Refreshing Rita's Italian Ice and Gelato

Looking for a refreshing dessert in Raleigh? Have you been to Rita’s Ice ∙ Custard ∙ Happiness… It’s the new custard store in the Triangle. Well it’s more than just a custard store…it’s everything refreshing like Italian Ice and gelato (ummm… my favorite!).   Did you read about La Vita Dolce’s gelato?

Rita’s is a bright, fun and friendly store. The workers are dressed in silly hats and red shirts. It reminds me of the Domino’s Pizza work uniform that employees wore, including me when I was a teen working there. Dominos’ employees referred it to it as ‘the clown suit’…for obvious reasons. I’ll have to see if I can find an ‘ol photo of me making pizzas and taking orders at Domino’s. That was a fun job!

Btw, Domino’s is used often as a business case study phenomenon. Back in their ‘hey-day’ in the late eighties, they were crankin’ pizzas (they call ‘em pies)…I think like 300 pies during their peak hour. That was before the 30 minute guarantee ended ‘cause of a lawsuit with a speeding driver. That incident changed their entire business model forever.

So anyway Rita’s has that fun, silly, carnival feel that appeals to kids when you walk in…kinda like at Domino’s or Friendly’s Ice Cream. Or do you know, Hot Dog on a Stick (big in California)?…. I mean how much silly-er can you get then sticking your name tag on your hat or forehead? I’ll never forget seeing that on the Santa Monica Pier. But, enough silly talk …

Rita’s has a “Slenderita” that I tried. It’s for people who want a light, healthier than milkshake refreshment. There’s a frozen vanilla and coffee twist you can order there. And they also serve an Italian Ice which as you can imagine is like a slushie or 7-Eleven Slurpee… before it melts. I tried the Birthday Cake Italian ice flavor which I thought was not bad and it actually tasted like vanilla cake. …I know that’s sick – isn’t it? It’s like cookie dough ice cream.

On the day I went they also had green apple, wild black cherry and mango flavors. I imagine they change their ‘flavors of the day’.

When I got to ordering what I wanted, I went for the gelato… which is custard ontop of Italian Ice…interesting combination there! I ordered the chocolate and vanilla twist with mango ice (which is the most popular). It’s $2.99 for a regular size cup.

My gelato treat...see the mango ice on the bottom?

There’s also something called a Blendini that you can order which is pretzels, custards, and ice…all mixed together. What’ll they come up with next?

When I was a kid, Orange Julius was big at the mall (it’s apparently made a comeback…there’s one in Brier Creek). But back then they served “Zebra ice cream” if I remember correctly. Or was that a made-up name I gave it??? It was basically the same chocolate and vanilla twist mix at Rita’s.

Over the weekend we went to Orange Julius. Weather was warm, like today, so as you can imagine there was a steady flow of customers coming in. I wanted to find out for my own personal clarification whether they ever had a Zebra cone . They flat out told me…no, it’s always been called the Twist. Well…I’ll be darn! I would’ve lost the bet. But for what it’s worth, I think they could’ve come up with a more original name like the Zebra Cone I invented. Maybe they should have me do their marketing!

Category: Raleigh Restaurants