Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Introduce
Welcome, Maryland locals, to your new favorite dessert destination: Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in College Park. Nestled conveniently in the heart of the community, this shop is more than just a place to grab a sweet treat—it's a local institution that has been delighting taste buds for years. Whether you're a student looking for a quick study break snack, a family wanting to cool off on a hot summer day, or a dessert enthusiast eager to try something new, Rita's offers a unique and satisfying experience. The friendly, classic atmosphere and an array of delicious options make it a staple for anyone in the region. We'll explore what makes this particular Rita's location a must-visit spot, from its accessible location to its diverse menu of frozen delights.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has built a reputation on its high-quality ingredients and incredible variety. Unlike traditional ice cream shops, Rita's specializes in its namesake offerings: smooth, flavorful Italian ice and rich, creamy frozen custard. The combination of these two is what makes the Gelati so popular. Customers consistently rave about the dense texture of the Italian ice and the unique, thick consistency of the custard, noting that it's a step above typical soft-serve. This commitment to quality and a unique product lineup is what sets Rita's apart and keeps customers coming back time and again.
The College Park location has an old-fashioned, walk-up feel that adds to its charm. This vibe, combined with the delicious treats, creates a nostalgic experience that feels both timeless and comforting. The extensive menu ensures that there is something for everyone, and the staff is known for their excellent service. They are always ready to answer questions, offer samples, and help you find your perfect combination. The reasonable prices are another draw, with large servings available for under $5, making it an affordable luxury for all. It's easy to see why Rita's is considered a local "staple" in the area, offering a sweet escape from the everyday.
One of the most impressive aspects of Rita's is the sheer number of ways you can customize your order. You can mix and match flavors of Italian ice, combine it with frozen custard, and even add toppings to create a personalized masterpiece. This level of customization ensures that every visit is a new adventure. The wide variety of options, from classic flavors like mango and blue raspberry to seasonal specials, means you can always find something to satisfy your craving, no matter your preference. The creative presentation, such as the vertical split of two Italian ice flavors, further enhances the experience, making it not just a treat, but a memorable moment.
For those who are new to Rita's, the Gelati is a highly recommended starting point. This signature creation layers Italian ice and frozen custard, offering a perfect balance of refreshing fruitiness and creamy indulgence. The blend is a textural delight that has won over many first-time visitors. The quality of the ingredients shines through in every bite, confirming why Rita's has such a loyal following. It's a taste experience that is truly unique and something you'll want to share with friends and family. This place is more than just a quick stop; it's a destination for a truly satisfying dessert.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in College Park is conveniently located at 8900 Baltimore Ave, making it easily accessible for anyone in the Maryland area. Situated right on a major thoroughfare, the shop is a quick drive for residents of College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville, and surrounding communities. The location is also perfect for students at the University of Maryland, as it's just a stone's throw away from campus. The walk-up window setup makes it a great stop for a casual treat, whether you're walking by or making a special trip. There is ample parking available nearby, so you won't have to worry about finding a spot. Its central location ensures that it's a convenient and straightforward destination for a spontaneous dessert craving or a planned outing with friends and family. The easy access and prime spot make it a go-to for locals who want a hassle-free and delicious experience.
Services Offered
- Classic Italian Ice: Made daily with real fruit, available in a wide variety of flavors.
- Creamy Frozen Custard: A dense, rich, and delicious alternative to traditional soft-serve ice cream.
- Gelati: Rita's signature creation, a perfect combination of Italian ice and frozen custard.
- Misto® Shake: A smooth, refreshing drink blending Italian ice and frozen custard.
- Blended Drinks: A variety of shakes and freezes made with your favorite flavors.
- Customizable Options: Mix and match flavors to create your own unique frozen treat.
- Walk-Up Service: An old-fashioned, convenient walk-up window for quick and easy ordering.
- Samples: Friendly staff are always willing to offer samples to help you choose the perfect flavor.
Features & Highlights
- High-Quality Ingredients: The Italian ice is dense and flavorful, and the custard is thick and creamy, demonstrating a commitment to quality.
