The Sweet Tradition of Rita’s Water Ice in Brigantine, NJ
Let’s go to Rita’s.
These may be the loveliest four words strung together. And around these parts, it wouldn’t be summer without someone saying them over and over. In Brigantine, “let’s go to Rita’s” means hanging out at the corner shop’s outdoor patio under the umbrellas or bistro lights at the picnic tables slurping down a cool, freshly-made mango gelati with friends and family.
The Tate family opened Rita’s back in July 2022. They are Brigantine locals and have one of the only locally owned and operated ice cream shops in town. Jill, Chris, and their three daughters are active members of the community with both Jill and Chris coaching many different sports teams on the island. The couple also ran the baseball and softball league for five years until 2021. When you head over to Rita’s for a Blendini on a hot summer night, you’ll more than likely see a Tate (or five).
“You’re going to see familiar faces; we’ve been living here the past 13 years. Every last one of us will be working in the store,” said Jill.
You may already have your order memorized and ready to go; but the clever desserters at Rita’s added some new menu items to the mix to cool us all off this summer. The Misto and Ice Drinks got a glow up this year and are now called Gelati Blender and Ice Blender. One of which happens to be one of Jill’s favorite things.
“I love the Florida orange gelati or the Florida orange gelati blender,” she said. “Florida orange flavor is one a lot of people have loved. It’s made with fresh oranges.”
Other popular water ice flavors always on hand are mango, blue raspberry, cotton candy, lemon and cherry, but there are so many more to try. At Rita’s, all the ice is made fresh very single day, ensuring the most delish treat you can eat. Head over to the website by scanning the QR Code on this spread to see all the available flavors, other menu options, and to order online. Rita’s just partnered with UberEats, Door Dash, and Grubhub for delivery right to your door. How sweet is that?
When you do order, will you pick a simple treat or is ultimate decadence on the menu? If it’s the latter, try a Concrete.
“A Concrete is a blended treat – the most popular is the Oreo or the peanut butter cup. After it blends, there’s a hole left in the middle and then we fill it with peanut butter and chocolate sauce,” said Jill. “We have a very extensive menu; you can get a little bit of everything and it’s made fresh daily. You know you’re getting something that hasn’t been in the freezer for a month. It’s consistent.”
Another thing that’s consistent at Rita’s is giving back with special discounts and community events like September’s Ice Cream Social for Brigantine Community School and this summer’s happy hours. During summer happy hours, you can score an afternoon treat for less before the start of the evening. Look for details on their social media pages and keep an eye out for coupons also – either in the mail or local newspapers. They can be used at both the Brigantine Rita’s location and the Ocean City location (the Tates own both).
There are so many ways to get your Rita’s this summer - whether you order online for Rita’s delivery, head over to the shops, or have them cater your next fiesta. They can serve water ice in gallon, two and a half gallon or even five-gallon sizes. Ice cream sandwiches are available for catering, also.
Rita’s Water Ice
1301 WEST BRIGANTINE AVE, UNIT #1301 FRONT
BRIGANTINE, NJ
609-266-0006
WWW.RITASICE.COM/LOCATION/RITAS-OF-BRIGANTINE-NJ/STORE1474@RITASFRANCHISES.COM
FACEBOOK:@RITASOFBRIGANTINENJ
INSTAGRAM: @RITASICE
