Ralph's Italian Restaurant   

South Philly's Italian Market is one of the few places in the city where you can take a bite out of history and actually taste the tradition. It's fitting, then, that Ralph's is one of the market's cornerstones. Complete with its own historical assignation, Ralph's has been serving family-style portions of earthy, authentic Italian classics -- call it "gravy" buddy, not "sauce" -- for more than a century and lays claim to being the country's oldest family-owned Italian restaurant. It's an undisputed favorite among locals and visitors alike, as well as celebrities of all stature, as is evidenced by the wall of glossies. The menu does offer a nod to trendier fare, but your best bet is to stick with the traditional: pasta with gravy, mussels, veal parmigiana, lasagna, etc. Like most 'real' Italian restaurants in South Philadelphia, Ralph's has a family feel, despite its historical trappings. Private rooms are more conducive to romance, if that's what you're looking for.