For me, the Eastern Shore is synonymous with Rita’s. The little beach town we frequent is near an outlet and it is everyone’s objective to stop in at least once. It’s become a bit of an obsession since entire weekends are planned around making sure we are are able to stop in for our favorite combos of ice and custard. (My personal favorite? Banana ice + chocolate custard + Nilla wafers whirrled into a refreshing Blendini. Yum!)
Maybe ....
When I saw a sign last November announcing a new Rita’s outlet on 10th and H NE, I was thrilled. And so I waited. And waited. Recently, I went down to check out the progress and, to my dismay, did not find much of any. While the franchise website announces an opening date of August 1, a visual inspection tells a different story. Wondering if any new information was available, I contacted Rita’s directly and received this response:
” We love hearing from our Guests and thank you kindly for expressing your excitement about our new location in Washington, DC! This location is still reporting an anticipated opening date of August 1st, however, construction and inspection matters may delay the opening.”
So, it is either the builder of the government. Hey, at least they didn’t blame it on the economy like everyone else does.
Fortunately, this is not a story of woe. Even if it does get a Rita’s, it won’t be the only piece of frozen heaven on H Street. The Philadelphia Water Ice Factory, is just two blocks up at 1204 H Street NE. PWIF serves up ice and ice cream in the style of the parlors that dot the City of Brotherly Love. The walk-up window makes this spot a quaint stop anytime of day, but especially after dinner on the weekends. You can also get some of those treats that remind you of chasing down the ice cream truck on your banana-seat-bedecked Schwinn. Plus PWIF has recently added an authentic Philly cheesesteak to its menu of portable bites.
Maybe we will not have a Rita’s after all. Fortunately, PWIF makes an awfully delicious strawberry kiwi ice. As they say, what’s in a name?
Where’s your favorite place on the Hill (or beyond) to grab a frosty bite?