Sorry Rita but I've been spoiled by real frozen custard. Even the burger chain with the frozen delicacies is a few notches up the ladder but still doesn't rank with my favorite local frozen custard. But to hear your staff has no clue what makes a frozen custard really isn't a big surprise once you understand it all comes from premade mixes. Gotta say your location is a good one though. At the edge of a strip mall, visible from the road. Seems like a great way to lure 'em in. And the table and benches outside are a nice touch. I didn't have the Gelati but it did remind me of something we used to get years ago. Maybe DQ had something like it made with slush and ice cream. Can't exactly recall, but it brought back yummy memories from 20+ years ago. May have to try that here.
(2)
Shannon E.
Until last week I had no idea what a Gelati was. I saw it mentioned in a few Yelp reviews, understood it to be a hybrid Italian ice meets frozen custard and was sold on the idea. Then I noticed that I work just a couple of miles from here and I knew a Gelati was in my imminent future. Well it happened, a mere two days after hearing about the mythological creature known as a Gelati I found myself driving over to Rita's and ordering one. It was magnificent, but I'm getting ahead of myself and skipping over the fabulous favor offerings that you can combine in your Gelati... First off you pick the type of frozen custard you want. I saw vanilla and chocolate and I think there were other flavors too, probably lowfat ones...? Plain old vanilla is my game. (I like a simple and classic base flavor if I'm about to 'get funky' with the rest of my frozen treat, you know what I mean?) Next you pick either one or two Italian Ice flavors to 'sandwich' the serving of frozen custard in the middle. The Italian Ice favors varied from strawberry, mango, pineapple, cotton candy, and I think I even saw a marshmallow one too. These Italian Ices are indeed as fresh and tasty as they sound. I know this because I tried a couple of them...delicious! I ended up choosing strawberry and pineapple as my Italian Ice combination. There were real pieces of strawberry blended into the Italian Ice, it was stupendous! The frozen custard tasted like someone had taken the creamy custard base of a creme brulee and churned it into frozen silken cream... The silky, velvety creaminess of the frozen custard blended with the tangy, fruity zing of the Italian Ice was a magical combination was a thing of beauty. PS: I think they mix up the Italian Ice offerings a bit, so the flavors you may see when you go will probably be different from the ones I saw. And you WILL go, trust me... ;)
(5)
CeCe A.
We all love Rita's! Been eating the ices and custard for 15 years. My fave is the gelati.
(5)
Kate M.
Oh yeah! Gelati layered with chocolate custard and the root beer Italian ice. It will taste almost like a Tootsie Roll, if you like that kind of thing. That's my favorite. We also tried the gelati with mango ice and vanilla custard. That was perfect on a hot day. The mango ice is not too sweet and had a true mango flavor. We were also eye-balling the sign with their frozen lemonades. That and some good booze would make a heck of a delicious poolside cocktail!
(5)
Tim J.
TO DIE FOR! get wild or get mild...love the mango...but you never know what choices you are going to get! Some days I would rather eat my calories here than dinner. Try the green flavors...very good stuff.
(5)
Vaness V.
Rita's is amazing!!! What impressed me most was not my vanilla custard with Kit-Kats I ordered, which was delicious to say the least, but the fact that they had treats for dogs! I took my dog along for the ride and when my friend came back with our order he said the cashier saw that I had my pup with me, so she gave him a mini cone just for her. It was about the size of McDonald's mini cones and it had a doggie biscuit on top.
(5)
Karen W.
The perfect combo- Italian ice and frozen custard! I had a layered combo- the Gelati. The Italian ice was light and refreshing, contrasted with the thick, rich, and creamy custard. Ice flavors are plentiful, and they offer a sugar free option for those looking for a lighter dessert. Some examples included banana, pumpkin cheesecake, iced coffee, black cherry, and pineapple. There were various types of custard to choose from too, and a "light custard" version. Flavors included vanilla, chocolate, and coffee. The one negative is that weren't enough chairs when we were here on the weekend, and there is only one outdoor bench area (Already taken up by a family when we were here), so at busy times you might be forced to get your order to-go unless you want to stand while eating your dessert.
(4)
Kevin R.
I cant tell you how much I love this place. The italian ice is amazing on its on but mixed with the frozen custard it is unbelievable. The service is always wonderful and attentive and I have yet to wait for more than a couple of minutes to get my hands on this slice of heaven!
(5)
Steve C.
Great selection. Prices are fair. I love that they have a sugar free option also. You'll find a treat to satisfy everybody here. No matter how busy they are, the help is always attentive and quick. One of my favorite choices when I'm in the mood for brain freeze. Mmmmm.
(5)
Bill H.
Very good. I didn't think the custard and ice mix would be that good, but it turned out to be great. You can mix and match different flavors and the workers are fun and love to suggest new mixes. Way better than frozen yogurt. Give it a try. Be careful when taking it to go. We have had leaks from the cups a few times because the lids seem to not stay on tight. There nothing colder than having ice cherry all over your pants.
(4)
Mar L.
I drove by this place earlier this weekend and decided to try it. I had the Gelati, I thought they sold Gelato.. they do not! What they call Gelati is a super-duper thick custard (imagine a soft-ice but richer) on the bottom, topped with a tasty Italian ice and then topped with more custard. Yes, it is a strange combo, but tasty nevertheless. I had the pumpkin cheesecake Italian ice sandwiched between this strange custard, that is too rich by itself but diluted and flavored by the ice shavings it works.. but nothing to get too freakishly excited about. The girls working was nice, and the place looks clean.. but I am not sure I'd want to stay here and eat it, because the place ultra bright. And try the Gelati, but go regular size.. just saying.
