Rita’s Italian Ice

This review is strictly on product as I haven’t been to this particular location but Rita’s is incredible! The combo of flavorful Italian ice and the custard cream is an awesome treat for a hot day.

I love this place! The combination of custard and ice is amazing. I was skeptical about the ice, thinking it would be like a snow cone, but it is so much better. It is a really nice counterpoint to the custard and creates a completely unique desert.

The service was absolutely stellar and the products speak for themselves. Their blended mango beverage (a smoothie yet with a catchy name) had my tastebuds breakdancing and their custard ice cream will make you forget your Momma’s name! It was my first time there and I didn’t feel rushed in any way or as if i was holding up the line. Wendy was even training some employees and still made my experience as sweet as my confectionary comfort food!

Had first discovered Rita’s while on a trip to Florida some years back. It was love at first taste! And then I came across a Rita’s right here in the Valley!!! The Italian Ice is always so refreshing! And the Gelati is fabulous too! Service is always great — friendly and swift!

I was misled! (Cheated?) Use caution here. I finally decided to try Rita’s for the first time as I love the custard at Freddy’s, and Rita’s is closer to my Gilbert house. I spent quite a bit of time looking at the menu and finally ordered a «custard» hot fudge sundae — after I paid and began to walk away, I noticed a small sign by the register saying they were sorry, but due to the egg shortage, they had switched to soft serve — NOT CUSTARD ! — I asked the server if my sundae was custard, and she said no. I expressed my surprise that this fact was not more prominently posted and she just stared at me like a deer caught in the headlights.
Well, I left and enjoyed my sundae — it is good quality ice milk. But I do not need to pay $ 5.00 for a relatively small ice milk! The prices have apparently not been reduced now that it is cheap ice milk. This is not good customer relations.
1. Rita’s needs to have prominent signage advising of the change.
2. They can point out the problem, but be up front about it – and reduce the prices accordingly.
3. Customers will be understanding and forgiving, but not if they feel misled.
Interesting sidelight — in the parking lot a lady came out behind me and commented to me that she had come here to get a quart of Rita’s great custard as a surprise for a visitor from Canada that she is hosting. I did not have the heart to tell her the truth.
Goodbye Rita’s — Freddy’s here I come!

I am a regular and I love Rita’s. The staff is great and knowledgeable. The treats are unique and the ices are so smooth, much more like sorbet than say shaved ice. I was in the day after the ‘public notice’ someone else here mentioned. The owner told me it had to do with their business permit, it had nothing to do with the health department. The store is always clean and the treats are consistently delicious. EVERYONE SHOULD try Rita’s! I’ll be back once or twice a week, like always! It’s my favorite spot!

Good Italian ices, tried their gelati (Italian ice with a layer of custard on bottom and swirled on top), and I loved it, but only the Italian ice. The custard was way too dense and creamy but that’s my personal preference. With Italian ice you can layer as many flavors as you want, I would recommend: black cherry, Swedish fish, MANGO, Green Apple, and Georgia Peach. Flavors taste LEGIT.

I would give Rita’s Italian ice 5 stars but they don’t carry chocolate Italian ice a matter of fact they don’t have chocolate Italian ices in the whole state of Arizona, why I don’t understand, chocolate and cherry together is the best. Moved here from the east coast and its the best seller there, but not surprised when I see a line at the Hawaiian shaved ice stand and not at Rita’s wake up Arizona you don’t know what you’re missing!

Went up there today and they were closed! There is a yellow sign posted on the front window that reads «PUBLIC NOTICE» it looks like they might have been shut down by the health department. Don’t waste your time driving there, you will be disappointed.

Rita’s is the best cold treat anywhere! Shaved ice and custard. It’s absolutely perfect!

Rita’s was referred by a friend who loves this place.
We came, we saw, we tasted…
Good spot but not amazing… I want something that is far exceeding what we can do at home, or why bother pay $ 5 a person or more for a snack…
Not a bad spot, just not awesome.
One trip was all we made.

I’ve never had frozen custard before today and it was life changingly good. I had a choc/​vanilla twist cone and a small tangerine Italian ice. Definitely going back for more.

Love love love Rita’s. They change up the flavors everything is great we always get the fruit flavored. So good.

Love this place!!! Everytime I go the staff is awesome and the flavors are new and unbelievably good! Never had a bad experience at Rita’s and this is my fav Rita’s in the valley! Thanks Rita!!! :)

Glad to have one in Gilbert. Missed these being from Philly area. Bonus when they still have some Philly soft pretzels left.

Decent prices, great coupons and deals if available. Mango gelati with vanilla custard is perfection for summer heat. Very friendly staff.

Rita’s, where have you been all my life? Oh wait, I know, back east. I am so glad you finally arrived in AZ. Ices and frozen custard. Have one or both, it’s up to you. The custard is super rich. Tonight, I chose a gelati which is custard layered with ices. I chose the Swedish fish ices and they were yummy. Just like eating the candy. My husband had a strawberry starburst and that tasted just like the candy as well. The customer service was excellent. The two gals behind the counter were very helpful when I told them that this was our first time in. They explained the options, gave us a few suggestions and let is try a couple samples. I am excited to come back after June 21 when a new flavor is coming; watermelon with chocolate «pits». Sounds like it’s going to be great!!!

Bad customer service; skimps on serving size.
I visited as I am from the east coast and I remember the Rita’s of Philly. However, they skimped on the custard in the gelati and when I commented on it, the worker rudely told me, «I think that’s enough.» Epic fail. I’ll take my $ 5 to the grocery store.

I was introduced to Ritas while living in New Jersey. I love this place. It is a treat for your mouth. Real fruit in most of the flavors. The custard is a real custard. not like the crappy stuff they they sell at Freddie$. This is a rich thick dairy desert that is way more creamy than ice cream or soft serve. A must have.

A Philadelphia staple, right here in AZ. Owned by fellow transplants, I’m stoked to have one in the east valley so close to my house! Lot’s of flavors of ice and they use real fruit in some if not all of them. Their custard is very thick and rich, so don’t miss it either. In fact, get a «Gelati» which is an ice/​custard mix and is the best of both worlds.
Now, to figure out a way to bring Wawa to Arizona! :-)