Rita’s Italian Ice

I got free «shaved ice» when they just opened up. Its basically ice cream. I dont get «shaved ice» or «gelato» they both taste like ice cream. I think people just like to feel important amongst themselves and their friends. «I’m eating shaved ice» *insert fancy voice here*
Don’t be those people. I feel warm and fuzzy inside when i eat thrifty ice cream. It humbles me. I feel the way i felt when i was a kid. Ill stick to that ice cream.

I’m giving this place 5 stars all because of the SERVICE. I’ve had Rita’s from all different parts of SD and their gelati’s are awesome no matter where you go. I grew up eating these when I would visit my grandma in Philly so I was excited to find out they were moving this to the west coast.
Anywho. I really wanted to give recognition to the gentleman that was working the front. I wish I caught his name but he was amazing. He was so sweet and very helpful. There was so much positive energy coming from him that you don’t see very often. He was very patient with me letting me try almost ALL the flavors lol. He finally told me his favorite was the Black Cherry and I tried that as my last sample and ended up getting it. I told him «WHY didn’t you tell me this from the beginning this was the best we could’ve saved soo much time» *jokingly* Black Cherry has now become my favorite flavor.
I like coming to this location so when I come back I will update my review for sure!

Love Rita’s Ice!!! Love there custard happiness too! Definitely try if you haven’t already. It’s not like other dessert places. Try and you won’t regret it! They have a rewards program where you get your 10 frozen ice free!!! Just downlpad their app. Go have your dessert at Rita’s tonight!

Delicious but pricey, especially if you’re bringing a family along with you. Imagine Italian ice, make it a bit softer by not freezing it quite as much and then mix in some custard and you’ve got a winning combination that Rita’s has certainly mastered. The restaurant is clean and staffed with good-​hearted teenagers int eh two times we have gone.

Get in here and see the selection. The manager is totally passionate about all things frozen and yummy. Glad it’s close to my kids school. Be back for sure.

OK, everything from my previous review still applies, except they lose a star for NOT HAVING FROZEN CUSTARD ANY MORE. Now they are doing soft serve, because of the high cost of eggs.
Just charge a little more, because the custard was what made you different! The Italian Ice is really good, don’t get me wrong.
But the name of the business says FROZEN CUSTARD. Cop out!

I want to like this place. Really, I do. I get the «nationwide egg shortage» thing, but it doesn’t excuse their failure to change the graphics on their monitors, which still say «Today’s CUSTARD Flavors: Chocolate | Vanilla,» the gushy product that melts all over you, or or the sticky floors.
Even though they’re now serving some unidentifiable «soft serve,» the flavor is pretty good and I’ll keep checking in to see if they improve. I want this local franchise to make it. I’m just not a fan based upon my 2 visits (both in the past 4 – 6 weeks).
All that being said, if you didn’t grow up with frozen custard, you probably don’t know what you’re missing, and you might like their current offerings. If you know what «Mr Softee» is, you’ll be really bummed out.

I’m an East Coast girl, so I’m loving the explosion of Rita’s franchises all over town. That water ice and custard combo is a summer time comfort for me and I’m so glad I can enjoy it year round now! The water ice flavors change daily, so if you have your pretty little heart set on something, check their menu out online or call ahead!
My personal favorites are a gelati with vanilla custard and rootbeer ice, and there’s something very satisfying about their cotton candy flavor all by itself.

I went to college in Philadelphia, the birthplace of Rita’s Water Ice. The first time I tried this unique, icy treat was after a golf practice and it was love at first bite. My East Coast teammates all recommended that I get a Gelati (water ice and frozen custard) and this has been my go-​to ever since. I would jokingly say to my parents during summer breaks that California would be the perfect food state if it had Rita’s Water Ice. Flash forward five years and the opening of Rita’s in North County San Diego and I am proud to say that the Golden State has finally achieved culinary perfection! Among the Rita’s locations in NCSD this one is my favorite. It is by far the most spacious and in a great shopping center with Trader Joe’s, etc.
If you have never been to Rita’s before, I recommend you start off with a regular Gelati and select mango as your water ice and vanilla as your frozen custard. That is a tried and true classic. A new favorite of mine is the horchata ice (a flavor unavailable on the East Coast) which is great by itself or in Gelati form. On warmer days, I opt for water ice only and double up with refreshing flavors like pineapple and watermelon. Honestly, there are so many delicious combinations at Rita’s that you really can’t go wrong!

I LOVE RITAS!!! No complaint here. Perfect for a hot day or just to fulfill my cravings.

I was happy to hear that a Rita’s was moving into Escondido. I love this place. The flavors don’t seem to change as often as the ones I’ve been to back east. Still would recommend. Also if you are just looking for a little treat, ask for the gods size of the gelati. It’s definitely enough.

