt like a lost cause. To have her never once apologize or say, "I didn't mean for my comment to make you feel this way" shows that she simply doesn't care. I hope this experience makes her think twice about what she says in front of people. So, unless you are a light-skinned Spanish speaker, I strongly recommend you avoid this place. read more

They were so kind to my son. The sizes of the ice are great and they have a great array of flavors. Highly recommend!! They were amazing and came to our son's school spring fair! Highly recommend!!! read more

It's good! Little different than normal as they also offer Hawaiian snow on top and ice cream on the bottom. Quick and friendly. $3.25 for a small $4 for a large $1 ice cream on bottom $.50 Hawaiian snow (sweetened condensed milk) Seems a little pricey for a very lightweight servicing of ice and sugar water. I haven't compared prices, though, to see what other stands charge. Such a good use of an otherwise empty lot. read more

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i finally found this place!! this is basically a lemonade stand , just a bit more higher tech. they are near uncle julios in gaithersburg, but parked in the park next to the carousel behind the restaurant. the address on yelp and google is wrong. i tried to find their prior location which was in bethesda. based on my pas experience, i called ahead. they didnt pick up but called me back to update on their location i got a medium with lime and passion fruit. both were delicious. they shaved the ice finely and it was great to have on a hot summer day. they took credit card. overall, im glad i finally found this place. i wish they were closer and easier to find! hey yelpers ! i am on Instagram, find me @travelingtyro read more

A surprise treat during a busy day. Ice was the perfect consistency, the syrup was the perfect amount and a great flavor, not just sugar water. Not New Orleans, but as close as I have been able to find here in Maryland. read more

Bears Shaved Ice - Cherry ice - Shaved Ice Near Me

We got here at 8:30 pm and the place was deserted. Probably because they close at 9pm. Poor guy waiting in the truck by himself. He was very nice and informative. We asked what the difference between regular shaved ice and Hawaiian snow and he says that it's really the sauce that go on top of the ice. He states it's more milky. We don't know if that's true but there you go :) We got the guava flavor and I don't really taste the huge difference between shaved ice and Hawaiian snow. The difference was the how fine the ice was shaved compared to regular shaved ice. I bet the atmosphere here is pretty laid back and fun if there are other people around. Owner was creative with the holes on the table where your container of Hawaiian ice can sit in while you devour it. ;) It's really not bad at all, so I would recommend it on a really hot day. read more

Bears Shaved Ice - Huge! - Shaved Ice Near Me

While not as smooth as what one would get in Hawaii the texture of the ice was far less gritty than a snow cone soi washappywiyh that. I had gotten the passion fruit flavor but did it just had a generic sweet taste. All in all a decent way to cool off on a hot summer day if you happen to be at the merry go round but I personally would not go out of my way to get one. read more

YUM!!! We ordered a small watermelon/guava shaved ice and it was so refreshing! This is the perfect summer treat :) We got it without the condensed milk/white topping just because I thought it would be too sweet and it really didn't taste like it was missing anything so I think it's fine to get on its own! I'll definitely be back to get this again! read more

We were there at 8 pm & it was about to close. Even though we were late he was so good,very friendly served us with pleasure & waited for us while we were eating. Not sure about timings but I think they are open until 8pm everyday except Sunday. read more

Bears Shaved Ice - a cup of shaved ice on a picnic table - Shaved Ice Near Me

Bears Shaved Ice is a treat. Not only is the owner super friendly, but he has done a great job of making the area around his truck attractive and easy to eat his ices by installing picnic tables with special holders cut in them. As for the ice, I really like it. Watermelon is my favorite. read more

This place definitely deserves 5 stars. They came to a company event we had and it was soooo.....delicious that I had to come on yelp to find them and leave a really good review. I have never had shaved ice with condensed milk, the combo had my taste buds jumping. I'm definitely going to stop pass this truck again this weekend and I'm going to bring my husband and daughter with me. I will definitely tell my family and friends about this place. read more

Super friendly staff serving Hawaiian style shaved ice. Easy parking and access across across from NIH read more

Bears Shaved Ice - Bear the Friendly Owner :) - Shaved Ice Near Me

Please don't call it "shaved" ice. It is "shave" ice in Hawaii. I just came back from visiting Hawaii and I had shave ice almost every day and I love them. read more

I got pina colada, passion fruit, and POG (pineapple, orange, guava). They all tasted like chapstick. Never again.

I was so happy to find this place. Not a lot of shaved ice places around. Brings back memories of my childhood and vacations we took to Hawaii. It's not 100% authentic but it is refreshing and light and a real treat on a hot day. The owner is really nice and the area is always clean and nice. It is a little on the pricey side for a snow cone but well worth it in my opinion. read more

This is a based on a visit I made over the summer, I doubt the truck is up now that it is November. I almost didn't leave this review because the owner is so nice but I didn't want anyone to waste their money on this place. I lived in Hawaii for many years and have tried all varieties of shaved ice but this was bad, really bad. He does offer more authentic options in his shaved ice such as ice cream, I was really pleased to see that and frankly is why I gave him 2 stars. But I think the problem was the syrup. Neither myself nor my daughter could finish our ice, we threw it out. read more

Love this place!!! Best fresh, shaved ice. Melts in your mouth. Employees are always friendly and helpful. Bear's is our family's favorite!

