Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard — Restaurant in North Brunswick Township

The staff member was friendly and patient, especially while I asked questions about some of the menu items.

The wait can be a bit long, especially if there's a delivery order(s) and there's only one person there, which is understandable, though.

Be advised that the hours listed on their website aren't always updated (found that out the hard way, after checking the website, heading over there, all excited about ice cream -- yes, I need to get out more often lol -- only to find the door locked because they'd closed an hour before and, while the sign next to the door had their updated hours, those same hours weren't on their website 🥺🍦😞).

The ice and Concrete we bought were a bit on the sweet side so if you or anyone in your group have dietary restrictions, or simply prefer to go light on the sweets/aren't used to very sugary foods, try getting a smaller size (they also have sugar-free options; however, some sugar-free sweets can taste even sweeter than those made with actual sugar/other sweeteners).

Their mango ice was quite good, with a very smooth texture (it actually tasted like mango, a very sweet mango, intensified, and the ice itself had a finely-grated texture, not chunky).

Their Apple Pie Concrete was also good (custard ice cream with apple pie filling and pie crust pieces mixed in). I'd wanted to try the pumpkin pie one, but they were out of it, sadly.

Again, both the ice and the Concrete were quite sweet so heads-up on that. Bought the mango ice for my mother, who's a huge fan of mango, and, while it tasted a lot like mango, she complained that it was too sweet for her taste (and she doesn't like custard/things that smell of eggs so I couldn't get her an ice and custard ice cream mix, to temper the ice's sweetness with the dairy from the ice cream, which was also quite sweet).

If you've never had custard-style ice cream, it's basically a thicker/more dense version of ice cream, not as watered down, and is made with eggs (so, if you distinguish a bit of an egg-y smell, that's why).

I look forward to trying some of their other flavors/varieties/toppings, but will definitely try a smaller size next time. Thankfully, they also offer a baby size (though not in the Concrete), which is also good because, as another reviewer mentioned, they can be pricey.

Be aware that they melt very quickly. Both the Concrete and the mango ice started to drip on my way to the car and it wasn't even that hot outside (plus, it was nighttime). Part of the issue was that the ice/custard had gone onto the rim of the cups/lids, before (or as?) the plastic cover was put on, so it melted off the rims and onto the cardboard cupholder and, then, onto my hand. That part wasn't as pleasant.

As someone else also mentioned, some of the ice creams have an open top lid and that ought to be re-thought, especially while still in the midst of a pandemic. Closed packaging is easier to disinfect. I'm already exercising the good will/faith to purchase something not made at home (and that can't be heated up, either) so it'd help to make the packaging a bit more sealed (perhaps, use taller cups that can handle the overflow that the raised plastic lids allow for right now and then have a sealed plastic lid, without any openings). The ice's lid was a raised, solid/sealed one; however, the Concrete's lid had the raised/domed, open top-type of lid (even though the spoon they serve it with isn't the one used to mix it, as at other places so it doesn't seem necessary to have it be open at the top). It'd also help if the spoons were individually wrapped.

I hope they take these things into consideration because I'd like to go back and try some of their...

In previous years this Rita’s has been great but the past few times have changed my mind . They barley have anything on the menu even if something is listed they don’t have it or are running low and I’m saying this like mid after noon not 10 at night . The menu is so small compared to other Rita’s . The last visit was my last . I ordered the gummy bear ice for my son who was so excited just to see that I guess it was the end of the container and there was literally 0!!!! Gummy bears in the ice . I know it was the end of the container because when I went to order the new 5 layer gelati the employee told me there was no more left . I ordered 5 layer gelati and I was given a regular one in a clear cup. I asked the employee “isnt this just a regular gelati” and he was like “yeah I’ll just charge you for the regular one” like what? So if I hadn’t said anything I was going to get charged for the 5 layer one ? I didn’t say anything just agreed because I wanted to treat them nicely. I know how rough food service can be . BUT this boils down to the management of this location. What’s going on and why have we seen a decline on service and product ? Also the custard machine was down and two ladies in front of me were waiting for a WHILEEEE for it to be fixed again , the general up keep of the store . I understand stuff breaks but come on you have like such a little menu . Also clear out the junk you have in your lobby , a old lady fell tripping over the sign that you guys never utilize. I’ll take my business to Edison...

For the Milltown Rd N. Brunswick location-- Didn't really like this location. They didn't have a big selection of flavors and my son asked to taste a cotton candy ices flavor, and the woman helping was pleasant and gave it to him. He liked it and ordered a small, but as she was scooping, she told us there was only enough of that flavor to fill just under half the small cup. So.... wouldn't you have known that you reached in to get the sample spoonful? So we kept the cotton candy and filled the rest with blue, which tasted good. HOWEVER, on top of not having much cotton candy, apparently it was also halfway melted being so little left in their bucket, so we wound up having almost none of his ices half way down to the bottom because it was almost all melted already. I got cherry, which was good, but also too soft and it melted way to quickly. We go to different Ritas locations a lot, so I understand that ices will melt, but they melt much quicker if they're not kept at the right temp...