Rita’s Water Ice

I can’t say enough good things about this specific Rita’s!
I lived in PA for several years and Rita’s «wood-​er» Ice was a huge thing down there! All over the place! So when I returned to New England you can imagine how ecstatic I was to see it here in RI.
Rita’s offers a few different choices: ice, custard and blends of these in different fashions. When I think of this place, I don’t think of custard. Sure, they have it, you can get it, it’s fair but it’s not called Rita’s custard… remember that.
The ice is awesome! They have a multitude of flavors that they rotate depending on the day. You can ask to sample these before making your decisions just like an ice cream joint. Personally, I think the juicy pear is the best however I also really enjoy mango, cotton candy, blue raspberry, watermelon… who am I kidding, most are yum!
Service is a big thing for me and here they are amazing! There is one girl who works here that I just hope is there everytime I come. She has a bob, snake bites in her lips and tons of hardware in her ears. She’s the sweetest most adorable little introvert with such a chill attitude. I approached the manager/​owner once about her and how he allows her to have all her adornments; something I really admire. He said something to the affect of appearance doesn’t dictate ability or level of service, actions do. I really love supporting a business that honors freedom of expression in the workplace. It’s more for this reason than their delicious ice that I revel in supporting this business.
In the mood for ice cream or dessert? Don’t want all the fat? Want great service? Come here!

Slightly better than Del’s frozen sugar water, but it’s still sugar water. I look for real fruit flavor in my ice (Mario’s Italian Lemonade on Taylor in Chicago, how I do miss you!!!). I do like the gelati though, so worth coming around on occasion when I’m in the neighborhood.

Why two of the other reviews said only good things yet gave only 3 stars is beyond me. This place is great. I used to be a devoted Del’s customer but Rita’s has won me over with their wider array of flavor ice and more unique flavors, my favorites being juicy pear and swedish fish! Try this place out!
EDIT: This location isn’t open — go to the one in Warwick!

«Can we get Riiita’s?!»
I grew up mentally calculating from the backseat of our Taurus wagon how far I was from a Rita’s at any given location, then strategizing how my sisters and I would convince my mom to take us there. (Rita’s are far more abundant in SE Pennsylvania).
When I first spotted this Rita’s on Newport Ave. it was nothing short of a miracle that I didn’t rear-​end the guy in front of me or cause a 6-​car pileup by veering into oncoming traffic. Because I was freaking out.
Now, my tastes have shifted slightly away from flavors like Cotton Candy since then, but give me a cup of Peach or Black Cherry WITH that thick, smooth, frozen custard and for the next 15 minutes nothing else exists in my world.
This location stinks for the ambiance of hanging by your car and enjoying your Rita’s. But it is right by Slater’s Park if you can hang on for a few more minutes.
There’s one more in Warwick.

So there’s this little drink/​treat here that has their frozen vanilla custard on the bottom, italian ice in the middle, and then frozen custard again on the top.
From first lick, you think… wow, this cherry italian ice is bland, but I think the case is just that the custard is so sweet.
Here’s a tip… mix the two together and make a miraculous cherry cream drink. It’s delish!
The custard on its own is pretty great too. I don’t know if its healthier for you than ice cream, but it’s certainly tastier and much lighter.