JESS: It was hot. Two weeks ago there was a run on snow cones.
A snow cone is a dessert made of shaved or ground up ice, topped with a flavoured syrup, usually served in a paper cone or foam cup. Ice desserts began being made in the US in the mid-19th century, when ice became commercially available. By the late 19th century, theatres were selling them in the summer to keep patrons cool, and they were seen as an upper-class commodity. They became popular in the Great Depression and during World War II, as they had become so cheap almost anyone could afford one as a treat.
Luke’s Diner apparently has a machine that makes snow cones, at least during the summer months and for the tourist trade.
The Annotated Gilmore Girls 