Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Introduce
For New Yorkers, a trip to an ice cream shop is more than just a sweet indulgence—it’s a cherished ritual, especially during the warmer months. Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices holds a special place in the hearts of many, not just for its refreshing treats but for its history and reputation as a local institution. Tucked away on the Upper East Side, this shop is a go-to spot for anyone craving a classic Italian ice, creamy ice cream, or a decadent sundae. It’s the kind of place that embodies a simple, joyful pleasure, offering a delicious escape from the city’s fast pace.
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices isn't just a business; it's a part of the community's fabric, offering a taste of nostalgia and a consistent source of delight. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, a perfect setting for a quick visit with friends, a family outing, or a solo treat. The menu is surprisingly vast, featuring not only their famous Italian ices but also soft-serve ice cream, signature sundaes, and even edible cookie dough. This variety ensures that every member of the family can find something to satisfy their sweet tooth.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive and factual overview of Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices, a place renowned for being a "great dessert" destination. We'll explore its convenient location and accessibility, the diverse range of services it offers, and the standout features that make it a beloved spot for both kids and adults. We’ll also touch on some customer reviews, which provide a balanced perspective on what to expect. Ultimately, our goal is to highlight why this ice cream shop is a go-to choice for those in the New York region looking for a high-quality, delicious, and satisfying frozen treat. It’s a place that has earned its fame through its commitment to simple, great-tasting products.
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices is conveniently located at 1588 1st Ave #1, New York, NY 10028, in the bustling Upper East Side. This prime location makes it a popular destination for both local residents and visitors exploring the neighborhood. Situated on a major avenue, it's easily visible and accessible for pedestrians. For those using public transportation, the shop is a short distance from several bus stops, and a reasonable walk from the nearby subway stations, a common and appreciated convenience for New Yorkers.
For individuals with mobility challenges, the shop is well-equipped with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, ensuring that everyone can easily come in and enjoy a treat. This commitment to accessibility is a thoughtful and important feature that adds to the shop's welcoming atmosphere. While parking in Manhattan can be a challenge, the location on 1st Avenue means there are likely various street parking options available, although finding a spot may require patience. The primary mode of access for most patrons will be on foot or via public transport, which is well-supported by the shop's location.
The surrounding neighborhood is vibrant and filled with other businesses, making Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices a perfect stop after a meal or while running errands. Its role as a quick-visit destination is supported by its convenient location and the grab-and-go nature of its products. The ease of getting there, coupled with the promise of a delicious dessert, makes it a reliable and appealing choice for any time of day. Its integration into the Upper East Side community is a testament to its enduring appeal and consistent quality.
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices provides a range of services tailored for convenience and customer satisfaction.
- Delivery: For those days when you can't make it to the shop, Ralph's offers a delivery service, bringing their famous treats right to your doorstep. This is an incredibly convenient option for a late-night craving or a party.
- Takeout: The shop is designed for takeout, making it an ideal spot for a quick visit. You can walk up, place your order, and be on your way in no time with a delicious frozen treat in hand.
The focus on these two services highlights the shop's understanding of the modern, fast-paced New York lifestyle, prioritizing quick and efficient access to their products.
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices is celebrated for a number of features and highlights that make it a standout destination for frozen treats.
- Great Dessert: The primary highlight is, of course, the quality of their desserts. The variety of Italian ices, from those made with water to those made with cream and even sugar-free options, caters to diverse tastes and dietary needs. The addition of ice cream, soft serve, and signature sundaes means there is a "great dessert" for everyone.
- Edible Cookie Dough: A unique offering is the edible cookie dough by the cup, which comes in various sizes. This is a special treat that adds to the shop's appeal and variety.
- Wide Menu: Beyond the ices and ice cream, the menu includes Milkshakes, Artic Shakes, Smoothies, and even coffee. This extensive selection goes beyond a typical ice cream shop and makes it a versatile stop.
- Casual Atmosphere: The shop maintains a casual and friendly atmosphere, making it a comfortable place for anyone to visit. This is particularly appealing for families and those looking for a no-fuss treat.
- Good for Kids: The shop is explicitly noted as "good for kids," which is a key feature for a family-friendly neighborhood like the Upper East Side. The variety of treats and the simple atmosphere make it a perfect spot for children.
- Wheelchair Accessible: The wheelchair-accessible entrance is a significant highlight, ensuring the shop is inclusive and easy to visit for all patrons.
These features, from the quality of the food to the welcoming atmosphere, are what make Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices a beloved part of the community.
For inquiries or to place an order for delivery, you can contact Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices using the information below.
Address: 1588 1st Ave #1, New York, NY 10028
Phone: (646) 850-0820
So, what makes Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices truly worth choosing? The core of its appeal lies in its reliable quality and a menu that goes far beyond a single type of frozen treat. While one customer review expresses disappointment, describing the ice cream as "average watery ice cream" and noting a long wait time, another review offers a powerful counterpoint, praising the "10/10 italian ice that even has real fruit chunks in it." This praise highlights the shop’s specialty and its commitment to quality ingredients, which is a key differentiator. The reviewer also mentions that "the inside of the location looks super clean," which speaks to the shop's hygiene standards, and that "the employees working were very nice," a critical factor for customer service.
