Mr Penguin
1920 W Platt St, Tampa, FL, 33606
Mr Penguin Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Tampa for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1920 W Platt St
Tampa, FL, 33606 - Phone (813) 251-5750
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
- Mon : 12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
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Michael C.
Pros: A wide assortment of Italian ice and ice cream to mix and match Cons: Some flavors are artificial tasting and may lead to a bad combination if you randomly pair 2 ingredients Bottom Line: The creaminess of soft-serve and the texture and zing of Italian ice makes for an incredible dessert. Remember in first grade when you came across the weird idea of mixing your mayo and ketchup to create some weird pink concoction? That combination of two everyday ingredients blew my prepubescent mind and set me on the path of mixing - ultimately leading to my somewhat masochistic college degree of Biochemistry; a world focused on weird mixtures. 15 years later I found Mr. Penguin by chance as I scoured the city for a new dessert place. Little did I know that this curiously adorable mascot would lead me to another life-changing experience. Plastered on the wall is a colorful array of flavors that seem to tickle the tongue as your eyes glaze from Strawberry to Cookie Butter. Soon your ignorant eyes will meet the eyes of someone exuberantly joyous who introduces you to the radiant ambrosia that fuels their optimistic spirit. Gelati is a simple combination of fruity Italian ice and creamy soft-serve, but in that simplicity is a happiness only foretold in the legends of old. In your gaiety do not forget to take heed of the server's suggestions, as the inexperienced should not venture into the dangerous terrain of sour green apple and chocolate without knowing exactly what they are getting into. Layer after layer I found myself devouring my newfound dessert. Not a minute had passed by before I suddenly felt an imminent sense of dread build up; I was slapped back into a reality by the capricious brain-freeze of delicious. Capable of great flavor and great pain, gelati is a force to be reckoned with. In short if you love soft-serve ice cream but are seeking an interesting twist, gelati will be sure to tickle your senses. TLDR: This is seriously some good stuff that I'm thinking of doing it at home soon. Now if only they had a Nutella flavored fudge to add.
(4)Isabelle R.
Gelati is the best summer treat! It's like Ritas Italian Ice but way better! A combo of Italian ice and soft serve is the best idea. Many different flavor options for the Italian ice that you can pair with chocolate, vanilla, or swirl soft serve. I highly recommend peanut butter ice and chocolate soft serve. It's so deliciously creamy - yum!!
(5)Paige C.
Florida is hot, Ice cream is necessary. This will cool you down. Italian ice + Soft serve = Gelati What is a Gelati? I don't know. It's kind of like one of those Snow Cone Shacks on the side of the road and Dairy Queen got together and had a baby. Well, the Italian Ice is quite a bit better than snow cone quality. They tower parfait soft serve and gelati in whatever combo you desire. It's downright addictive. In oppressively hot Tampa... this is an oasis. They have a ton of ice flavor, but only chocolate and vanilla soft serve. I want more soft serve! Up the soft-serve game, and this place will have it all.
(4)Cindy M.
My current obsession is Mr. Penguin. I would drive all the way from St Pete for this stuff. It's that addicting. The girls at the counter are always super nice. The first time I just tried the gelato minus the soft serve. Boy was that a mistake. The two combined are magical! Super dog friendly. They even give out doggy ice snacks for your pooch.
(5)Bo W.
Huge props for originality! I was truly impressed by the sugary goodness handed through the window at this unusual (in a good way) & premium ice/soft serve/gelati creamery. Upon arrival, there was no line. We walked right up to the window and started learning how it all works. For me, it was very confusing. I still don't know exactly how everything works. As we stood there asking questions, a line quickly started to form. By the time it was time to order, the line was out to the road. I felt so much pressure to get the line moving, I just spouted out a couple flavors that sounded good together. It turned out nice! From what I gathered, there is only outside seating. This was not a comfortable night for sitting outside, with the heart and humidity, even the cold treat couldn't stop the sweating. This hurts them, but not enough to lose a star. The service was friendly, and even though the lines were long and people kept pouring in, the line moved quick like bunny. The price was average, if not cheaper than most creameries, and the end result is a delicious & unique dessert that you'll want to tell your friends about.
(5)Shoba R.
Yesterday was my first time at Mr. Penguin and it was a great experience! The lovely girl that was running the whole show by herself was very efficient, polite and extremely helpful. I really enjoyed being able to sample before picking my flavor of choice. I ended up getting the green tea flavored Italian ice with Vanilla ice cream because i love pretty much anything green tea flavored. :) I also sampled the mango flavor. I actually like the texture of the mango Italian ice more than the green tea. The small size is plenty for one person. Medium or large is good if you're sharing. I tried putting the extra gelati I had in the freezer to eat it later and it still tasted delicious. Overall great experience. Lovely service and great dessert..especially on a hot florida day. :)
(5)Elizabeth G.
I was really impressed when I came here. I always grew up eating Rita's Italian Ice, so at first I was skeptical when i saw the word gelato, because I feel like nobody else can compare to Rita's. But I ordered the salted caramel with vanilla gelato and it was delicious! Definitely worth going to. And you get a lot for what you pay for which is another plus.
(5)Laura L.
Holy moly this place is good. I came here after I decided to skip dinner and go straight for dessert. So glad I did. Parked, ordered, received, and left within literally 3 minutes. Based on previous reviews I went with peanut butter ice and swirl soft serve. Amazing. I was honestly weirded out by the thought of these two consistencies but it's so delicious. I highly recommend giving this little place a shot. I know I'll be back!
(4)Mark P.
When I walked up to Mr Penguin, I was a little confused. Can I order inside? No, just order at the outside window. Can I eat inside? No, just the tables outside. Do they serve gelati (the plural of gelato)? No, they serve gelati, which is soft serve ice cream layered on top of shaved ice. Are all the flavors on the board the ice cream flavors? No, those are the shaved ice flavors and you combine your chosen shaved ice flavor with either vanilla, chocolate or a swirl of them both. Or if you want, you can just get the shaved ice or just get the ice cream. I chose the gelati...small, which is more than enough unless you plan to share. So now comes the tough part, what flavor shaved ice to choose. They have nearly 20 to choose from, including surprises such as lychee. Fortunately, the young ladies provide samples. I tried out the green tea and salted caramel. Eh. OK. Let's go with their most popular flavor, peanut butter and match it up with the vanilla/choco ice cream. That was the best decision I made all day. The soft serve really hit the spot on a steamy Sunday afternoon. The consistency, creaminess and flavor of the ice cream was perfect. The combination of the vanilla and chocolate blends well with the peanut butter ice. It almost seemed like when I scooped up both the ice and the ice cream, I was eating PB ice cream. I wasn't sure how I would like the icee part of it but it worked with this combination. My only gripe is why aren't there napkin dispensers anywhere? I had to go back in line to get some. Perhaps they're trying to cut down on costs but it's an ice cream shop, people need napkins. At least hand one out with the ice cream. I'll be back again and again this summer. Maybe I'll try another flavor, maybe I won't. That PB shaved ice with vanilla/choco swirl is a game changer.
