We Tried This Viral Frozen Flight and It Lives up to the Hype

Why choose one flavor when you can have four?!

I took a flight this week, but didn't get on an airplane. I explored four flavors of Italian Ice at Rita's with the sweet and frosty Ice Flight. Apparently, this menu offering isn't new, but it's new to me—and to many others—who didn't realize it was a thing until a recent social post garnered over 78,000 likes on Instagram and close to 350,000 likes on TikTok.

The caption in the video reads "Rita's has changed the game for the indecisive girlies! Four different flavors and custard?! YES PLS." In the comments, users were quick to point out that "they've had this for years" to which the Rita's account responded, "Real Rita's fans know" to one, and "it's an underrated menu item" to another.

If you are lucky enough to have a Rita's in your town, this might not be news to you. This favorite sweet spot has been around since 1984 when the first shop opened outside of Philadelphia. Since then it has opened close to 600 locations in 31 states.

Now, I haven't been to Rita's since I was a teenager "down the Shore" (that is to say, decades ago). So I grabbed my indecisive girlie (my 8-year-old) and headed to our local shop to get initiated and test the flight out for ourselves.

Rita's Italian Ice "Ice Flight"

I saw the flight advertised on the menu right away, looking like an established part of the board. We pondered our four selections out of a solid 18. I went with: Mango (the most popular flavor), Cherry, Lemon, and Peach—with Vanilla Custard. My daughter went with: Watermelon, Mint Chocolate Chip, Blue Raspberry, and Cotton Candy—with Vanilla Custard as well. Lemon was my favorite with its pure taste of nostalgia, Blue Raspberry was hers. Both flights were fun and tasty, and perfect for a Friday evening to kick off the weekend.

Actual New Menu Items at Rita's

What wasn't an established part of the board was a frozen coffee that was being touted as a limited-time feature, and seems to be on its way out much to fans' dismay. The brand introduced this java treat in April. Rita's new Cold Brew Frozen Coffee—Vanilla Ice blended with Vanilla custard and cold brew coffee—comes in three flavors: Original, Mocha, and Caramel.

"You asked, we delivered...Grab one before they’re gone!" (which could be any day). This caffeinated frosty beverage has quite a following already so we wouldn't be surprised if it makes another comeback.

And don't worry, Rita's already announced a new menu item to take the frozen coffee's place with the 5-Layer Gelati, through July 9, 2023. According to Rita's social, "It's 5 layers of pure happiness at Rita's! Dream up your favorite 5-Layer Gelati combination and let the party begin. Here for a limited time only!"

Whatever your pick, Rita's has you covered this season—from Ice Flights, to Gelati, to straight-up frozen custard—nothing says summer like a scoop of frozen fun.