Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

The red gellati with the soft serve taste like a icee creamsicle so fire. I also had a mango drinkable Italian ice thing and was refreshing and tasteful. Definitely recommend it if you are in or by the Santa Monica area

I’ve been getting Rita’s since I was a kid and I loved it then and I still love it. It’s always a great sweet treat and it was again today. The owners and staff are really polite and were very welcoming. I have tried almost all of their different drink options, but the Italian Ice is still my favorite and their best seller. Today I chose a large cherry with salted caramel custard on top and it was absolutely fantastic. I don’t think I would ever not be in the mood for it. The only downside is when you get it you will immediately want to get another one soon after you finish it. They have a very large parking lot attached so parking is free and easy. They have some tables on the inside if you want to stay indoors while you finish your treat but most opt for takeout. I definitely will be back again very soon.

Excellent customer service and great ice cream but charging 8$ for a cone is a joke!

Great customer service, the lady was very helpful and offered lot of samples. It was my first time trying Italian ice and frozen custard, I didn’t really know what to expect but it was nice, although I’m still not sure the ice needs custard? Which is mainly soft serve so not sure why it’s not called that. I also thought it was a bit pricey $10.

*Response received inviting me to call, best if you folks reply to the letter via email given, thank you* Deep dive because I care about this brand. I have enjoyed the product at this Rita’s many times, but my August 2025 visit was frustrating enough that I decided to pause visits until improvements are made. The frozen custard can be excellent. The operation and owner engagement fell short in avoidable ways. what happened during my visit • Disorganized payment flow: I was handed my sundae before being directed to pay. I stood with a melting item while staff focused on customers still deciding. There was no clear process to take payment immediately after preparation. This is easy to fix and prevents confusion and melt. • Refusal of a reasonable request: My friend Clay asked for a small “dollop” of custard on an Italian ice. He was told it was not possible, with no policy explanation and no alternative like, “We can sell you a small custard cup to add yourself.” He left without buying. It felt inflexible and contrary to hospitality. Our weekly dessert ritual moved elsewhere. • Product integrity concern: My hot fudge sundae turned to liquid within minutes of reaching my car. Properly frozen custard should hold structure longer. This points to a machine-temperature issue, assembly speed, or toppings that are too hot. owner interaction afterward I called the owner to share feedback. He interrupted, attributed it to “lawlessness,” and moved to end the call. There were no unruly customers, only a few young people deciding while I already had a sundae. My concern was simple: guest service and a clean handoff to payment. attempt to resolve with corporate On August 4, 2025, I wrote to Linda Chadwick, President and CEO of Rita’s Franchise Company, outlining these issues and asking for staff training, a tighter order-to-payment flow, and verification of machine temperatures and product handling. I did not ask for coupons or free product and will not use one. As of September 29, 2025, there has been no response. No acknowledgment or follow-up. That silence is disappointing for a national brand with a strong product. what is good here When the franchisee’s wife or partner is present, service is consistently excellent. The tone is welcoming, transactions are smoother, and the brand feels properly represented. The base product is often very good. That is why I returned many Saturdays before this visit. why this matters Hospitality is more than a recipe. A clear path from preparation to payment avoids awkward waits with melting items. A “yes, if…” mindset (offer a small custard cup as an add-on rather than a hard no) converts small requests into wins. When an owner cuts off feedback, that posture can shape team culture and show up at the counter. suggested fixes (simple and actionable) 1) retrain on guest-first service: Offer workable alternatives instead of flat refusals. “We cannot modify that item, but we can add a kid-size custard on the side so you can combine them.” 2) fix the order-to-payment sequence: Do not hand off items without an immediate payment step. Assign one person to shepherd an order from pour to pay during busy times. 3) validate equipment temps and assembly timing: Audit custard machine settings, topping temperatures, and assembly speed. A sundae should not liquefy in minutes. 4) owner-level listening: Take feedback without interruption, thank the guest, and close the loop. Brief follow-up helps. how it should look • Maker places the sundae, signals the cashier, and payment is completed within seconds. The guest leaves with a dessert that holds structure. • For off-menu tweaks, staff says, “I cannot assemble it that way, but here is a small custard cup you can add,” and rings it as an add-on. bottom line I like Rita’s product, but operational and customer-care gaps overshadowed the custard on my last visit. I am pausing visits until I see evidence of fixes. If this location tightens its process and adopts a more guest-friendly posture, I will update this review to reflect improvement.

Great quality ice cream and custard always. My favourite was the cheesecake flavoured custard topped with vanilla waffers. Also the owners of this store are a very sweet couple. Definitely visiting here again.