(4)Deniese M.
I just LOVE this place. I get the Cherry gelati and vanilla soft serve mix. It's DELICIOUS. I stumbled upon this place one afternoon and I was hesitate to try the mix but man o man I'm glad I did. I've been back several times and any time someone mentions ice cream I recommend Mr.Penguin. Small size will leave you wanting a little more but when I get a medium I can never finish it. Pet friendly! Great prices.
(5)Tiffany B.
Very good frozen dessert, with lots of flavor combos! It's a totally nondescript location that you'll drive right by if you're not paying attention. I got a peanut butter chocolate combo, and it was tasty but I was a little weirded out by the mix of creaminess from the soft serve and iciness from the italian ice. Definitely worth a shot to see how you like it, though! Me? I'll stick to traditional ice cream!
(3)Matt M.
After a stop at the Lowry Zoo, we jetted over to Mr. Penguin for some Italian ice and soft service ice cream. It is a cool place, probably a former gas station, with a big outdoor seating area and a window where you place your order. Service was pleasant, quick and friendly and my family all enjoyed their choices. My favorite was the mango and soft service and the mango really was delightful. At the same time, my son enjoyed his cherry and soft serve and wanted to go back the very next day. If you are looking to cool off with something cool, then this is a good option in the area. They really had a quality product and enjoyable atmosphere. Parking is on two sides of the building and other than not having an inside place to sit, I can think of nothing other than positives on Mr. Penguin.
(4)Al E.
Ate dinner out and found this place on Yelp. Highly rated and we can see why. It's a converted gas station with outside seating only. Order at the window. We love gelato and this was different, a mix of Italian ice and ice cream. 30 flavors of Italian ice. Three of ice cream. The young lady offered us samples of anything. My wife had the lemon ice and I had salted caramel ice with chocolate ice cream. Yummmmmmmmmo. A little pricey but not too painful. We'll be back.
(5)Heather S.
Try the gelati for the first time today. SOOO good :) Try the chocolate peanut butter!!
(5)EJ P.
THIS IS NOT GELATO. Even though they say they sell gelati, they do not actually sell gelati. They sell a concoction they call "a gelati," which is actually Italian Ice layered with soft serve, and it's not bad. This concept was actually invented elsewhere in the USA (Jersey I believe), and Mr. Penguin has brought it to South Tampa. I especially like the Italian Ice. The soft serve is NOTHING SPECIAL whatsoever.
(4)G J.
I would have never imagined combining soft serve and Italian ice but this place knows exactly what they are doing. Definitely try the cookie butter or salted caramel with the vanilla. Plus their customer service is super friendly and helpful. 5 stars all the way.
(5)David D.
Found Mr. Penguin on Yelp after lunch at The Oxford Exchange. THE best soft serve ice cream I have had anywhere. I got a Coconut/Vanilla Gelati a combination of Vanilla soft serve and Coconut Italian Ice. Excellent! Worth a visit if you are in South Tampa.
(5)Jennifer L.
I disagree with one of the previous yelpers, the soft serve especially the vanilla is delicious. Not too sweet not too airy, good solid yummyness. The strawberry lemon flavour is also amazing.. Love this place
(5)Amy D.
So incredibly good! If you love soft serve ice cream and italian ice, you must swing by Mr. Penguin. A cute little spot off of Platt Street that has an assortment of italian ice flavors to choose from. My favorites are pink lemonade and orange for the creamsicle flavor.
(5)Boon C.
The name matches what they serve. Mr. Penguin definitely a cold serve. We are welcome the cold serve in Florida since we have hot weather most of the time. I like thank Nick to show this place to us. We like their combination of the Italian ice with the soft serve ice cream. This combination is work for me. I have the vanilla soft serve with the bubble gum flavor Italian ice. They put them in layer. We actually can pick to flavors of Italian ice but I didn't do it since I like bubble gum flavor. The ice cream with the two type of mix calls gelati. I like Mr. Penguin creative bring other sensation to the community. The soft serve can be vanilla, chocolate or the swirl of two flavors. The Italian ice has a lot to select. You can ask for the try out taste before you make your order. This place is dog friendly.
(5)Dena P.
If you're looking for something sweet, but you're tired of your average ice cream shop. Hit up Mr. Penguin! They have tons of different flavors of ice from green tea, lychee, rootbeer and so on. The custard is also very rich and creamy compared to Rita's. I really enjoy Mr. Penguin, but personally it's too rich for me to each. I would like the ice to be a little less creamy, but there's people who prefer the richness.
(4)Michelle M.
Mr. Penguin was good, but I discovered I am not a big fan of gelati. What is gelati? Gelati is Italian ice swirled with soft serve ice cream. Mr. Penguin is very generous with the samples of Italian ice so I tried about half a dozen flavors before I realized they were all so-so. I thought the lemon, cherry, and orange creamsicle were all too sweet. I would have preferred a tarter lemon or cherry. I ended up settling for the peanut butter because it seemed the most unique of the flavors that I tried. I didn't want to order a boring chocolate, vanilla, or swirl soft serve cone so I finally deciding on the peanut butter and chocolate gelati. The medium was huge... I can't even imagine ordering a large! I ended up eating half of my frozen treat and placing the rest of my dessert in the freezer. One disappointing observation: the Italian ice melts quicker than the soft serve so the gelati turns into a melted mess quickly. On a positive note, prices were extremely cheap in comparison to other ice cream and fro-yo shops in South Tampa. I paid less than $12 for 2 medium gelatis and 1 small gelati. We'll be back since my husband was a huge fan of Mr. Penguin, but on my next visit I'm going to stick with the soft serve ice cream and forgo the Italian ice.
(3)Grace H.
I had mango and black cherry Italian ice and swirl soft serve mix into a gelati. So delicious! Long list of Italian ice flavors to choice from and free sample before you committee. The price is reasonable. Mr Penguin is the best place to get the cold sweet treat!
(5)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because it's a frozen sugar lover's paradise! --- --- --- Penguin was long overdue for a visit from me. Any business with over 50 reviews and a 5-star average is usually something I'd like to check out, but especially one that italian ice and soft serve. And after finally experiencing it for myself, I discovered that the hype is real. Here's how your treat will be served inside the cup: Soft-Serve Italian Ice Soft-Serve Italian Ice I really like this, because I often have a very important, first-world problem. Sometimes, when I crave sweets, my tongue cannot decide if it's more in the mood for sweet/tangy or for milky/creamy. But you absolutely get the best of both worlds at Penguin! There is a barrage of 24 rotating flavor options to choose from, in terms of the italian ice. And you can order the soft-serve in chocolate, vanilla, or swirl. And lastly, the small is a deceiving amount of deliciousness. I have a professional eater's stomach, and the small size was plenty!
(5)Melissa R.
Stopped in for a refreshing treat and I was not disappointed. The girl behind the counter was super nice and let me try before I buy. I ended up with a small sugar free cherry gelati and it was delicious. I am a big fan of Jeremiah's Italian Ice out of Orlando and this was a very close second to that. Will definitely go back :)
(4)Linda B.
