Rita's Water Ice

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Philadelphia Portal

Rita's Water Ice is an East Coast regional chain based in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, selling mainly water ice but also frozen custard, Gelatis and Mistos. There are over 300 locations on the eastern seaboard.

1 History
2 Products
3 Water Ice Flavors
- 3.1 Sugar Free Flavors
4 External links

[edit] History

Rita's was founded in 1984 by Bob Tumolo with his mother's recipe for Italian ice. By 1987 a second store was opened and by 1989 the family decided to franchise their business. Today there are over 340 locations and can be found in 12 different states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia.

[edit] Products

Water Ice is similar to a sno-cone except smoother. While a sno-cone is shaved ice with flavored syrup poured on top, Rita's Water Ice is produced in a machine that combines water, fruits and flavors and then freezes the mixture within the machine. There is a 36 hour policy that applies to all ices, 36 hours from being made all unused ice is thrown out to ensure freshness.
Frozen Custard, a rich creamy soft serve ice cream, they use similar machines as Mr. Softee but the mix is much thicker and creamier. It is served in both cups and cones. Recently, it has become available in waffle cones alongside the standard cake cones.
Gelati, made by layering either vanilla, chocolate or twist (both vanilla and chocolate) custard, together with any flavor water ice, with an extra swirl of custard on the top.
Misto, made with either vanilla or chocolate custard blended with any flavor water ice to produce a creamy milkshake type drink. Some stores also have a sign profiling a "Misto of the Day," which is an employee suggested mixture of ice and custard.
Squeezer, water ice and froxen custard mixed with eachother as a push pop-like dessert.

[edit] Water Ice Flavors

Rita's produces over 20 flavors including the more traditional flavors of water ice such as:

Chocolate, Blueberry, Cherry, Grape, Green Apple, Lemon, Mango, Piña Colada, Root Beer, Strawberry and Tangerine.

Rita's also specializes in having exotic flavors such as:

Berry Banana, Wild Berry, Citrus Blast, Island Fusion, Kiwi-Strawberry, Orange Cream, Passion Fruit, Raspberry Lemonade,Tropical Punch and Island Fusion.

Rita's also often takes flavors which are traditionally used as ice cream flavors and produces a water ice with those flavors such as:

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Cookies N' Cream, Fudge Brownie, Mint Chocolate Chip and Cappacino Cream