Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard — Restaurant in Melbourne

Rita's Italian Ice & Custard, 620 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, FL, 32901

0 Stars (Chain restaurant review)

SWILL ALERT

Since visiting Whit's Custard (see that review), I have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to try other custard offerings elsewhere. Rita's Italian Ice & Custard popped up on the random name generator, and with eager anticipation, I rushed over. Founded in 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo, with a recipe from his mother, Rita's Italian Ice & Custard now boasts over 530 locations in 31 states, mainly in the Mid-Atlantic region of the country. One would think that with this many franchises, they would be, if not good, at least worth the money. Alas, this was not the case at this location.

Sammy was operating the counter today and was extremely helpful, although she seemed somewhat wary of my response to the custard concoction I ordered. I asked Sammy for a Peanut Butter & Jelly Concrete. What I received was basically a cup of inedible, watery slop. One look was all it took (I direct you to the picture). I do not ask for my money back, nor do I return items to the kitchen. Ever. I do this so they have no defense for what they serve. I suspect that Sammy knew it was bad, as I could see her face pressed against the tinted glass in anticipation of a refund. It never came. It is after an experience like this that I get asked by a reader if this is not all a colossal boondoggle on my part. My answer is always the same: “Nope. I do it for the people.”

I'm not sure how any ice cream product could be swill, but it seems as if Rita's pulled it off, and here we are. The good news? They are opening a second location in the area, so you can enjoy this wretched mess in more than one place!

The Big Boy says, “SWILL ALERT, SWILL ALERT,...

So this is an amazing and different treat being able to mix custard with Italian iced and both the custard and Italian iced are amazing none of the super hard ice it is smooth and so it the custard. (Okay I’m editing so this part is new I don’t want to go back through it all this place is amazing as I said and now I had to take off more stars due to no masks or gloves Worn by employees again and it was slammed busy I had to park in the grass. As of right now I think this place is a serious health risk and unfortunately until that is fixed I won’t be going back now back to original review ).I do wish the location was better or they had a second near the beach because it would be amazing to get it instead of ice cream or Starbucks.. They were very friendly and patient while I figured out what I was getting as I wasn’t sure how the custard would go with the ice but it was amazing.Now the BAD part.... I really should take off more stars for this as it is a health issue but if it wasn’t for corona I wouldn’t care but here it is. Neither of the girls working wore face masks!!! So the lady I talked to at the counter and the one that made our order. This was our first time there so I don’t know if it is common practice or if they just forgot because it wasn’t busy at the time we went. With the recent spike in the virus they really should have them on. When we go back because we will I will remove stars if it is common practice. They could just put them on when they have a customer and when they are making the order I get it is prob hot in that little building but like I said they could just put them on when dealing with customers and making orders so if nobody is there then they...

I recently visited this ice cream place, and it was an absolute delight! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a friendly smile and a welcoming atmosphere. The ice cream selection is nothing short of amazing, with a wide range of flavors to satisfy every craving.

What really stood out to me was the quality of their ice cream. It was incredibly creamy and had a rich, authentic flavor that made every bite a heavenly experience. They offer a variety of toppings and unique combinations, allowing you to customize your ice cream just the way you like it.

The staff here is not only efficient but also enthusiastic about helping you create the perfect treat. Whether you're a traditionalist or an adventurous flavor explorer, they're more than happy to assist you in finding your new favorite.

The ambiance of the place is charming and cozy, making it a great spot to enjoy your ice cream with friends and family. Plus, they have outdoor seating, which is perfect for a sunny day.

Overall, I can't recommend this ice cream place enough. It's a place where you can indulge in the best ice cream while experiencing top-notch customer service. If you're a fan of frozen delights, this is a must-visit spot that deserves all the...