Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

- 184 Essex St Spc D-2, Lodi, NJ 07644

For residents and visitors in the New Jersey area, especially around Bergen County, finding a perfect spot for a cold, delightful treat is essential, and Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Lodi stands out as a beloved local destination. More than just a simple ice cream shop, Rita's has built its reputation on offering a unique, diverse, and high-quality selection of frozen desserts. From the smooth, refreshing taste of their signature Italian Ice to the rich, old-fashioned Frozen Custard, this dessert restaurant has something to satisfy every craving. It's the ideal place for families, groups, or anyone looking for a quick, sweet pick-me-up in a casual and friendly atmosphere.

The core of Rita's appeal lies in its commitment to fresh, daily-made products. Their Italian Ice, or 'water ice' as it is sometimes called, is a smooth, sweet, and flavorful frozen treat made with real fruit or fruit flavorings. Unlike typical shaved ice, it's mixed in a process similar to ice cream, resulting in a dense, creamy texture that perfectly captures the essence of its rotating flavors. This dedication to quality ensures that whether you're a long-time fan or a first-time visitor, you're getting a premium frozen dessert experience.

The Lodi, NJ location of Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is conveniently situated to serve the local Bergen County community and surrounding towns. You can find this popular dessert spot at 184 Essex St Spc D-2, Lodi, NJ 07644, USA. Its location within a local hub makes it easy to incorporate a stop for a sweet treat into your daily errands or weekend plans.

Accessibility is a key priority, ensuring that all New Jersey patrons can enjoy what Rita's has to offer. The premises are equipped with a Wheelchair accessible entrance and a Wheelchair accessible parking lot, making it convenient for guests with mobility needs. For those driving, ample parking is available, including a Free parking lot and access to Free street parking, which is a significant convenience in a bustling North Jersey area. The atmosphere is consistently described as casual and great for kids, making it a perfect quick visit destination for families after a sporting event or school activity.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Lodi offers a range of services designed for maximum customer convenience and satisfaction. This local favorite understands the fast pace of life in New Jersey and provides options to suit any schedule or preference. Services available include:

• In-store pickup: Pre-order your favorite treats and grab them quickly for a hassle-free experience.
• Takeout: Perfect for those who want to grab a treat and enjoy it while exploring the Lodi area or on the road.
• In-store shopping: Enjoy the casual, trendy atmosphere while selecting from the vibrant display of available Italian Ice flavors and Frozen Custard treats.
• Delivery: Have your favorite Italian Ice, Gelati, or Concrete delivered right to your door via services like UberEATS, Grubhub, and DoorDash, ensuring you can enjoy 'Ice Custard Happiness' without leaving your home.
• Freezer Fillers: Offering bulk options like Frozen Custard Pints, Hand-Scooped Custard Pints, and 3 or 4 Quart Bundles of Italian Ice, ideal for parties, stocking up for the week, or large family gatherings.
• Payment Versatility: Accepting major payment methods including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments, making your transaction smooth and quick.

The menu at Rita's is a true highlight, going far beyond standard ice cream shop offerings. They are renowned for their signature creations that combine the best of Italian Ice and Frozen Custard. While Italian Ice flavors rotate frequently, offering an exciting reason to visit often, the core dessert types are a constant draw. Seasonal limited-time-only flavors and specialty items, such as the Pumpkin Pie Concrete or Mint Fudge Sundae, also keep the menu fresh and exciting for loyal patrons.

• The Famous Gelati: This is Rita's signature and arguably most popular treat. It features alternating layers of smooth Italian Ice and creamy Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard, providing a perfect blend of icy and creamy textures. The 5-Layer Gelati offers an extra layer of custard for the ultimate indulgence.
• Old-Fashioned Frozen Custard: Known for being richer and creamier than traditional ice cream due to its inclusion of eggs, this award-winning frozen custard is available in simple cones, cups, or as the base for all sundaes, shakes, and concretes.
• Concrete and Blendini®: These are thick, blended treats. The Concrete is Frozen Custard blended with delicious toppings (such as OREO® Cookies N' Cream, Birthday Cake, or Reese's Peanut Butter Mudslide). The Blendini® takes it a step further by blending Frozen Custard, Italian Ice, and toppings for a truly unique, multi-textured dessert.
• Specialty Shakes and Blenders: Offering creamy Specialty Milkshakes and the refreshing Gelati Blender, which is Italian Ice blended with Frozen Custard mix, creating a delicious drinkable treat. The Ice Blenders feature Italian Ice blended into a cool, flavorful drink.
• Complete the Treat: This section features savory additions like the Classic Soft Pretzel, Pretzel Braid, Philly Pretzel, and Cheese Pretzel, offering a classic salty complement to the sweet treats.
• Italian Ice Selection: The foundation of the menu, featuring a wide array of rotating fruit and specialty flavors made fresh daily. A reviewer specifically praised the coconut and vanilla ice, highlighting the great variety of unique, flavorful options.

For New Jersey customers planning a visit, checking flavor availability, or coordinating an order, here is the essential contact information:

Address: 184 Essex St Spc D-2, Lodi, NJ 07644, USA

Phone: (201) 843-0882 or +1 201-843-0882

It is always a good practice to call ahead for today's Italian Ice flavors, as they rotate daily, or to confirm holiday hours before planning your trip.

For anyone in the Lodi, NJ area and beyond, Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard offers a compelling alternative to standard dessert options. The unique combination of the smooth, icy texture of Italian Ice and the rich creaminess of Frozen Custard creates a dessert category of its own. It's a place celebrated for its quality ingredients, generous portions, and inventive menu items like the Gelati and the Concrete, which allow for endless custom creations.

While one customer review mentioned a negative in-store experience regarding staff attitude, the overall consensus, including other positive feedback, frequently praises the delicious flavors and the high quality of the treats, describing the ice cream and slushy drinks as "very good" and "flavorful and buttery." Many customers emphasize the "very good variety of unique flavors" and the overall quality of the dessert as a major drawing point. The establishment is generally regarded as being good for kids and a great dessert stop for groups. It is the perfect venue for a quick visit when a craving for something cool and sweet hits. Patrons seeking a top-tier frozen dessert experience in Bergen County will find Rita's dedication to fresh, creative, and customizable treats makes it a worthwhile and rewarding choice.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

184 Essex St Spc D-2, Lodi, NJ 07644, USA