Itsa Italian Ice

Best cheesesteak in Albuquerque.
First time in, I ordered mine with green chile, but it wasn’t spicy enough for me to feel it or enough of it for me to really taste it. Since then I haven’t bothered with the green chile and I’ve been very happy.

I love cheese steaks. Hands down my favorite food. I’ve had some of the best the U.S. has to offer, including Pat’s and Geno’s in philly and Tony Baloneys in Atlantic City. Itsa’s is kinda close. As close as it gets in NM for sure. BUT, hey don’t have a cheese whiz option and they don’t have mushrooms. That is what will always hold this place back from 5 stars in my books.
Also the hours are odd. They close at 4pm. Overall, cheese stakes are good but hey really could be better.

WHO KNEW? A Philly cheese steak in NM as good as you can get in Philadelphia? You bet your Ben Franklins! These are the best I’ve had this side of the Schuykil, and I know my cheese steaks — Steve can hold his own in a throwdown with the likes of Pat’s, Geno’s and Jim’s Steaks. These cheese steaks are sooo good, when I go to Phila in October, I won’t even need my hop-​off-​the-​plane-​fix. Great bread. Very good cheese. And some sort of secret sauce that does wondrous things — but it’s the bread that is the defining moment on this pup. Kudos to Steve — he’s succeeded where legions have failed.
Go north on 2^nd from Menaul, and look for the red and white sign on your left — Itsa Italian Ice. NW corner of 2^nd and Phoenix. Parking just west of the restaurant on Phoenix.

Fun 50’s décor, simple burgers-​and-​dogs menu, and great service. My companion and I enjoyed tasty Italian Ices as we waited for our food to arrive. Fresh and true to flavor, the ices hit the spot on a hot summer day. Our food arrived quickly and did not disappoint. The chili dog is a fork and knife affair, and the fries are crisp and tasty. My dining companion, a 10-​year-​old and therefore an expert on all things chili dog, commented that the bun could have been toasted to give it more presence. Mine was served sans bun, and could have been hotter, but was still salty cheesy chili enough to scratch the itch. Large order of fries wasn’t epic, but neither was the bill ($ 15). My discerning juvenile companion and I agree that we’d definitely come here again.

The food, I have been there 3 times and have tried the cheeseburger and philly cheese steak, of course both have to have green chile the food has been good. The prices are high for what you receive, little order of fries and a child size drink.

Hands down, the best Philly cheesesteak that I’ve ever had in New Mexico! We both ordered the green chile Philly cheesesteaks with fries and every bite was more delicious than the last! The fries were so unbelievably crispy and good too! We’ll be back for sure!!!

This place is very good! I always go for the curly fries and Italian ice! The Italian ice is always delicious, and I always make a point to try a new flavor. I think my favorite so far has been the blue raspberry! The Italian ice is fairly priced, and it is a great treat anytime. The curly fries are also very delicious and a real hit with the kids.
I really enjoy the owners/​staff. They are very friendly and give the restaurant that at home feel. They make you feel very welcome and make sure that you have everything you need.

We have a son in Philadelphia so I’ve become addicted to cheese steak. I have been looking, fruitlessly, in Alb. for a decent one until now. The green chile cheese steak with fresh cut fries was as close as I’ve come to being in Philly. Very good. My wife had the green chile cheese burger and said it was very good as well. Itsa is very clean, the staff friendly and efficient. We’ll be back. Have to try the Nathans chili cheese dog.

This place deserves a five! The owners and employees are very friendly and passionate about their business. They know good customer service and good food. This place hits the spot! Well managed and operated. I’m a regular here and will continue to be. As a matter of fact I’m Unilocaling from the dining room.

I had driven by this place a million times and never knew it even existed. One day, it caught my eye and I went it. It’s kind of adorable inside. It’s very small and locally owned. The people there were very, very friendly. Service was super fast!
I got their green chile Philly and I was not disappointed. It was really good. Surprisingly good for some little place I had never heard of before!
They don’t give you many fries, but it sandwich is good sized and filling.
I want to go again and try something else on their menu. I also need to try their Italian ice still.