This place is awesome!!! Best soft serve I have had since I was a kid at carvel. Then to pair it with the Italian ice flavors only makes it better. The small is gives more than enough to enjoy a nice treat. They even gave my dog a sample to nibble on. She gave it a 5 paw review. My kids love this place and ask for it often.
(5)Alicia S.
Best chocolate soft served ice cream in town! Good prices and low key outdoor seating. They are right.. Mr.Penguin IS happiness!
(5)Kim M.
Staff is super friendly and everything made fresh daily and locally. Haven't found a flavor we don't like and can't wait to go back!
(5)Giga S.
So I know what the big deal is now: It's all in the TEXTURE. You have to order the Italian ice mixed with the soft serve for the trick to work: pick the flavor of Italian ice first...then chocolate or vanilla soft serve to match. Have you ever bitten off the crunchy frozen pinky toe of an evil snow witch and then immediately jumped into the cool cloudy pillow mist of Superman's fortress of solitude?!...well I have. Thank goodness I live nearby, outdoor seating only. You guys have any cool flavors? (bacon, jalapeno) Either way, this SOHO snob can't keep these calories off of her food diary!
(4)Laura H.
Excellent Gelatis and a really friendly staff! This is a great place to cool off over the summer. Took my campers here for a celebration and they all loved the flavors and varieties. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Nick S.
I don't even like Italian ices but this place serves up some very good stuff and the combos with soft serve are super fun. The chocolate soft serve was the most creamy and luscious I've ever had. I tried a chocolate soft serve and coconut Italian ice combo. It was tasttttyyyyy. They also recommend peanut butter / chocolate. But I am a segregationist when it comes to those delicious ingredients (not to mention mint and chocolate which there is absolutely no logical reason to combine). But you can do things your way. There's no accounting for taste! Enjoy this fun and funky and friendly South Tampa spot. The penguins walked a long way to bring us their desserts.
(4)Cassandra S.
The soft serve is amazing...The flavored gelato isn't really my style. Service is very friendly.
(4)Jade Y.
All of the things in my last review are true.... With one exception. The boy and I went yesterday (our new Sunday ritual) and there it was. Right there in front of my face. GREEN TEA. So of course I got a sample, hoping that it would be everything dreams were made of. And it was. Matcha based and not too sweet. Green tea awesomeness. I expressed my enthusiasm to the girl behind the counter, and she seemed to think that it was going back on the permanent menu. HURRAY! Now if only they'd bring back lychee...
(4)Jennifer C.
This place! Seriously, who would have ever thought to combine two simple things and expect it to turn out to a bang full of flavor excellence! I was standing in line with my girlfriends, severely disappointed that I wasn't getting my milkshake fix I've been vying forever for, trying to decide if I'm in the mood for this place. Sounds simple, looks okay, maybe I'll pass. Well I didn't and I'm so glad because it blew my mind. Iove love love this place and the portions are manageable (not to big, not too small) and it's quick!
(5)Kate E.
Yes!!! This place is awesome! Great location! Cute little outside porch. Soft serve, Italian ice or both! Obviously the gelati is the way to go! I got peanut butter and vanilla. A good number of interesting flavors for the ice. So good! Will definitely be a regular here!
(5)Hailey Y.
I was very glad to stopped by Mr. Penguin today with my family. When we had a first bite, we knew that will love this place. We had Mango, Green tea, Mint chocolate& passion fruit. Very clean & friendly staff & parking lots. I bet you love that Gelati ....
(5)Ghes S.
Mr. Penguin is absolutely amazing! All of the flavors are fantastic, it was an absolute treat stopping here for a sweet delight. The prices were just right and the size offerings were perfect. Rachel was extremely nice and allowed me to sample as many flavors as I like! I am definitely making Mr. Penguin my new favorite ice cream shop!! I tried Green Tea (perfect flavor), Banana (taste just like a banana so delicious- no artificial taste like the Runts candy ecck) PB (taste better than actual PB lol it had a great taste, Coconut and Pina Colada (instantly transported me to a tropical island lol) and Orange Cream. I ended up choosing Vanilla ice cream, PB, and Orange Cream.
(5)Alina M.
So yummy! My favorite combo is the cherry Italian ice and vanilla ice cream. The staff is very friendly.
(5)Jessica L.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is how I feel about Mr. Penguin. I visited while in South Tampa and had heard about it and was going to try and get them involved with Make-A-Wish ;) It was surrounded by construction and only had a few parking spots but I was determined! This place will be amazing in the summer because it's a walk-up to order with outdoor seating. The girl at the front counter was so super friendly and explained the concept of a Gelati - soft serve and italian ice. Meh? What? The idea of icee and soft serve? I'm a soft serve snob, too, don't mess it up with chunky ice!! She was adamant about trying all the flavors and picking favorites and again, the whole concept weirded me out, especially when combining fruity ices and vanilla or chocolate ice cream. But I was there and had to try it out! First up - cookie butter flavored Italian ice?! Oooh yes. Cookie butter is amazing and this icee had the EXACT flavor and amazing smooth magical consistency. It was kind of mind blowing and confusing because ice should not taste that good. I easily could've spent a half hour trying every flavor (which she totally insisted I should) but I decided on one more... salted caramel. Yes. Just yes. Again incredibly smooth and perfect. Those 2 paired with vanilla soft serve were just... heavenly is the only word to describe. It was 2 layers of soft serve with 1 layer of each flavor. I ordered a medium and it was pretty huge - good deal for sure for $4-something. I took it to-go because it was pretty chilly out and as badly as I wanted to try to eat and drive I held out til I got home (about 25 minutes away) and it lasted! Let me tell y'all.... this is the BEST soft serve I've ever had in my LIFE. I know, I know, the soft serve isn't the impressive part but O-M-G. It was like thick whipped cream and just paired with the flavors SO SO well. Ugh I want it right now even though it's like the coldest day of winter right now. Seriously just go. Mr. Penguin, I love you. Please open up a shop in/near USF. Amazingggggg!!!!
(5)Michele D.
I LOVE YOU Mr.Penguin.... Italian ice with soft serve 365 days a year is now a option. Italian ice with soft serve ice cream sounds a bit off at first. But it's amazing! Their soft serve is thick and creamy and the Italian ice is top notch. Their Italian ice is so refreshing, not heavy at all and legit. This was my first Gelati and I am now a believer. Being a huge fan of REAL Italian ice, I loved that there were so many flavors to choose from. Although I thought Italian ice couldn't possibly go with soft serve, I was proven wrong. Creamy ice cream and crispy little flavored ice specs puts me in my happy. With so many flavor combinations to choose from this little place will keep you coming back for more. This place is a must try especially during our hot summer months.
(5)Voi M.
It's a cute place if you're craving for gelati, soft serve or Italian ice! I had the mango and coconut and it was divine! Also had green tea Italian ice.
(3)Billy H.
This place is located in an old building at the corner of Platt and Melville in Tampa. It's not a new build like a Cold Stone Creamery would be, so it's not that attractive to the eye... Don't be deceived by the looks, you and your kids will love the stuff they serve inside, be it the soft serve or the extra sweet Italian Ice. You can also get them both mixed together, which they call, a Gelati. Its also not going to cost you an arm and a leg... A big hit for this family!
