Best I've ever had! So many options to choose from. Friendly customer service Hits the spot every time! Great location too.
Anne S.
Always wanted to give this place a try. Creamy goodness, I would try the pistachio flavor it was delicious. Service was good but I felt pressured to get more than I needed, clearly not a bad thing if you're up for it. I'm sure this place gets busy in the summer and I'll be back to check on it!
Gabby Paige
the best
Jenna T.
Maybe we came in too early, but the door was open and the staff member just cleaned out the freezer so nothing was on display. She was willing to help and provided samples which is appreciated. If you never had this before, it can be overwhelming on what to order. But can't go wrong with the combo of Italian ice and soft-serve frozen custard. Even a small was plenty for one person. The combo is sweet and refreshing. Definitely a nice treat!
Angel C
My out of state family was super excited to see the Italian ice place they've been seeing in TikTok. They thoroughly enjoyed all their choices.
Jacob M.
Must-try: their mistoWhy? for those that have ever been to Sonic on the east coast and appreciate a mix of ice and soft serve, this is for you!Protip: don't sleep on their citrus flavors
Jennifer K.
Frozen custard in a waffle cone was DELICIOUS - smooth and creamy.Customer service - awful. I walked in and waited at least 5 mins thinking the person working there was in the back on a work thing...when I finally called out he came out, not looking up, playing some kind of game on his phone. I told him what I wanted (it's a good thing I knew because I doubt he would've been keen to help me choose something), he made it, rang me up, and while ringing me up - still playing his game! It was $10 for the cone and again, it was really good but I had to take off 2 stars because I couldn't believe the level of service I received. Don't let me even get started with the fact he didn't wash his hands. Luckily for me he didn't touch the actual cone because it was wrapped in paper but I doubt he would've touched it otherwise. Pretty gross.
Eva H
I had a sundie and it was just ok.
Snigdha Agarwal
Very average chocolate chip and chocolate chip cheesecake ice creams. I also wish they had dark chocolate flavors.
Olivia C.
I was craving custard so drove over to Rita's and it was exactly what I was looking for. The custard is THICC and the right amount of sweetness. I'll be back to quell my insatiable desire for custard!
"Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard" is located near the See's Candy store and the play area at the Southshore Shopping Center in Alameda. I was there twice over the weekend, and both times I had a good experience. On Saturday, I went there and got a large Tangerine Italian Ice. It was good and cold, with a somewhat weak fruity flavor. It was about $8 for a large. Is this really Italian Ice? It kind of looked like a slushie. Customer service was fair. The young lady helping me didn't really say much, and didn't suggestive sell. She only asked...."Is there anything else?" The place doesn't have indoor seating. So it's like a walkup counter. I returned on Sunday and ordered a frozen custard twist (chocolate/vanilla). I thought it was a little odd that the place had no customers on a warm day. Oh well, no customers means no line! A large frozen custard (with no toppings) was $8.30. The 12-oz container looked a little small. Texture-wise, the frozen custard was smooth and creamy. Although it looks like soft-serve, it's not grainy in appearance. There's no icy bite or ice crystals. When you eat it, it's dense and doesn't melt quickly. Overall, I'm not a big fan of Italian Ice and frozen custard. But it was nice to enjoy some on a warm weekend in Alameda. Southshore Shopping Center is located at Otis Drive & Park Street. Free parking and it's near the beach.
Manuela G.
Not a personal fan :( Tried coming here as I love Italian ice but the flavor I wanted wasn't available and when I asked if they switched flavors every day (so I can come back a different day to try) I was told they switch out flavors as they run out/sell out of an available flavor for the day which sucks because then I'll never know when I'll be able to try the flavor I wanted.Overall, tried a couple of options and ended up with the blue berry and green apple - it was okay, I'd give it a 3/5 but not something I'd crave or see myself getting again.
Jean Tsou
Variety of icee to choose from. Soft serve with vanilla and chocolate only. Its really creamy but too sweet for me. Too many artificial toppings. I will probably try hard scoops next time.
Dalena V.
Rita's is THE stop for a quick sweet tooth craving! The service has never been an issue at this location -- the workers behind the counter are friendly and I've been here time and time again. Interior is a little small. It's more of a stop & go type of spot.My go-to order is the gelati with mango Italian ice + vanilla frozen custard, which is really refreshing and never disappoints! The custard is buttery smooth and rich, and good to eat on its own. I've also recently tried the green apple Italian ice flavor, which was good but did have a bit of a syrupy aftertaste.I have yet to try the flavored frozen custards, but they do offer a good variety that all look tasty.
Tracey A.
That Rita's is a chain with 600 shops spread over 31 US states is news to me. Despite being well-traveled I've never previously stumbled across a Rita's let alone heard of their existence.Now that I have though, I have only one question: Is Italian Ice always this bad? I was pleased that they allowed me to select multiple flavors in even the smallest of sizes but my chosen flavors tasted completely artificial and nothing like the underlying flavors they were supposedly mimicking. "Mango" tasted like flat orange soda. "Lemon" tasted better though if I'd not known that's what I'd ordered I'd not have identified the flavor as lemon. The most inviting part of this cup of Italian Ice was the texture and (cold) temperature; both were satisfying. Based on their Italian Ice I'd not be up for a return visit but if you insist I'd suggest trying, perhaps, their frozen custard.
