Philadelphia Water Ice Factory

I know they call it «water ice»… but I’m from down south where they used to call these things «cool cups»… anyway, I had been meaning to get down here and try one and OMG! My «WATER ICE» was off da chain! I had the sour apple and it was great! I’ll most def. be back now & again for more! I did try a taco as well, and while it was pretty good, it was pretty small as well! But it was late night food, so what can I say…

Generally good for cheesesteaks, but sometimes they are too salty. Hours can be a bit spotty, and service (even though it’s a window, is the same). They get three stars on the cheesesteak alone. The mango water ice is nice too. The biggest issue is that there is no seating (be prepared to pop a squat somewhere nearby.

Arguably the best soft serve in the area. Definitely tastier than Rita’s custard. However, catching them when they’re open is like catching a tiger by the tail. The workers are often disinterested, bordering on surly. A couple of weeks ago I visited because I was CRAVING (like a pregnant lady, though I’m woefully barren) a twisty cone.
When we arrived, they had to verify with each other TWICE that they had no chocolate. So I ordered a vanilla and my sister ordered funnel cake. They no longer have funnel cake, but they have these funnel cake fry things. She decided to go for it. It took them TWENTY MINUTES to deep fry those things. We could’ve had a fried turkey faster. Then, to make matters worse, the young lady (and I use the term very loosely) picked several of the funnel fries THAT MY SISTER PAID FOR out of the serving basket and popped then in her mouth. The other worker laughed and said, «Ooo…she stole some of your food.» I ask if they’ll have chocolate the next day, and they assured me that they would.
So my family (5 of us) went back the next day. Not only did they NOT have chocolate soft serve, they didn’t have ANY soft serve. And the girl had an even bigger attitude that I actually came back the next day like I’d said I would.
So, if you have a hankering for late-​night tummies, go ANYWHERE ELSE! Here, the hours are unpredictable, service is pathetic, and if you call the number, it goes to someone’s cell phone who always sounds like they’re sleeping. Fail.

Late night water ice? Love it.
But that’s not all that they offer. You can get your late night, greasy grub on here as well with something off the grill.
I personally just stick with the water ice. With a selection of about 8 flavors and only $ 1.50 for a small cup, it’s the perfect dessert after dining on H Street.
Keep in mind, there is no «dine-​in» option since there is only a walk up window.
So just grab a cup, keep it moving and try your best to avoid a brain freeze.

Very solid cheesesteak… but comes off the grill hotter than hell so let it cool before taking that first bite.
Only cons are sometimes sliding business hours and every now and then the help is a bit distracted if the owner is not there riding herd.

Love the soft-​serve! Friendly service, great products, reasonable prices.

Great lunchtime spot for takeout food (no seating indoors… it’s just a walkup window). Fantastic cheesesteaks. Call ahead to avoid the 10-​minute wait while they make their food.

this cheese steak was delicious. I woke up on saturday with a hangover that only shitty food could cure, and this did the trick. They don’t have Whiz like philly style cheesesteaks but it is delicious, flavorful, thin-​sliced meat on fresh soft bread with grilled onions and hot peppers if you choose. no fresh lettuce or tomatoes or anything else to complicate it. but they did have 3 different kinds of cheese to choose from which made me happy.
the only reason i didn’t give it 5 stars is because despite the hours on the website saying they’re open til 10pm on Saturdays, we got there at 8pm and were told they just cleaned up everything and they were closing. No reason as to why. I pleaded and begged, and told the manager that I waited all day for that cheese steak and i read that it was the best one in DC and I just took a $ 13 cab ride there… and she finally gave in and fired the grill back up for me.

*this review is for the georgia ave. location across from the howard u business school*
awesome sandwiches made fresh (~10 min wait, call in while you walk over). $ 8 for a footlong. only a couple outdoor seats; carryout recommended. chicken philly is amazing; chopped very finely and available with tiny-​diced hot red peppers. water ice is deliciously refreshing. hours are inconsistent, but that almost adds to the charm and wonder so i cannot penalize them.

Right down the street from Rock And Roll Hotel on 12^th & H St NE stands the best cheese steaks in all of Washington DC. Their cheese steaks are on a different level then all DC/​MD locations that claim to be Philly. The owners ships down weekly Amoroso bread straight from the city of brotherly love. As a Philly transplant this is as good as it gets. I have tried the other Philly cheese steak spots and non compare. Extra Wizzzzz Please!!! Now opening their second location @ Howard University.

When it’s 107 degrees out, you probably shouldn’t go out.
But if you gotta get out — and youre craving something cold, get over to the Philadelphia Water Ice Factory. There’s not much to the place, it’s a walkup window — old school sort of joint, but the service is outstanding and the ices? Theyre cold, cool and damn fine.