Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is a frozen dessert shop located in the Shoppes at Lac De Ville plaza in Brighton, just south of Rochester, NY. The shop is part of a national franchise chain founded in 1984 by former Philadelphia firefighter Bob Tumolo, who named the business after his wife. This Rochester-area location operates seasonally, serving a rotating selection of Italian ice and frozen custard treats at 1900 Clinton Ave S.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard carries a lineup of frozen treats built around two core products — Italian ice and old-fashioned frozen custard. Key offerings include:

• Italian ice — Available in over 60 flavor varieties, with at least eight flavors offered at any given time. All Italian ice is made fresh daily, and fruit-flavored options are made with real fruit. Most varieties are gluten-free and dairy-free.
• Frozen custard — A rich, egg-based frozen dessert served on its own or as a component of combination treats.
• Gelati — Layers of Italian ice and frozen custard combined in a single cup.
• Misto shakes — A blended variation that mixes Italian ice with custard.
• Milkshakes and sundaes — Additional custard-based options round out the menu.

Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard has built its identity around fresh-made Italian ice using real fruit — a practice that dates back to the original family recipe from the brand's 1984 founding. The gelati, which layers Italian ice with frozen custard, is one of the chain's signature creations and a popular choice for customers looking to try both products together. The brand received a Zagat number-one rating in its frozen treats category in 2012.

This Rita's location sits inside the Shoppes at Lac De Ville, a 140,000-square-foot retail center anchored by Tops Friendly Markets on South Clinton Avenue in Brighton. The plaza is less than a mile from both Interstate 390 and Interstate 590, making it accessible from multiple directions across the Rochester metro area. The surrounding neighborhood draws from the nearby Highland Park area and South Wedge community. Parking is available in the plaza's shared lot. Hours are seasonal, typically noon to 10 p.m. daily — check with the location directly for current availability.