Chill With These 6 Local Water Ice Joints At The Jersey Shore

Ices are also a great alternative to thick and rich ice cream, which let's face it, can be a bit much on a really hot and humid day. In fact, my family are big fans of the Gelatis, such as the ones served at Rita's and Ralph's.

Some places on our list have be staples of the community for decades, while others are in fact, new to the scene. Meanwhile, they all do an amazing in-season business year after year.

Take for example Strollo's, a Jersey Shore favorite since the 1930's. They have quietly expanded over nearly 100 years to five Monmouth County locations, but no more. Keeping the local feel is important to them.

Not to disparage Rita's or Ralph's, but to put them on the list would not be fair to the mom-and-pop shop we wish to highlight here. They sure are good though, and both have a place in our hearts and bellies!

Moreover, as far as Italian Ice and Polish Water Ice go, they're local roots are traced back to Philadelphia. According to Wikipedia, finely granulated flavored ice of Italian immigrant origin is instead commonly referred to and sold as water ice by residents and natives of Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

Water ice is almost identical to Italian ice. It is similarly derived from granita brought to the Philadelphia area by Italian immigrants in the early 20th century. Meanwhile this “water ice” has also been described as a specific type of Italian ice originating in Philadelphia or a "variation on the more broadly-accepted Italian ice." Wow, that's a lot of history from some syrup and frozen water!

Here are some of my favorite ice places, what are yours?

It all began in the 1930s with Tony Strollo, a more Jersey name can not be found. Tony sold the lemon ice he made in his garage from his bus, parked in Long Branch. Today, there are  5 Strollo’s Lighthouse Locations: Long Branch, Red Bank, West End, Point Pleasant Beach, and Belford. With a 6th location coming next year.  https://strolloslighthouse.com/

They have 2 places in Maryland and 1 in Pennsylvania, but this small chain is mostly on the Southern Jersey Shore. Locations include 4 in Wildwood, 2 in Ocean City (NJ), 1 in Westville, and of course the 2 locations on the boards in Seaside Heights. Try the Polish Chiller! http://www.polishwaterice.com/index.html

An Ice Cream Truck? Noooooo. An Italian Ice Truck! This Monmouth County-based company has been truckin' the ice all over the Shore since the 80s, serving 19 towns with 30 flavors! https://www.weasersice.com/wp/

Yeah, it's technically an Ice Cream joint, but come on, that cherry ice? Or the Root Beer one?? My God. https://www.icepalacenj.com/

The biggest chain on our list with over 40, but that's still only half as many as Ralph's so we put em on here! So good, with ice flavors from Peanut Butter Cookie Dough, to Cannoli. http://unclelouiegee.com/our-goodies/

Nationwide chain with over 200 locations, BUT, only 2 in NJ, and just one at the Shore. Located on LBI. Besides, we had to get a snow cone place on the list, and they make them for doggies too! https://pelicanssnoballs.com/#about-mardi