When I was a young kid, my family lived in Los Angeles. However, every summer, my mom would pack my sister and me up and we'd head for Philadelphia. We'd spend weeks living with my grandparents, five people in a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment (the same apartment I live in now). My dad would stay in LA to work and take care of the dog.
It was a time towards which everyone looked forward. My mom enjoyed the opportunity to get away from smoggy Southern California (although humid Philly wasn't exactly a good trade), my dad liked having the house to himself for a while, my grandparents loved having us within hugging distance and my sister and I, well, we looked forward to the treats. Particularly the water ice.
There was nothing like Philadelphia water ice back home. You could get Sno-cones or shaved ice, but water ice was smooth and fruity and perfect to cool you down on those muggy days. The only problem was that my grandfather was a cancer researcher who had done a lot of work studying food coloring. When he was around, we weren't allowed to get any red flavors of water ice, which was torture for two girls who only wanted strawberry or cherry-flavored frozen treats.
When I moved to Philly after college, I didn't have anyone monitoring my water ice consumption and for that first summer, I ate mango and passionfruit water ice nearly every day (the flavor assortment has grown considerably over the years), often in place of dinner. These days, I try to hold off and save it as a special treat, one to savor and turn to on those hot summer days. I haven't had any yet this year, but it's going to be another hot day today. It might just be the perfect day for my first cup of smooth, fruity, wonderful water ice.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-14-2008 @ 12:22PM
Rob Brooks-Bilson said...
Water Ice is one of the things I missed most when I moved out to Phoenix. Luckily, we now have a local shop that sells it. The couple that runs the place is from Jersey. It's open year round,unlike most of the places back east, so I have to wonder how long they'll be able to last. In the meantime, I'm taking full advantage.
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6-14-2008 @ 12:33PM
AAdamsHSkl said...
Oh my! It has been over thirty years, but you bring back good memories. In summer my interest would turn from the soft pretzel vendors to those with Water Ice. And yes, those colors may be garish, but somehow they look so right in the bright hazy summer light.
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6-14-2008 @ 1:03PM
Chrissy said...
Being from Jersey, I'm familiar with Italian Ice. I never understood why it's called water ice...isn't that redundant? Anyway, terminology aside, it's delicious. My favorite flavors as a child were always watermelon and rootbeer. Now that I'm a bit older, I can't say my preferences have changed much...but I do love the addition of pomegranate and blueberry at my local haunt :)
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6-14-2008 @ 2:05PM
Henry said...
Oh, i live in the philly suburbs.
"Italian Ice" is the wrong name, its "Water Ice" (named because its not quite water, and its not quite ice)
Its hard to describe it to people who have not had any. Some people will try to compare it to shaved ice, snow cones, or slushies from gas stations. None come close. While all of the above are fruity and delicious. None of them are creamy or smooth.
The creaminess is not there because of any milk or cream added, but it it cooled down very very slowly, not harshly shut away in a freezer.
On a summers night in philly, walking the streets, you always see some kids with big blue or red mouths, and you know they just got done eating water ice.
Theres also a new fad called "cream ice" and its the same as water ice, btu has some dairy in it, kind of a cross breed between water ice and ice cream. birthday cake is the best flavor of that
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6-14-2008 @ 3:22PM
halvasnack said...
The perfect foodstuff for the hot days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. My father would take my brother and I from our hamlet in Cynwyd to West Philly for Maroni's Water Ice. It brings back such great nights with the line at the small walk up shop for our favorite flavors, usually a Lemon and Cherry mix with the Cherry on top so it would melt into the lemon. My Dad would get quarts to take home (they later made great soup and sauce containers to freeze leftovers). I miss those summer days with sweet water ice. Luckily there has been a migration of Rita's to the Maryland Eastern Shore and suburbs of Annapolis. So a quick drive down Route 50 brings back a tasteful memory.
Any one have a favorite spot in Philly? My fave is still Maroni's but I do like Jon's in South Philly. It's got a syrupy flavor and think a bit of an acquired taste.
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6-14-2008 @ 5:07PM
charlottesweb8972 said...
Now that you've gotten me hooked on the thought of booking a flight to Philly just to try "Water Ice", I want to know if there is a recipe or description on how to make this at home. Its just as humid in SW Louisiana and now I have got to know how to make this. Please Help!
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6-15-2008 @ 6:26PM
Colin said...
Funny, I've lived in or around Philly my entire life. I just assumed water ice was everywhere!
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8-05-2008 @ 8:06PM
B said...
I love the Philadelphia Water Ice!! So much that I want to sell it. Does anyone know anything about starting. I plan on attending park events.... with a push cart. I called Philadelphia Water Ice and they were not very friendly. Any ideas?
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8-07-2008 @ 5:15PM
Mark said...
B,
I am looking to do the same thing but in So. Cal. we should talk water ice.
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