Our Story

2021

April 9, 2021 – Opening Day 2021

Opening Day 2021

The staff of Ralph’s Italian Ices in Port Richmond pose outside of the shop on its opening day April 9, 2021.

2020

October 3, 2020 – Pete Davidson Wears Ralph’s Shirt In SNL Opening Credits

SNL's Pete Davidson in Ralph's t-shirt

Season 46 of Saturday Night Live premieres on October 3, 2020. Cast member, and Staten Island native, Pete Davidson is shown in the opening credits wearing a Ralph’s tee-shirt.

2020 – Westfield Ralph’s Opens

Ralph's Ices Westfield

The Ralph’s in Westfield, New Jersey opens its doors for the first time.

September 11, 2020 – “Avenue A” Ralph’s Opens

Avenue A Ralph's

The Ralph’s on Avenue A in New York City, New York opens its doors for the first time.

April 2020 – Ralph’s Ices Hard Seltzer Debuts

Ralph's Ices Hard Seltzer

Flagship Brewery and Ralph’s Ices team up to create Ralph’s Ices Hard Seltzer in a 12-pack sampler with lemon, watermelon, and orange creamsicle flavors.

2019

2013 – Ralph’s Ices In Freeport, Long Island

Ralph's Ices iN Freeport, Long Island

Ralph’s Italian Ices on the scenic Nautical Mile in Freeport, New York from back in 2013. Photo by Joe Mabel

June, 20 2019 – Marisa Tomei & Bill Burr Shoot Film Scene

Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr film a scene at the Port Richmond Ralph’s for the 2020 film King of Staten Island directed by Judd Apatow and starring Pete Davidson.

May 9, 2019 – Wu Tan Clan Films TV Show

Wu-Tang Clan turns Ralph’s Italian Ices in Port Richmond into a burger joint and films a segment for their Hulu production, “Wu-Tan Clan: An American Saga.”

2018

2018 – The “Ralphie Sandwich” Is Introduced

2018

The Ralphie Sandwich is introduced. A warm french waffle ice cream sandwich with raspberry, chocolate, or pancake sauce.

May 12, 2018 – Shake Shack Pop Up Event

To celebrate Shake Shack opening in the Staten Island, Shake Shack will “popped” up at our flagship Ralph’s Store in Port Richmond, Staten Island. Folks were treated to ShackBurgers and crinkle-cut fries alongside our one-day-only Strawberry SHACKcake flavor Italian Ice.

2017

June 2017 – Staten Island Ralph’s Featured on SILive

Staten Islanders beat the heat at the Port Richmond Avenue Ralph’s Ices in this SILive feature video.

2015

2015 – Ralph’s Ices Mural Painted

2015 – Ralph’s Ices Mural Painted

Graffiti artist Kwue Molly paints new mural outside Ralph’s Ices in Port Richmond, Staten Island.

2012

September 2012 – Manhattan Ralph’s Featured on OMG Foodie

The owners and customers of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices of Manhattan are the focus of this video feature from OMG Foodie.

2009

September 12, 2009 – Mayor Bloomberg Visits Ralph’s

Mayor Bloomberg at Ralph's Ices

Mayor Michael Bloomberg takes a scooping lesson from Ralph’s Italian Ice worker Gianna Rivera, 16, of Castleton Corners before serving it up at the window, as part of a campaign stop on Staten Island.

2006

July 30, 2006 – Happy Birthday From Ralph’s!

Happy Birthday From Ralph's

Dillon Greco celebrates his 13th birthday with a cake batter flavored ice at Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Sunday, July 30, 2006 in Port Richmond.

1999

1999 – Ralph’s Launches Its First Website

1999

Ralph’s launches its first website.

1998

1998 – Franklin Square Ralph’s Opens

Ralph's Famous Italian Ices - Franklin Square, NY

The Ralph’s Franklin Square, Long Island location opens its doors for the first time.

1997

1997 – Ralph’s Ices in Staten Island

Ralph's Italian Ices 1997

Titanic was breaking box office records, MMMBop by Hanson was a huge hit, Seinfeld was “must-see” TV, and Ralph’s was still keeping people cool back in 1997.

1988

1988 – Ralph’s Expands Outside Staten Island

Ralph's Famous Italian Ices Starts Delivery

We start delivering Ralph’s Italian Ices to locations outside Staten Island so people could enjoy a real Italian Ice.

1986

1986 – Ralph’s Ices in Staten Island

1986 - Ralph's Famous Italian Ices | Staten Island, NY

Ferris Bueller took a day off, Kenny Loggins was in the Danger Zone, Kirk Cameron had Growing Pains, and Ralph’s was still serving us tasty treats on a hot day back in 1986.

1985

1985 – Grandpa Ralph’s Three Grandsons

1985 – Grandpa Ralph’s Three Grandsons

Grandpa Ralph’s three grandsons – Larry, John, and Mike – start working in the Staten Island store.

1966

1966 – Grandpa Ralph Retires

1966

Grandpa Ralph retires. His two daughters, Lucile and Elise, continue the family business. This next generation started to create new flavors, always using the finest ingredients available in order to maintain Grandpa’s high standards.

1949

1949 – First Retail Location Opens In Staten Island

1949

After our grandfather Ralph’s treats became a summertime favorite, he opens his first retail location on Port Richmond Avenue in Staten Island.

1945

1945 – Grandpa Ralph’s Niece Connie Marries

1945

The niece of Ralph’s Ices founder – marries Joseph Carannante four years after meeting him while working the counter at the Port Richmond, Staten Island Ralph’s.

1928

1928 – The Ralph’s Ices Story Begins

1928

Our grandfather, Ralph Silvestro, came to the United States from Italy when he was a young man. He began making what would turn out to be his famous Italian Ices and sold them throughout Staten Island.