(4)Bridgette B.
Not only is the staff here super friendly and more than willing to go above and beyond, the gelati is delicious, too! They layer Italian ice with soft serve ice cream, and there are numerous flavors to choose from! Highly recommended!
(5)Kim N.
Samples are free and the staff was very friendly . the italian ice has real fruit mixed in but the icecream melts too quickly
(4)Jessica I.
Excellent customer service!!!! Our first time here we walk up with a group of 9 plus our dog 5 minutes before they are about to close. The girl at the counter was super sweet explained what a gelati was and gave us samples of the Italian ice. What really impressed me was I had asked for a cup of water for my dog and she brought out a doggie bowl of water and a sample of the peanut butter ice for him!!! On top of the excellent customer service the gelati was great!! I have never mixed Italian ice with soft serve before but it is really refreshing. We will be back!!
(5)April B.
This place was everything I imagined for it to be. I see myself becoming a regular here. I mixed mango and strawberry lemon with vanilla ice cream.
(5)Jenny B.
Love this place! We go once a week and get the soft serve kiddie cones. Definitely recommend!
(5)Jessica H.
Are you kidding me?? How do you make cookie butter-flavored Italian ice that good? The soft serve is thick and creamy and has more of a "sweet cream" taste than vanilla. Staff was friendly. Would definitely come back!!
(5)Leslie T.
I had the Italian ice and my husband had the gelati. Both were delicious, especially the soft serve ice cream swirled into the gelati! Fast, friendly service from the girls at the counter who were more than willing to let you sample until you found your flavor. Will return!!
(5)Rich P.
Had the passion fruit with vanilla and the chocolate and peanut butter both were amazing will probably go back tomorrow lol
(5)Casey M.
Was happy to see a new dessert spot in my neighborhood other than froyo. They have what is similar to Italian ice and also soft serve ice cream. I ordered a Gelati which is a combination of the two. After trying several free samples of some of the ice flavors, I finally decided on soft serve vanilla with mango Italian ice. The mango was delicious and fruity with real fruit chunks, and the soft serve was absolutely amazing. The small was more than big enough and only cost $3.50, which I found to be amazing value. I cant wait to come back and try more flavors.
(5)Linda L.
Mr. Penguin has the creamiest soft ice cream and the Italian Ice offsets the richness of the ice cream making this a really interesting special treat. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and laid back. Love it!
(5)Christina A.
I live within walking distance, which is dangerous but awesome!!! I love this place. Can't get enough. I'm not a huge fan of the gelati (soft serve and Italian ice layered) but I love each of these separate. I usually get a small with 3 different Italian ice flavors in it. They're never stingy on the samples.
(5)Jonathan H.
The vanilla ice cream is excellent. Perfect texture and not too sweet. The gelati is good too but is very sugary. In the future I will skip the gelati and just order ice cream.
(4)Karen B.
There are a ton of combinations and they let you sample everything! Great service and delicious!
(5)Suzanne B.
I love the swirl gelati combos. The vanilla is so thick & creamy and pairs well with any of their delicious flavors. I've had the orange creme - YUM and cherry. Can't wait to try the lemon-strawberry. Easy to get to, but you might pass right by it if not specifically looking for it. Check it out!!
(5)Alexander T.
Just put this delicious creation of the gods in my mouth a few hours ago. Ever since I've been searching for an explanation for what happened to my taste buds. To keep it sweet and short. This was some gangster a$$ S#%t. So good. I've been eating ice cream at a place Krekals back home for 20 years and now I feel like they are some simple ass bitches. Thank you for opening my eyes mr. Penguin. Yous a real ass nigga.
(5)C P.
The consistency of the soft serve is ridiculosly luscious. I was skeptical that such a thing would pair well with a slushy italian ice, but it somehow works. Will certainly be back.
(5)Maya D.
Delicious little gem. The best soft serve I have had in Tampa. Not a huge fan of the mix of soft serve and Italian ice but I can't be mad at the chocolate and frappachino! Next time I'll go straight one or the other. Next time will be very soon!
(4)Natalie B.
So glad Mr. Penguin is in walking distance from our house! Perfect for after dinner walks to get dessert. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. They explained the 'gelati' concept and allowed my boyfriend and I to try various flavors. Worth checking out!
(5)Serguei V.
Tasty mixed ice cream. Tried mango gelati mixed with creamy vanilla soft serve. They mix it with real bits of mango which is a nice touch. I'll go back and try more flavors. Today was the launch of their official opening, so ice cream was free all day! Sweet! Staff were very friendly and excited to explain all the different combinations.
(4)Jared S.
Mr Penguin is a great new dessert/ice cream place on Platt St. They're super friendly and will give out as many free samples as you wish to try. Lots of different combinations of soft serve ice cream and Italian ice (i.e. Gelati) to feed your appetite. My favorite is vanilla and salted caramel, but trust me, everything is delicious!
(5)Nicki M.
Awesome staff, tons of delicious flavors, and great hours! Get a mango and vanilla gelati... There are real chunks of mango in the Italian ice. My husband also tried the salted caramel and said it was amazing. They are a new business who is eager to establish a customer base, so this weekend they are giving away free small gelati (through 1/18).
(5)Gloria S.
The Gelati is great. It's a mix between Italian ice and soft serve. You can chose either to mix or have it separately. It was affordable and delicious. I recommend it!
(5)Fred S.
Cannot say enough great things about Mr. Penguin! I'd recommend it to anyone.
(5)Thomas K.
I live right down the street, and this place has been an awesome addition to the neighborhood. I don't think I have ever had Gelati before this, but now I love it. All of the staff is so super nice. They're always trying to get you to try new flavors. It seems like the ownership is really engaged in making this place a success too! If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and check this place out!
(5)Michael H.
Great to see a good water ice place open up in South Tampa! They have lots of flavors and everything I tried was great. Settled on a banana and peanut butter ice.
(5)Karen R.
I heard about Mr. Penguin from my sister. We went to give it a try this evening. It was great. I had orange with vanilla ice cream, tasted just like a creamsicle. Portions are large and the working tonight was awesome! She was sweet, up beat, and very knowledgeable about the product. One suggestion to pass on........Grape!
(5)Mark H.
Stopped by to get a shake. They don't have shakes at Mr. Penguin . . . They have something better. A nice little concoction that mixes Italian ice and vanilla or chocolate soft serve really hit the spot. Prices are fair and the service exceptional. They'll even give you free samples so you can pick your favorite flavor of ice. I will certainly be a frequent visitor at Mr. Penguin when I make it out of my igloo.
(5)Lisa O.
This place is great! I drive by platt street everyday and never stopped by this place until I came to my senses and figured I should give it a try. The result was success!! Their Italian ice is so refreshing and their soft serve is creamy and delicious and when put together they make the best gelati. My favorite flavor Is mango with vanilla and I just want everyone to see how yummy it is!! Stop by if you have a minute!!
