Rita’s Italian Ice

Never fails to give a great friendly service along with great frozen treats. A lot of the times at places like these, you get the stuck up, i dont want to be here service, but not here. Every time, its an enjoyable experience.

Used to date someone who lived in South Plainfield, NJ. It was about an hour drive from me and honestly, I wasn’t really all that into her. Nevertheless, I made the journey religiously and, looking back on it, I think the main reason may have been that there was a Rita’s around the corner from her house. Used to stop on the way there for a Gelati and would grab a Misto Shake for the ride home.
Before Rita’s opened in Glen Rock, we used to make the trek to Pompton Lakes, a good ½ hour drive. Might sound like a schlep just to get a Misto Shake or a Gelati but that would be to someone who never had a Misto Shake or a Gelati. To me it was well worth the drive.
I love Rita’s. Always have, always will. I was so thrilled when they came to town that my kids and I left a note on the door during construction telling them to hurry it up. Since then we have been there literally hundreds of times. Flavors come and go but they’re always fresh and always delicious. Hell, it just started snowing and I took a drive over for a quick snack. LOVE Rita’s!

As a diabetic I really appreciate their «Made with Splenda» flavors especially the pineapple. They always ask if I want a lid and I know that means less product so I never get one. I am a true Rita’s addict, but my only complaint is that I always buy the biggest size yet when I cash in my frequent customer reward they give me the next size down, claiming there is now way to put a «free» large into their register. FIX THAT!

All things cold and sweet. I tried a mango Blendini. The rep was helpful in helping me create it when I didn’t know what it was.

There is a wonderful New Jersey poet, Patrick Rosal, who once wrote:
«To suck until our lips turned blue
the last drops of cool juice
from a crumpled cup sopped
with spit the first Italian Ice of summer
to chase popsicle stick skiffs
along the curb skimming stormwater
from Woodbridge Ave. to Old Post Road»
There’s something about Italian Ice that tugs at the nostalgic memories engrained deeply in my heart. And while Rita’s isn’t exactly the ice cups of my youth, I can appreciate their twist on a summer classic. With a constantly evolving menu and custard additions, Rita’s is certainly a great place for a frozen treat; a great place for families and children to create their own memories.
But for me, I still enjoy walking up to the men and women pushing a cart on the street. In our inner cities, a dollar can buy you more than a flavored cup of ice. It can still buy you a cup of cool juice that makes you feel like a kid again.
Here’s to Rita’s and every other peddler of summertime dreams! Stay cool my friends.

Perfect. Summer or winter. Fruity ices are all on point. I know the top seller is mango but I love Swedish fish flavor.
If you have not ever had a cream ice get one. Mint chocolate chip. Fudge brownie. Birthday cake. Or my fav. S’mores «no camp fire needed

So many different flavors and styles of everything, but what really got me was a couple of their flavors. The swedish fish flavor and strawberry starburst taste JUST LIKE the candies! I asked if any of the candies were used in the creation, and the worker smiled and said no. That blows my mind.
I had a mint chip oreo blendini with the vanilla frozen custard. It was refreshing and was very similar to a high quality McFlurry.
Although it was great ice cream, they only had one person working with customers on a 98 degree sweltering summer day. Not too efficient, but great service!

LOVE RIta’s — and this location is OPEN all year around. Get some, you won’t regret it.

Coming from the midwest I had never heard of Rita’s but was excited to try it. Trying to decipher the menu was a little tricky because there are ices, gelatis, and «blendinis.» We ordered an ice for the little one and for my husband, but I was feeling daring and decided on an Oreo «blendini.» Ice and custard with a topping all mixed up was different. It was not my style — I think they are geared for younger kids. The ices were great and it was fun to go with some of our young cousins.
I liked the atmosphere (cute place and happy staff) and the food was good too. We will return because the ices are a great treat during the summer.