(4)
Michael C.
How did I not know this place existed? Custard and Italian Ice at the same time? What's not to love? I went here for the first time the other day, I got a Watermelon Italian Ice with Vanilla Custard. It was delicious. There really isn't much more to say. If you like slushies and custard, and want to go crazy and mix the two this is the place to do it.
(5)
Sandra R.
What a fantastic place! My fiancee, daughter and I decided to try Rita's this Sat since we have driven by it at least 100 times. I am so glad we did. The decor is cute and inviting and the young man behind the counter was so helpful and nice. We had a million questions for the young man and he answered every question we had with a smile. I had the gelati, mango and vanilla, my daughter had the blendini and my fiancee had the misto, Swedish fish flavor. OMG I already want some more Rita's. I love the variety of choice you have. It is vast but not overwhelming. I love this place.
(5)
Mark E.
Finally tried this place because of all of the nice reviews. Got the mango and vanilla Gelati and it was really nice, but it was disappointing that they have apparently switched to using a soft serve ice cream instead of custard because of a "nationwide egg shortage". I'll probably stick to yogurt places where I can load my dessert up with lots of fresh fruits and nuts, but this was an okay departure.
(3)
Joyce W.
You can't think of Rita's and not drool just a little. It was an unplanned trip and I walked away with a gelati thinking I was getting gelato. What!? Was I disappointed? Nope! A gelati is apparently Italian ice with delicious frozen custard. Ohemgee! I had gotten my gelati with mango and it was amazing. It was so good it made my skirt flip! It was cool, refreshing, and the frozen custard that the people back east love so much sent it through the roof! I hear there's a Swedish Fish flavor that I'm sure Mr. W. would love to try so maybe we need to pop back in some other time. As the four star rating goes, Yay! I'm a fan. ;D
I am not a frequent visitor to any Rita's location despite always living near one. I've been to a Rita's about 4 times in my life I think. I wanted a frozen dessert and I figured Rita's would be the place. When I got there, there was only one employee and she was very nice and offered samples. I decided to go with a gelati with strawberry-kiwi water ice and strawberry ice cream. There had ice cream instead of custard because of the egg situation but that was the richest strawberry ice cream I've every had. It was DELICIOUS! I see why people are so fund of this place! I'll be back next week when I'll be due for another indulgent frozen dessert.
#1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy Can you guess my favorite flavor? Get a Blendini! Update 7/2015 - they have replaced their custard with ice cream - sorry! Not a fan of this change
(5)
Meagan B.
OK Rita's, what the heck is a Gelati?! Why, it's Italian Ice layered with Frozen Custard. Perfect combo! Dude and I dropped in last year on a scorching hot summer night. The staff was friendly and let us sample the different flavors; did not feel rushed at all. We both got the cookies and cream Ice with swirled custard. Pretty delicious, and cooled us off. 10% off your order if you follow this store on Twitter; oh yeah! Also dropped in with my training partner shortly after a throwing practice. The Orange Mango Italian Ice was very refreshing after 3+ hours of throwing hammers in 112+ weather. Great customer service; delicious treats, I'll be back!
(4)
Ann G.
Delicious frozen treat, super friendly customer service and fun photo booth with props!
(5)
Jesse B.
Amazing customer service employees are super friendly they let you try samples of all the flavors I got blueberry, sour patch, and blood orange came out great will be back very soon
(5)
Jason F.
I'll go out of my way to come here. The italian ice is always delicious and the flavors are rich. They keep the place tidy and the workers are always generous and upbeat. It would be nice if they did punch cards but thats okay I'll still come by. They have Swedish Fish flavor for crying out loud! What more can you ask for?!
(5)
Rachael A.
Love the location of this Rita's ~ easy in and out. They have a huge variety of flavors daily and even mentioned if you call ahead they may be able to make a flavor you want. The consistency of Rita's Italian Ice is much smoother than shaved ice and it's made with real fruit. They make it fresh and serve within 36 hrs of making. They serve Cream Ice, Gelati, Frozen Lemonade and other delicious treats. I just tried the coffee Italian ice and it is delicious! My kids love that they can get 2 flavors side by side and the prices are fairly reasonable.
(5)
Shannon O.
I've been wanting to check this place out. Finally did today and got the Gelati with Mango Pineapple gelato. It was just as delicious as it looks. I usually can't finish all my ice cream but I finished it all up. Oh and the boys working there were really nice. Always great to have good customer service. I'll be back again!
(5)
George A.
My dad LOVES Rita's (as do I). The Italian ice & frozen custard are delicious, so therefore the gelati (Italian ice + custard) is VERY delicious! Even though I don't live all that close to any of the Rita's (unfortunately), I like this one the best. For one thing, parking is easy (I actually live closet to the one on Mill, but I hate the parking situation over there), and I think it's a little bigger on the inside with more seating compared to the Mill & Arcadia locations. That being said, I love ALL Rita's, but the little things mentioned above make this one more convenient to go to.
(5)
Jayne G.
I love their cookie dough and coffee blendini! There are so many choices!!! I love it. Definitely going back to try their milkshake!
(5)
Bianca B.
After having finished dinner nearby we headed to Rita's to satisfy a sweet fix. We were expecting to just get custard, but they have a variety of Italian ice making our selection harder. They offer you samples, so we tasted marshmallow peanut butter, piña colada, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry. Strawberry was by far the BEST! We went with a gelati. It's Italian ice with custard on The bottom and top. OMG! The vanilla custard was so creamy. It paired well with the texture of the Italian ice. Let the ice melt a little and you have PERFECTION. I will definitely come back.
(5)
Katrina L.