Super excellent. Great view and great owner. I love the Hawaiian ice and all the flavors are delish! The owner comes out and chats w you and offers u flavors he's trying. I hope he's around for a long time. read more

I came here with my BF and it was such a nice stop. We shared a shaved ice and it was delicious. Kinda like a snow cone but much better. The owner is very friendly and we will stop by often for our romantic ice under the sun. Nice place to sit and eat too. read more

ThIs place Is a hIdden gem, and the best shaved Ice In the area!! The ice is not too hard or dense. It is wonderully light and airy. The FlavorIng is just the rIght sweetness and does not have that artIfIcIally sweetened/flavored aftertaste that other Ices have. Also no artIfIcIal dye all over your mouth after eatIng. FIrst of all, Its a truck. In a gravel parkIng lot that has a couple of very clean well kept pIcknIc tables. If not for the Shaved Ice roadsIde sIgn one would probably just drIve by and not notIce the truck/stand at all. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT DRIVE BY wIthout checkIng thIs place out!! I had been goIng past here on my way to other places all summer long and fInally had an opportInIty to stop and check It out. I am soooo glad I dId! At first, since I had never partaken of Bears Shaved Ice before, I was not sure quIte what to expect, so I decIded to be cautIous and order a small. The fIrst thIng I notIced was the prIce. Only 3.25 for a small. MUCH less expensIve than RIta's or other places I have seen around here. Secondly, after I placed the order I heard the wrrrr of a machIne choppIng Ice.thats rIght folks. ThIs Is not just someone scoopIng up pre-made flavored Ice from a vat somewhere. ThIs stuff Is made fresh on the spot! When he took out the "small" sIzed dIsh I fIgured It would be fIlled wIth just enough Ice to reach the top and slightly beyond. But then he fIlls It WAY past the top of the dIsh. ThIs HEAPING mound of Ice. I mean, to me It looked quIte large so I cant I'magIne the servIng for a medIum or large! The small was huge!! Total bargaIn for $3.25!! So then I'm thInkIng how on earth am I goIng to fInIsh comsumIng such a huge amount of Ice? It looked like I could have easily split the thing with three other people. Fortunately It was easIer and much more doable to finish than I thought, because once the flavorIng was added and I trIed my fIrst spoonful It was a pleasure to devour the entIre thIng! I was In heaven! Had I more tI'me I would have ordered another. It was so lIght I could have easIly had several and not gotten that super over stuffed feelIng that one often gets after eatIng custard, frozen yogurt or even other types of (more dense) Ices. UnlIke other places that serve flavored Ice, whIch are abundant wIth artIfIcIal flavorIngs/dyes and often leave a bItter or pungent aftertaste In ones mouth (they are just to strong), the flavorIng had a natural very pleasIng sweetness that was not over powerIng. It dId not leave me reachIng for water as other Ices often do. The flavorIng was so perfectly delIcIous wIthout beIng sIcknIngly sweet. I dId not crave anythIng else whIle eatIng It because the Ice was so refreshIng It dId the trIck to satIsfy my need for refreshment all by Itself. The Ice Is lIght and aIry and not super crunchy. Just let It melt on your tongue. No braIn freeze! Also, after consumIng the entIre cup of Ice (even drInkIng up what had melted on the bottom of the cup) my lIps looked the same as they dId before I got there. No crazy red lIps from eatIng watermelon flavored Ices. I can not waIt to go back and try the other flavors. There were quIte a few selectIons, mostly fruIt flavors. I was told that the Guava one Is really delIcIous. I loved the watermelon so much I am defInItely goIng to need another Ice fIx soon! So, for the perfect treat on a hot day or anytI'me you need a refreshIng heap of sweetened coolness head on over to Bears! BrIng the kIds, frIends, famIly, (I bet even your dog will love eating a mound of plain ice on a hot day). ThIs place Is not just for kIds, the stuff Is way more delIcIous and healthy than anythIng you would fInd on an Ice cream truck. I spoke wIth the owner and he Is plannIng to get some more trucks In other locatIons for next year (Yay!) as well as a mobile one to vIsIt neighborhoods and places lIke the Germantown Soccarplex, So In the future, If you see Bears Shaved Ice truck at an event, don't pass It up! Its the most refreshIng treat around!! DIrectIons: If you are travelIng from GaIthersburg towards Darnestown, look for the Shaved Ice sIgn on the sIde of the road just past the Sunoco statIon that Is next to the QuInce Orchard Marketplace ShoppIng Center (Safeway/CVS etc). read more

The owner was really nice and accommodating. I didn't know what to order so he suggested guava and pineapple and boy it was delicious. The place was clean and the menu is easy to read. Awesome experience! read more

Great place love the snow cones. It has lots of different flavors that I love and the people there are not only helpful but very nice as well. They aren't always there but it's definitely a treat when they are!!! Love this place... 5 stars definitely read more

Jeff is the NICEST guy ever, and you won't be disappointed with any flavor you get. My kids think this is the best shaved ice hands-down. We plan to make a visit to Bears Shaved Ice a weekly treat this summer. read more

We really like this place because it is walking distance from our house. He had tons of flavors! You can even get ice cream on the bottom. Portions are huge and price is decent...consistent with the area. Three of us share a small and that is good! Everyone that works there is super nice all the time. Nice little business he has going on over there. Never very crowded. read more

Delicious treat with the kids! Shave ice is much fluffier and better than a snow cone. Great flavor selection, too! (Guava and pineapple is excellent) read more