Time for an updated review since it's been 4 years! My family and I stopped by after having dinner at Shanghai taste next door and noticed that there were so many people outside just ordering Italian ice/gelato. We decided we wanted something sweet too. The menu hasn't really changed much but I have to say, it's pretty overwhelming. I personally don't like how it's displayed because it's too much at you at once. It's also confusing because there's different flavors for different desserts (pies, gelati's, Italian ice alone, etc). The line is long but moves very quickly so 5 stars on their service. They got to everyone and also got everyone's orders very quickly. It's a very casual place with limited outdoor seating. There isn't an entryway for customers to come in. A bit like Rita's ice cream where everything is serviced outside. I would 10/10 recommend coming back again. It's a bit pricey for what is ($6-$7 per person) but it's a nice sweet treat in the area that does a very good job on customer satisfaction.

Each year Carmine's has a couple of days where you can get a small Italian ice for the price of the weather (30°, $.30). Even though it was freezing cold outside, I couldn't resist a refreshing treat. I got strawberry lemonade and piña colada and they were both delicious! Service was quick, there was no line (likely due to the cold temps) and the staff were very friendly. They even had large heaters outside. I look forward to returning when the temps warm up.

Ok so maybe it's partly the warm weather in November that swayed me a bit. But this place is great! Went for Jayden day - half price gelati or Italian ice. The Gelati is an Italian ice and custard combo, and I was skeptical at first but quickly put in my place. We were greeted ENTHUSIASTICALLY by our server (Jayden's mom) and she was absolutely a gem. When we looked clearly overwhelmed by the insane amount of options and flavor combos we could make - she offered samples with a smile. She was patient and friendly and even with a line she did not make us feel rushed AT ALL. Ten out of ten for customer service. I went for Nutella custard and Horchata Italian ice and I think it was a winning combo. The custard is soooo smooth and creamy, but not overly heavy. And the Italian ice isn't too icy - if that makes sense? It mixed well with the creamy custard. Plenty of seating on the patio around the shop. It was busy - but not too crowded and we secured a table to sit and enjoy our treats. Definitely felt like a neighborhood hot spot. The parking lot had construction but it didn't mess the vibe, and still plenty of parking available. The portions were large! I had to give the end of mine to my son to finish. I'd like to go when I'm back in town from Rhode Island -whether it's a Jayden day or not. There are still sooo many flavors I'd like to try out.

Friday 11/8/2024 Since discovering this spot back in November 2022, I have been a regular who visits nearly every month (gotta get my Jayden day gelati). The service from the owners and workers are always good, The custard (ice cream) is great, and the Italian ice is decent. I've tried many different items & flavors but my favorites are the vanilla custard with Oreo toppings and the ube custard. When it comes to Jayden day (which is half off all gelatis on the 8th of every month), I end up leaving with at least 2 gelatis: ube custard & strawberry lemonade Italian ice and vanilla custard & Italian chocolate ice. All in all, I really enjoy this ice cream spot as it's a spot I frequently visit and it's a spot that I'd surely recommend. Also it's definitely in my top 3 Maryland ice cream spots.

This place was so fun! Stopped in while dogsitting a few times and enjoyed sampling the menu. The stand is walk-up with a huge menu. The line moves fast but there is definitely less seating than there is devoted customers, so I suggest being prepared to take it to go. The custard is perfectly creamy and the portion sizes are perfect. The ice is quite dense which I wasn't expecting. It's not bad, but a different texture than I was anticipating based off of similar places I had been to before! I also tried a fall gelati, which were supposed to be warm. I got peanut butter custard with brownie. The brownie was unfortunately cold so it was still good, but not quite the a la mode texture I was hoping for. Excited to try more things on the menu soon!

Always a hit! Service was super friendly and efficient. Mystery bag had 3 different small cups, great deal! I had the Gelati with pina colada Italian ice and vanilla custard, flavors went really well together. Hubby got a mochacinno milkshake and it was so rich and creamy, salted Carmel whipped cream on top was amazing!

YESSSSSSSS for an amazing neighborhood business that is just doing GREAT THINGS! Since i moved back to this area a decade ago, Carmen's went from their original location to expanding into several locations AND offers their products at the National Zoo!! The quality, however, has NOT CEASED. First, what everyone wants to know about Carmen's, the Italian ice and custards! They are SO GOOD! The menu changes often so there is a strong chance that you find a new favorite everytime. I love their smooth rich custards & just yesterday discovered their Jersey Shore Mocha - which is both dangerous and delicious!!! The ices are so awesome with some of our family's standouts of mango, strawberry Matt, Rocket Pop, cotton candy, etc. Some favorite custard flavors: ube, Nutella, mudslide, marshmallow, etc. What I love most is their sense of community. They employ a ton of our local high schoolers (current and alum). They support our local cluster. Every 8th of the month is Jayden Day where you can score some awesome specials as well as in the dead of winter too. They no longer offer dine-in but you can take your dessert and hangout outside at the various outdoor tables or go across the street to the park. The owners are amazing and kind people and just are great for our community. Our family LOVES supporting this amazing local business.

It's been over a decade since I last reviewed Carmen's and I have since moved a bit closer so visiting again after all this time was a bit like visiting with fresh eyes. + The gelati remains delicious. A small is actually a pretty hefty portion for one person (I believe they have an even smaller "mini" size) and includes a layer of your choice of custard flavor, your choice of Italian ice, and topped with a tall swirl of more of that custard. Their custards are soooo creamy and delicious and the ices are crisp and refreshing and the number of flavors of both are honestly a little dizzying. For a person whose indecision largely can be summed up by "cannot decide what flavor ice cream to get", I spend a long time standing in front of the Carmen's window. I recently tried raspberry custard with pina colada ice at the suggestion of the person at the window, a combo I probably wouldn't have tried on my own but was extremely delicious on one of the hottest days of the year. + The staff has always been SO friendly without being aggressively so. They let me stand slackjawed trying to decide on my flavors, helpfully suggest flavors and combos if I ask, and always offer to let me try custard and Italian ice if I'm not sure. (Also the samples of the custard and ices are bigger than you might think? So you are really trying a good mouthful of it.) + They do fun little things like monthly Jayden Day on the 8th, where they offer half-price. (P.S. If you're worried that Jayden Day is a sad day, it's not! It's just a celebration of the owner's son, who used to love coming in.) + Another fun thing they do is name days, where you get a free gelati if your name is one of their names of the day. (Follow them on social media to see what the daily name is.) Carmen's seems like such a fun part of the community and I'm glad to see them still doing so well after I had been away for so long. It's a great place to stop by for dessert after eating at Shanghai Taste or Z&Z next door, and you can grab something to take home (like a tub of custard or ice, or another snack) and even have them cater or get a party kit. I'm definitely going to be back many more times.

Carmen's opened up the year I was born, so I always get a little nostalgic when going to their original Rockville location. I've been a fan of their custards and Italian ice for decades. They change custard flavors often and offer 50+ Italian ice flavors. If you're not into that, they also have solid milkshakes and sundaes. I'm a huge supporter of Carmen's so I definitely recommend checking this place out! (Ps, every 9th of the month, they offer 50% off on their ices and custards!)

YUM - the re-do visit at Carmen's was a much better one than what I had years back - This time, I stuck with the Italian ice and chose 2 flavors: the Strawberry Lemon and the Green Apple - this was well infused with the flavors and it was super delicious! It was a nice cold treat, any time of the year. Staff were friendly, and this place is a walk-up. +good Italian ice +friendly staff!