Just in time for summer, Wesley Chapel has grown by one (delicious) spot. Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices is aptly named, as its reputation precedes. Now the people in Charlotte are able to enjoy this New York City favorite right here in the Tri W area.
Ralph’s story begins in 1928 with a typically American plotline- big dreams of an single immigrant.
Ralph Silvestro, an Italian expatriate making a new life for himself in Staten Island, New York, found himself an accidental entrepreneur through the popularity of a frozen novelty from his homeland. Silvestro made and sold Italian ices- cool, tasty treats- that gained him a reputation for goodness in New York City that still sticks with his shop today. He sprouted his first retail location for his icey confections in 1949, and the Silvestro family has been in the business ever since.
While nearly all of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices and Ice Cream stores are in the New York, New Jersey area, we here in Wesley Chapel have the honor of being the location for their new charlotte expansion. Located at The Shops at Wesley Chapel, Ralph’s can now be found alongside Pizza Hut, Anytime Fitness, and a variety of retail outlets and eateries at the Weddington Road and Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road intersection.
The eaterie is petite and tucked into the corner of the shopping plaza, but it’s presence is bold and it’s menu is enormous. With a seemingly endless array of offerings, it can be said that Ralph’s truly has something for everyone. Flavors ranging from surprising tongue pleasers like cantaloup, to more traditional favorites like peanut butter, assure there is sure to be something to tempt the taste buds of every customer- no matter their particular preferences.
While the store is named after the product that propelled it into popularity- and later fame- today Ralph’s locations offer much more than just the original Italian Ices they began with.
The Facebook page for the new Wesley Chapel location is already filled with 5-star reviews such as this one, by local paron, Alexa Christine, “I’m from New York and we’ve been waiting forever to have a piece of home down in the south. The flavors are amazing! And so many to choose from. I’ve been there four times already since they’ve opened. Great customer service also! The girls at the counter always have a smile on. Will definitely be telling all my friends and family to go here ! This is our new spot!”
The unique pleasure of a cool, juicey Italian Ice is a crowd pleaser nearly any time of the year, but as Alexa notes, at Ralph’s, you can also pick from an expansive selection of Ice creams, sherbets, drinks, smoothies, sundaes, and “twisters”- a layered combination of Italian Ice and ice cream. Perfect for the customer who just can’t pick between the two delicious choices.
With a choice of 150 different choices of scrumptious flavor offerings, imagine the innumerate combinations of heavenly goodness one could come up with using Ralph’s breadth of possibilities. It’s sure that Tri W readers will be drawn to Ralph’s again and again in order to try to decide which of the famous flavors combinations is best. Seasonal flavors, like pumpkin latte, made from pumpkin flavored ice, graham cracker pieces and cinnamon, expand the menu a certain times of the year, making return visits a must.
Ralphs is currently open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM everyday for its spring hours. Stop in to experience 90 years of tradition, passion, and invention in one little shop.