Even though it's November and it's cold.. We still came here to get our mango fix. We first tried Rita's back in 2010 in Hoboken, New Jersey for vacation and now, 3 years later we're here again but at home in AZ. When we opened the door we were greeted cheerfully. We tried the mango-pineapple but we decided to stick with just mango, the most popular flavor. Brings back the memories when we we're in New Jersey. Love it!
(5)
Rachel C.
This place is amazing. I've tried the gelati, and the custard mixed with Oreos. I forgot what it's called. Great price and wonderful flavors. If you are close stop by and get any of the awesome flavors. The staff is also great. 5 stars all around!
(5)
Egypt S.
I absolutely love Rita's Italian ice. Coming from the east coast the store is open seasonally so during the winter months the store is closed. When they first started opening up here in the Phx area I thought it was brilliant! Love the various flavors specifically cotton candy and Swedish fish with vanilla custard combo in the Gelati. Taste great!
(5)
Barnabas L.
I was skepticaly of this idea. But my friend wanted to go for her birthday.. PRETTY FREAKN GOOD! i'd go back...not much else to say. definitely get custard in your shaved ice thing..I don't even know what to call it still.. I liked the fruity and creaminess
(4)
erik s.
Ridiculously good. The combinations are endless! Leave your will power at the door. They change their 70 plus flavors all the time so you get a different great taste every time! Look out dairy queen... there is a new girl in town! Thanks Rita!
(5)
Tim M.
I love the custard here. The Italian ice is also very good and the service is fast & friendly. This is the best Italian Ice and Custard in town. Head and shoulders above Joe's italian ice
(5)
N N.
Yum. I was introduced to Rita's in New Jersey, and was surprised to find a location right by my parents' house in South Tempe. I had to take them there, and they both enjoyed the gelati, the combo of frozen custard and Italian ice. I am totally a texture person, and love the texture contrast. Pineapple and starburst strawberry are my favorite flavors.
(5)
Crystal C.
Pros: Ever since I got a free sample of this product at a Yelp event, I have been eating this stuff every other week. Frozen ices are so good. The soft ice is so much smoother and lighter than a slushy or a snow cone. The flavors are less sugary sweet and more refine. My favorite flavors are pear, swedish fish, and cotton candy. Cons: My favorite flavor is pear and they are sometimes out of it. That's my only complaint.
(5)
Brandon D.
Great place get the mango gelati it's really good with the vanilla custard I will be back tonight, tomorow, and everyday of the week. Hopefully I dont dream about this place tonight. I need to figure out how to make the flavored ice
(4)
Marilynn L.
Always love me some Rita's! Great service and delicious custard! My favorite combination is raspberry mango italian ice with lemon custard. Tangy, tart, and refreshing!
(4)
dj B.
Being from Philly, good Italian Ice (or water ice as we call it there) was one thing I really missed after moving to AZ. We'd always visit a local Rita's on every trip back East. I was SO excited to see them move into the Valley. I know they offer other products, but the Italian Ice is all I ever order. Love that I get a text when my favorite flavor is available. The ice is always fresh and delicious. And now they've added Philly pretzels!! Just like the kind the guys sell from plastic trays in the medians back home, handing them through your car window at an intersection - but better because they are baked fresh (and those guys were always a bit sketchy!). So glad to have a location so close by!
(5)
Michelle L.
First time here... Wasn't sure what I wanted so they let me try out a couple flavors. LOL I went through more than half of what they had because many of it was way too sweet. I ended up going with the mango tangerine and piña colada. (They let you mix flavors) and topped it with vanilla custard, which was delish. Overall this place is decent but considering I don't like most of the flavors here.. Why would I be back?
(3)
Susan D.
Icey iced ice... tasty and refreshing, Rita's delivers. You can't help but smile as you walk in the door, anticipating the tasty goodness that is lined up in front of you. They have simple cream ice, milkshakes, gelati, Italian ices, frozen custard, frozen custard cookies... and on and on. We stopped by on a random, warm afternoon after passing the new store and noticing the sign... a few samples later, we were sure that we'd found a winner. My only 'ouch' came when I found out the calories and fat in my Blendini mix. :-/ Glad I shared it! We'll just make Rita's an occasional splurge. Yum... Blendini! We recommend the Vanilla custard with Toffee. :-D See ya there!
(4)
Rachel M.
This Rita's is becoming one of my favorite places to come for a treat! Amazingly friendly staff and yummy treats! Can you get better than that!?! I only wish that the ice wasn't so sweet. My kids love, but every time I find myself wishing it wasn't SO sweet.
(5)
Anthony c.
Very light tasting custard mixed with mango or any flavor of choice. What can be wrong with that!? Well nothing if its Rita's that's for sure. Place is wonderful been here multiple times within the first week I discovered the place. Very friendly staff is always a plus! They get it right every time. Definitely willing to make sure your experience is the best. Thanks again Rita's and staff for an amazing get away.
(5)
Jerry N.
if you've never been...........you MUST. real fruit in the drinks, fair price and large. be careful of brain freeze. they are out of Philly, i used to go there all the time when i lived there THE BEST
(5)
Clare Marie K.
People from the Philadelphia area know this name well. The custard and water ice company originated there. This is the best custard & Italian ice you will ever have. This store has only been opened about 10 months but it is quickly becoming a community fixture. If you've never had Italian ice then you owe it to yourself to try this one. It's a real treat especially on our hot days. The staff at this location are knowledgeable and friendly. And there is an endless number of choices. Enjoy.
(5)
Jody P.
GREAT refreshing treat. Always wonderful customer service and great prices. This is a usual stop for our family.
RITA'S! I'm surprised it has taken so long for Rita's to migrate to the valley of the sun - even in "winter" the swedish fish gelati hits the spot! A must try if you like sour sweets: the green apple gelati.
