Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

For residents and visitors of Manahawkin, New Jersey, when the desire for a cool, refreshing treat strikes, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard often comes to mind. This beloved establishment brings a taste of "Ice Custard Happiness" to the Jersey Shore, offering a unique blend of smooth Italian ice and rich, creamy frozen custard that sets it apart from traditional ice cream shops. Since its inception, Rita's has grown to be a well-recognized name, famous for its commitment to fresh, daily-made Italian Ice and a constantly rotating selection of flavors.

More than just a dessert spot, Rita's in Manahawkin serves as a vibrant part of the local community. It's a place where families gather after a day at the beach, where friends meet for a sweet pick-me-up, and where the simple pleasure of a cold treat brightens the hottest summer days. While individual experiences with service can vary, the consistent quality of their core products – the Italian ice and frozen custard – remains a strong draw for many.

Whether you're a fan of their signature Gelati, a classic cup of Italian ice, or a blended concrete, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard provides a diverse menu designed to cater to all preferences. It continues to be a go-to destination for those in Manahawkin seeking a refreshing, flavorful, and satisfying frozen dessert experience.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Manahawkin is conveniently located at 50 W Bay Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, USA. This address places it on West Bay Avenue, a key road within the Manahawkin area, making it easily accessible for both local residents and those passing through. West Bay Avenue connects to other significant roads, ensuring that the shop is straightforward to find, whether you're coming from Route 72 or other parts of Stafford Township.

Its location on a recognizable local thoroughfare contributes to its accessibility. While parking can sometimes be a consideration in popular areas, especially during peak summer hours, being on a main road generally provides more options. For many in Manahawkin, the shop is within a reasonable driving distance, and for those living nearby, it might even be a pleasant walk or bike ride away, making it a convenient stop for a refreshing treat. The ease of access helps establish Rita's as a natural choice for satisfying sweet cravings within the Manahawkin community.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard offers a wide array of frozen treats and specialty items, designed to provide "Ice Custard Happiness" to its customers. Their menu primarily focuses on their two signature products and various combinations thereof:

• Famous Italian Ice: Made fresh daily on location and hand-scooped to order, their Italian Ice is a sweet, smooth frozen treat available in a wide variety of rotating flavors. With over 60 flavors in their repertoire, popular options often include Mango, Cherry, Lemon, and many more unique and seasonal choices.
• Award-Winning Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard: This rich and creamy frozen dessert is made with high-quality ingredients, offering a denser, smoother texture than typical soft-serve ice cream. It serves as a perfect complement to their Italian Ice.
• Signature Gelati: A fan-favorite, the Gelati is Rita's signature layered treat, combining their famous Italian Ice with their Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard. They also offer a "5 Layer Gelati" for an enhanced experience, served in a clear cup with extra layers of ice and custard.
• Concretes & Blendinis®:
  • Concretes: A thick, blended treat made with their Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard and a delicious topping blended in. Examples include Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide, Cookies n' Cream, Birthday Cake, and Apple Pie.
  • Blendinis®: A blend of Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, Italian Ice, and a topping, offering a unique mixed texture and flavor profile.
• Milkshakes: Made with rich and creamy custard, available in classic and specialty flavors like Peanut Butter Mudslide and Oreo Cookies n' Cream.
• Frozen Drinks:
  • Gelati Blenders: Italian Ice blended with Vanilla or Chocolate Custard Mix, creating a drinkable Gelati.
  • Ice Blenders: Italian Ice blended into a cool and flavorful drink, perfect for on-the-go refreshment.
  • Frozen Coffee: A sweet pick-me-up made with Italian Ice, custard, and cold brew coffee.
  • Frozen Lemonades: Refreshing blends of classic Lemon, Strawberry, and Mango flavors.
• Sundaes: Create your own sundae with two toppings, whipped cream, and a cherry, or choose from specialty sundaes like Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide and Rainbow Sundae.
• Freezer Fillers: Customers can purchase quarts of Italian Ice or pints of Frozen Custard to enjoy at home. They also offer Custard Cookie Sandwich 6-packs.
• Catering: Rita's also offers catering services for events, bringing their treats to parties, fundraisers, and other gatherings.
• Community Involvement: The Manahawkin location is noted for its involvement in the local community, including sponsoring Stafford Township youth sports and supporting local charities.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Manahawkin boasts several key features and highlights that draw in customers, while also presenting some areas of variability in customer experience.

• Dual Signature Products (Italian Ice & Frozen Custard): The core strength of Rita's is its unique combination of smooth, flavorful Italian Ice and rich, creamy Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard. This provides a distinct alternative to traditional ice cream and offers a versatile base for numerous dessert creations.
• Extensive Flavor Rotation: With a repertoire of over 60 Italian Ice flavors and a constantly rotating selection, customers are encouraged to return to try new and seasonal options. This variety ensures there's always something new to discover.
• Signature Gelati: The Gelati, a layered combination of Italian Ice and Frozen Custard, is a highly popular and unique offering that allows customers to enjoy the best of both worlds in one treat. The "5 Layer Gelati" provides an even more indulgent version.
• Refreshing Alternative: Many find Rita's treats, especially the Italian Ice, to be "very refreshing" and a lighter option compared to heavier ice creams, especially on hot summer days.
• Community Sponsorship: The Manahawkin location actively supports local youth sports and charities, demonstrating a commitment to being an involved and positive force within the community. This local engagement can build loyalty among residents.
• Generally Good Product Quality: Despite some service concerns, customers consistently praise the quality of the "ice cream" (referring to both Italian Ice and Frozen Custard), noting that it is "still good" or that there is a "Great selection of flavors."
• Variable Customer Service: This is an important point for potential visitors. While some reviews mention "Quick friendly service" and a "generally friendly" staff, others detail experiences with "EXTREMELY snooty and rude" workers, slammed windows, feeling rushed, and order errors (e.g., being given two larges instead of one large and one small, and being charged incorrectly). This indicates inconsistency in staff training and customer interaction.
• Pricing Concerns: Some customers find the treats "Fairly pricey," which is a consideration for value-conscious consumers. This can sometimes prevent a higher overall rating despite good product quality.

For those looking to experience the unique frozen treats at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Manahawkin, here is their contact information:

Address: 50 W Bay Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, USA

Phone: (609) 978-0587

Mobile Phone: +1 609-978-0587

Having both a local phone number and a mobile number provides convenient ways to reach out for inquiries about daily flavors, catering options, or to provide feedback on your experience at this Manahawkin location.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Manahawkin is a suitable and popular choice for locals in the New Jersey region, particularly those in the Southern Ocean County area, for several compelling reasons. Its core strength lies in its **unique product offering**, combining the refreshing qualities of **freshly made Italian Ice with the creamy indulgence of Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard**, especially highlighted by their signature **Gelati**. This provides a distinctive alternative to traditional ice cream and caters to a wide range of preferences, ensuring that locals have a diverse option for satisfying their sweet cravings. The extensive and rotating **flavor selection** keeps the experience fresh and exciting, encouraging repeat visits. Furthermore, Rita's **active involvement in community sponsorship**, particularly with youth sports, demonstrates its commitment to the local area, which can resonate positively with residents seeking to support businesses that give back. While consistency in customer service can vary, the **inherent quality of their treats** remains a strong draw. Its convenient location on West Bay Avenue also makes it easily accessible for a quick stop. For Manahawkin residents seeking a refreshing, flavorful, and unique frozen dessert experience from a locally engaged establishment, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard remains a go-to spot on the Jersey Shore.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

50 W Bay Ave, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, USA