Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

For those in Pennsylvania seeking a quintessential summer treat, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard stands as a beloved and widely recognized destination. With its origins rooted in the Philadelphia area, Rita's has grown into a cherished chain, bringing its unique blend of refreshing Italian Ice and creamy Frozen Custard to communities like Wexford. This particular location at 10376 Perry Hwy serves as a local haven for those looking to cool down with a delightful and flavorful dessert.

Rita's is renowned for its signature Italian Ice, a sweet, smooth, and vibrant frozen treat that is made fresh daily on-site. Beyond the traditional ice, Rita's elevates the experience with its rich and creamy Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, which can be enjoyed on its own or, more famously, layered with Italian Ice to create their signature "Gelati." This combination of textures and flavors is a hallmark of the Rita's experience, offering a perfect balance for any palate.

The commitment to fresh, quality ingredients and a rotating selection of over 95 flavors means that every visit to Rita's offers the chance to discover a new favorite or revisit a classic. While the brand is well-established, each location, including the one in Wexford, aims to provide a friendly and happy experience, embodying the company's motto: "Ice, Custard, Happiness!" It's a place designed to create sweet memories and provide a cheerful escape from the everyday.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Wexford is conveniently located at 10376 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090, USA. This address places it directly on Perry Highway (US-19), a major commercial artery that runs through Northern Allegheny County. The prominent location makes it exceptionally accessible for residents of Wexford and neighboring communities such as Cranberry Township, Warrendale, and McCandless.

Being on a main highway means the shop is easy to spot and reach by car. The presence of ample parking is typically expected for businesses situated on such roads, although it's worth noting that one customer review highlighted that the parking lot can sometimes experience congestion due to "kids racing into the parking lot with their vehicles" and not being mindful of others, leading to a "nightmare" situation for some. Despite this specific anecdotal concern, the overall accessibility of the location remains a strong point for its suitability within the community, allowing for quick stops for individuals and families looking for a convenient treat. Its placement allows it to be a simple and often quick detour for those completing errands, coming home from work, or enjoying local attractions, cementing its role as an easily reachable dessert option for locals.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard offers a diverse menu centered around its two core products, Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, along with creative combinations and other frozen delights.

• Italian Ice: The foundational product, made fresh daily on location with real fruit (for many flavors). Rita's boasts a rotating selection from over 95 flavors, ensuring variety. Popular flavors include Wild Black Cherry, Mango, Swedish Fish, and seasonal options.

• Frozen Custard: Rich, creamy, and made with high-quality ingredients, their Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard is a beloved treat on its own, served in cones or cups.

• Gelati: Rita's signature treat, combining layers of their famous Italian Ice with their creamy Frozen Custard. Available in classic and 5-layer variations for an extra custard layer in the middle, offering a delightful blend of textures and temperatures.

• Concretes & Blendinis®: These are thick, blended treats. Concretes feature Frozen Custard blended with various toppings and mix-ins (e.g., OREO®, REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups). Blendinis® combine Italian Ice, Frozen Custard, and a topping, blended together.

• Milkshakes: Made with their rich Frozen Custard, these shakes come in classic flavors like chocolate and vanilla, as well as specialty options like REESE'S Peanut Butter Mudslide and OREO® Cookies n' Cream.

• Frozen Drinks (Ice Blenders & Gelati Blenders): Customers can enjoy their favorite Italian Ice blended into a cool, refreshing drink (Ice Blenders) or Italian Ice blended with Frozen Custard (Gelati Blenders).

• Sundaes: Traditional sundaes are offered with Frozen Custard and a choice of toppings, whipped cream, and a cherry. Signature sundaes like the Rainbow Sundae and REESE'S Peanut Butter Mudslide Sundae are also on the menu.

• Freezer Fillers: For enjoyment at home, Rita's offers Italian Ice in quarts and pints, as well as Frozen Custard in pints and 6-packs of Custard Cookie Sandwiches.