(5)
Khoa N.
I usually don't eat anything sweet after meals but I really like this place. First time having Italian ice and I like it
(4)
Curtis M.
Rita's was ok. The Italian ices flavors were a little low and the ice was kinda slushy, like the water was separating from the ice. It was ok. Over all it was ok. Maybe try joes down the street. That's place was pretty legit! Lots of flavors!
(3)
Janee P.
I'm from the east coast and LOVE Rita's! Imagine my sheer delight when I stumbled upon this location! I walked in and the place is clean, colorful, and made me nostalgic for my youth! You can't help but smile. Was greeted warmly by friendly smiling faces :) I chatted with the owner for a bit and turns out she is from the same area as my family back east! Small world! They let me pretty much sample everything since I haven't been to a Rita's in a long time. It was awesome. Lots has changed or maybe the west coast chains are different. The cantaloupe has fresh bits of cantaloupe in it. The sugar free mango peach was so good. I was hesitant to try the creme flavors - cheesecake and oatmeal raisin - I didn't like the cheesecake so much, tasted too artificial, but the oatmeal raisin was (surprisingly) delicious! I was disappointed they didn't have my favorite flavor - Swedish Fish - but they said they rotate flavors and will probably have it in soon. I'm so happy there is a Rita's so close! What a wonderful surprise today!
(5)
Brett H.
I LOVE RITAS. I have not had it since moving from NJ. It is a very nice location. Clean, quiet and in a great location. I will be going very often. We need one closer to home though. I had the cantelope water ice and it was the best.
(5)
stefano p.
Yum, and the service is outstanding.
(5)
Nicole C.
Ummm..WOW! Can I end my review here? Perhaps not. The Italian ice (granita) was amazing! Orange was an absolute favourite in my family. My husband wishes he didn't get the gelato but the rest of us really liked it. The vanilla gelato tastes like frozen whipped cream. Totally healthy, I'm sure :) We didn't try the mango, but my son had the birthday cake and I had the root beer. My 2nd favourite was the sour patch kids :) Only disappointments here? No traditional lemon flavour and the fact that the staff didn't seem to really know the history of their product or the difference between the words "gelato" and "gelati". I'm a grammar nut.
(5)
Sarah M.
Yum, Yum, Yum!!! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you are missing something amazing!! This location has the BEST flavor selection that I've seen. They always have a good combination of the sweet and fruity flavors. I cannot say enough great things here. If you don't have the app on your phone, you need to get it too. There is a punch card to receive your 8th Ice FREE and there are also free punch days and double punch days. The staff is always super friendly here and don't care if you want to sample every flavor. Come here!
(5)
Mike P.
A Philadelphia staple, right here in AZ. The "Gelati" which is an ice/custard mix is delicious. They have a lot of flavors, but for some reason they don't always have cherry, which is the food equivalent of blasphemy. And call before you show up because the more popular flavors do run out.
(4)
Meghan z.
Great custards (even though they are just the basic flavors) and even better ices. The flavors and unique and delicious. I love coming here after the movies at Tempe Cinema.
(5)
Mike M.
Good stuff. I have had my fair share of custard and I really like this place a lot. Having lived in Kansas City for a while and frequently eating some of the best custard, ever, at Sheridan's, I am a tough critic of frozen custard. I have tried custard at quite a few frozen custard joints and I have to give this place solid points. The concept is a little different than I am used to. Rather than mixing custard with fruits they mix Italian Ice (blended frozen fruits) with their custard. It certainly works well for them and their custard is top notch. Very creamy and very tasty by itself. I tried the mango gelati with vanilla custard and really, really enjoyed it. Its a layer of Italian Ice followed by a layer of custard, etc. I would like to see more customized dishes using fruit toppings but that's not their business model and what they offer is certainly good. I would definitely try this place again and if you're looking for good custard this is some of the best I have found in Arizona, by far. Also really like the modern inside with LCD menus, etc. Makes for a nice experience.
(4)
Dina S.
Everything at Rita's is delicious. I highly recommend this place. Try everything because the flavors are always changing. Yummy, yummy!!
(5)
Cher M.
Love Rita's sugar free flavor of the day. Mango water ice mixed with vanilla custard is great too!
(5)
Chantie F.
My girlfriend has been telling me about Rita's for years it seems. She told me a while ago that they were coming here. I swear that she was doing the happy dance. I've been driving by this location for a while...waiting for them to open. The other day I happened to notice the umbrella out in front, and pulled in. They are OPEN, and the grand opening is still a couple of weeks out. I LOVE coffee ice cream and feel compelled to try it whenever I see it. Rita's coffee frozen custard did NOT disappoint. It was SO rich and creamy. I got a cup and brought it home, as I know it is one flavor that my husband will not sneak and eat up on me. I also picked up a Mango with vanilla custard (was told that it is one of the big favorites). The three of us shared the large, with my two year old constantly clamoring for her bite. Needless to say, Rita's will be our local desert place. They offered milk shakes, frozen custard, and lots of variety.
(5)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :Safeway Shopping Center,7660 S. McClintock Drive
Tempe, AZ, 85284
Valerie M.
Sorry Rita but I've been spoiled by real frozen custard. Even the burger chain with the frozen delicacies is a few notches up the ladder but still doesn't rank with my favorite local frozen custard. But to hear your staff has no clue what makes a frozen custard really isn't a big surprise once you understand it all comes from premade mixes. Gotta say your location is a good one though. At the edge of a strip mall, visible from the road. Seems like a great way to lure 'em in. And the table and benches outside are a nice touch. I didn't have the Gelati but it did remind me of something we used to get years ago. Maybe DQ had something like it made with slush and ice cream. Can't exactly recall, but it brought back yummy memories from 20+ years ago. May have to try that here.