(5)Taylor M.
Friendly staff, amazing gelati, and fair prices! This was something that Tampa needed desperately and we welcome Mr Penguin with open arms! In my opinion the quality and selection is better than Rita's in clearwater! Will definitely be making a trip back soon!
(5)Tracy W.
Best frozen treat in town!! Strawberry swirled with vanilla is out of this world. My new addiction. Great staff!! The owners are always there to make sure you are happy.
(5)Paul T.
Friendly staff and very good product. Had the Salted Carmel with Vanilla ice cream. The mix of Italian ice and soft serve was a great surprise. The chocolate with black cherry was also awesome. Very good first experience.
(5)Gautam D.
On our trip to Yankee's Spring Training my son and I hit this place 4 times in 5 days, it's that good. Staff is friendly and location and environment is interesting and unique.
(5)Yen N.
Definitely glad I stopped by here-I loved the quality of the soft serve icecream and there are lots of great Italian ice flavors. I had the mint chocolate chip, which was awesome! Clean shop with very friendly service and generous portions! Will be back soon!
(5)Faith F.
Although they're currently in their soft open (Grand Opening to come in January), I'm already a big fan of Mr. Penguin. Super friendly and polite staff, delicious flavor combinations (hellooooo, chocolate soft serve + peanut butter Italian ice), and a convenient location that's perfect for Soho folks with a late night sweet tooth.
(5)Danny C.
At first, I was very skeptical of this place and it's concept, but I promise you will be completely satisfied and raving about Mr Penguins as I am. They layer italian ice with soft serve ice cream and as weird as it seems it totally works! The owner was very welcoming and lets you sample as many flavors as you would like. It is fairly cheap and will be a staple in our dessert runs!!
(5)Lee L.
I thoroughly enjoyed my gelati, which was a mix of salted caramel and chocolate soft serve. The employee at the counter was extremely polite.
(5)Jessica I.
Excellent customer service!!!! Our first time here we walk up with a group of 9 plus our dog 5 minutes before they are about to close. The girl at the counter was super sweet explained what a gelati was and gave us samples of the Italian ice. What really impressed me was I had asked for a cup of water for my dog and she brought out a doggie bowl of water and a sample of the peanut butter ice for him!!! On top of the excellent customer service the gelati was great!! I have never mixed Italian ice with soft serve before but it is really refreshing. We will be back!!
(5)Michele D.
I LOVE YOU Mr.Penguin.... Italian ice with soft serve 365 days a year is now a option. Italian ice with soft serve ice cream sounds a bit off at first. But it's amazing! Their soft serve is thick and creamy and the Italian ice is top notch. Their Italian ice is so refreshing, not heavy at all and legit. This was my first Gelati and I am now a believer. Being a huge fan of REAL Italian ice, I loved that there were so many flavors to choose from. Although I thought Italian ice couldn't possibly go with soft serve, I was proven wrong. Creamy ice cream and crispy little flavored ice specs puts me in my happy. With so many flavor combinations to choose from this little place will keep you coming back for more. This place is a must try especially during our hot summer months.
(5)Voi M.
It's a cute place if you're craving for gelati, soft serve or Italian ice! I had the mango and coconut and it was divine! Also had green tea Italian ice.
(3)Melissa R.
Stopped in for a refreshing treat and I was not disappointed. The girl behind the counter was super nice and let me try before I buy. I ended up with a small sugar free cherry gelati and it was delicious. I am a big fan of Jeremiah's Italian Ice out of Orlando and this was a very close second to that. Will definitely go back :)
(4)Kate E.
Yes!!! This place is awesome! Great location! Cute little outside porch. Soft serve, Italian ice or both! Obviously the gelati is the way to go! I got peanut butter and vanilla. A good number of interesting flavors for the ice. So good! Will definitely be a regular here!
(5)Jessica L.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is how I feel about Mr. Penguin. I visited while in South Tampa and had heard about it and was going to try and get them involved with Make-A-Wish ;) It was surrounded by construction and only had a few parking spots but I was determined! This place will be amazing in the summer because it's a walk-up to order with outdoor seating. The girl at the front counter was so super friendly and explained the concept of a Gelati - soft serve and italian ice. Meh? What? The idea of icee and soft serve? I'm a soft serve snob, too, don't mess it up with chunky ice!! She was adamant about trying all the flavors and picking favorites and again, the whole concept weirded me out, especially when combining fruity ices and vanilla or chocolate ice cream. But I was there and had to try it out! First up - cookie butter flavored Italian ice?! Oooh yes. Cookie butter is amazing and this icee had the EXACT flavor and amazing smooth magical consistency. It was kind of mind blowing and confusing because ice should not taste that good. I easily could've spent a half hour trying every flavor (which she totally insisted I should) but I decided on one more... salted caramel. Yes. Just yes. Again incredibly smooth and perfect. Those 2 paired with vanilla soft serve were just... heavenly is the only word to describe. It was 2 layers of soft serve with 1 layer of each flavor. I ordered a medium and it was pretty huge - good deal for sure for $4-something. I took it to-go because it was pretty chilly out and as badly as I wanted to try to eat and drive I held out til I got home (about 25 minutes away) and it lasted! Let me tell y'all.... this is the BEST soft serve I've ever had in my LIFE. I know, I know, the soft serve isn't the impressive part but O-M-G. It was like thick whipped cream and just paired with the flavors SO SO well. Ugh I want it right now even though it's like the coldest day of winter right now. Seriously just go. Mr. Penguin, I love you. Please open up a shop in/near USF. Amazingggggg!!!!
(5)Bo W.
Huge props for originality! I was truly impressed by the sugary goodness handed through the window at this unusual (in a good way) & premium ice/soft serve/gelati creamery. Upon arrival, there was no line. We walked right up to the window and started learning how it all works. For me, it was very confusing. I still don't know exactly how everything works. As we stood there asking questions, a line quickly started to form. By the time it was time to order, the line was out to the road. I felt so much pressure to get the line moving, I just spouted out a couple flavors that sounded good together. It turned out nice! From what I gathered, there is only outside seating. This was not a comfortable night for sitting outside, with the heart and humidity, even the cold treat couldn't stop the sweating. This hurts them, but not enough to lose a star. The service was friendly, and even though the lines were long and people kept pouring in, the line moved quick like bunny. The price was average, if not cheaper than most creameries, and the end result is a delicious & unique dessert that you'll want to tell your friends about.
(5)Shoba R.
Yesterday was my first time at Mr. Penguin and it was a great experience! The lovely girl that was running the whole show by herself was very efficient, polite and extremely helpful. I really enjoyed being able to sample before picking my flavor of choice. I ended up getting the green tea flavored Italian ice with Vanilla ice cream because i love pretty much anything green tea flavored. :) I also sampled the mango flavor. I actually like the texture of the mango Italian ice more than the green tea. The small size is plenty for one person. Medium or large is good if you're sharing. I tried putting the extra gelati I had in the freezer to eat it later and it still tasted delicious. Overall great experience. Lovely service and great dessert..especially on a hot florida day. :)
(5)Cindy M.
