Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard was the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, operating in 31 states with over 600 shops. Offering a variety of frozen treats including its famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily, Frozen Custard, Milkshakes, Sundaes, CustardCookie Sandwiches, layered Gelati, as well as signature Misto and Blendini creations, Rita's provided a delightfully different treat experience. Founded by Bob Tumolo and his mother Elizabeth in 1984, Rita's started as a small porch window operation in Bensalem, PA. They developed their own Italian Ice recipe and quickly perfected the flavors and consistency by adding chunks of fresh fruit to some of the flavors. Named after Bob's wife, RITA!, the business grew steadily and spread happiness everywhere it went. Sadly, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has permanently closed its doors.

Recent social media posts

It’s spooky season… but we have ONE very important question:If you could create a Halloween-themed Italian Ice flavor, w...
10/31/2026

It’s spooky season… but we have ONE very important question:

If you could create a Halloween-themed Italian Ice flavor, what would you call it? 👀🎃👻

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

🎃 Candy Chart or Trade Pile? 🍬What do you do with your Halloween haul?📊 Candy Chart: Ranked every piece from 👑 to 🚫🔄 Tra...
10/30/2026

🎃 Candy Chart or Trade Pile? 🍬

What do you do with your Halloween haul?
📊 Candy Chart: Ranked every piece from 👑 to 🚫
🔄 Trade Pile: Saved the good stuff for negotiations with siblings/friends
Which one were you? 👀

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Fall called, and it has a few more treats coming your way… any guesses?!Mark your calendar for November 2.Availability a...
10/29/2026

Fall called, and it has a few more treats coming your way… any guesses?!

Mark your calendar for November 2.

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

10/27/2026

Connor Wood We’d love to see you enjoying some Rita’s 👀

Zombie’s Blood Ice is heading back to the grave! 🧟‍♂️🩸Which Zombie’s Blood Ice treat are you getting before it is gone? ...
10/26/2026

Zombie’s Blood Ice is heading back to the grave! 🧟‍♂️🩸

Which Zombie’s Blood Ice treat are you getting before it is gone? 👀

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Serving chills tonight. 🌕Come grab your treat under the moonlight!Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.
10/25/2026

Serving chills tonight. 🌕

Come grab your treat under the moonlight!

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

The first sip sets the tone for the day. 🥤Follow the straw from 1, 2 or 3 to find your 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰® Shake, then comment the fl...
10/24/2026

The first sip sets the tone for the day. 🥤

Follow the straw from 1, 2 or 3 to find your 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰® Shake, then comment the flavor you landed on!

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

10/23/2026

Trick or Treat? Definitely treat. 👻

Even ghosts know the best stop on the block is Rita’s.

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Let the debate begin 👀Guess the generation behind each pic.Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.
10/21/2026

Let the debate begin 👀

Guess the generation behind each pic.

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Cupcake cravings, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® style🧁✨For National Chocolate Cupcake Day, dig into cupcake-inspired favorites like Confetti C...
10/18/2026

Cupcake cravings, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® style🧁✨

For National Chocolate Cupcake Day, dig into cupcake-inspired favorites like Confetti Cupcake 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰®, Unicorn Cupcake Gelati and Chocolate Cupcake 𝘉𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘪®.

Which one are you picking!?🧁

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

10/17/2026

Our newest team member works the night shift. Every shift. 👻

Benefits include unlimited Zombie’s Blood Italian Ice. 🩸

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Chat, comment your go to order! 👀Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.
10/16/2026

Chat, comment your go to order! 👀

Availability and hours may vary by shop and day.

Your keyboard said it, not us. 👀If 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® is on your mind, stop by and grab the treat you’ve been thinking about.
10/09/2026

Your keyboard said it, not us. 👀

If 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® is on your mind, stop by and grab the treat you’ve been thinking about.

Zombie’s Blood Ice is back from the grave! 🧟 Stop by 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® and get a taste before it disappears again.
10/05/2026

Zombie’s Blood Ice is back from the grave! 🧟 Stop by 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® and get a taste before it disappears again.

Fall plans? Add 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® to the list. 🍂🥄Pumpkin and Apple Butter are serving up all the flavors of the season through Oct...
10/02/2026

Fall plans? Add 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴® to the list. 🍂🥄

Pumpkin and Apple Butter are serving up all the flavors of the season through October 4.

Make your next fall stop a sweet one.

Coffee run, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 style. ☕🍂Celebrate National Coffee Day with a $1.99 Small Frozen Coffee from 12 till 4 pm through the...
09/29/2026

Coffee run, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 style. ☕🍂

Celebrate National Coffee Day with a $1.99 Small Frozen Coffee from 12 till 4 pm through the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 app.

Pumpkin Frozen Coffee, anyone? 👀🎃

This offer must be claimed in the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 App and can then be redeemed in shop or when ordering through the app.

