11 Sweet Spots for Ice Cream & Water Ice in Delco

When temperatures begin to climb, Delco’s favorite way to cool off is with water ice and ice cream! Luckily, there is no shortage of mom-and-pop shops dishing up frozen confections — you can find water ice stands and ice cream shops in practically every township and borough in the county. 

 

From outrageous sundaes to super-refreshing water ice, to mile-high soft serve cones, you can find any ice cream creation your heart desires here in Delco. The next time you want to take the kids out for a treat or enjoy a summertime dessert, check out one of these 11 water ice and ice cream spots in Delco. 

 

 

The Sugaree 

With two locations in Delaware County, The Sugaree is an old-fashioned-style ice cream shop offering plenty of ways to get your sugar fix. In addition to scoops of Bassett’s ice cream in dozens of flavors, and Morrone’s Water Ice, you’ll find sundaes, floats, soft serve, gelatis, ice cream sandwiches, and a large selection of bulk, novelty and retro candies!

The Sugaree’s Newtown Square location is open Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m. The Wayne location is open Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. (closed Monday).

3117 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square; (610) 356-1066; 134 N. Wayne Ave., Lower Level, Wayne; (484) 580-8822.

 

Crave Creamery 

All of the 30-plus flavors at Crave Creamery are homemade — how cool is that? Traditionalists will love the rich chocolate, vanilla and cookies and cream, while adventurous types can dig into unique flavors, like Party Cake, Blueberry Pie and Cinnamon Bun. There is also gelato, smoothies, water ice and vegan ice creams on offer. To make your order extra-Delco, get your scoops in a pretzel cone!

Crave Creamery is open Sunday through Friday from 2 to 9 p.m., and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m.

1158 Baltimore Pike, Unit A, Springfield; (484) 472-6871.

 

Vera’s Water Ice

Not far from Crave, find Vera’s Water Ice, a family-owned business that’s been serving up deliciousness for over 30 years (under new ownership in 2023). In addition to plentiful flavors of homemade water ice, there’s Richman’s Ice Cream and soft pretzels from Bernie’s Pretzels. Vera’s is popular with kids for after-school treats, with great specials like $1 ice cream sandwiches and a $3 water ice and pretzel combo.  

Vera’s is open 7 days a week from noon to 9 p.m.

162 Saxer Ave, Springfield; (610) 543-2030.

 

Pop’s Homemade Water Ice

Looking for old-school vibes? Look no further than Pop’s in Havertown. Walk up to the window in a charming little house and order your treats. Choose from nearly 30 water ice flavors, soft serve, gelatis, scooped ice cream, frozen bananas and soft pretzels. Snag an outdoor bench to enjoy your sweets in the sunshine.

Pop’s Homemade Water Ice is open 7 days a week from noon to 9 p.m.

150 W Eagle Rd, Havertown; (610) 789-7677. 

 

Barone’s Water Ice

There are so many fun flavors of water ice at Barone’s, like passionfruit, kiwi-strawbery, creamsicle and mango cherry twist. Plenty of ice cream, sundaes, shakes and hot dogs round out the menu. When the friendly staff hands your order through the old-school window, it’s sure to be a nostalgic moment!  

534 Burmont Rd., Drexel Hill; (610) 742-1017.

 

George’s Water Ice

When the weather is nice, you’ll find this cute water ice stand packed with locals, lining up for sweet and savory delights. Choose from 24 flavors of water ice (the prices are amazing! A small will set you back just $2), which nails the perfect creamy texture and not-too-sweet flavor. There’s also ice cream, milkshakes, funnel cake, pretzels, hot dogs and beef patties! George’s is cash-only, so plan ahead!

George’s Water Ice is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

7140 Marshall Rd., Upper Darby; (610) 626-4346.

 

Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice

Yes, there is real fruit in this incredible homemade water ice, which comes in natural flavors, like cantaloupe, watermelon and mango lemonade. But the menu doesn’t stop there! Siddiq’s has ice cream and milkshakes, as well as carnival favorites like fried Oreos, boardwalk fries, mozzarella sticks and funnel cake, with chicken and seafood dishes, too! 

Siddiq’s Real Fruit Water Ice is open Monday through Friday from noon to 7 p.m.; closed on weekends.

720 W. 9th St., Chester; (215) 410-6513.

 

Just Homemade Ice Cream

This micro-creamery, with adorable retro styling (including a photo wall and black-and-white checkered floor), offers delicious homemade ice cream creations, which neighbors patiently wait in lines out the door for! The specialty here, though, is the housemade ice cream cakes, which are as incredible to eat as they are to look at.

Just Homemade Ice Cream is open Monday and Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m., Friday from 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m.

4736 Pennell Rd #12, Aston; (610) 497-5550.

 

CJ’s Water Ice

Water ice in a rainbow of colors? Check. Hand-dipped and soft serve ice cream? Check and check! At CJ’s, you’ll find everything you want from a neighborhood water ice stand, including banana boats, pretzels, hot dogs, funnel cake, fried oreos and more!

CJ’s Water Ice is open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

1035 MacDade Blvd., Collingdale; (267) 312-9426.

 

Rosati Ice

Rosati is practically ubiquitous in Delco! The Rosati manufacturing facility has been part of the Clifton Heights community since 1912! You can find this water ice brand packaged in markets and corner stores all around the Greater Philadelphia area (and, in fact, nationwide), and many locals grew up with cups of Rosati in their freezers at home! The Rosati facility operates a small takeout window from its facility two nights a week each summer after Memorial Day.

In 2023, the Rosati Ice Window will be Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m., beginning May 24.

201 E Madison Ave, Clifton Heights; (610) 626-1818.

 

 

Georgeo’s Water Ice Inc.

Georgeo’s is another water ice manufacturer headquartered in Delco, with plenty of fun flavors, like cotton candy swirl, pina colada and root beer. Though there is no retail operation that’s open to the public, we just had to include them, as Georgeo’s is a household name here in Delco!

409 Green St., Marcus Hook; (610) 494-4975.

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Want to know more about everything Delco? We’re more than just your source for good eats — we’re your source for where to stay, what to do and more in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. We’re Visit Delco, PA, and we’ve got you covered from Philly to the Brandywine. Contact us at (610) 565-3679, by email, or online.

– Emily Kovach

 

Featured photo courtesy of The Sugaree