Whenever I tell B about a new restaurant that I want to try, his first question is usually "what are they known for?" He will almost always order whatever the restaurant's "signature dish" happens to be. He figures that he might as well stick to what a restaurant does best to enhance the odds of having a great experience. In the case of Rita's, we both were guilty of breaking this rule.
Not being familiar with the chain, or really with Italian ice, we were a little confused when so many of the menu options featured flavored Italian ice and custard mixed together. So, instead of sticking to what Rita's is apparently known for (the Italian ice), I ordered a "Blendini" which is an Italian ice flavor, a custard flavor, and a topping all blended together. (Think DQ Blizzard with the addition of Italian ice). I opted for s'mores Italian ice, chocolate custard, and Reese's peanut butter cups. The chocolate custard and Reese's were good, but the addition of the Italian ice gave the whole thing a grainy, off-putting texture. It was like taking a smooth batch of custard and throwing sand in it. Why Rita, why?
B also skipped the Italian ice and ordered a vanilla custard with hot fudge and sprinkles. Our first clue that this wasn't a strong order was when the gentleman behind the counter asked if B wanted it on a cone. Hot fudge on a cone? There wasn't anything particularly wrong with the custard, the fudge, or the sprinkles but it was all just sort of "meh."
Not being familiar with the chain, or really with Italian ice, we were a little confused when so many of the menu options featured flavored Italian ice and custard mixed together. So, instead of sticking to what Rita's is apparently known for (the Italian ice), I ordered a "Blendini" which is an Italian ice flavor, a custard flavor, and a topping all blended together. (Think DQ Blizzard with the addition of Italian ice). I opted for s'mores Italian ice, chocolate custard, and Reese's peanut butter cups. The chocolate custard and Reese's were good, but the addition of the Italian ice gave the whole thing a grainy, off-putting texture. It was like taking a smooth batch of custard and throwing sand in it. Why Rita, why?
B also skipped the Italian ice and ordered a vanilla custard with hot fudge and sprinkles. Our first clue that this wasn't a strong order was when the gentleman behind the counter asked if B wanted it on a cone. Hot fudge on a cone? There wasn't anything particularly wrong with the custard, the fudge, or the sprinkles but it was all just sort of "meh."
If you want custard, go to the Dairy Godmother. If you want a blended creamy treat, get a Blizzard at DQ. If you want Italian Ice, you might want to try Rita's but we can't speak to that because we blew it on the ordering.
Second Thoughts From B
This was my second time at Rita's. A few weeks earlier, I also got sucked into the mess that is the blendini with a peaches (ice) and cream (vanilla custard) concoction with crushed Nilla Wafers that upped the sand factor. Bottom line: sometimes more isn't better. In other words, keep it simple, stupid... or so I thought.
Undeterred - or should I say blinded by glow of a frozen dessert shop - J still went with the sand castle surprise. Thinking I knew better, I went with the classic sundae. How could that not hit the mark, right? Apparently, the answer would be too much generic-tasting fudge and sprinkles that overpowered the weakly flavored custard.
So I'm 0 for 2. With so many wonderful options for frozen treats in the city, dare I risk strike 3?
5 comments:
Yeah, don't touch the custard with a ten-foot pole. The Italian ice is enjoyable tho.
Yeah, don't touch the custard with a ten-foot pole. It's pretty meh. The Italian ice is good tho. I don't have any experience elsewhere to compare it with, but I liked it in its own right.
If only you knew someone who grew up in the Philadelphia area and ate Rita's every summer ... someone whose mom rewarded her children after a well-behaved visit to Loehmann's with water ice ... someone who would tell you to order the WATER ICE (it's in the name!) ... or if you HAD to have custard, to get the Gelati (with cherry and chocolate) ... too bad you don't know anyone like that!
If only you knew someone who grew up in the Philadelphia area and ate Rita's every summer ... someone whose mom rewarded her children after a well-behaved visit to Loehmann's with water ice ... someone who would tell you to order the WATER ICE (it's in the name!) ... or if you HAD to have custard, to get the Gelati (with cherry and chocolate) ... too bad you don't know anyone like that!
Yeah we screwed this one up. To be fair, the slogan is "Ice, Custard, Happiness" so I thought I was going to get the most happiness by mixing the ice and the custard. Ooops! Alix, please take us to Rita's and show us the error of our ways :)
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