Welcome to John's Water Ice
Nestled in the heart of Philadelphia, **John's Water Ice** has become a cherished staple for those seeking a refreshing escape from the heat. Founded on a passion for quality, John’s meticulously crafts water ice using real fruit, ensuring each flavor bursts with authentic taste and delightful chunks. Unlike traditional icy treats, their water ice is smooth and finely textured, making every spoonful a joy. Visitors rave about the unique ice cream offerings, marked by creativity and balanced sweetness. While the lines may be long, the exceptional service and delightful flavors—like their beloved blueberry—make every wait worthwhile. Perfect for families and friends, John's Water Ice is a summer treasure.
John's Water Ice: Reviews & Ratings
John's Water Ice is a Philly staple that should be on everyone's must try list. You can't go wrong with any of their flavors. They use real fruit in their water ice - you can definitely tell because you can find real fruit pieces in their water ice. They don't use syrups or super bright colored dyes in their water ice. Their water ice is super refreshing on a hot day and I love that it's not super sweet. Unlike a traditional snow cone, their ice is super fine and smooth and each bite of water ice has that delightful fruit flavor blended evenly without any ice chunks at all. I've also tried their ice cream and their ice creams are not ice-y at all. Their ice cream flavors are super unique and they change up their menu quite often. Just like their water ice, their ice cream isn't too sweet to the point where it's sickening, it has just the right amount of sweetness. It's a bummer that they don't open during the colder months because I think about their water ice from time to time. My all time favorite flavor has got to be their blueberry water ice! There's oftentimes a long line but don't let time deter you from trying it out because the line goes down super fast as their service is top notch! They always scoop a heaping scoop of water ice. They don't have seating anywhere though, so you would probably have to stand around to eat your water ice or if the weather isn't too hot, take a stroll to the parks nearby to enjoy your delicious water ice. TIP: they're cash only but also accept Venmo. Be sure to take a peek inside as they have a whiteboard that lists out their special flavors (weekends only).
Fabulous!! My previous experiences with water ice are artificial flavors and colors that stain your mouth. This water ice is refreshing as it is naturally tasty. Loved the real chunks of fruit that were oh so yummy. Definitely long lines during the summer, but it makes the first bite all the more worth!
Great place to come for the summer to beat the heat. There usually is a long line but it moves fairly quickly. Prices are very fair. For the water ice, I really like how smooth it is (and not icy). I also appreciate that there are real chunks of fruit in it. I've also tried the ice cream and was very impressed. The ice cream is smooth and creamy, with flecks of delicious dark chocolate (can tell it's good quality).
I went to another water ice establishment prior to this being from out of town and loving all things shaved ice related! I ordered the pineapple and strawberry, flavor was light. I don't really remember the service, tbh. I feel like this location doesn't have much to offer honestly. Not many flavors and I sort of wanted it better presented. Also, they don't swirl it so you can't eat both flavors together.
Cash only! They also accept Venmo. This place was so good that we had to come twice during our trip. The flavors vary and there's a white board inside that says what they have for the day. I got the strawberry with vanilla gelato and it was delicious. The pineapple ice as good as well. They only open seasonally so check before you go. We went in September and they had less than 5 days left of their season.
Absolutely love this place. Water ice was cheap and so refreshing! I got the cherry ice and it's so addicting on a hot weather.
The line is half way down the block on a weekend summer evening! Thats how you know it's going to be good, right? This is a unique concoction that you must experience for yourself when you're in the Italian Market area of Philly! We tried the Gelati which is a combination that starts off on the bottom with water ice then ice cream and topped off with water ice. The water ice is unique in and of itself but then combined with ice cream it's just amazing! There is no seating so not going to get much ambiance here but it's still a must try as the experience is just what you need!
The most famous water ice in Philly, and I get the hype!! But honestly medium was too much for me, get small next time! I got half and half, chocolate and mango water ice, and it was so good! Mango was so creamy and not too sweet, while chocolate was a bit too sweet and watery. Would stick to mango and piña colada next time!! The line was long, but moves fast! No seating inside, and pay in cash/venmo only.
We came on a hot Saturday afternoon, and there was a decent line. Took about 15 minutes for us to get our ice. Cash only of course! We got one medium sized, half mango and half cherry. It was our first time having water ice, and the texture was really unique. It was a creamier slushy, not too brain-freezingly cold, and overall was really refreshing on a hot day. The flavors themselves were very potent, but also very artificial. I would honestly have liked it more if they had just toned down the flavoring by 25%. Overall, will definitely be back!
Job's still holds true to the water ice and ice-cream business. He has a proven recipe. I ordered a waffle cone with chocolate ice-cream $5.50 and a quart size pineapple and vanilla ice cream gelati. I o Lu planned to eat half but the greedy bird in me made me eat the whole container. In the young folks terms "t huh at was so big back of me" There. Is always a line when I come to Joh 's but it's worth it. You better go on and get you some!
Location
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701 Christian St, Philadelphia, PA 19147 Hotline: (215) 925-6955
Welcome to **John's Water Ice**, a beloved staple nestled in the heart of Philadelphia at **701 Christian St**. This charming establishment is renowned for its refreshing water ice, offering a delightful escape from the sweltering summer heat. With a vast array of vibrant flavors including **Lemon**, **Cherry**, **Chocolate**, **Pineapple**, **Mango**, and **Strawberry**, there's something to please every palate. Each pint is available for a modest **$5.50**, with quarts starting at **$9.75**, making indulgence both delicious and affordable.
What sets John's Water Ice apart is their commitment to quality. Customers rave about the use of real fruit in their water ice, as highlighted by loyal patrons like Mandy S. and Gina L. Unlike traditional snow cones laden with artificial flavors and synthetic dyes, John's creations are authentic and refreshing. You can expect smooth, fine ice that bursts with natural fruit flavor, devoid of ice chunks. This attention to detail truly elevates the experience of enjoying **water ice**.
In addition to their water ice, you can also savor their range of smooth and creamy **ice creams**, priced at just **$9.00 per pint**. Options like **Vanilla Birthday Cake** and **Butter Pecan** show off a delightful spectrum of flavors, each crafted to deliver the perfect balance of sweetness—never cloying, always satisfying.
- Accessibility: John's Water Ice prides itself on being wheelchair accessible with friendly amenities like outdoor seating, bike parking, and even a drive-thru for those on the go.
- Convenience: They offer multiple payment options, including **Android Pay**, **Apple Pay**, and even **cryptocurrency**, making it easy to treat yourself.
- Community-Friendly: The establishment is dog-friendly and provides catering options, ensuring that no one misses out on their delicious offerings.
One highlight of your visit may be the bustling atmosphere, especially on hot summer days when the line can stretch out the door. However, don't let the wait deter you—customers note that it's well worth it, as staff are efficient in serving up heaping scoops with a smile. Keep an eye on their special flavor board for unique offerings available on weekends, adding an element of surprise to your visit.
While John's Water Ice is a seasonal gem, if you find yourself in Philadelphia during warmer months, this is one place you won't want to miss. Just remember, it's cash only (Venmo accepted), so come prepared! Experience the joy of real fruit flavors and the smooth texture that customers can't stop talking about. For anyone looking to dive into a delicious treat, John's Water Ice is an absolute must-try on your culinary adventure in the city.