I also loved this place on Lomas and now share almost weekly visits with my kids. Love it! Small shop hospitality. the family that runs is knows regulars by name and stop to chat with patrons when not busy. Great Lil place, one of a kind Italian ice. Only down sides: they are closed Sunday and Monday, as well as winter season, and prices are climbing (like everything I guess)

Having just moved from Seattle (a barren land when it comes to snow cones) to Albuquerque I had a serious need for a delicious snow cone. Fortunately, Itsa Italian Ice Restaurant turned out to be nearby! So, off I went, questing for the wonder that is a snow cone.
And find that wondrous treat I did. I had a medium cherry snow cone and reveled in the joy and happiness that yumminess brings. The burger, fries, and chili were good, and yes, the cup that comes with the combo is a bit small, but who CARES! SNOW CONES!
I kept working on my snow cone at two other stops making everyone jealous of my fabulousness with my sweet treat by my side. However, as all good things must do, the snow cone was eventually gone. I shed a single tear (though it was probably due to the dust storm) and vowed that I will once again find my way back to Itsa’s in the future. The *near* future…

If you love Philly cheesesteaks like me then you have to stop by itsa. Closest thing I’ve had to a philly from the east coast. These are the hidden gems in Albuquerque that can’t be reproduced. There’s no green chile Philly’s on the east.
Keep in mind they are closed on Mondays and Sundays.

Best Italian ice in all of New Mexico! Don’t usually go for lunch but have full kitchen and had a philly cheese steak it was quite good! Great place for a lunch date

I’ve been to this place a few times, and at first it was good…
Their green chile philly cheesesteak was tasty and cheesy. But I think they’re VERY stingy with bell peppers (Veggies). They lay one litlle strip on the top of the philly, which is not enough especially when you’re paying $ 10+ for a sandwich (bell peppers are super inexpensive). Their fries are fresh cut and pretty good (can’t complain)…
I gave Itsa Italian Ice 2 stars because of 2 reasons: they are stingy with their bell peppers and because the size of cup they give you with your combo. I don’t think it’s more than 8oz, certainly not enough if you’re taking your combo to-​go. Up size for free and I’l give another star.
The owners are nice and all, they ask personal questions but don’t actually pay attention to answers, because when you return, they ask the same questions OVER and OVER, and quite frankly I’m OVER it. They are not always consistent with their Phillies and they have weird hours. I probably won’t be back here again.

I saw a billboard advertising their green chile philly cheese steak. I thought why not. I arrived after 2 and I was the only one there, other than a regular talking to one of the owners. I placed my order and the lady went to the grill and started making them. She threw down some fresh fries. She told me how she cuts them fresh daily. It took about 10 minutes to get my order, but I didn’t mind knowing it hadn’t been just sitting there. The cheese steaks were packed with me and great tasting. Will be back to try more items. On a side note, I like that the décor isn’t overly done like others in town.

I absolutely love their philly steak and green chile philly steak sandwiches. So far I haven’t been able to complain about anything I’ve eaten from Itsa!

I grew up eating itsa Italian ice as a kid and was so happy this wonderful family brought a classic Abq treat back! It’s delish

I grew up riding my bike to this little store on Lomas back in the day. They exclusively served Italian ice, the perfect texture of snow like ice with delicious flavoring. It closed when I was about 16.
Then, one day, it magically appeared. It was as if my childhood fairy godmother had magically brought it back from my youth.
I inquired about the history and turns out the original owner sold the entire store (secret recipes and all) to a family who owns it today. They have expanded it to food and serve hotdogs, french fries, philly cheese steak sandwiches and of course… ITALIAN ICE. It is still as good as it ever was!
I am a fan. My kids are fans. The childhood memory lives on.

This place brings back old memories. Glad to see it back!
I just love the Italian Ice its the best in town