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Food & Drink

John’s Water Ice

South Philly’s go-to for Italian water ice since 1945...

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Overview

Since 1945, John’s Water Ice has been transforming fruit, sugar and frozen water into water ice—known elsewhere as “Italian ice.”

Loyal patrons choose from lemon, chocolate, cherry or pineapple water ice; vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or butter pecan ice cream; or a combination thereof that John’s dubs “gelati.”

The History

It wouldn’t be summer in Philly without John’s Water Ice spooned out of a Dixie cup.

They claim to serve the “purest water ice” made only of fruit, water and sugar – the same recipe they’ve used since 1945.

Despite their long roots, they’re making history every day, appearing on the Travel Channel and boasting as being a favorite of former President Barack Obama.

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