Rita’s Water Ice Puts the Deep Freeze on Henderson

A Philly summertime tradition has made its first foray into Vegas. Rita’s Water Ice soft opened its first location in Nevada in the Whitney Ranch Shopping Center on July 2.

The frozen treat shop features more than 60 flavors made with real fruit. Cherry, Alex’s Lemonade, mango Swedish Fish, Florida orange and Island Fusion are just a few. Cream Ice adds, you guessed it, ice cream. Sugar-free and kosher treats also make the menu.

Rita’s also serves up Misto Shakes, a combination of Italian ice and custard blended; Gelati, a water ice layered with frozen custard; and Blendinis, which combine frozen custard and Italian ice with your choice of mix-ins such as Snickers.

Owner Irving Dobbs says his favorite flavor is the Strawberry-Banana Ice blended with fresh custard. He, along with 15 employees, make the ice on-site daily.

The store is open Monday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Rita’s Water Ice plans an August grand opening, so stay tuned for free water ice.

The first Rita’s location opened in Pennsylvania by Bob Tumolo, a former Philadelphia firefighter, in 1984. Now the chain has 625 locations in 19 states with locations in China, India, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. About time it came to Vegas.
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Rita's Water Ice [Photo: George J./Yelp]