Right around the end of September, a small sign will sit on the counter showing list of flavors available. Each day, a flavor is crossed off signaling the end of that favor for that year and more importantly Ralph’s Famous Italian Ice will be closed for the season. And it’s still August, but I am going to be morning during the winter months.
Whenever we go out to dinner, we seem to always save room for Ralph’s. You can order a small, medium, large, pint, quart or gallon to get your fix of Ralph’s. Prior to running and P90X, I would order a quart mixed with a couple of flavors, bring it home, and most likely finish the entire container in front of the television. Now, I know eating 32oz of one of the best deserts around will slow my running down, I will order a small and that will satisfy my sweet tooth without busting the scale.
Quite often during a really hot summer day, there would be a line with about 50 people in it waiting for a scoop of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ice to cool down with. As I stand in line, I try to remember what flavors each person wanted. I would also look at who was doing the scooping. On occasion, I would let someone ahead of me so I can get the server with the biggest arms to pack my cups!
Eventually, all the flavors will be unavailable, and that the steel gate will be locked for the next 8 months. Boy do I look forward to each May, when window opens up and I can order my favorite flavors again.
Last year, my flavor combo seemed to be Honeydew and Cantaloupe. While this year, I preferred the cream ices, such as Chocolate Hazelnut or Chocolate Mousse Brownie. Rainbow seems King to the kids. I’ve also noticed that the kids seemed to really enjoy the sour flavors!
Some new flavors that seemed to be a hit this year were Blood Orange and Green Apple.
The water ices are fat free and cholesterol free and come in over 30 flavors, like Island Punch and Cherry Cola. The cream ices come in 50 varieties, like Canoli and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough. They also have sugar free versions in Chocolate and Cherry!
While the delicious italian ices are the stars of the store, their regular ice cream, sundaes, milk shakes and real fruit smoothies are extraordinary.
Currently you can only find Ralph’s Famous Italian Ice franchises on Long Island, New York City and New Jersey. So, some of my out of state friends that are craving Ralph’s, ask me to ship it to them! I usually pack them in with shipping ice packs and overnight it!
Thank you Ralph Slivestro for starting this business back in 1928!