We recently visited Rita’s for the first time and got the pina colada and mango gelati with vanilla custard. We enjoyed the treats but thought they were slightly overpriced. If you are lactose intolerant definitely avoid the custard…it wrecked me. Also, there’s no place to sit so take your treats to go. Otherwise, nice staff and good options!

Today I tried tried Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard Birthday Cake Sundae which is really good. They have many different kinds of Flavors. They have good sorbet. They also have Milkshakes and they also do Ice Cream Sandwich. I think the popular ones is the Ice Custard on Top of the Sorbet. So if I ever come back to get dessert from Rita’s Italian Ice and Frozen Custard I will get the sorbet like the Strawberry and Watermelon Flavor. And it is right next to Supercuts Haircut. So this is a good place for getting dessert after getting your haircut or just go straight to dessert after lunch.

What I Ordered: Large Gelati $8.79 This is my second time coming here. I love Rita's! They have best ice around and great custard. The Gelati is the best of both worlds as you get your choice of custard on the bottom and top with your choice of Italian ice in between. I got the #1 Bestseller which is Mango with Vanilla custard. The great thing is that they use mango puree in their Italian ice. The Mango is good, but I'm still in love with my Mint Chocolate Chip Ice with Vanilla Custard. That's my favorite flavor so far! They are open every day except Christmas from 12-10 PM. Yes, they are open on Thanksgiving! You must come to Rita's! They have great ice and custard and they are very friendly and helpful!

I haven't had an Italian ice in years! I was sooo happy to find this Rita's!!! Took the bestie and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it. I think his name is Nasar? The service and joy he gave to us was perfection. His passion for their flavors and products had us beyond excited to enjoy our gelatis and get quarts to go! I have to come back ASAP!

Best italian ice and vanilla custard i've had, everyone is always helpful and welcoming.

Indeed 3.5 stars. It is a small chain, we never know before yesterday. It is different. The ambiance is colorful and cool. My frozen coffee was good, the cheese cake ice cream that my husband asked, it is the yummy one! Reasonable price. Friend service! The girls are very friendly!

Tried the grape nerd ice cream slush thing. Forgot the name of it. They had a couple different options that sounded tasty. Parking wasn't bad. Service took a second but they were busy. Pretty good dessert worth a try.

4+ Chain of Italian ice/ custard that originated on the east coast. As the name suggests, the serve Italian ice and frozen custard or a combination of both. The vibe feels like it's operated like a small ice cream parlor with friendly people that greet and help you upon arrival. It wasn't too busy when I came in so it was totally relaxed and was able to find parking in the lot easily. I was thinking back of a time I had frozen custard on a trip in the midwest so I was craving it. Also, I haven't been to a Rita's in a very long time. The last time I've been to one is at a location in Westwood that I think closed a while back. Anyway, I ordered a large frozen custard... and with all due respect to Rita's because it was a very tasty treat, I want to say the place I am thinking of in the midwest was better. Not sure if it's the recipe or that the other place was closer to some particular dairy farms. At the end of the day, if I'm looking for some delicious frozen custard without having to fly hours away, this place is great!

The ice cream was great what I appreciated most is that Nasir knew all about the flavors and gave so much information about what parings and such. He was friendly and easy to engage. I will be back again Thanks Nasir

I was sad when the Rita's Italian Ice location on Pico Blvd closed its doors. However, my spirits were quickly lifted when I discovered the new haven for frozen delights on Palms Blvd. Upon arrival, I was pleased to find parking in a nearby lot. Once inside, I ordered a Mango ice with custard, and let me tell you, it was so good. The texture was perfectly smooth, and the balance of sweetness was impeccable. This one definitely met my expectations and then some! The staff was warm and welcoming. Pay a visit here when you're in the area. Your taste buds will thank you!

So I've been going to Rita's in PA for a while and was really happy to find it in LA. A true east coast gem, right in the middle of LA. I'm hugely greatful to the owner for running this place and providing this little east coast gem for us on the west coast. Always go with root beer gelati and custard. My only wish is that there was one in silverlake.

Rita's is my favorite go to dessert! My favorite is the gelati with mango ice and vanilla custard. There's two sizes between regular and large. To be honest, I would recommend the regular size since it has an even ratio between Italian ice and custard. The large has too much Italian ice that it gets overwhelming. Definitely a great refreshing dessert to have, especially on a hot summer day!

