You’re driving down NW 122nd Terrace in Pembroke Pines, and if you blink, you might actually miss it. Tucked away in a strip that looks like a thousand other South Florida plazas is a place called Rosie’s Gourmet Italian Ices. It isn’t flashy. No neon signs are screaming for your attention. But the line? Yeah, the line is usually there.
Some spots just have "it." That weird, intangible pull that makes people drive past three different Ben & Jerry’s and a fancy gelato place just to get a plastic cup of frozen water and sugar. Honestly, it’s kinda nostalgic.
The Philly Connection in the Heart of Pines
Most people don't realize that Rosie’s wasn't dreamed up by some corporate board in a glass office. It was started back in 1994 by two guys from Philadelphia, Jerry Baer and Scott Rosengarten. If you know anything about Philly, you know they take their "water ice" more seriously than almost anything else—maybe except for cheesesteaks.
They brought that specific, Northeast grit to Florida.
They didn't want to make the crunchy, chunky "snow cone" style stuff you find at fairs. They wanted that smooth, velvety texture that almost feels like dairy even though it’s strictly water-based. It’s a craft. They’ve been in the exact same spot for over thirty years now. Think about that. In the restaurant world, thirty years is basically an eternity.
What’s Actually in the Cup?
So, why do people freak out about Rosie's Gourmet Italian Ices? Basically, it’s the consistency.
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When you get a scoop here, it doesn't shatter. It yields. They carry about 20 different flavors of Italian ice every single day. Usually, two of those are sugar-free for the folks watching their glucose, which is a nice touch that most old-school shops ignore.
- The Classics: You’ve got your Cherry Bordeaux and Lemon. If you haven't had the Lemon, you haven't lived.
- The Tropical Hits: Mango and Passion Fruit are huge here, probably because we’re in Florida and it's 90 degrees roughly 350 days a year.
- The Wildcards: Blue Raspberry (a childhood staple) and various rotating seasonal picks.
But here is the real pro move: The Radio Ball.
If you walk in and just order a small cherry ice, you're doing it wrong. A Radio Ball is their version of a gelati—layers of that famous Italian ice sandwiched between thick swirls of soft-serve vanilla or chocolate ice cream. It’s the contrast. The icy, sharp fruit flavor hitting the creamy, fatty soft serve creates this weirdly perfect balance.
It’s Not Just Ice, Though
People forget they actually do hard ice cream too. They’ve got about 16 varieties of hand-dipped hard ice cream at any given time. Again, they usually keep a couple of "no sugar added" options on deck.
The menu is surprisingly deep for a shop that looks so tiny from the sidewalk. You can get:
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- Root beer floats (or Coke floats if you're a rebel).
- Milkshakes that are thick enough to break a straw.
- Quarts to go, because eating a whole pint in your living room at 11 PM is a vibe.
The pricing is another thing that keeps people coming back. In an era where a single scoop of "artisanal" ice cream can cost seven bucks, Rosie's stays stubbornly affordable. It’s the kind of place where a teenager can still take a date and not go into debt.
The Reality of the Experience
Let’s be real for a second: it’s not perfect.
If you go on a Friday night after a local high school football game, it’s going to be packed. There’s no indoor seating. You’re standing on the sidewalk, likely sweating, waiting for your number to be called. Parking can be a total nightmare depending on what’s happening in the neighboring shops.
Also, the service. Most of the time, the staff is great—fast, efficient, and friendly. But like any legendary local spot, you might catch someone on a rough shift. It’s part of the charm, I guess? It feels like a real neighborhood joint, not a polished franchise where everyone is forced to read a script.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
We live in a world of "concepts" and "brands." Rosie's Gourmet Italian Ices isn't a concept. It’s a shop.
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It survives because it does one thing really well. It provides a cooling, sugary hit of dopamine in a cup. It’s a place where families in Pembroke Pines have been taking their kids for three generations. That kind of local equity is hard to build and even harder to keep.
Whether you’re a purist who wants the tartness of a plain lemon ice or a madman who wants a chocolate-vanilla swirl Radio Ball with extra sprinkles, it hits the spot. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best stuff isn't the newest or the trendiest. It’s the stuff that’s been there since 1994, quietly making the best ice in the county.
How to Do Rosie’s Right
If you’re planning a trip, keep these tips in mind to make sure you don't look like a tourist:
- Check the Daily Flavors: They rotate. If you see a flavor you love, get the quart. It might not be there tomorrow.
- The "Mix" Rule: You can mix flavors in almost any size. Don't feel like you have to commit to just one. Mango and Strawberry together is a game-changer.
- Bring Napkins: This stuff melts fast in the Florida sun. The cups are sturdy, but the Radio Balls can get messy quick.
- Go Late: They’re usually open until 9 PM. There is something specifically great about eating Italian ice in the dark when the humidity finally drops a few percentage points.
Next Steps for Your Visit
- Check the location: It's at 1791 NW 122nd Terrace, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026.
- Call ahead: If you're looking for a specific flavor (like Sugar-Free Black Cherry), give them a quick ring at (954) 435-8939 to see if it’s in the case today.
- Order the Radio Ball: Seriously. Just do it. Vanilla soft serve with Mango ice is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the menu.