Rita’s Italian Ice

This Rita’s always has good service, they are really nice about letting you try different flavor a. I have never had their custard before so today I tried their vanilla flavor. It was like thickened whipped cream, which I personally didn’t love because it lacked creaminess, but perhaps some people like this kind of thing. I would probably just order the ice next time.

located on the ground floor of lakeforest mall, rita’s serves up italian ice and frozen custard. i’ve had her italian ice before, years ago at a different location, and remember it being pretty good. but, i didn’t know that she had frozen custard, something that i don’t have easy access to where i live. i got the kid’s size cup (4 oz) of strawberry swirled with vanilla frozen custard. both were soft, smooth, creamy, and flavourful as i could taste both the strawberry and the vanilla. price was pretty reasonable as well, i believe it was $ 2.70 for the kid’s size, which is less than i would normally pay in the bay area. the nice thing is that rita’s opens as soon as the mall does, so even though i was at the mall around 8am a few days before christmas, rita’s was open as well!

I knew Rita was trouble before we even met.
Have you ever known a Rita who wasn’t trouble?
Let’s see… there is Rita Hayworth. Old school. Red head. Broke many hearts. Rita Moreno. Isn’t she the reason the Jets had to fight to Sharks in West Side Story? And the most famous Rita of all time… Rita’s Italian Ice. The Biggest nemesis to waistlines all over America!!!
Back in 1984, some guy named Bob started selling ice up in P. A.
How harmful can that be, right?
Frozen water?
Even if you add some cherry or orange flavoring to the ice, it is no more dangerous than a popsicle…
Remember growing up and having a Mr. Misty from Dairy Queen? No? Well, I do. I was addicted to those things. Shaved ice. Delicious Flavor of your choice. Soft serve. Most delicious cup a child is allowed to have. And have them, I did. I lived 7 minutes from a Dairy Queen and couldn’t wait to get one.
(At some point, DQ changed the name to Artic Rush)
Not that you care, but here is a brief timeline of my run-​in with Rita…
1990: My outer child grows up.
1996: Move away from childhood home.
1998: Acquire more discerning tastebuds.
2000: Grow out of eating desserts.
2005: Drive by a Rita’s Italian Ice and think people are silly for paying high dollar for slushes.
2006: Find out Rita’s put ice cream in their slushes.
…Swear never to visit a Rita’s.
2012: Have dinner next door to a Rita’s in DC and dining companion buys a custard in a cone and offers you a taste. Fall in love with this thick concoction that does not melt but curls the edges of my mouth into a smile.
…Swear never to visit a Rita’s ever again knowing that I would just eat it every day and gain 1,000 pounds.
2014: Go Black Friday Shopping with my sisters and see that Rita’s is the only place open at 11:45 pm.
…Eat my first Mango Custard Gelati.
…Swear I have died and gone to heaven
…Moan the whole time I am eating the most delicious thing in the world.
Today: Trying to figure out how much an iPhone costs since I cannot download the Rita’s reward app onto my current windows phone.
2015: Gain 1,000 pounds…
Damn you, Rita. Damn you!

Incredible staff. Friendly, happy, kind. I am always so happy with my decision to go here.

I had an office event coming up and wanted to have Rita’s catering. I called 2 – 3 other stores to get information unsuccessfully before finding this store and I’m very glad I did! James was really thorough on the phone and sent me an email confirmation right away. Yesterday when he showed up he even helped us set up the room and was really friendly. If we do an event again like this, I will definitely call him again!

I love Rita’s. I LOVE Rita’s!!! When they say that they’re selling happiness, they really are! It’s such a refreshing treat that is super flavorful and cheap (Around $ 2.50 for a cup of Italian ice at the mall? Win!) I love the coconut, mango, and cotton candy flavors, and I love that you can have 2 in the same cup! Oh and I love that you can call the night before and they’ll make your flavor! The people here are always nice (though sometimes there’s a wait) and I just love everything about this place (minus the fact that they got rid of the frequent punch cards, that was really sad).

Can’t believe it’s open 365 days of the year! Unfortunately this is located in a more or less abandoned mall and doesn’t see as many customers as it potentially could. The place is always run by one employee, so be aware that you may need to wait a minute or two by the counter before someone comes out from the back to help you. Love the pear flavor! Not artificial tasting unlike some of the other red fruit flavors I won’t mention and quite refreshing, especially for these blistering hot summer days. Will come back soon to try out more creations (:

It’s not just ice, it’s Rita’s. A fantastic collection of flavorful Italian ice mixed with real fruit and other goodness. The prices are ridiculously cheap and kids freaking love flavors like sweedish fish and cotton candy.
The secret: As far as tasty mall treats go, they are much lighter than Dairy Queen, Ben & Jerry’s, etc.
I had never heard of Rita’s until this NJ-​born franchise landed in Lakeforest Mall a few years ago. It’s apparently a ‘big deal’ in northeastern beach towns and the hype is compounded by the fact that they close between fall and winter. That is, they all close, except this one!
It’s obvious that this store is passionately run and maintained by a devoted staff. They are all too willing to let you sample every single flavor before before making a decision. The are also really great with kids. It’s a real treat to let the little ones order themselves and interact with the kind and patient staff.

Awesome place!

You’ve been around for such a long time, now
Oh maybe, I’ll avoid you — but I don’t know how
True, I would have you almost every night
Your fluffy, creamy, custards — yeah you, make them right
So I don’t
Listen when my gal pals say
That you’re bad for me — I’ll never turn you away
If peeps don’t know the fuss
They’ve never had Rita’s
I heart Gelati from your mall’s menu
Vanilla custard’s great, smooth mango ice is too
You’re open daily — info I must share
Since most are seasonal, this friendly spot’s quite rare
So I don’t
Listen when my gal pals say
That you’re bad for me — I’ll never turn you away
If peeps don’t know the fuss
They’ve never had Rita’s
Happy 25^th — almost as old as this Ullman’s altered remake: P

What can you say about Rita’s? My ex turned me on to this place and that’s all she wrote! I love the gelati or regular italian ice. I am sure the other stuff is great too. My favorite flavor is mango but raspberry, strawberry and some others are pretty darn good

After driving around to the other two Rita’s in the immediate area and finding them closed for the season, we finally hit up Lakeforest Mall which has a Rita’s open year-​round! 4 stars for helping us satisfy our cravings for some Italian ice, even after we stuffed our pie holes with Indian food.
Some of the flavors available here: cotton candy, birthday cake, piña colada, and I want to say chocolate brownie too.