Venue Image

Hours

Mon. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Tues. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Wed. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Thu. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Fri. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Sat. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM
Sun. 11:45 AM-9:45 PM

Cross Street

Catharine Street

Pricing

Medium ($$)

City's Best

Ralph's Italian Restaurant   

760 S 9th St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
215-627-6011
www.ralphsrestaurant.com

Rating: 3 out of 5  (81 Ratings)   Read Reviews (81)    Rate and Write a Review

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.

User Ratings and Reviews Rate and Write a Review

81 Ratings and Reviews

Order by: Oldest | Newest
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Review rating 5 out of 5
best food ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Suzie1216 on 06/26/2008
The last review doesn't have a clue, there's a reason Ralph's has been in business for over 100 years. Best food ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
user image
Review rating 5 out of 5
Best home cooked italian dishes in the city !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jcasileoldecity on 06/26/2008
From the moment you walk in you are treated like part of the family by some of the best people in the service industry. They are a rare find in the city where employes come and go. I personally know some of the staff and most have been there since they where young adults just starting out. Something is to be said about the ownership that has a very low turnover of employes and the family atmosphere that keeps generations coming back, why else would they be in business longer then anyone else in the city with the same family controlling the operations. Now, the food is outragous. There is not a place in the city that can compare to they're famous dishes such as calamari in red sauce, the veal frachaise, chicken saltiboco or the mussels in marinara. The only place in the city I would order gravy out. I commend the family who has been running it for over 100 years and still has a line out the door and not only on the weekends but also during the week. They where born to be in the business and it shows !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The family, staff and food all should get 5 stars !!!!!!!!!!!!
Im3rd920
Review rating 5 out of 5
awesome food!!
By Im3rd920 on 06/26/2008
There's a reason that Ralph's has been around for many, many years, their food is the best italian food I've ever had. My mom who was born and raised in Italy loves their traditional syle of cooking and coming from mom that's quit a compliment!
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Review rating 5 out of 5
By Aljooo on 06/22/2008