Clicky

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is a popular chain of ice cream shops and parlors, with over 600 locations in 31 states across the US. The restaurant offers an extensive variety of frozen treats including Italian Ice, Freshly-made Frozen Custard, Sundaes, Milkshakes, and signature creations like Misto and Blendini. Rita's is known for its unique recipe for Italian Ice made with real fruit chunks to perfection. Founded in 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo and his mother Elizabeth, today Rita's continues to be a locally owned small business spreading happiness everywhere it goes.

Recent social media posts

Brownie Bite🤝 Cookie Dough 🤝 Frozen CustardThe real question is…Which one are you choosing? 👀👇Availability may vary by s...
06/26/2026

Brownie Bite🤝 Cookie Dough 🤝 Frozen Custard

The real question is…

Which one are you choosing? 👀👇

Availability may vary by shop and day!

06/26/2026
06/26/2026

Ice Guy is ready for Summer… Are you?

Beach days, sunshine, and Rita’s in hand… he’s got it all figured out.

So… are you ready yet?

⚽🇺🇸 IT'S GAME DAY! 🇺🇸⚽The U.S. takes on Türkiye tonight, and we're ready to cheer them on!🙌 Who are you rooting for?Host...
06/25/2026

⚽🇺🇸 IT'S GAME DAY! 🇺🇸⚽

The U.S. takes on Türkiye tonight, and we're ready to cheer them on!🙌 Who are you rooting for?

Hosting a watch party? Make it even cooler with Rita's catering, Italian Ice, or Frozen Custard are the perfect game-day treats for your crew.

Stop by your local Rita's to grab everything you need before kickoff! 🍧🎉

👇 Drop your score prediction in the comments!

Flavor availability may vary by day and location.

POV: you said you weren’t hungry 😅🍧These close-ups are doing way too much… sorry in advance for the cravings 👀
06/25/2026

POV: you said you weren’t hungry 😅🍧

These close-ups are doing way too much… sorry in advance for the cravings 👀

🧜‍♀️✨ Mermaid Ice is calling… and so is your summer treat run.Dive into Rita’s newest obsession with a Mermaid Gelati or...
06/24/2026

🧜‍♀️✨ Mermaid Ice is calling… and so is your summer treat run.

Dive into Rita’s newest obsession with a Mermaid Gelati or Mermaid Ice Blender 💖🌊

Sweet, sparkly, and made for your beach-day besties.

Tag your mermaid crew below ⬇️🫧

If this doesn’t scream summer… what does? ☀️🌊💙Blue Hawaii MISTO® = Rita’s iconic Italian Ice blended with creamy Custard...
06/23/2026

If this doesn’t scream summer… what does? ☀️🌊💙

Blue Hawaii MISTO® = Rita’s iconic Italian Ice blended with creamy Custard for the ultimate smooth summer sip 🍧🥤

Who’s grabbing one today? 👀👇

Availability may vary by shop and day!

Fourth of Gelati®🇺🇸🍧Layers on layers of summer happiness, the only thing missing is fireworks 🎆Celebrate the 4th, the Ri...
06/22/2026

Fourth of Gelati®🇺🇸🍧

Layers on layers of summer happiness, the only thing missing is fireworks 🎆

Celebrate the 4th, the Rita’s way.

Summer starts NOW ☀️🍧And the summer must-have list?From beach plans to chaotic photo dumps, make every summer moment a l...
06/21/2026

Summer starts NOW ☀️🍧

And the summer must-have list?

From beach plans to chaotic photo dumps, make every summer moment a little sweeter with Rita’s. 💙

Today only: Get a small Italian ice for just $1 with any purchase, exclusively in the app!

Flavor availability may vary by day and location.

Happy Father’s Day 🍧💙He deserves something sweet today. Celebrate Dad with Rita’s and make it a little cooler 😎$1 Small ...
06/21/2026

Happy Father’s Day 🍧💙

He deserves something sweet today. Celebrate Dad with Rita’s and make it a little cooler 😎

$1 Small Italian Ice with purchase, today only.

Happy Father's Day!Player 1 deserves the ultimate power-up thisFather's Day 🎮🍧Slide to reveal your surprise 👀Available i...
06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day!

Player 1 deserves the ultimate power-up this
Father's Day 🎮🍧

Slide to reveal your surprise 👀

Available in the Rita's app only 📲

POV: tomorrow is the first day of summer and a small Italian ice is only $1🍦☀️Comment 🍦 if you’re pulling up, offer only...
06/20/2026

POV: tomorrow is the first day of summer and a small Italian ice is only $1🍦☀️

Comment 🍦 if you’re pulling up, offer only valid in the app tomorrow only!

06/19/2026

Mermaid Ice is at Rita's and it did NOT come to play.

Limited time only, come get yours before she swims away. 💙🩵

06/19/2026

To Rita’s… and beyond 🍧🚀

Sweet treats, summer nights, and flavors worth obsessing over 😏

Sounds like the perfect adventure to us.

Smooth, creamy, and unexpectedly refreshing. This is your new go-to for when you want something a little differentStop b...
06/18/2026

Smooth, creamy, and unexpectedly refreshing. This is your new go-to for when you want something a little different

Stop by Rita’s and try our Matcha!