• Catering & Fundraising: Rita's locations often provide catering services for events and participate in fundraising programs for local schools and organizations, allowing them to bring their treats directly to community gatherings.

• Seasonal Promotions: Rita's is well-known for its annual "First Day of Spring" free Italian Ice giveaway, a long-standing tradition that welcomes the warmer weather.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Wexford, like other Rita's locations, boasts several features that contribute to its popularity and make it a notable spot for frozen treats in Pennsylvania.

• Unique Italian Ice & Frozen Custard Combination: The core highlight is the dual offering of fresh, flavorful Italian Ice and rich, creamy Frozen Custard. This distinct combination, especially in their signature Gelati, provides a unique textural and taste experience that sets Rita's apart from traditional ice cream shops or shaved ice stands.

• "Made Fresh Daily" Commitment: Rita's prides itself on making its Italian Ice fresh on-site every day. This commitment to freshness ensures a vibrant flavor and smooth consistency in their primary product, which is a key draw for customers seeking high-quality frozen treats.

• Extensive Flavor Variety: With a rotating selection from over 95 flavors of Italian Ice, Rita's ensures there's always something new to try. This vast array of options caters to a wide range of preferences, from classic fruit flavors to more unique and seasonal creations, encouraging repeat visits to sample them all.

• Signature Gelati: The Gelati, which layers Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, is a fan favorite and a defining feature of the Rita's experience. It offers the best of both worlds – the refreshing coolness of Italian Ice with the smooth richness of custard – creating a balanced and satisfying dessert.

• Speedy Service: Despite potential rushes, one customer review noted that the "service was fast!" This indicates an emphasis on efficiency, especially important during peak hours, allowing patrons to get their treats quickly and continue with their day.

• Community Tradition (First Day of Spring): Rita's is famous for its annual tradition of giving away free Italian Ice on the first day of spring. This long-standing community event creates buzz and fosters a sense of local tradition and excitement around the brand's seasonal opening.

For those planning a visit or needing to reach out, here's the contact information for Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Wexford:

• Address: 10376 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090, USA

• Phone: (724) 940-3939

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Wexford is a highly suitable destination for locals across Pennsylvania, offering a unique blend of refreshing treats and a community-oriented atmosphere. Despite some isolated concerns about parking lot behavior, the core strengths of Rita's make it a popular and convenient choice for residents.

The primary appeal lies in its distinctive product offerings: the refreshing **Italian Ice made fresh daily** and the rich, creamy **Frozen Custard**. This combination, especially in their signature Gelati, provides a diverse and satisfying experience that caters to various preferences, offering something different from traditional ice cream shops. For Pennsylvanians looking for a light, fruity, and cooling treat, the Italian Ice is unmatched, while the custard provides a comforting, indulgent option. The extensive and rotating flavor selection further ensures that there's always a reason to return and try something new, keeping the experience fresh and exciting for regular patrons.

The **convenient location on Perry Highway** makes it easily accessible for families and individuals throughout Wexford and the surrounding areas. The option for quick service, as noted by a reviewer, also adds to its local suitability, allowing residents to grab a treat without a long wait. While the parking situation has been flagged by one customer, this is often a factor that can vary with time of day and specific circumstances, and for many, the ease of access to the main road outweighs this potential issue.

Moreover, Rita's holds a special place in many communities due to its **seasonal opening and the beloved "First Day of Spring" tradition**. This annual event fosters a sense of excitement and community spirit, signaling the arrival of warmer weather and a favorite local pastime. It creates shared experiences that build a strong connection with the local population, making Rita's not just a business, but a part of the local fabric. For families, friends, or anyone in Pennsylvania seeking a classic, refreshing, and reliably enjoyable frozen treat experience, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Wexford remains a top choice for "Ice, Custard, Happiness!"

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

10376 Perry Hwy, Wexford, PA 15090, USA