My current obsession is Mr. Penguin. I would drive all the way from St Pete for this stuff. It's that addicting. The girls at the counter are always super nice. The first time I just tried the gelato minus the soft serve. Boy was that a mistake. The two combined are magical! Super dog friendly. They even give out doggy ice snacks for your pooch.
(5)Boon C.
The name matches what they serve. Mr. Penguin definitely a cold serve. We are welcome the cold serve in Florida since we have hot weather most of the time. I like thank Nick to show this place to us. We like their combination of the Italian ice with the soft serve ice cream. This combination is work for me. I have the vanilla soft serve with the bubble gum flavor Italian ice. They put them in layer. We actually can pick to flavors of Italian ice but I didn't do it since I like bubble gum flavor. The ice cream with the two type of mix calls gelati. I like Mr. Penguin creative bring other sensation to the community. The soft serve can be vanilla, chocolate or the swirl of two flavors. The Italian ice has a lot to select. You can ask for the try out taste before you make your order. This place is dog friendly.
(5)Dena P.
If you're looking for something sweet, but you're tired of your average ice cream shop. Hit up Mr. Penguin! They have tons of different flavors of ice from green tea, lychee, rootbeer and so on. The custard is also very rich and creamy compared to Rita's. I really enjoy Mr. Penguin, but personally it's too rich for me to each. I would like the ice to be a little less creamy, but there's people who prefer the richness.
(4)Paige C.
Florida is hot, Ice cream is necessary. This will cool you down. Italian ice + Soft serve = Gelati What is a Gelati? I don't know. It's kind of like one of those Snow Cone Shacks on the side of the road and Dairy Queen got together and had a baby. Well, the Italian Ice is quite a bit better than snow cone quality. They tower parfait soft serve and gelati in whatever combo you desire. It's downright addictive. In oppressively hot Tampa... this is an oasis. They have a ton of ice flavor, but only chocolate and vanilla soft serve. I want more soft serve! Up the soft-serve game, and this place will have it all.
(4)Michael C.
Pros: A wide assortment of Italian ice and ice cream to mix and match Cons: Some flavors are artificial tasting and may lead to a bad combination if you randomly pair 2 ingredients Bottom Line: The creaminess of soft-serve and the texture and zing of Italian ice makes for an incredible dessert. Remember in first grade when you came across the weird idea of mixing your mayo and ketchup to create some weird pink concoction? That combination of two everyday ingredients blew my prepubescent mind and set me on the path of mixing - ultimately leading to my somewhat masochistic college degree of Biochemistry; a world focused on weird mixtures. 15 years later I found Mr. Penguin by chance as I scoured the city for a new dessert place. Little did I know that this curiously adorable mascot would lead me to another life-changing experience. Plastered on the wall is a colorful array of flavors that seem to tickle the tongue as your eyes glaze from Strawberry to Cookie Butter. Soon your ignorant eyes will meet the eyes of someone exuberantly joyous who introduces you to the radiant ambrosia that fuels their optimistic spirit. Gelati is a simple combination of fruity Italian ice and creamy soft-serve, but in that simplicity is a happiness only foretold in the legends of old. In your gaiety do not forget to take heed of the server's suggestions, as the inexperienced should not venture into the dangerous terrain of sour green apple and chocolate without knowing exactly what they are getting into. Layer after layer I found myself devouring my newfound dessert. Not a minute had passed by before I suddenly felt an imminent sense of dread build up; I was slapped back into a reality by the capricious brain-freeze of delicious. Capable of great flavor and great pain, gelati is a force to be reckoned with. In short if you love soft-serve ice cream but are seeking an interesting twist, gelati will be sure to tickle your senses. TLDR: This is seriously some good stuff that I'm thinking of doing it at home soon. Now if only they had a Nutella flavored fudge to add.
(4)Elizabeth G.
I was really impressed when I came here. I always grew up eating Rita's Italian Ice, so at first I was skeptical when i saw the word gelato, because I feel like nobody else can compare to Rita's. But I ordered the salted caramel with vanilla gelato and it was delicious! Definitely worth going to. And you get a lot for what you pay for which is another plus.
(5)Laura L.
Holy moly this place is good. I came here after I decided to skip dinner and go straight for dessert. So glad I did. Parked, ordered, received, and left within literally 3 minutes. Based on previous reviews I went with peanut butter ice and swirl soft serve. Amazing. I was honestly weirded out by the thought of these two consistencies but it's so delicious. I highly recommend giving this little place a shot. I know I'll be back!
(4)Isabelle R.
Gelati is the best summer treat! It's like Ritas Italian Ice but way better! A combo of Italian ice and soft serve is the best idea. Many different flavor options for the Italian ice that you can pair with chocolate, vanilla, or swirl soft serve. I highly recommend peanut butter ice and chocolate soft serve. It's so deliciously creamy - yum!!
(5)Mark P.
When I walked up to Mr Penguin, I was a little confused. Can I order inside? No, just order at the outside window. Can I eat inside? No, just the tables outside. Do they serve gelati (the plural of gelato)? No, they serve gelati, which is soft serve ice cream layered on top of shaved ice. Are all the flavors on the board the ice cream flavors? No, those are the shaved ice flavors and you combine your chosen shaved ice flavor with either vanilla, chocolate or a swirl of them both. Or if you want, you can just get the shaved ice or just get the ice cream. I chose the gelati...small, which is more than enough unless you plan to share. So now comes the tough part, what flavor shaved ice to choose. They have nearly 20 to choose from, including surprises such as lychee. Fortunately, the young ladies provide samples. I tried out the green tea and salted caramel. Eh. OK. Let's go with their most popular flavor, peanut butter and match it up with the vanilla/choco ice cream. That was the best decision I made all day. The soft serve really hit the spot on a steamy Sunday afternoon. The consistency, creaminess and flavor of the ice cream was perfect. The combination of the vanilla and chocolate blends well with the peanut butter ice. It almost seemed like when I scooped up both the ice and the ice cream, I was eating PB ice cream. I wasn't sure how I would like the icee part of it but it worked with this combination. My only gripe is why aren't there napkin dispensers anywhere? I had to go back in line to get some. Perhaps they're trying to cut down on costs but it's an ice cream shop, people need napkins. At least hand one out with the ice cream. I'll be back again and again this summer. Maybe I'll try another flavor, maybe I won't. That PB shaved ice with vanilla/choco swirl is a game changer.
(4)Deniese M.
I just LOVE this place. I get the Cherry gelati and vanilla soft serve mix. It's DELICIOUS. I stumbled upon this place one afternoon and I was hesitate to try the mix but man o man I'm glad I did. I've been back several times and any time someone mentions ice cream I recommend Mr.Penguin. Small size will leave you wanting a little more but when I get a medium I can never finish it. Pet friendly! Great prices.
(5)Tiffany B.
Very good frozen dessert, with lots of flavor combos! It's a totally nondescript location that you'll drive right by if you're not paying attention. I got a peanut butter chocolate combo, and it was tasty but I was a little weirded out by the mix of creaminess from the soft serve and iciness from the italian ice. Definitely worth a shot to see how you like it, though! Me? I'll stick to traditional ice cream!