(2)Shannon E.
Until last week I had no idea what a Gelati was. I saw it mentioned in a few Yelp reviews, understood it to be a hybrid Italian ice meets frozen custard and was sold on the idea. Then I noticed that I work just a couple of miles from here and I knew a Gelati was in my imminent future. Well it happened, a mere two days after hearing about the mythological creature known as a Gelati I found myself driving over to Rita's and ordering one. It was magnificent, but I'm getting ahead of myself and skipping over the fabulous favor offerings that you can combine in your Gelati... First off you pick the type of frozen custard you want. I saw vanilla and chocolate and I think there were other flavors too, probably lowfat ones...? Plain old vanilla is my game. (I like a simple and classic base flavor if I'm about to 'get funky' with the rest of my frozen treat, you know what I mean?) Next you pick either one or two Italian Ice flavors to 'sandwich' the serving of frozen custard in the middle. The Italian Ice favors varied from strawberry, mango, pineapple, cotton candy, and I think I even saw a marshmallow one too. These Italian Ices are indeed as fresh and tasty as they sound. I know this because I tried a couple of them...delicious! I ended up choosing strawberry and pineapple as my Italian Ice combination. There were real pieces of strawberry blended into the Italian Ice, it was stupendous! The frozen custard tasted like someone had taken the creamy custard base of a creme brulee and churned it into frozen silken cream... The silky, velvety creaminess of the frozen custard blended with the tangy, fruity zing of the Italian Ice was a magical combination was a thing of beauty. PS: I think they mix up the Italian Ice offerings a bit, so the flavors you may see when you go will probably be different from the ones I saw. And you WILL go, trust me... ;)
(5)CeCe A.
We all love Rita's! Been eating the ices and custard for 15 years. My fave is the gelati.
(5)Kate M.
Oh yeah! Gelati layered with chocolate custard and the root beer Italian ice. It will taste almost like a Tootsie Roll, if you like that kind of thing. That's my favorite. We also tried the gelati with mango ice and vanilla custard. That was perfect on a hot day. The mango ice is not too sweet and had a true mango flavor. We were also eye-balling the sign with their frozen lemonades. That and some good booze would make a heck of a delicious poolside cocktail!
(5)Tim J.
TO DIE FOR! get wild or get mild...love the mango...but you never know what choices you are going to get! Some days I would rather eat my calories here than dinner. Try the green flavors...very good stuff.
(5)Vaness V.
Rita's is amazing!!! What impressed me most was not my vanilla custard with Kit-Kats I ordered, which was delicious to say the least, but the fact that they had treats for dogs! I took my dog along for the ride and when my friend came back with our order he said the cashier saw that I had my pup with me, so she gave him a mini cone just for her. It was about the size of McDonald's mini cones and it had a doggie biscuit on top.
(5)Karen W.
The perfect combo- Italian ice and frozen custard! I had a layered combo- the Gelati. The Italian ice was light and refreshing, contrasted with the thick, rich, and creamy custard. Ice flavors are plentiful, and they offer a sugar free option for those looking for a lighter dessert. Some examples included banana, pumpkin cheesecake, iced coffee, black cherry, and pineapple. There were various types of custard to choose from too, and a "light custard" version. Flavors included vanilla, chocolate, and coffee. The one negative is that weren't enough chairs when we were here on the weekend, and there is only one outdoor bench area (Already taken up by a family when we were here), so at busy times you might be forced to get your order to-go unless you want to stand while eating your dessert.
(4)Kevin R.
I cant tell you how much I love this place. The italian ice is amazing on its on but mixed with the frozen custard it is unbelievable. The service is always wonderful and attentive and I have yet to wait for more than a couple of minutes to get my hands on this slice of heaven!
(5)Steve C.
Great selection. Prices are fair. I love that they have a sugar free option also. You'll find a treat to satisfy everybody here. No matter how busy they are, the help is always attentive and quick. One of my favorite choices when I'm in the mood for brain freeze. Mmmmm.
(5)Bill H.
Very good. I didn't think the custard and ice mix would be that good, but it turned out to be great. You can mix and match different flavors and the workers are fun and love to suggest new mixes. Way better than frozen yogurt. Give it a try. Be careful when taking it to go. We have had leaks from the cups a few times because the lids seem to not stay on tight. There nothing colder than having ice cherry all over your pants.
(4)Mar L.
I drove by this place earlier this weekend and decided to try it. I had the Gelati, I thought they sold Gelato.. they do not! What they call Gelati is a super-duper thick custard (imagine a soft-ice but richer) on the bottom, topped with a tasty Italian ice and then topped with more custard. Yes, it is a strange combo, but tasty nevertheless. I had the pumpkin cheesecake Italian ice sandwiched between this strange custard, that is too rich by itself but diluted and flavored by the ice shavings it works.. but nothing to get too freakishly excited about. The girls working was nice, and the place looks clean.. but I am not sure I'd want to stay here and eat it, because the place ultra bright. And try the Gelati, but go regular size.. just saying.
(4)Michael C.
How did I not know this place existed? Custard and Italian Ice at the same time? What's not to love? I went here for the first time the other day, I got a Watermelon Italian Ice with Vanilla Custard. It was delicious. There really isn't much more to say. If you like slushies and custard, and want to go crazy and mix the two this is the place to do it.
(5)Sandra R.