I've been getting Rita's since I was a kid and I loved it then and I still love it. It's always a great sweet treat and it was again today. The owners and staff are really polite and were very welcoming. I have tried almost all of their different drink options, but the Italian Ice is still my favorite and their best seller. Today I chose a large cherry with salted caramel custard on top and it was absolutely fantastic. I don't think I would ever not be in the mood for it. The only downside is when you get it you will immediately want to get another one soon after you finish it. They have a very large parking lot attached so parking is free and easy. They have some tables on the inside if you want to stay indoors while you finish your treat but most opt for takeout. I definitely will be back again very soon.

Let's Keep Yelp Real!!! I am not a big fan of ice cream so this was a nice surprise. Wasn't expecting much but its a block away and the wife was craving ice cream. The location is decent but not a lot of parking. The employees have been very helpful, and they have no problem giving samples. This review is specifically for the Gelati which is layers of frozen custard over Italian ice; its like a mix of very creamy soft serve on fluffy shave ice. The employee recommended the mango flavored Italian ice and it was Fuego! Been back 4 times since.

I'm from New Jersey so I was VERY delighted to see a Rita's. This was the nicest Rita's I have been to. It was super clean. Many flavors to choose from. The staff were super kind. It's in a plaza so there's ample parking.

All I can say is that the rich thick custard is delicious, creamy, flavorful and makes you want more...and more...I'd consume it daily if possible. The combination of this delicate consistency of the saved ice with the creaminess of the custard makes a perfect pairing that delights the senses. It's lovely. Try it! The owner was very friendly and hospitable, he took the time to explain and show us how it works and you can tell he was very proud of the product and especially the fresh natural flavors . It's located in this small row of businesses on Palms Blvd, nothing fancy but clean and mellow. easy access and free parking lot in front.

Don't come late because the ice cream is melted. Got a large cherry and the whole cup had 0 flavor.

Sooooo good!!!! So happy this exists. We need more Rita's in the city. So many custard & ice flavors. Made me so happy.

Literally one of the best desserts I've ever had. The cherry/vanilla custard gelati will never miss. Please do yourself a favor try Rita's if you haven't. Super fast service and always find a spot in the parking lot.

I love rita's so much. I used to go all the time when I was a kid. However, the location near me closed. This location was the closest to san diego. So recently when I was in LA I decided to go. It was so nastalgic. Just like I had remembered it. Yet I was dissapointed with the workers here. They were quite rude and quick with me which made me sad. Me and my friend were just so happy to be here and they gave us weird looks as if we shouldn't be excited to be getting it. Besides that, there's parking out front. The place itself is pretty clean. They have lots of great options.

i love rita's, they have a large menu and you can always find a treat that you're in the mood for. my only complaint is that the workers are soo sweet and helpful but there's no way to tip them if you don't have cash! i feel like they're missing out on tips because of that. so not fair!

If you're in the mood for a culinary experience that transports you to the sun-kissed streets of Italy, look no further than the divine combination of Italian ice with frozen custard. This irresistible duo marries the refreshing zest of Italian ice with the creamy decadence of frozen custard, creating a symphony of flavors and textures that is simply unparalleled.

I went to Rita's on a hot summer's day and ordered the vanilla frozen custard. It was light, whipped, and creamy, a satisfying texture and an overall delightful treat!

Blast from the past and the East Coast! Great service thank you--and always go for the mango and vanilla!

Rude customer service by both the older man and the girl. They are horrible with dealing with customers and every question I had the man made it seem like he had better things to do. Obnoxious and not friendly. Now I know why they all keep closing down in Cali. I'll stick to other ice cream shops instead.

When you are a Philly girl and you grew on water ice , happy to have Rita 's in SoCal. Delish! I'm strictly a cherry and lemon kind a person with a soft pretzel with mustard. That's my happy place.

So expensive for rly bad ice cream. It was 18$ for one small and a concrete custard. I'm sorry but I Cannot be more disappointed

They used to have one of these in the South Bay years ago, but they closed down. So when we happened to be in the Palms area we jumped at the chance of having it again. It was so good! We had a mango ice with vanilla frozen custard, and a lemon ice with chocolate frozen custard. Both were delicious. Will definitely go back there.

soo good and shaved ice is delicious and their is a variety of flavors to choose from, the employee gave us samples to try and pick our favorite, very helpful.