- Unique Flavor Combinations: Creative options like the vertical split of two Italian ice flavors make for a visually appealing and delicious treat.
- Friendly & Efficient Service: Customers consistently praise the helpful and kind staff who are happy to answer questions and provide samples.
- Affordable Prices: Generous portions are available at a reasonable price, making it an excellent value for a high-quality dessert.
- Classic, Nostalgic Atmosphere: The walk-up style shop provides a charming, old-fashioned vibe that feels timeless and welcoming.
- Local Staple: Regarded as a well-loved institution in the area, with a reputation for being a must-try for both residents and visitors.
- Diverse Menu: The wide range of Italian ice, frozen custard, and combination options ensures there's something for every taste preference.
- Convenient Location: Situated on a main road with easy access and ample parking, perfect for a quick stop or a planned outing.
Contact Information
Address: 8900 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Phone: (301) 345-5445
Mobile Phone: +1 301-345-5445
For Maryland locals, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is more than just a dessert shop—it's a cherished community gem. The combination of its convenient College Park location, friendly service, and a truly unique product makes it the perfect place for a delicious and refreshing treat. Whether you're looking to cool down on a hot day, satisfy a sweet tooth, or create a fun memory with friends and family, Rita's provides a welcoming and delightful experience. The high quality of their Italian ice and frozen custard, along with the endless options for customization, ensures that every visit is a satisfying one. As a beloved local institution, Rita's is the ideal spot for anyone in the region seeking a taste of something special. Its classic charm and commitment to great service make it a place you'll want to visit again and again.
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Menu
Shakes
- Specialty Milkshake $9.99
Rita’s take on a classic milkshake but richer and creamier –this beverage combines milk and our Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard; blended in a variety of unique flavors, then topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Chocolate Coconut Milkshake - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Chocolate Milkshake blended with Coconut
- OREO® Cookies N' Cream Milkshake $9.99
Vanilla Custard blended with OREO® Pieces with whipped cream and a cherry.
- REESE’S Peanut Butter Mudslide Milkshake $9.99
Vanilla Custard blended with Peanut Butter Sauce & Hot Fudge with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Apple Butter Dream Milkshake - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Vanilla Milkshake blended with Apple Butter
Complete the Treat
- Pretzel Braid $10.00
A delicious salty snack that goes great with Italian Ice.
- Toppings On The Side (To Go) $11.99
Add toppings on the side to any treat.
- 3 Pretzel Bundle - Classic Soft Pretzel $10.00
A bundle of 3 delicious salty snacks that go great with Italian Ice.
- 3 Pretzel Bundle - Pretzel Braid $10.00
A bundle of 3 delicious salty snacks that go great with Italian Ice.
- 3 Pretzel Bundle - Philly Pretzel $10.00
A bundle of 3 delicious salty snacks that go great with Italian Ice.
- Cheese Pretzel $10.00
A delicious cheesy and salty snack that goes great with Italian Ice.
- Classic Soft Pretzel $10.00
A delicious salty snack that goes great with Italian Ice.
- Philly Pretzel $10.00
A delicious salty snack that goes great with Italian Ice.
Freezer Fillers
- Hand-Scooped Custard Pint $10.00
Freshly packed Hand-Scooped Custard.
- Custard Cookie Sandwich 6-Pack $10.00
A 6-pack of delicious Frozen Custard Cookie Sandwiches
- Frozen Custard Pint $10.00
Freshly packed frozen custard.
- 3 Quart Bundle $31.99
Three Quarts of Italian Ice
- 4 Quart Bundle $41.99
Four Quarts of Italian Ice
Drinks
- Rocket Pop Ice Blender - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Rocket Pop Ice blended into a drink, topped with Firecracker Glitter
- SKITTLES® Ice Blender Topped With SKITTLES® POP'D - Limited Time Only! $6.00
SKITTLES® Ice blended into a drink, topped with SKITTLES® POP'D
- KOOL-AID Tropical Punch Ice Blender - Limited Time Only! $6.00
KOOL-AID Tropical Punch Ice blended into a drink
- Witches' Brew-Berry Ice Blender Topped With BABY NERDS™ - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Witches' Brew-Berry Ice blended into a drink, topped with BABY NERDS
- Ice Blender $6.99
Your favorite flavor of Ice blended into a cool and flavorful drink, perfect for on-the-go refreshment!