What a fantastic place! My fiancee, daughter and I decided to try Rita's this Sat since we have driven by it at least 100 times. I am so glad we did. The decor is cute and inviting and the young man behind the counter was so helpful and nice. We had a million questions for the young man and he answered every question we had with a smile. I had the gelati, mango and vanilla, my daughter had the blendini and my fiancee had the misto, Swedish fish flavor. OMG I already want some more Rita's. I love the variety of choice you have. It is vast but not overwhelming. I love this place.
(5)Mark E.
Finally tried this place because of all of the nice reviews. Got the mango and vanilla Gelati and it was really nice, but it was disappointing that they have apparently switched to using a soft serve ice cream instead of custard because of a "nationwide egg shortage". I'll probably stick to yogurt places where I can load my dessert up with lots of fresh fruits and nuts, but this was an okay departure.
(3)Joyce W.
You can't think of Rita's and not drool just a little. It was an unplanned trip and I walked away with a gelati thinking I was getting gelato. What!? Was I disappointed? Nope! A gelati is apparently Italian ice with delicious frozen custard. Ohemgee! I had gotten my gelati with mango and it was amazing. It was so good it made my skirt flip! It was cool, refreshing, and the frozen custard that the people back east love so much sent it through the roof! I hear there's a Swedish Fish flavor that I'm sure Mr. W. would love to try so maybe we need to pop back in some other time. As the four star rating goes, Yay! I'm a fan. ;D
(4)Renée E.
I am not a frequent visitor to any Rita's location despite always living near one. I've been to a Rita's about 4 times in my life I think. I wanted a frozen dessert and I figured Rita's would be the place. When I got there, there was only one employee and she was very nice and offered samples. I decided to go with a gelati with strawberry-kiwi water ice and strawberry ice cream. There had ice cream instead of custard because of the egg situation but that was the richest strawberry ice cream I've every had. It was DELICIOUS! I see why people are so fund of this place! I'll be back next week when I'll be due for another indulgent frozen dessert.
(5)Jason P.
This is one of the places to be on such a hot day. This location is in a plaza. There is plenty of parking. There is no outside seating. Trust me, in this hot temperature, you will not miss it. There are tables and seating for about 20 people. The restrooms are clean and well-maintained. The décor is nice and has a friendly, lively theme. After sampling a bunch of Italian ice flavors, I decided to get a gelati, which is combination of Italian ice with frozen custard. I decided to get the pear and mango orange flavored ice with vanilla custard. The regular size portion is definitely enough for one person. The combination tasted great. The flavored ice and the custard go so well together. Another good thing is during the hot temperatures, the custard is a bit more difficult to melt than ice cream, which allows for more time to consume it. On the sweet level I have to say it wasn't too sweet but it wasn't bland at all. All in all, it was a good balance. The service here is great. No one was around so we had all the attention to us. The worker was kind of enough to sample many different ice flavors! Since it was my first time there it was important as I had no clue what to order. This place is definitely a good alternative to ice cream or frozen yogurt if you're not in the mood for those.
(4)Chris S.
#1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy #1 flavor = cotton candy Can you guess my favorite flavor? Get a Blendini! Update 7/2015 - they have replaced their custard with ice cream - sorry! Not a fan of this change
(5)Meagan B.
OK Rita's, what the heck is a Gelati?! Why, it's Italian Ice layered with Frozen Custard. Perfect combo! Dude and I dropped in last year on a scorching hot summer night. The staff was friendly and let us sample the different flavors; did not feel rushed at all. We both got the cookies and cream Ice with swirled custard. Pretty delicious, and cooled us off. 10% off your order if you follow this store on Twitter; oh yeah! Also dropped in with my training partner shortly after a throwing practice. The Orange Mango Italian Ice was very refreshing after 3+ hours of throwing hammers in 112+ weather. Great customer service; delicious treats, I'll be back!
(4)Ann G.
Delicious frozen treat, super friendly customer service and fun photo booth with props!
(5)Jesse B.
Amazing customer service employees are super friendly they let you try samples of all the flavors I got blueberry, sour patch, and blood orange came out great will be back very soon
(5)Jason F.
I'll go out of my way to come here. The italian ice is always delicious and the flavors are rich. They keep the place tidy and the workers are always generous and upbeat. It would be nice if they did punch cards but thats okay I'll still come by. They have Swedish Fish flavor for crying out loud! What more can you ask for?!
(5)Rachael A.
Love the location of this Rita's ~ easy in and out. They have a huge variety of flavors daily and even mentioned if you call ahead they may be able to make a flavor you want. The consistency of Rita's Italian Ice is much smoother than shaved ice and it's made with real fruit. They make it fresh and serve within 36 hrs of making. They serve Cream Ice, Gelati, Frozen Lemonade and other delicious treats. I just tried the coffee Italian ice and it is delicious! My kids love that they can get 2 flavors side by side and the prices are fairly reasonable.
(5)Shannon O.
I've been wanting to check this place out. Finally did today and got the Gelati with Mango Pineapple gelato. It was just as delicious as it looks. I usually can't finish all my ice cream but I finished it all up. Oh and the boys working there were really nice. Always great to have good customer service. I'll be back again!
(5)George A.
My dad LOVES Rita's (as do I). The Italian ice & frozen custard are delicious, so therefore the gelati (Italian ice + custard) is VERY delicious! Even though I don't live all that close to any of the Rita's (unfortunately), I like this one the best. For one thing, parking is easy (I actually live closet to the one on Mill, but I hate the parking situation over there), and I think it's a little bigger on the inside with more seating compared to the Mill & Arcadia locations. That being said, I love ALL Rita's, but the little things mentioned above make this one more convenient to go to.
(5)Jayne G.
I love their cookie dough and coffee blendini! There are so many choices!!! I love it. Definitely going back to try their milkshake!