Well, Rita's I was so happy you relocated into my neighborhood. Tonight, I was desperate for some of your ice cream delights... wanted two scoops one vanilla and one strawberry ( never had their strawberry soft serve)... well, they would not put them together in one cup. So, segregation of ice cream? Glad they were separated... the strawberry looked unusually fake and tasted mediocre... I am being kind, I threw it away. Ames throwing ice cream away is a culinary crime and I committed it... too expensive ...fake tasting... I will not be returning. My heart is so sad. But as David Spade so eloquently on a recurring sketch on SNL..."BUH BYE... BUH BYE" RITA's Buh bye... PS They ( staff) ran out of printed credit card receipts so hand-wrote my husband's on plain paper ( midweek shoddiness)... should we be concerned? Yes/No? And customer service gets zero stars...they were not in the least bit apologetic nor helpful ... the cost per scoop was $7.50...Jank Jank Jank Rita's! In case anyone is not clear on my feelings! At the original location, the lovely man who managed the franchise was always solicitous and lovely. New location bad experience. PS It is quite rare that I write such a negative review so, there it is! PSS Carvel soft serve is basically almost 50% less. We will not be fooled again!

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Los Angeles stands out as a rare gem for custard enthusiasts. In a city where great custard can be hard to find, Rita's delivers with their creamy, velvety frozen custard that's unmatched in richness and flavor. Each scoop is a taste of indulgence, offering a smooth texture and a luscious mouthfeel that's simply irresistible. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with their refreshing Italian ice, Rita's frozen custard is a treat that's worth seeking out in LA.

When it comes to Italian Ice, you can't go wrong with Rita's. This location is new and very clean. The couple that owns it is very friendly. Glad to have this location in the neighborhood.

Italian rice with the frozen cheesecake custard was delicious! I would recommend it to anyone that likes a not so sweet treat.

Please dont ever close this location. You have no idea how much it means to me! Rita's for life

Our first time here and they were super sweet to us went over the menu and let us try some of the flavors they wanted us to make sure we liked what we got , we got the large gelati I believe it is a little pricey but worthy . It was so good their customer service * was very good 10/10 definitely coming back

I love custard, but honestly, it's the husband and wife who own and operate this location that make it worth it. They always greet you with a smile and friendly demeanor. They go above and beyond in making their customers happy. Also, I'm a devout mango blendi fan.

Delicious Italian ice located in a convenient shopping center with ample parking and amazing customer service! Will be back!

Recently moved across the street from this place and decided to check it out. Was really disappointed by how little custard came in a size small. Paid $7 for maybe 75 cents worth of custard. I won't be going back.

The mango ice and custard combination is superior. I live a little bit away and ordered it for delivery but it came sealed in a bag and still frozen !

It's been very hot in Los Angeles lately and what better way to treat yourself to some Rita's Italian Ice (I call it water ice- in my Philly voice). The young lady behind the counter greeted my family with a smile and was very nice and pleasant. I got the strawberry Italian ice with cheesecake custard (gelato). perfect combo. Thanks for making our day with such EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

The wife and I happened to see people walking out of the location and just decided to give it a try. I didn't buy any at first but the wife did. I gave it a taste and left her at the car while i ran back inside to get one of my own. This was truly the best part of my day today and we will be back with others to share the ice custard happiness. Damn that was good!!

Brought my daughters to try this place....it was worth the drive. They have a variety of flavors. Great costumer service too. We will be coming back.

Terrible and overpriced!! I don't know who thought this was a good idea but the flavors are horrible. The soft serve is almost like whip cream. Save your money and go something eles.

RITA's IS BACK!!!!! i have been craving italian ice with custard so much, i sometimes drive all the way to OC for it. i'm SO HAPPY it's in LA if you've never had italian ice + custard ice cream, you NEED TO TRY IT! the mango and strawberry are the BEST FLAVORSSS pls stay here forever

Rita's is my favorite dessert treat! I look forward to it every time. The owner even gave me a bag of ice to go with my takeout order.

We had 2 small size servings. One was mango frozen ice, the other coffee frozen custard. The cost was $14.00. I was shocked at the price. I understand that frozen desserts art rather costly, but this was outrageous and certainly not worth it. I regret that we did not leave the desserts on the counter and walk out.

Wow their vanilla custard is amazing. Who knew vanilla "soft serve" could be so creamy and flavorful. My friend got the combo of ices and custard which was also amazing. Pairing cherry ice with vanilla was like being a kid again. It's a good thing we don't live closer or I would come so often my pants wouldn't fit!

Best Italian ice in LA. The costumer service at this location is amazing. It has unbeatable prices too!

There were three girls working on one order. While there were two other people waiting in line. Then they completely ignored me, and went to the person who was there after I came in. He had to let them know that I was there first! Clueless.

Workers are clueless and distracted watching baby turtle videos on TikTok. Very off brand for Rita's. Clover city location is by far the best.

My first time. The best custard Ice cream. It was Yummy!! Chocolate mixed vanilla cone.