(3)Michelle M.
Mr. Penguin was good, but I discovered I am not a big fan of gelati. What is gelati? Gelati is Italian ice swirled with soft serve ice cream. Mr. Penguin is very generous with the samples of Italian ice so I tried about half a dozen flavors before I realized they were all so-so. I thought the lemon, cherry, and orange creamsicle were all too sweet. I would have preferred a tarter lemon or cherry. I ended up settling for the peanut butter because it seemed the most unique of the flavors that I tried. I didn't want to order a boring chocolate, vanilla, or swirl soft serve cone so I finally deciding on the peanut butter and chocolate gelati. The medium was huge... I can't even imagine ordering a large! I ended up eating half of my frozen treat and placing the rest of my dessert in the freezer. One disappointing observation: the Italian ice melts quicker than the soft serve so the gelati turns into a melted mess quickly. On a positive note, prices were extremely cheap in comparison to other ice cream and fro-yo shops in South Tampa. I paid less than $12 for 2 medium gelatis and 1 small gelati. We'll be back since my husband was a huge fan of Mr. Penguin, but on my next visit I'm going to stick with the soft serve ice cream and forgo the Italian ice.
(3)Grace H.
I had mango and black cherry Italian ice and swirl soft serve mix into a gelati. So delicious! Long list of Italian ice flavors to choice from and free sample before you committee. The price is reasonable. Mr Penguin is the best place to get the cold sweet treat!
(5)Brett N.
Why 5 stars? Because it's a frozen sugar lover's paradise! --- --- --- Penguin was long overdue for a visit from me. Any business with over 50 reviews and a 5-star average is usually something I'd like to check out, but especially one that italian ice and soft serve. And after finally experiencing it for myself, I discovered that the hype is real. Here's how your treat will be served inside the cup: Soft-Serve Italian Ice Soft-Serve Italian Ice I really like this, because I often have a very important, first-world problem. Sometimes, when I crave sweets, my tongue cannot decide if it's more in the mood for sweet/tangy or for milky/creamy. But you absolutely get the best of both worlds at Penguin! There is a barrage of 24 rotating flavor options to choose from, in terms of the italian ice. And you can order the soft-serve in chocolate, vanilla, or swirl. And lastly, the small is a deceiving amount of deliciousness. I have a professional eater's stomach, and the small size was plenty!
(5)Giga S.
So I know what the big deal is now: It's all in the TEXTURE. You have to order the Italian ice mixed with the soft serve for the trick to work: pick the flavor of Italian ice first...then chocolate or vanilla soft serve to match. Have you ever bitten off the crunchy frozen pinky toe of an evil snow witch and then immediately jumped into the cool cloudy pillow mist of Superman's fortress of solitude?!...well I have. Thank goodness I live nearby, outdoor seating only. You guys have any cool flavors? (bacon, jalapeno) Either way, this SOHO snob can't keep these calories off of her food diary!
(4)Laura H.
Excellent Gelatis and a really friendly staff! This is a great place to cool off over the summer. Took my campers here for a celebration and they all loved the flavors and varieties. Would definitely recommend!
(5)Nick S.
I don't even like Italian ices but this place serves up some very good stuff and the combos with soft serve are super fun. The chocolate soft serve was the most creamy and luscious I've ever had. I tried a chocolate soft serve and coconut Italian ice combo. It was tasttttyyyyy. They also recommend peanut butter / chocolate. But I am a segregationist when it comes to those delicious ingredients (not to mention mint and chocolate which there is absolutely no logical reason to combine). But you can do things your way. There's no accounting for taste! Enjoy this fun and funky and friendly South Tampa spot. The penguins walked a long way to bring us their desserts.
(4)Matt M.
After a stop at the Lowry Zoo, we jetted over to Mr. Penguin for some Italian ice and soft service ice cream. It is a cool place, probably a former gas station, with a big outdoor seating area and a window where you place your order. Service was pleasant, quick and friendly and my family all enjoyed their choices. My favorite was the mango and soft service and the mango really was delightful. At the same time, my son enjoyed his cherry and soft serve and wanted to go back the very next day. If you are looking to cool off with something cool, then this is a good option in the area. They really had a quality product and enjoyable atmosphere. Parking is on two sides of the building and other than not having an inside place to sit, I can think of nothing other than positives on Mr. Penguin.
(4)Cassandra S.
The soft serve is amazing...The flavored gelato isn't really my style. Service is very friendly.
(4)Jade Y.
All of the things in my last review are true.... With one exception. The boy and I went yesterday (our new Sunday ritual) and there it was. Right there in front of my face. GREEN TEA. So of course I got a sample, hoping that it would be everything dreams were made of. And it was. Matcha based and not too sweet. Green tea awesomeness. I expressed my enthusiasm to the girl behind the counter, and she seemed to think that it was going back on the permanent menu. HURRAY! Now if only they'd bring back lychee...
(4)Jennifer C.
This place! Seriously, who would have ever thought to combine two simple things and expect it to turn out to a bang full of flavor excellence! I was standing in line with my girlfriends, severely disappointed that I wasn't getting my milkshake fix I've been vying forever for, trying to decide if I'm in the mood for this place. Sounds simple, looks okay, maybe I'll pass. Well I didn't and I'm so glad because it blew my mind. Iove love love this place and the portions are manageable (not to big, not too small) and it's quick!
(5)EJ P.
THIS IS NOT GELATO. Even though they say they sell gelati, they do not actually sell gelati. They sell a concoction they call "a gelati," which is actually Italian Ice layered with soft serve, and it's not bad. This concept was actually invented elsewhere in the USA (Jersey I believe), and Mr. Penguin has brought it to South Tampa. I especially like the Italian Ice. The soft serve is NOTHING SPECIAL whatsoever.
(4)G J.
I would have never imagined combining soft serve and Italian ice but this place knows exactly what they are doing. Definitely try the cookie butter or salted caramel with the vanilla. Plus their customer service is super friendly and helpful. 5 stars all the way.
(5)David D.
Found Mr. Penguin on Yelp after lunch at The Oxford Exchange. THE best soft serve ice cream I have had anywhere. I got a Coconut/Vanilla Gelati a combination of Vanilla soft serve and Coconut Italian Ice. Excellent! Worth a visit if you are in South Tampa.
(5)Jennifer L.
I disagree with one of the previous yelpers, the soft serve especially the vanilla is delicious. Not too sweet not too airy, good solid yummyness. The strawberry lemon flavour is also amazing.. Love this place
(5)Amy D.
So incredibly good! If you love soft serve ice cream and italian ice, you must swing by Mr. Penguin. A cute little spot off of Platt Street that has an assortment of italian ice flavors to choose from. My favorites are pink lemonade and orange for the creamsicle flavor.
(5)Linda B.
This place is awesome!!! Best soft serve I have had since I was a kid at carvel. Then to pair it with the Italian ice flavors only makes it better. The small is gives more than enough to enjoy a nice treat. They even gave my dog a sample to nibble on. She gave it a 5 paw review. My kids love this place and ask for it often.
