Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

For residents of New Jersey, particularly those in the Mercerville area, the arrival of warmer weather often signals one thing: it’s time for a visit to Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard. This beloved establishment is more than just a place to grab a quick dessert; it's a cherished local spot that brings joy and refreshment with its signature Italian ices and rich frozen custards. Rita's has become synonymous with fresh, delightful treats, offering a perfect respite on a hot day or a sweet indulgence anytime. This article will guide you through the Mercerville location of Rita's, detailing its convenient spot, the array of delicious items on its menu, and what makes it a continuous favorite for families and individuals across the New Jersey region.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard began its journey in 1984 in Pennsylvania, founded by a former firefighter, Bob Tumolo, who perfected his mother's Italian ice recipe. Since then, it has grown into a widespread franchise, but each location strives to maintain that original commitment to freshness and quality. In Mercerville, this translates into a consistent experience of sweet, smooth Italian ice made fresh daily and creamy frozen custard that’s crafted with high-quality ingredients. While the price of treats is a point of discussion for some, and occasional observations about flavor intensity have been made, the core appeal of Rita's as a reliable and enjoyable destination for frozen delights remains strong. It's a place where you can cool down, treat yourself, and even share a happy moment with your furry friends, as some customers bring their dogs for a special vanilla custard treat. Rita's truly embodies the "Ice Custard Happiness" philosophy, aiming to deliver a super-friendly guest experience alongside their delightful products.

The Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard location serving the Mercerville, New Jersey area is conveniently situated in the University Plaza Shopping Center at 84 Flock Rd, Mercerville, NJ 08619, USA. This placement within a well-known shopping center makes it incredibly accessible for locals and those passing through. University Plaza is typically easy to navigate, offering ample parking, which is a significant advantage, especially during peak hours when the craving for a cold treat is at its highest. Being in a shopping center means it's often a convenient stop after running errands, picking up groceries, or visiting other businesses in the plaza.

The address on Flock Road ensures that the shop is easily reachable from various parts of Mercerville and neighboring towns. Whether you're coming from home, work, or local attractions, getting to this Rita's is usually a straightforward drive. The general accessibility of the location contributes significantly to its popularity, making it a go-to spot for a quick and satisfying cool-down without having to venture far. The typical operating hours, often extending into the evening, also provide flexibility for visitors to enjoy their treats at their leisure.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard offers a diverse and appealing menu that goes beyond just Italian ice and frozen custard, although those are undoubtedly their signature items. Their commitment to variety ensures there’s a perfect treat for every taste and occasion. Here’s a comprehensive look at the services and products you can find:

• Italian Ice: This is the heart of Rita's. Made fresh daily with real fruit, their Italian Ice is a smooth, sweet, and dairy-free frozen treat available in a vast array of rotating flavors. Popular and consistently loved flavors include Mango, Black Cherry, Cherry, and Lemon, among many others. They also offer Sugar-Free Italian Ice options.
• Frozen Custard: Known for its rich, creamy texture, Rita's Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard is made with high-quality ingredients, offering a decadent alternative to traditional ice cream. Vanilla and Chocolate are always available, alongside a rotating selection of other flavors like Coffee, Cotton Candy, and Mint Chocolate Chip.
• Gelati: A signature Rita's creation, the Gelati layers creamy frozen custard with Italian Ice, offering a delightful combination of textures and temperatures in every spoonful. The "5 Layer Gelati" provides an even more indulgent experience with extra layers of custard.
• Misto® Shakes / Gelati Blenders: These are drinkable delights that blend Italian Ice with frozen custard, creating a thick, refreshing shake. It's a perfect option for those who want to sip their treat.
• Blendini® / Concretes: These customizable treats blend frozen custard with your choice of toppings, such as cookies, candies, or fruit, creating a rich, mixed-in dessert. Popular Concrete options include Cookies n' Cream, Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide, and Birthday Cake.
• Sundaes: Traditional sundaes are crafted with frozen custard and topped with various sauces, whipped cream, and a cherry. Popular choices include the Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide Sundae and the Rainbow Sundae.
• Frozen Coffee & Lemonade: For those looking for a refreshing beverage with a kick, Rita's offers cold brew frozen coffees (Original, Caramel, Mocha) and classic frozen lemonades (Lemon, Strawberry, Mango).
• Take-Home Options / Freezer Fillers: You can take the Rita's experience home with pints and quarts of Italian Ice or frozen custard, as well as 6-packs of Custard Cookie Sandwiches.
• Specialty Creations: Rita's frequently introduces limited-time flavors and combinations, often partnering with popular candy brands like SKITTLES® or Sour Patch Kids to create unique Italian Ice flavors.
• "Doggie Custard" / Free Puppy Cups: A thoughtful offering for pet owners, Rita's often provides small cups of plain vanilla custard, sometimes referred to as "Doggie Custard," for canine companions, making it a welcoming spot for the whole family.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Mercerville, NJ, boasts several features and highlights that contribute to its consistent popularity and appeal among local residents. These aspects make it a distinct and inviting spot for frozen treats.

