Philly Favorite Rita’s Water Ice Comes to Manhattan -- Grub Street New York

Philly Favorite Rita’s Water Ice Comes to Manhattan -- Grub Street New York: "Philly Favorite Rita’s Water Ice Comes to Manhattan

Philly Favorite Rita’s Water Ice Comes to Manhattan

Photo: Courtesy of Rita's Water Ice

Last year, Grub Street Philadelphia reported that 25-year-old Rita’s Water Ice was aiming to open 600 stores by the end of 2009, so it’s no surprise that according to QSR Web, the company will open three locations in Manhattan. The first will open February 14, when all visitors between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. will get a free regular-size Italian ice (the first 100 customers will get a year’s supply). Rita’s traditionally does these giveaways on the first day of spring (according to Wikipedia, 1.2 million cups were distributed last year in a ten-hour period). In addition to Italian ices made on site, Rita’s serves frozen custard, “gelati” (actually a combination of ice and frozen custard), and blended custard-and-water-ice drinks. QSR Web doesn’t give an address for the first location, but a Rita’s Facebook page reveals it’s at 2486 Broadway near 92nd Street."