From creamy Concretes to Frozen Coffee and Milkshakes, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 seasonal lineup is bringing all the cozy flavor.Which one ...
09/27/2026

From creamy Concretes to Frozen Coffee and Milkshakes, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 seasonal lineup is bringing all the cozy flavor.

Which one are you getting?

09/24/2026

Consider this your coffee break, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 style. ☕️🤎

Creamy, frozen and topped with whipped cream, 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 Frozen Coffee is calling your name.

09/22/2026

First day of fall = $2 off any pumpkin treat from 2 till 5 pm🎃🍂

This offer must be claimed in the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 App and can then be redeemed in shop or when ordering through the app.

A little something extra to celebrate fall. 🙌

Pumpkin or Apple Butter, which team are you on? 🎃🍎Fall favorites are back at 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 for a limited time, and we need to k...
09/14/2026

Pumpkin or Apple Butter, which team are you on? 🎃🍎

Fall favorites are back at 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 for a limited time, and we need to know which one wins.

🎃 Pumpkin Frozen Coffee or Pumpkin Pie Concrete
🍎 Apple Butter Milkshake or Apple Butter Concrete

Drop your pick below. 👇

Double punches = twice the reason to make a 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 run 🙌Earn double punches on every purchase in the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 app from Sep...
09/13/2026

Double punches = twice the reason to make a 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 run 🙌

Earn double punches on every purchase in the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 app from September 13–19 from 12pm till 4pm. What are you ordering first?

Find this offer in the 𝘙𝘪𝘵𝘢'𝘴 App and redeem it in shop or through the app.

Address

5815 Wayne Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19144

To reach Wayne Avenue in Philadelphia, you have a few options for public transport and driving/parking:

Public Transport:
1. From Center City Philadelphia, you can take the SEPTA Regional Rail Line (Manayunk/Norristown Line) to the Wayne Junction Station. From there, it's a short walk to Wayne Avenue.

2. Alternatively, you can take the Broad Street Subway Line (Orange Line) or the Market-Frankford Subway Line (Blue Line) to the Erie-Torresdale Station. From there, you can transfer to a bus that will take you to Wayne Avenue.

Driving/Parking:
1. If you're coming from Center City Philadelphia, head northwest on Vine Street and continue onto Ridge Avenue. Follow Ridge Avenue until it intersects with Wayne Avenue.

2. If you're coming from outside of Philadelphia, take I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) and exit at Girard Avenue. Head east on Girard Avenue until it intersects with Wayne Avenue.

Parking options:
- There are street parking spaces available along Wayne Avenue and the surrounding streets. Be sure to check for any parking restrictions or time limits.
- There may be paid parking lots or garages in the vicinity of Wayne Avenue where you can park your vehicle.

Please note that these directions are provided for general reference and it's always recommended to use GPS or mapping services for more accurate directions based on your specific starting point.

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 8pm
Tuesday 2pm - 8pm
Wednesday 2pm - 8pm
Thursday 2pm - 8pm
Friday 12pm - 8pm
Saturday 12pm - 8pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm

Telephone

(267) 335-5906

Alerts

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What people say

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard on Wayne Avenue in Philadelphia is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a delightful and refreshing treat. As the largest Italian Ice concept in the nation, with over 600 shops across 31 states, Rita's has established itself as a leader in the ice cream industry.

One of the highlights of Rita's is their famous Italian Ice, made fresh daily. With a wide variety of flavors to choose from, you can indulge in classic favorites or try something new and exciting. The consistency and flavors of their Italian Ice are perfected to provide a truly satisfying experience. What sets Rita's apart is their addition of chunks of fresh fruit to some of their flavors, adding an extra burst of flavor and texture.

In addition to their Italian Ice, Rita's also offers Frozen Custard, Milkshakes, Sundaes, Custard Cookie Sandwiches, layered Gelati, as well as signature Misto and Blendini creations. The options are endless, ensuring that there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The story behind Rita's is both heartwarming and inspiring. It all started in 1984 when Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter, began selling Italian Ice from a small porch window in Bensalem, PA. Together with his mother Elizabeth, they created their own recipe for Italian Ice and quickly gained popularity with their fresh and delicious treats. Naming the business after his wife Rita was a testament to the love and dedication that went into building this brand.

Despite its growth and success over the years, Rita's remains committed to its roots. They continue to make their frozen treats fresh every day using real fruit. This dedication ensures that each visit to Rita's is just as refreshing and enjoyable as it was back when they first opened their doors.

Whether you're craving a cool treat on a hot summer day or simply want to indulge your sweet tooth with something delicious, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard on Wayne Avenue is the place to go. With their wide range of flavors and consistently high-quality products, you're guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face and a satisfied palate. Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the joy and happiness that Rita's brings to every customer.

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