• Freshness Guaranteed: A core philosophy of Rita's is making its Italian Ice fresh daily, on-site, using real fruit. This commitment to freshness ensures a superior taste and quality that patrons can genuinely appreciate.
• Diverse Flavor Rotation: With over 150 unique Italian Ice flavors in their repertoire, and about 24 available daily, there's always something new to try. This rotating selection keeps the menu exciting and encourages repeat visits as customers seek out their favorite seasonal flavors or discover new ones.
• Family and Pet-Friendly Atmosphere: Rita's is well-known for being a welcoming place for the entire family, including pets. The availability of small vanilla custard cups for dogs is a testament to this inclusive environment, making it a beloved stop for pet owners.
• Seasonal Excitement: For many New Jersey locals, the annual "First Day of Spring" free Italian Ice giveaway at Rita's is a cherished tradition, marking the unofficial start of warmer weather and creating a buzz of excitement in the community.
• Customizable Treats: The ability to combine Italian Ice and frozen custard into Gelatis, Blendinis, and Misto® Shakes allows customers to create their perfect customized treat, catering to individual preferences for flavor and texture.
• Convenient Location in a Shopping Center: Being situated in the University Plaza Shopping Center provides easy access and ample parking, making it a hassle-free destination for a quick treat while running errands or during a leisurely outing.
• Friendly Staff: Despite occasional busy periods, the staff at Rita's generally strives to be pleasant and efficient, contributing to a positive customer experience, as noted by customer reviews.

For those looking to visit or contact Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Mercerville, NJ, here is the essential information:

Address: University Plaza Shopping Center, 84 Flock Rd, Mercerville, NJ 08619, USA

Phone: (609) 207-7429

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard at the University Plaza Shopping Center is an ideal spot for locals in Mercerville, New Jersey, for numerous compelling reasons. Firstly, its reputation for freshly made Italian ice and creamy frozen custard means residents can always expect a high-quality, delicious treat. This commitment to freshness, with Italian ice made on-site daily, offers a superior product compared to many other dessert options, making it a trusted choice for satisfying sweet cravings.

The location itself, nestled within a bustling shopping center on Flock Road, provides unparalleled convenience. It's easily accessible with ample parking, making it a quick and effortless stop whether you're running errands, coming from work, or simply enjoying a leisurely day out. This accessibility is crucial for busy New Jersey families and individuals who appreciate efficiency without compromising on quality.

Furthermore, Rita's creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. The variety of options, from countless Italian ice flavors to rich frozen custards and creative combinations like Gelatis and Blendinis, ensures there’s something for every palate. The availability of treats for furry friends, like small vanilla custard cups for dogs, highlights Rita's dedication to being a community-oriented establishment where everyone feels welcome. While some customers have noted concerns about pricing or occasional dips in flavor consistency, these points are often weighed against the overall positive experience, the wide selection, and the pleasure of enjoying a classic Rita's treat, especially on a hot New Jersey day.

In essence, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Mercerville is more than just a dessert shop; it's a seasonal landmark and a community gathering place where delicious treats and happy memories are made. Its blend of quality products, convenient location, and a family-friendly environment makes it a consistently suitable and beloved choice for locals seeking that perfect sweet escape.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

University Plaza Shopping Center, 84 Flock Rd, Mercerville, NJ 08619, USA