Even though it’s quite chilly, seeing as how it’s now January, Rita’s Italian ice and frozen custard is worth the extra numbness in your hands.

Rita’s, located at 2330 Sunset Blvd. in Rocklin, is a franchise that started in Trevose, PA. The one here in Rocklin opened just six weeks ago, and it is fantastic.

Rita’s offers many delights to their customers, including Italian ice, cream ice, gelatis, misto shakes (Italian ice blended with frozen custard), frozen custard, blendinis (Italian ice mixed with frozen custard with toppings, think frozen yogurt), milkshakes and, the best of all, kind people behind the counter.

Upon entering, the employees greet customers cordially, asking if it’s their first time there or not. If it is, they walk them through the process of ordering (it can get complicated, believe it or not, when you’re new) and will allow them to sample everything before ordering.

Their Italian ice is made daily using fresh fruit, and because of this, ice flavors change very frequently. In fact, if a batch of ice isn’t sold within 36 hours of being made, Rita’s doesn’t allow it to be sold to ensure customers get the freshest product possible. A sugar-free option is also offered and that also changes; it’s not a crummy flavor either. When I went, the sugar-free flavor was dragonfruit, a lot more exotic than anything you’ll see at your go-to frozen yogurt shop.

I ordered a regular-sized gelati for $4 (Italian ice with frozen custard on top) consisting of mango flavored ice and vanilla custard. The ice was very flavorful and juicy. It isn’t like when you get Hawaiian shave ice, and hope that you get flavor with every bite of ice. Each bite of ice was well flavored, and it really tasted like fresh mango!

The vanilla frozen custard was extremely creamy and it had the consistency of soft-serve ice cream. It was very dense the way good gelato is, and the flavor output was incredible; it wasn’t like eating plain old vanilla ice cream, it was something more. “Rich” would sum the flavor up.

The soft, creaminess of the vanilla custard and the vibrant, tropical flavor of the mango ice made a wonderful match. It was like eating Italian cream soda (without the fizz, of course).

Now, if there is any downside to this wonderful place, it is that the shop is small. If you plan on bringing more than one other person with you in an attempt to be social, then rethink your plans. The tables are small and can only accommodate two chairs each, making the restaurant inhospitable to large groups.

Nevertheless, good employees, wonderfully delicious desserts, and reasonable prices all make Rita’s a must.