Availability may vary by shop and day!

Find your flavor… find your personality 🍧🌴 The Beach Babe → Blue Hawaii🌶️ The Adventurer → Mango + Tajín🎢 The Adrenaline...
06/18/2026

Find your flavor… find your personality 🍧

🌴 The Beach Babe → Blue Hawaii
🌶️ The Adventurer → Mango + Tajín
🎢 The Adrenaline Lover → Cotton Candy
🎆 The Nostalgic One → Mango

Availability may vary by shop and day!

Tag your flavor twin below 👇

06/17/2026

Great Chefs. Great cause.🍋💛

Loved being part of this past weekend with

What’s your Rita’s personality? 👀Are you the sharer, the “just a taste” thief, or the same order since 2012? Tell us you...
06/17/2026

What’s your Rita’s personality? 👀

Are you the sharer, the “just a taste” thief, or the same order since 2012? Tell us your flavor style below ⬇️

Flavor availability may vary by location.

Straight out of the sea… and into your cup 🧜‍♀️🍧Mermaid Ice is making waves with a refreshing, dreamy twist you didn’t k...
06/15/2026

Straight out of the sea… and into your cup 🧜‍♀️🍧

Mermaid Ice is making waves with a refreshing, dreamy twist you didn’t know you needed.

Run, don’t walk 💙 Stop by Rita’s to try the Sour Blue Pucker Ice lineup before it’s gone from the menu on 6/14.Which one...
06/13/2026

Run, don’t walk 💙 Stop by Rita’s to try the Sour Blue Pucker Ice lineup before it’s gone from the menu on 6/14.

Which one are you grabbing first? 👀

🍋 Don’t miss your chance to support Alex’s Lemonade at Rita’s! Stop by today, grab your favorite treat, and help make a ...
06/11/2026

🍋 Don’t miss your chance to support Alex’s Lemonade at Rita’s! Stop by today, grab your favorite treat, and help make a difference before the fundraiser ends. Every visit counts 💛

06/08/2026

When a sweet treat supports an even sweeter cause 💛🍋

Join us in supporting Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and helping make a difference one cup at a time.

Stop by Rita’s, spread the love, and support the fight against childhood cancer.

Sour Blue Pucker Ice + that Trolli® topping = the ultimate combo 🍧Don’t wait… it won’t be here forever 👀
06/05/2026

Sour Blue Pucker Ice + that Trolli® topping = the ultimate combo 🍧

Don’t wait… it won’t be here forever 👀

Pick your flavor… and your grad personality 🎓🍧💙 Blue Raspberry🥭 Mango🍒 Cherry💚 Green AppleWhich one are you claiming? 👀👇...
06/03/2026

Pick your flavor… and your grad personality 🎓🍧

💙 Blue Raspberry
🥭 Mango
🍒 Cherry
💚 Green Apple

Which one are you claiming? 👀👇

Availability may vary by shop and day.

Address

239 South Street
Philadelphia, PA
19147

To reach the South Street area of Philadelphia through public transportation, take the subway and get off at 2nd Street Station. Walk south on 2nd Street until you reach South Street. Alternatively, take a bus that goes to South Street.

For those driving, parking is available in nearby garages, but street parking can also be found with some effort. Take I-95 and exit at Washington Avenue. Follow Washington Avenue for several blocks until you reach a right turn onto 7th Street. Follow 7th Street for several blocks and turn left onto South Street.

The ice cream shop and ice cream parlor should be easily accessible by foot from these directions!

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 9pm
Tuesday 12pm - 9pm
Wednesday 12pm - 9pm
Thursday 12pm - 9pm
Friday 12pm - 9pm
Saturday 12pm - 9pm
Sunday 12pm - 9pm

Telephone

+12156293910

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard:

Share

Category

What people say

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, located on South Street in Philadelphia, has received mixed reviews from various sources. According to a recent article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rita's has been serving up frozen treats for over 30 years and is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. However, a review on Yelp from last month suggests that the quality of their ice cream has gone downhill.

A review from Philadelphia Magazine praises Rita's for their unique flavors and variety of options. The article notes that they offer both Italian ice and frozen custard, which is a rare combination. Another review on TripAdvisor from earlier this year also raves about the variety of flavors available at Rita's.

On the other hand, a recent review on Google Reviews complains about the long lines and slow service at Rita's. The reviewer states that they waited over 20 minutes for their order and were disappointed with the quality of their ice cream.

Customer comments published online echo these mixed reviews. One customer on Yelp says that they love Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard but have noticed a decline in quality over the past few years. Another customer on TripAdvisor recommends trying their "gelati" - a combination of Italian ice and frozen custard - but warns that it can be messy to eat.

Overall, it seems that opinions are divided when it comes to Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. While some reviewers praise their unique flavors and variety of options, others complain about long lines and declining quality. It may be worth checking out for yourself to see where you fall on this spectrum.

No information available yet about how recent each review is as no specific dates were mentioned in any of the reviews or articles found online.

Claim ownership or report listing