Yuck…
The ice flavors really lacked flavor. Chocolate peanut butter tastes like watery peanut butter. Green apple tastes like an otter pop. That was the least mango-​y mango flavor I’ve ever tasted. Left us wanting more.
The custard was anything but the custard I’ve grown up knowing. For one thing, it’s weird having it come out like frozen yogurt. Custard should be rich, scooped out of a container, not squirted out of a machine. Also, it totally lacked flavor just like the ice stuff. I expect custard to pack a way more powerful punch in the flavor and texture department, even more so than ice cream. This custard was way less flavorful than ice cream… even frozen yogurt. We felt bad trying out soooo many samples and not liking a single thing that we just got the cheapest thing on the menu to avoid being «that couple».
In a nutshell, save your money and go to 7 – 11 for a slurpee, or Thriftys for an inexpensive & delicious scoop of ice cream.

The coffee custard was awesome but then I got the bright idea to have them thrice dipped in cherry nasty, chocolate and
Caramel and i could tell right away the gal didn’t have much experience and it was a disaster not to mention the dips are way too thick, they need to thin them out.. I will be back but I won’t get dipped thrice, maybe single…

My husband and I really liked some of their more unique Italian ice flavors. We especially liked the Banana Split which had some cherry fruit chunks and chocolate chips in it. Also tasty were the Black Cherry which had a few cherry chunks and Island Fusion which was more of a tropical flavor.
Although still yummy, I wouldn’t recommend the Mango or more traditional flavors as there was nothing too special about it. It seems to taste like liked blended with flavored syrup. You can just get some comparable sorbet or Italian Ice at the market for a fraction of the price.
The custard is good, but nothing memorable. My husband likes it because it tastes like McDonald’s soft serve ice cream… this is very reason why I don’t care for it.

LOVE this place!!! Quality sweets and quality service! The people here are awesome and we stop by whenever we can. My favorite is the Mango Gelati with vanilla custard. When they have it, I also indulge in the Margarita or Pineapple ice!!!
I get a daily flavor up date via text and email as well, so I know if my favorites are available.
The people here are soooooooo nice too! We love seeing them! They move the line along pretty quick too. It’s so good here sometimes the line is out the door.

It was 91°F outside this passed Saturday and shaved ice sounds wonderful! Since it’s my first time getting Rita’s, the server explained to me what frozen custard is and he recommended me the gelati because it’s gotten the best of both (frozen custard+Italian ice). I got the regular size vanilla chocolate mix flavor custard and passion fruit ice. Maybe the weather was too hot and the freezer couldn’t handle it, the passion fruit ice was kinda watery and a little bit too sweet.
James ordered the regular size shake which was custard blended with ice. He asked for orange cream/​vanilla custard with green apple ice. However, when the server was done with the shake, he told James that the orange cream was out so there’s only vanilla custard blended with green apple ice. I think he should tell James that before he actually made the shake. But James was OK so whatever. The blended ice was more creamy but it’s still a little too sweet. The total was a little over $ 7.
I wouldn’t recommend the Italian ice because it’s a little too sweet but the frozen custard was good.

We stopped in twice prior to find their ice flavors of more variety then their custard flavors. The third time we decided to try a chocolate vanilla twist sundae. We probably should have tried the gelati since it is their signature item.
Honestly, for the price, I would rather get frozen yogurt or regular ice cream.
I have had frozen custard before so I was excited but it tasted nothing like frozen custard and tasted just like soft serve ice cream. I was so disappointed! I thought I would be swept away by custardy delight but no. It was tasty, but not distinctly different then soft serve ice cream.
They were clean and friendly but service was a little slow.
I will go back for a gelati and see if I feel different about.

Rita’s this close to Trader Joe’s and my house? This is going to be a problem. A very good problem.
I came on opening night– free regular Italian ice, or $ 1 to upgrade to a gelati (Italian ice with custard on bottom and top– always worth it).
I love this location, it is bigger than the other Escondido location with move seating inside and closer seating outside.
Chris, the store manager, is very friendly and helpful. Great opening day Rita’s staff. keep it up!
Join their new STAR loyalty program. Free Italian ice and ability to wrack up points for more free treats. I’m in.

I was so excited when I saw they were opening a Rita’s on this side of Escondido. I’ve had Rita’s before during events but they normally had Italian Ice during the events. What I wanted was the custard. A few locations have already popped up throughout San Diego but this is the first time I have actually been in one of their stores.
I went right after work. The custard is so amazing! I ordered the coffee and vanilla swirl. So smooth and tasty. Their ice is definitely amazing also. I’ve had the watermelon flavor before. They have an option to have the italian ice and the custard together. I think I will try that next. I can always use a custard fix and will definitely come back soon.
BTW join their loyalty program. It took off a lot on my first order. I only paid $ 0.50 for a regular custard!

Wow haven’t had anything this good except in New York I will be back soon, the service was great and the custerd reminded me of being back home