- Frozen Lemonade $7.99
Our Frozen Lemonades are the ultimate portable refreshment, available in classic Lemon, Strawberry and Mango flavors.
- Frozen Coffee $7.99
Our Cold Brew Frozen Coffee is a sweet and indulgent pick-me-up, available in original Cold Brew, Caramel, and Mocha
- Bottled Water $2.99
Refreshing spring water.
- Twisted Cola Blender - Limited Time Only! $5.00
Cola Ice blended into a drink, topped with Cocolime Cream
- KOOL-AID Sharkleberry Fin Ice Blender - Limited Time Only! $6.00
KOOL-AID Sharkleberry Fin Ice blended into a drink
- Gelati Blender $7.99
Your favorite flavor of Ice blended with Vanilla or Chocolate Custard Mix. It is like a Gelati you can drink!
- Raspberries N' Cream Gelati Blender - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Raspberries n' Cream Cream Ice blended with Vanilla Custard
Frozen Custard
- Create Your Own Hand-Scooped Custard Sundae $5.00
Two toppings with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Mint Fudge Sundae - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Twist Custard topped with Andes® Mints and Hot Fudge
- Rainbow Sundae $8.99
Vanilla Custard topped with Gummy Bears & Rainbow Sprinkles with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Create Your Own Sundae $8.99
Two toppings with whipped cream and a cherry.
- Frozen Custard $6.99
Our award winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard is rich and creamy –made with high quality ingredients
- Hand-Scooped Frozen Custard $5.00
Hand-Scooped Frozen Custard
- REESE’S Peanut Butter Mudslide Sundae $8.99
Vanilla Custard topped with Hot Fudge, Peanut Butter Sauce & REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups with whipped cream and a cherry.
Concrete & Blendini®
- Create Your Own Blendini® $10.99
Our Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, your favorite Italian Ice, and a delicious topping blended.
- Peanut Butter & Toffee Concrete - Limited Time Only! $10.99
Vanilla Custard mixed with Almond Toffee Crunch and REESE'S Peanut Butter Sauce
- Cookies N' Cream Concrete $10.99
Vanilla Custard blended with OREO® Pieces & stuffed with Hot Fudge.
- Apple Butter & Pumpkin Concrete - Limited Time Only! $10.00
Vanilla Custard mixed with Apple Butter and Pumpkin Crème
- Apple Butter Concrete - Limited Time Only! $10.00
Vanilla Custard mixed with Apple Butter, Vanilla Wafers and stuffed with Apple Pie filling
- Apple Pie Concrete $10.99
Vanilla Custard blended with Apple Pie filling, Vanilla Wafers & stuffed with Apple Pie filling.
- Mint Cookie Crunch Concrete - Limited Time Only! $10.00
Vanilla Custard mixed with Andes® Mints and OREO® Cookies
- Pumpkin Pie Concrete - Limited Time Only! $10.00
Vanilla Custard mixed with Pumpkin Crème and Vanilla Wafers
- Strawberry Shortcake Concrete $10.99
Vanilla Custard blended with Vanilla Wafers & stuffed with Strawberry Topping.
- Create Your Own Concrete $20.99
Our Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard and delicious toppings blended.
- REESE’S Peanut Butter Mudslide Concrete $10.99
Vanilla Custard blended with REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups, REESE’S Peanut Butter Sauce & stuffed with Hot Fudge.
- Birthday Cake Concrete $10.99
Vanilla Custard blended with Vanilla Wafers & Rainbow Sprinkles.
Italian Ice
- Italian Ice $4.99
A sweet, smooth frozen treat made fresh daily on location and hand scooped to order.