(5)Alicia S.
Best chocolate soft served ice cream in town! Good prices and low key outdoor seating. They are right.. Mr.Penguin IS happiness!
(5)Kim M.
Staff is super friendly and everything made fresh daily and locally. Haven't found a flavor we don't like and can't wait to go back!
(5)Leslie T.
I had the Italian ice and my husband had the gelati. Both were delicious, especially the soft serve ice cream swirled into the gelati! Fast, friendly service from the girls at the counter who were more than willing to let you sample until you found your flavor. Will return!!
(5)Rich P.
Had the passion fruit with vanilla and the chocolate and peanut butter both were amazing will probably go back tomorrow lol
(5)Casey M.
Was happy to see a new dessert spot in my neighborhood other than froyo. They have what is similar to Italian ice and also soft serve ice cream. I ordered a Gelati which is a combination of the two. After trying several free samples of some of the ice flavors, I finally decided on soft serve vanilla with mango Italian ice. The mango was delicious and fruity with real fruit chunks, and the soft serve was absolutely amazing. The small was more than big enough and only cost $3.50, which I found to be amazing value. I cant wait to come back and try more flavors.
(5)Linda L.
Mr. Penguin has the creamiest soft ice cream and the Italian Ice offsets the richness of the ice cream making this a really interesting special treat. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed and laid back. Love it!
(5)Christina A.
I live within walking distance, which is dangerous but awesome!!! I love this place. Can't get enough. I'm not a huge fan of the gelati (soft serve and Italian ice layered) but I love each of these separate. I usually get a small with 3 different Italian ice flavors in it. They're never stingy on the samples.
(5)Jonathan H.
The vanilla ice cream is excellent. Perfect texture and not too sweet. The gelati is good too but is very sugary. In the future I will skip the gelati and just order ice cream.
(4)Karen B.
There are a ton of combinations and they let you sample everything! Great service and delicious!
(5)Suzanne B.
I love the swirl gelati combos. The vanilla is so thick & creamy and pairs well with any of their delicious flavors. I've had the orange creme - YUM and cherry. Can't wait to try the lemon-strawberry. Easy to get to, but you might pass right by it if not specifically looking for it. Check it out!!
(5)Alexander T.
Just put this delicious creation of the gods in my mouth a few hours ago. Ever since I've been searching for an explanation for what happened to my taste buds. To keep it sweet and short. This was some gangster a$$ S#%t. So good. I've been eating ice cream at a place Krekals back home for 20 years and now I feel like they are some simple ass bitches. Thank you for opening my eyes mr. Penguin. Yous a real ass nigga.
(5)C P.
The consistency of the soft serve is ridiculosly luscious. I was skeptical that such a thing would pair well with a slushy italian ice, but it somehow works. Will certainly be back.
(5)Maya D.
Delicious little gem. The best soft serve I have had in Tampa. Not a huge fan of the mix of soft serve and Italian ice but I can't be mad at the chocolate and frappachino! Next time I'll go straight one or the other. Next time will be very soon!
(4)Natalie B.
So glad Mr. Penguin is in walking distance from our house! Perfect for after dinner walks to get dessert. The staff was super friendly and accommodating. They explained the 'gelati' concept and allowed my boyfriend and I to try various flavors. Worth checking out!
(5)Serguei V.
Tasty mixed ice cream. Tried mango gelati mixed with creamy vanilla soft serve. They mix it with real bits of mango which is a nice touch. I'll go back and try more flavors. Today was the launch of their official opening, so ice cream was free all day! Sweet! Staff were very friendly and excited to explain all the different combinations.
(4)Jared S.
Mr Penguin is a great new dessert/ice cream place on Platt St. They're super friendly and will give out as many free samples as you wish to try. Lots of different combinations of soft serve ice cream and Italian ice (i.e. Gelati) to feed your appetite. My favorite is vanilla and salted caramel, but trust me, everything is delicious!
(5)Nicki M.
Awesome staff, tons of delicious flavors, and great hours! Get a mango and vanilla gelati... There are real chunks of mango in the Italian ice. My husband also tried the salted caramel and said it was amazing. They are a new business who is eager to establish a customer base, so this weekend they are giving away free small gelati (through 1/18).
(5)Gloria S.
The Gelati is great. It's a mix between Italian ice and soft serve. You can chose either to mix or have it separately. It was affordable and delicious. I recommend it!
(5)Fred S.
Cannot say enough great things about Mr. Penguin! I'd recommend it to anyone.
(5)Thomas K.
I live right down the street, and this place has been an awesome addition to the neighborhood. I don't think I have ever had Gelati before this, but now I love it. All of the staff is so super nice. They're always trying to get you to try new flavors. It seems like the ownership is really engaged in making this place a success too! If you're in the neighborhood, stop by and check this place out!
(5)Michael H.
Great to see a good water ice place open up in South Tampa! They have lots of flavors and everything I tried was great. Settled on a banana and peanut butter ice.
(5)Karen R.
I heard about Mr. Penguin from my sister. We went to give it a try this evening. It was great. I had orange with vanilla ice cream, tasted just like a creamsicle. Portions are large and the working tonight was awesome! She was sweet, up beat, and very knowledgeable about the product. One suggestion to pass on........Grape!
(5)Mark H.
Stopped by to get a shake. They don't have shakes at Mr. Penguin . . . They have something better. A nice little concoction that mixes Italian ice and vanilla or chocolate soft serve really hit the spot. Prices are fair and the service exceptional. They'll even give you free samples so you can pick your favorite flavor of ice. I will certainly be a frequent visitor at Mr. Penguin when I make it out of my igloo.
(5)Lisa O.
This place is great! I drive by platt street everyday and never stopped by this place until I came to my senses and figured I should give it a try. The result was success!! Their Italian ice is so refreshing and their soft serve is creamy and delicious and when put together they make the best gelati. My favorite flavor Is mango with vanilla and I just want everyone to see how yummy it is!! Stop by if you have a minute!!
(5)Taylor M.
Friendly staff, amazing gelati, and fair prices! This was something that Tampa needed desperately and we welcome Mr Penguin with open arms! In my opinion the quality and selection is better than Rita's in clearwater! Will definitely be making a trip back soon!
(5)Tracy W.
Best frozen treat in town!! Strawberry swirled with vanilla is out of this world. My new addiction. Great staff!! The owners are always there to make sure you are happy.
(5)Paul T.
Friendly staff and very good product. Had the Salted Carmel with Vanilla ice cream. The mix of Italian ice and soft serve was a great surprise. The chocolate with black cherry was also awesome. Very good first experience.
(5)Gautam D.
On our trip to Yankee's Spring Training my son and I hit this place 4 times in 5 days, it's that good. Staff is friendly and location and environment is interesting and unique.
(5)Yen N.
Definitely glad I stopped by here-I loved the quality of the soft serve icecream and there are lots of great Italian ice flavors. I had the mint chocolate chip, which was awesome! Clean shop with very friendly service and generous portions! Will be back soon!
(5)