Best I've ever had! So many options to choose from. Friendly customer service Hits the spot every time! Great location too.
Always wanted to give this place a try. Creamy goodness, I would try the pistachio flavor it was delicious. Service was good but I felt pressured to get more than I needed, clearly not a bad thing if you're up for it. I'm sure this place gets busy in the summer and I'll be back to check on it!
the best
Maybe we came in too early, but the door was open and the staff member just cleaned out the freezer so nothing was on display. She was willing to help and provided samples which is appreciated. If you never had this before, it can be overwhelming on what to order. But can't go wrong with the combo of Italian ice and soft-serve frozen custard. Even a small was plenty for one person. The combo is sweet and refreshing. Definitely a nice treat!
My out of state family was super excited to see the Italian ice place they've been seeing in TikTok. They thoroughly enjoyed all their choices.
Must-try: their mistoWhy? for those that have ever been to Sonic on the east coast and appreciate a mix of ice and soft serve, this is for you!Protip: don't sleep on their citrus flavors
Frozen custard in a waffle cone was DELICIOUS - smooth and creamy.Customer service - awful. I walked in and waited at least 5 mins thinking the person working there was in the back on a work thing...when I finally called out he came out, not looking up, playing some kind of game on his phone. I told him what I wanted (it's a good thing I knew because I doubt he would've been keen to help me choose something), he made it, rang me up, and while ringing me up - still playing his game! It was $10 for the cone and again, it was really good but I had to take off 2 stars because I couldn't believe the level of service I received. Don't let me even get started with the fact he didn't wash his hands. Luckily for me he didn't touch the actual cone because it was wrapped in paper but I doubt he would've touched it otherwise. Pretty gross.
I had a sundie and it was just ok.
Very average chocolate chip and chocolate chip cheesecake ice creams. I also wish they had dark chocolate flavors.
I was craving custard so drove over to Rita's and it was exactly what I was looking for. The custard is THICC and the right amount of sweetness. I'll be back to quell my insatiable desire for custard!
Restaurantji Recommends
"Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard" is located near the See's Candy store and the play area at the Southshore Shopping Center in Alameda. I was there twice over the weekend, and both times I had a good experience. On Saturday, I went there and got a large Tangerine Italian Ice. It was good and cold, with a somewhat weak fruity flavor. It was about $8 for a large. Is this really Italian Ice? It kind of looked like a slushie. Customer service was fair. The young lady helping me didn't really say much, and didn't suggestive sell. She only asked...."Is there anything else?" The place doesn't have indoor seating. So it's like a walkup counter. I returned on Sunday and ordered a frozen custard twist (chocolate/vanilla). I thought it was a little odd that the place had no customers on a warm day. Oh well, no customers means no line! A large frozen custard (with no toppings) was $8.30. The 12-oz container looked a little small. Texture-wise, the frozen custard was smooth and creamy. Although it looks like soft-serve, it's not grainy in appearance. There's no icy bite or ice crystals. When you eat it, it's dense and doesn't melt quickly. Overall, I'm not a big fan of Italian Ice and frozen custard. But it was nice to enjoy some on a warm weekend in Alameda. Southshore Shopping Center is located at Otis Drive & Park Street. Free parking and it's near the beach.
Not a personal fan :( Tried coming here as I love Italian ice but the flavor I wanted wasn't available and when I asked if they switched flavors every day (so I can come back a different day to try) I was told they switch out flavors as they run out/sell out of an available flavor for the day which sucks because then I'll never know when I'll be able to try the flavor I wanted.Overall, tried a couple of options and ended up with the blue berry and green apple - it was okay, I'd give it a 3/5 but not something I'd crave or see myself getting again.
Variety of icee to choose from. Soft serve with vanilla and chocolate only. Its really creamy but too sweet for me. Too many artificial toppings. I will probably try hard scoops next time.
Rita's is THE stop for a quick sweet tooth craving! The service has never been an issue at this location -- the workers behind the counter are friendly and I've been here time and time again. Interior is a little small. It's more of a stop & go type of spot.My go-to order is the gelati with mango Italian ice + vanilla frozen custard, which is really refreshing and never disappoints! The custard is buttery smooth and rich, and good to eat on its own. I've also recently tried the green apple Italian ice flavor, which was good but did have a bit of a syrupy aftertaste.I have yet to try the flavored frozen custards, but they do offer a good variety that all look tasty.
That Rita's is a chain with 600 shops spread over 31 US states is news to me. Despite being well-traveled I've never previously stumbled across a Rita's let alone heard of their existence.Now that I have though, I have only one question: Is Italian Ice always this bad? I was pleased that they allowed me to select multiple flavors in even the smallest of sizes but my chosen flavors tasted completely artificial and nothing like the underlying flavors they were supposedly mimicking. "Mango" tasted like flat orange soda. "Lemon" tasted better though if I'd not known that's what I'd ordered I'd not have identified the flavor as lemon. The most inviting part of this cup of Italian Ice was the texture and (cold) temperature; both were satisfying. Based on their Italian Ice I'd not be up for a return visit but if you insist I'd suggest trying, perhaps, their frozen custard.