Gelati
- SKITTLES® Gelati Topped With SKITTLES® POP'D - Limited Time Only! $6.00
SKITTLES® Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with SKITTLES® POP'D
- KOOL-AID Tropical Punch 5-Layer Gelati - Limited Time Only! $11.00
KOOL-AID Tropical Punch Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with rainbow sprinkles
- Glittery Gummy Bear Gelati - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Gummy Bear Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with Unicorn Glitter
- Raspberries N' Cream Gelati - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Raspberries n' Cream Cream Ice layered with Vanilla Custard
- Gelati $7.99
Best of both worlds in Rita’s signature treat –alternating layers of our famous Italian Ice and Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard.
- Witches' Brew-Berry Gelati Topped With BABY NERDS™ - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Witches Brew-Berry Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with BABY NERDS
- Rocket Pop 5-Layer Gelati - Limited Time Only! $10.00
Rocket Pop Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with Firecracker Glitter
- KOOL-AID Sharkleberry Fin 5-Layer Gelati - Limited Time Only! $10.00
KOOL-AID Sharkleberry Fin Ice layered with Vanilla Custard, topped with rainbow sprinkles
- Cola Float Gelati - Limited Time Only! $6.00
Cola Ice layered with Vanilla Custard
- 5 Layer Gelati $8.99
A plus-up of our signature Gelati, 5-Layer Gelati is served in a clear cup with layers of your favorite Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, and an extra layer of Custard in the middle!
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Details
Service options
- Delivery
- In-store pickup
- In-store shopping
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Dining options
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trending
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Photos










Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Location
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
8900 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Reviews
flavorsparkingmangosummervanillaconeshakeswindowcollegewild black cherry
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1My 1st time having it... the custard isn't like soft serve it's a little thicker. But the gelati combination was really delicious
July 01 · Joanna SelkridgeMy first time having Rita’s! I was told Rita’s is a staple in the area, and now I know why. The Italian ice was so nice and dense, demonstrating high quality. I got half Mango, half Blue Raspberry. I thought they’d just put one on the bottom half and one on the top half (the lazy way to do it), but it was actually split vertically so it looked cool and gave me the option to have both flavors at once. I also tried the Island Fusion, and I’d say Mango is a little better. There are also so many ways to mix Italian ice with custard if that’s what you’re into, and all the options looked very yummy. On top of all that, the price is actually reasonable: under $5 for a large!The service was also great, and they answered questions and even asked me if I wanted a sample of multiple flavors. The atmosphere is what you’d expect of a walk-up custard kind of place. It gives an old fashioned vibe that says it’s been a classic for awhile. Instant 5 stars!
May 01 · Brandon NewmanI visit this Rita’s about four times a week and still do not understand why the trash cans are up by the windows that you buy your fresh ice cream instead of down by the picnic tables or where people can throw their trash away after eating by the picnic tables not up by when you’re getting your fresh ice cream by the window you have to walk up the steps and then over by the windows where there’s lines and congestion for people ordering ice cream to throw your trash away I hope you consider this information little help for you to make some decision and moving your trash cans also from the order line you have to invade the order line to put your trash in the trashcan. It’s by the order line. I’ve been coming to this place since day, one that you were open and admire your Great accomplishments in the College Park area that would appreciate if you put your trash cans down below where people could throw their trash after they finish eating over by the picnic tables or around the corner where people can reach them rather than going in front of the lines where people ordering ice cream It’s bad enough the congestion there is a little out of control, but you have some great employees there and we do enjoy coming there, but I think you should take the suggestion to heart as constructive criticism about your trash cans thank you once again for coming to the college park area. Nothing better than Rita’s thank you.
July 09 · Michelle AbascalThey got my order wrong and they refused to give me a refund on DoorDash.
July 03 · Mazin AbdelmoniemThere were two windows opened and a few benches and tables in their seating area off to the side. I got the peach-mango flavor in a small cup and it was pretty good. I wish their seating area was better.
August 03 · S Thai
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