What It Takes To Be America's Oldest Italian Restaurant

A restaurant is typically considered successful when it’s managed to stay in business for five years. So when you come across one that’s been around for over a century, you know it’s something special.

Ralph’s Italian Restaurant has been serving up classic Italian dishes for 116 years. The restaurant first opened its doors in South Philadelphia in 1900, making it the oldest Italian restaurant in the U.S. But Ralph’s didn’t always hold that title—it officially became America’s oldest Italian restaurant in 2012 when San Francisco’s Fior D’Italia closed its doors after 126 years.

Fior D’Italia was forced to close for the same reason the majority of other restaurants go under—it wasn’t making enough money. The economy is a challenge for every restaurant, including Ralph’s. The restaurant’s been faced with Prohibition, the Great Depression and most recently the Great Recession. In order to survive, Ralph’s has found a balance between honoring its family history while keeping up with the times.

Traditional italian cuisine

Every part of Ralph’s operation is rooted in tradition. The menu has changed slightly over the years, but it’s known for meals like mussels red and sausage with peppers that use recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation. The restaurant also has the same tile floor it had when it first opened. Even the staff is the same—Ralph’s is still a family-run business, and it has chefs in its kitchen that have been there their whole careers. In an interview with CBS Philadelphia, Rubino said, “On any given day there’s still three generations actively involved in the restaurant.”

However rich tradition and family history aren’t enough to keep a restaurant in business for 100-plus years. Ralph’s has brought its brand into the 21st century in order to stay relevant. One way the restaurant does this is with social media. Ralph’s is active on Twitter and Facebook, and even offers deals through Groupon. It also accepts reservations online through Open Table.

Expansion and growth

Another way Ralph’s has stayed successful for the past century is its efforts to expand. The restaurant is adamant about moving forward and seizing opportunities for growth. That’s what led to a second Ralph’s location in King of Prussia, and a new, casual concept from the brand called Bar One that’s expected to open this spring. Ralph’s also recently launched a franchise program.

At the end of the day, it’s that balance between history and innovation that’s allowed Ralph’s to be a household name for the past 100 years. Everyone is family as soon as they walk through Ralph’s doors -from the employees to the guests, which builds an unmatched level of customer loyalty and separates Ralph’s from the competition. In an interview with Philly.com, Ralph’s general manager Anthony Pettino said, “We stay because they treat us like family. Then we treat the customers like family. They don’t do that at other restaurants.”