(5)Bianca B.
After having finished dinner nearby we headed to Rita's to satisfy a sweet fix. We were expecting to just get custard, but they have a variety of Italian ice making our selection harder. They offer you samples, so we tasted marshmallow peanut butter, piña colada, mint chocolate chip, and strawberry. Strawberry was by far the BEST! We went with a gelati. It's Italian ice with custard on The bottom and top. OMG! The vanilla custard was so creamy. It paired well with the texture of the Italian ice. Let the ice melt a little and you have PERFECTION. I will definitely come back.
(5)Katrina L.
Even though it's November and it's cold.. We still came here to get our mango fix. We first tried Rita's back in 2010 in Hoboken, New Jersey for vacation and now, 3 years later we're here again but at home in AZ. When we opened the door we were greeted cheerfully. We tried the mango-pineapple but we decided to stick with just mango, the most popular flavor. Brings back the memories when we we're in New Jersey. Love it!
(5)Rachel C.
This place is amazing. I've tried the gelati, and the custard mixed with Oreos. I forgot what it's called. Great price and wonderful flavors. If you are close stop by and get any of the awesome flavors. The staff is also great. 5 stars all around!
(5)Egypt S.
I absolutely love Rita's Italian ice. Coming from the east coast the store is open seasonally so during the winter months the store is closed. When they first started opening up here in the Phx area I thought it was brilliant! Love the various flavors specifically cotton candy and Swedish fish with vanilla custard combo in the Gelati. Taste great!
(5)Barnabas L.
I was skepticaly of this idea. But my friend wanted to go for her birthday.. PRETTY FREAKN GOOD! i'd go back...not much else to say. definitely get custard in your shaved ice thing..I don't even know what to call it still.. I liked the fruity and creaminess
(4)erik s.
Ridiculously good. The combinations are endless! Leave your will power at the door. They change their 70 plus flavors all the time so you get a different great taste every time! Look out dairy queen... there is a new girl in town! Thanks Rita!
(5)Tim M.
I love the custard here. The Italian ice is also very good and the service is fast & friendly. This is the best Italian Ice and Custard in town. Head and shoulders above Joe's italian ice
(5)N N.
Yum. I was introduced to Rita's in New Jersey, and was surprised to find a location right by my parents' house in South Tempe. I had to take them there, and they both enjoyed the gelati, the combo of frozen custard and Italian ice. I am totally a texture person, and love the texture contrast. Pineapple and starburst strawberry are my favorite flavors.
(5)Crystal C.
Pros: Ever since I got a free sample of this product at a Yelp event, I have been eating this stuff every other week. Frozen ices are so good. The soft ice is so much smoother and lighter than a slushy or a snow cone. The flavors are less sugary sweet and more refine. My favorite flavors are pear, swedish fish, and cotton candy. Cons: My favorite flavor is pear and they are sometimes out of it. That's my only complaint.
(5)Brandon D.
Great place get the mango gelati it's really good with the vanilla custard I will be back tonight, tomorow, and everyday of the week. Hopefully I dont dream about this place tonight. I need to figure out how to make the flavored ice
(4)Marilynn L.
Always love me some Rita's! Great service and delicious custard! My favorite combination is raspberry mango italian ice with lemon custard. Tangy, tart, and refreshing!
(4)dj B.
Being from Philly, good Italian Ice (or water ice as we call it there) was one thing I really missed after moving to AZ. We'd always visit a local Rita's on every trip back East. I was SO excited to see them move into the Valley. I know they offer other products, but the Italian Ice is all I ever order. Love that I get a text when my favorite flavor is available. The ice is always fresh and delicious. And now they've added Philly pretzels!! Just like the kind the guys sell from plastic trays in the medians back home, handing them through your car window at an intersection - but better because they are baked fresh (and those guys were always a bit sketchy!). So glad to have a location so close by!
(5)Michelle L.
First time here... Wasn't sure what I wanted so they let me try out a couple flavors. LOL I went through more than half of what they had because many of it was way too sweet. I ended up going with the mango tangerine and piña colada. (They let you mix flavors) and topped it with vanilla custard, which was delish. Overall this place is decent but considering I don't like most of the flavors here.. Why would I be back?
(3)Susan D.
Icey iced ice... tasty and refreshing, Rita's delivers. You can't help but smile as you walk in the door, anticipating the tasty goodness that is lined up in front of you. They have simple cream ice, milkshakes, gelati, Italian ices, frozen custard, frozen custard cookies... and on and on. We stopped by on a random, warm afternoon after passing the new store and noticing the sign... a few samples later, we were sure that we'd found a winner. My only 'ouch' came when I found out the calories and fat in my Blendini mix. :-/ Glad I shared it! We'll just make Rita's an occasional splurge. Yum... Blendini! We recommend the Vanilla custard with Toffee. :-D See ya there!
(4)Rachel M.
This Rita's is becoming one of my favorite places to come for a treat! Amazingly friendly staff and yummy treats! Can you get better than that!?! I only wish that the ice wasn't so sweet. My kids love, but every time I find myself wishing it wasn't SO sweet.
(5)Anthony c.
Very light tasting custard mixed with mango or any flavor of choice. What can be wrong with that!? Well nothing if its Rita's that's for sure. Place is wonderful been here multiple times within the first week I discovered the place. Very friendly staff is always a plus! They get it right every time. Definitely willing to make sure your experience is the best. Thanks again Rita's and staff for an amazing get away.
(5)Jerry N.
if you've never been...........you MUST. real fruit in the drinks, fair price and large. be careful of brain freeze. they are out of Philly, i used to go there all the time when i lived there THE BEST
(5)Clare Marie K.
