Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard — Restaurant in Jacksonville Beach

The service was slow on a HOT SUMMER Sunday afternoon mid-day. We were waiting in line as a 2nd window finally opened up. As we proceeded to the window another guest waiting in line was motioned to the window for service despite us being the next patrons waiting to place an order. With 2 small kids on 3rd street, I proceeded to interject and say "I'm sorry but we were next & have been here waiting in line... we're trying to beat the storm home." As Jax Beach residents, we walk nearly everywhere and are happy to get a cool treat on our way home from our local ice establishment. As Jax's Beach natives and lifelong patrons we were surprised at the level of care the employee who claimed to be a relative owner named Caitlin or Kayla LACKED. The other employees had name tags however she failed to brandish one when I asked her name she was offended and snapped her name at me. My 8 year old son asked for his nerds to be at the bottom of his icy or in the middle and she was bitter with her response that that's not how she makes it I asked if she could please accommodate. Reluctantly she complied or said she would. My daughter ordered and then myself. Has a former server at nearly every Jax Beach establishment I can assure you that is not how we treat our local folks, especially not a mom with two little kids ... When I asked for a receipt for my purchase she neglected to provide it I had to walk back and ask for it after feeling frustrated and upset with her demeanor. Yes we are next in line and she should have been very pleasant to accommodate us as we have been waiting there for at least six different ices to be made for another customer ahead of us, patiently however. To see two new patrons walk up and immediately be served was a bit frustrating considering the two small children the unsafe road conditions of third and the large order of the other patron. The other employees who did have name badges on Katelyn and the young man we're both pleasant and expedited and their service of patrons. The fact that the same lady felt so entitled as to express her relativity to the owners and their representation of training is actually sad. I can assure you I would not want someone relative to me to treat my patrons in...

Worst staff I’ve ever encountered! Extremely, especially that old boomer! Go somewhere else because you don’t deserve to be treated like trash when you’re nothing but polite and respectful only to be harassed by what seemed to be the boomer manager! You work in customer service, you think they would have people skills. If the owner doesn’t have it best believe the staff won’t either! Stay far away from this place and these people!! Instead of being a tyrant and acting like I did something on purpose, learn to get your point across without being an ill tempered young child. I wasn’t even at your place of business for more than 10mins. Now yall wanna comment and try “defending your actions” when I clearly didn’t see the parking. Crazy how people can make mistakes and then proceed to try to “prove how good they are by telling us about their deeds….” I told you I didn’t see it, I apologized but no, you felt the need to go on and threaten me with cops over a parking space?!? I don’t go to that side of town often so yeah someone can get confused. Instead of acknowledging your mistake like I did, you all wanna act like yall are some hero’s. Plus no one cares about your posts on “your good deeds”. Guilty people are the ones who need to “explain” their “good deeds”. The way I was treated and talk to, over a parking spot for which I apologized and got threatened with cops is unacceptable! Just stop, you all look pathetic trying to give backhanded compliments. Stick to what you’re good at, playing with ice and serving customers! I talked to you with respect, so if respect is given, then give it back but you think your manager can do whatever he wants? All over a parking spot for a car that was only there for about 8mins. You’re attitude and approach is disgusting and rude and you know how petty you look? A grown man crying over a parking spot?…...

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There I was, trudging through the blistering heat of the beach, feeling like an explorer lost in an endless desert. The sun beat down mercilessly, turning the sand beneath my feet into a scorching pathway. The ocean's waves, though beautiful, offered only fleeting relief from the relentless heat. My friends and I had been out there for hours, and with every step, our energy drained a little more. We were desperate for something cool, something sweet—anything to quench the thirst that had turned our beach day into a survival trek.

And then, like a mirage in the distance, we spotted it: Rita’s Frozen Custard. Our oasis. I could practically hear angels singing as we approached, the bright signs and vibrant colors promising us the salvation we craved. With a sense of renewed hope, we stepped inside.

The blast of cool air was the first sign that we'd made the right choice. The next was the sight of all those swirling flavors of frozen custard and Italian ice. It was as if we'd stumbled upon the fountain of youth—except better, because this fountain served dessert.

I ordered a pina colada blender, and from the first sip, it was pure heaven. Smooth and creamy, it melted perfectly in my mouth, taking away every last bit of that desert-like heat. My friends, equally revived, dove into their Gelatis—layered creations of custard and Italian ice that looked almost too good to eat.

We sat there for what felt like an eternity, savoring every bit, grateful to have found this sweet escape in the middle of our sun-drenched adventure. Rita’s was more than just a stop—it was a rescue mission that saved our day. We left feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the rest of our beach adventure.

If you're ever on the verge of surrendering to the heat, trust me, Rita’s Frozen Custard will be...