Still the best water ice in Philly!! This generation of Cardullo’s have done an excellent job staying with tradition and maintaining the level of quality that their family has given the neighborhood for decades.
Had the blueberry cheesecake ice cream with blueberry water ice, delicious! Prices very reasonable as well.
If your looking for the best water ice around this is the place
The best Water Ice I ever had!! I go everyday from the Sports Complex Area and pass many other options and it's worth the trip every time!
Joann Giacinto Slosberg
+5
Had the pineapple. Fresh & delicious. Wish I ordered a bigger size! 😋
John’ water ice is good!
Once you go a few times - you’ll figure out the secret to ordering lol.
I usually mix my flavors together. Check them out.
Yum yum yum! We got a cherry and a lemon. The cherry was the best!!! I would get it everyday if I could. It tastes like a cross between a snow cone and an Italian ice. Very refreshing.
You know it's a good place for Water Ice when there's a line waiting for it. It's a shame that the strawberry water ice specifically is a seasonal flavor, though, because it is amazing.
Good water ice. Quite refreshing for a summer night. Original flavors are cherry, chocolate, lemon, and pineapple. Flavors taste a bit artificial.
The bar is set by lemon ice king of corona in nyc. While these are slightly different (looser and more watery, duh), they are clearly not as good.
Excellent pricing and good portions. Ability to mix flavors is appreciated.
The best water ice, hands down. The prices are good, they use fresh fruit, and the flavors are delicious. Staff is kind and quick. even with long lines it’s still a pleasure to go here because it moves fast. I am always sad when they close for the season! This is a neighborhood- and Philadelphian- staple and I’m so glad it is part of our community.
When the season is right then John’s water ice is for you if your in South Philly. The water ice is the perfect treat on a warm day. The balance of flavor and sweetness makes this a perfect frozen treat. They even cater in a gallon size if you call in advance. They are CASH only and have an ATM on site.
I've found cherry isn't my favorite but the others were so good that my friends/family got. Love the lemon.
The water ice is AMAZING. The fruit flavors really taste like the fruit not artificial flavorings. Get the mango if you love mango fruit. Pineapple was my second favorite.
You can get the water ice, ice cream, or gelati. The prices are very reasonable too — they’re not gonna charge you $5 for a scoop of ice cream. Do yourself a favor and go here for dessert!
Barb Hauck-Mah (barbhmphilly)
+5
It's April and John's is open for 2023! And they have a new ATM for those who need to get cash to pay. Getting water ice at Johns is a Bella Vista neighborhood tradition. You can get small, medium or large servings of water ice, ice cream or gelati (which is 1 scoop ice cream 1 scoop ice). Ask for a free taste of the pineapple -my favorite mixed with vanilla ice cream! The prices are very reasonable: we spent $9 + tip for 2 dishes of 2 scoops each. There is no seating, but John's neighbor around the corner offers their bench to sit and enjoy. Most head a block to Palumbo Park and enjoy their treats at the tables/benches there. There is not a huge variety of flavors (see sign), and their packaging isn't ecofriendly, but the staff works very hard and are friendly (There's no tip jar, but please tip if you can.)
Came here as part of a StrEats of Philly food tour and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. I got the mango water ice and it was light and refreshing. Our group ordered a variety of flavors: strawberry, lemon, and pineapple...not a disappointed person in the bunch.
Water ices are perfect for a sweltering humid summer day in Philly. Quick service and the lemon was perfect!! It was just what we needed after a walk near the piers.
If you’re in Philadelphia and haven’t been to John’s then shame on you, it should be your palette cleanser after you have your first cheesesteak! If you think of Rita’s when you think water ice you’re in for one hell of a surprise once you try John’s! It’s nothing like those syrupy ices that they sling in the corporate chains! John’s only does 4 flavors (an additional couple water ices are made on the weekend as specials) and they do them right, fresh fruit, homemade. There ice cream may even be better than their water ice, they have it made to their specifications in Lancaster and its creamy, delicious and shouldn’t be missed.
I would give this a 5 star, but I got cherry water ice last night and bit into something hard that numbed my tongue for a couple minutes and was spicy/acidic? There were also other globs of what I can assume is concentrated food coloring that stained my skin. Might need to mix up the water ice a bit more. AVOID THE CHERRY!
Other than that, every other flavor is delicious and the ice cream is some of the best around.
Ricky GREATLY approves. Great summer treat, lots of yummy flavors. Get the gelati!
This place is awesome. Cash only-2.50 for a small. The pineapple is amazing! Parking is a challenge but it’s a nice area to walk.
This place is always busy when I go there. But there's a reason. Now remember, this is water ice, not Italian ice from New York. Totally different. But almost the same. Very good stuff
Who would have thought chocolate water ice could be so perfect? Loved it so much we tried small cups of all four flavors! Incredible prices, too!
Best Waterice in the city!
Always was & still is!
Though I do miss Italiano‘s Johns is like stepping back into the 80s for me!
Girls at the front are super cool & light up the place with beautiful smiles & politeness that you don't get at other places!
Absolutely amazing! I loved their cantaloupe and mango flavors, both of which had real fruit bits in it. The cantaloupe water ice legitimately tastes like straight up blended cantaloupe. I also tried the cherry flavor and didn't care for it as much, but it was still good in a nostalgic kind of way.
The sign said that Sept 15th (today) was the last day of the season and they won't be back until April of next year, so when it's available again, I would recommend going and trying some of the flavors.
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