People from the Philadelphia area know this name well. The custard and water ice company originated there. This is the best custard & Italian ice you will ever have. This store has only been opened about 10 months but it is quickly becoming a community fixture. If you've never had Italian ice then you owe it to yourself to try this one. It's a real treat especially on our hot days. The staff at this location are knowledgeable and friendly. And there is an endless number of choices. Enjoy.
(5)Jody P.
GREAT refreshing treat. Always wonderful customer service and great prices. This is a usual stop for our family.
(5)André E.
RITA'S! I'm surprised it has taken so long for Rita's to migrate to the valley of the sun - even in "winter" the swedish fish gelati hits the spot! A must try if you like sour sweets: the green apple gelati.
(5)Khoa N.
I usually don't eat anything sweet after meals but I really like this place. First time having Italian ice and I like it
(4)Curtis M.
Rita's was ok. The Italian ices flavors were a little low and the ice was kinda slushy, like the water was separating from the ice. It was ok. Over all it was ok. Maybe try joes down the street. That's place was pretty legit! Lots of flavors!
(3)Janee P.
I'm from the east coast and LOVE Rita's! Imagine my sheer delight when I stumbled upon this location! I walked in and the place is clean, colorful, and made me nostalgic for my youth! You can't help but smile. Was greeted warmly by friendly smiling faces :) I chatted with the owner for a bit and turns out she is from the same area as my family back east! Small world! They let me pretty much sample everything since I haven't been to a Rita's in a long time. It was awesome. Lots has changed or maybe the west coast chains are different. The cantaloupe has fresh bits of cantaloupe in it. The sugar free mango peach was so good. I was hesitant to try the creme flavors - cheesecake and oatmeal raisin - I didn't like the cheesecake so much, tasted too artificial, but the oatmeal raisin was (surprisingly) delicious! I was disappointed they didn't have my favorite flavor - Swedish Fish - but they said they rotate flavors and will probably have it in soon. I'm so happy there is a Rita's so close! What a wonderful surprise today!
(5)Brett H.
I LOVE RITAS. I have not had it since moving from NJ. It is a very nice location. Clean, quiet and in a great location. I will be going very often. We need one closer to home though. I had the cantelope water ice and it was the best.
(5)stefano p.
Yum, and the service is outstanding.
(5)Nicole C.
Ummm..WOW! Can I end my review here? Perhaps not. The Italian ice (granita) was amazing! Orange was an absolute favourite in my family. My husband wishes he didn't get the gelato but the rest of us really liked it. The vanilla gelato tastes like frozen whipped cream. Totally healthy, I'm sure :) We didn't try the mango, but my son had the birthday cake and I had the root beer. My 2nd favourite was the sour patch kids :) Only disappointments here? No traditional lemon flavour and the fact that the staff didn't seem to really know the history of their product or the difference between the words "gelato" and "gelati". I'm a grammar nut.
(5)Sarah M.
Yum, Yum, Yum!!! If you haven't checked this place out yet, you are missing something amazing!! This location has the BEST flavor selection that I've seen. They always have a good combination of the sweet and fruity flavors. I cannot say enough great things here. If you don't have the app on your phone, you need to get it too. There is a punch card to receive your 8th Ice FREE and there are also free punch days and double punch days. The staff is always super friendly here and don't care if you want to sample every flavor. Come here!
(5)Mike P.
A Philadelphia staple, right here in AZ. The "Gelati" which is an ice/custard mix is delicious. They have a lot of flavors, but for some reason they don't always have cherry, which is the food equivalent of blasphemy. And call before you show up because the more popular flavors do run out.
(4)Meghan z.
Great custards (even though they are just the basic flavors) and even better ices. The flavors and unique and delicious. I love coming here after the movies at Tempe Cinema.
(5)Mike M.
Good stuff. I have had my fair share of custard and I really like this place a lot. Having lived in Kansas City for a while and frequently eating some of the best custard, ever, at Sheridan's, I am a tough critic of frozen custard. I have tried custard at quite a few frozen custard joints and I have to give this place solid points. The concept is a little different than I am used to. Rather than mixing custard with fruits they mix Italian Ice (blended frozen fruits) with their custard. It certainly works well for them and their custard is top notch. Very creamy and very tasty by itself. I tried the mango gelati with vanilla custard and really, really enjoyed it. Its a layer of Italian Ice followed by a layer of custard, etc. I would like to see more customized dishes using fruit toppings but that's not their business model and what they offer is certainly good. I would definitely try this place again and if you're looking for good custard this is some of the best I have found in Arizona, by far. Also really like the modern inside with LCD menus, etc. Makes for a nice experience.
(4)Dina S.
Everything at Rita's is delicious. I highly recommend this place. Try everything because the flavors are always changing. Yummy, yummy!!
(5)Cher M.
Love Rita's sugar free flavor of the day. Mango water ice mixed with vanilla custard is great too!
(5)Chantie F.
My girlfriend has been telling me about Rita's for years it seems. She told me a while ago that they were coming here. I swear that she was doing the happy dance. I've been driving by this location for a while...waiting for them to open. The other day I happened to notice the umbrella out in front, and pulled in. They are OPEN, and the grand opening is still a couple of weeks out. I LOVE coffee ice cream and feel compelled to try it whenever I see it. Rita's coffee frozen custard did NOT disappoint. It was SO rich and creamy. I got a cup and brought it home, as I know it is one flavor that my husband will not sneak and eat up on me. I also picked up a Mango with vanilla custard (was told that it is one of the big favorites). The three of us shared the large, with my two year old constantly clamoring for her bite. Needless to say, Rita's will be our local desert place. They offered milk shakes, frozen custard, and lots of variety.
(5)