The value in choosing Ralph's is found in its extensive menu, which caters to many different tastes. Whether you're in the mood for a simple, fruit-filled Italian ice, a creamy soft serve, a rich sundae, or even a milkshake, you can find a delicious option here. The variety, combined with the convenience of delivery and takeout, makes it a go-to spot for many locals. The fact that it is a place "good for kids" also makes it an easy and fun choice for families. Despite potential wait times during busy periods, the promise of a delicious and authentic frozen treat, as highlighted by the positive review, makes Ralph's a worthwhile destination for anyone in New York looking for a classic and satisfying dessert experience.
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Menu
Ices
- Ices Made With Creme
Your choice of flavor. Add toppings for an additional charge.
- Ices Made With Water
Your choice of flavor. Add toppings for an additional charge.
- Ices Made With No Sugar Added
No sugar added to these ices. Choose your flavor and add toppings for an additional charge.
Ice Cream
- Ice Cream
Your choice of flavor. Add toppings for an additional charge.
- Soft Serve Ice Cream
Your choice of vanilla, chocolate or twist (vanilla and chocolate). Add toppings for an additional charge.
Doughnado
- Doughnados
Creamy vanilla soft serve between Edible Cookie Dough
Signature Sundaes
- Hot Fudge Brownie $11.99
Soft Ice Cream sandwiched between warm fudge brownies and hot fudge. Topped with homemade whipped cream and chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie $11.99
A warm jumbo chocolate chip cookie split in half on top of Soft Ice Cream and hot fudge, topped with homemade whipped cream and chocolate chips.
- Strawberry Shortcake $11.99
Soft Ice Cream, strawberries on top of a thick slice of poundcake. Topped with homemade whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
- Hot Fudge Crunch $11.99
Layers of Soft Ice Cream, hot fudge and chocolate crunch (your own personal ice cream cake).
- Nutty Buddy $11.99
Layers of Soft Ice Cream, caramel and mixed nuts.
- Peanut Butter Crunch $11.99
Soft Ice Cream with peanut butter sauce, peanut butter cups and chocolate crunch. Topped with homemade whipped cream, drizzled with peanut butter sauce and broken peanut butter cups.
Milkshakes & Artic Shakes
- Vanilla Ralphie $10.50
Vanilla Ice blended with Ghirardelli frappe. Topped with homemade whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.
- Mint Madness $10.50
A blend of Mint Ice, Ghirardelli frappe, mint syrup and 1% milk. Topped with homemade whipped cream and mint bits
- Peanut Butter Blast $10.50
Blend of Peanut Butter Ice, Ghirardelli frappe and 1% milk. Topped with homemade whipped cream and Reese's Pieces.
- Cake Shake $10.50
Blend of Vanilla Ice, cake creme frappe, rainbow sprinkles, and 1% milk. Topped with homemade whipped cream and sprinkles
Smoothies
- Smoothie $10.50
Choose from a variety of flavors.
Drinks
- Water $2.50
Edible Cookie Dough by the Cup
- Kids Size (1 Scoop) Cookie Dough $4.50
- Small Cookie Dough $8.75
- Medium Cookie Dough $9.40
- Large Cookie Dough $10.25
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
Highlights
- Great dessert
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
Dining options
- Table service
Atmosphere
- Casual
Planning
- Quick visit
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Photos










Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Location
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices
1588 1st Ave #1, New York, NY 10028, USA
Ralph’s Famous Italian Ices Reviews
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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1I have no idea what's so special about this place. It's an average watery ice cream, nothing special at all.I could give three stars if I hadn't spent 30 minutes in line behind 10-12 people; therefore, it's only two.
September 07 · Evgeny10/10 italian ice that even has real fruit chunks in it. The inside of the location looks super clean. The employees working were very nice!
July 20 · Maria GOrdered two Italian Ices through DoorDash. For one of them, the flavor was different than what was ordered (I even gave a substitute should that flavor not be in stock and they still didn’t follow it).For the other, even though I ordered a large and got charged extra for it, it came in the same exact cup as the first one, which was a Medium.I’ve had great experiences at other Ralph’s but this one (from which I’ve ordered once before and had similar issues), I can’t say the same about. Not happy.
September 09 · Andrew McNamaraOwners of this location need to be on top of maintenance. Out of way too much. Asked for a vanilla cone with sprinkles. Vanilla wasn’t working and instead of offering me something else I was given a melted ice cream cone with no sprinkles dumped into a cup. Made it about 2 blocks because it wasn’t even ice cream and threw it out. My friend had to go through 3 different flavors to find one that was available. Oh and an ice cream place with a broken freezer?
August 14 · Jessica FajardoI have a severe peanut allergy. The general manager, Sharry, was so accommodating and reassured me multiple times that there was no cross contamination. I truly appreciated her willingness to stop and help on a busy summer night!
August 25 · Amanda Gerstman
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