Out to Eat: Ralph's Italian Ices

If you've ever been bored with traditional cherry, chocolate, and lemon ices, Ralph's Ices in Farmingville is the place for you. With 39 flavors of water-based, traditional ices, over 70 cream-based ices, 11 ice cream flavors, endless toppings, and an assortment of no-sugar added ices and ice creams, Ralph's Ices is certainly geared towards variety. 

If you're asking yourself how Ralph's manages such a myriad of flavor, the answer lies in their ability to take an item one would never consider as an ice flavor, and turn it into an icy delight. 

For instance, the popular Malibu Bay Breeze is a take on the tasty drink, along with the Strawberry Margharita water ice.  Also on the water ice list are Apple Crumb and other fruit inspired flavors including Cantaloupe, Honey Dew, and Berry Burst.  

With such a variety, it is hard to believe that there are an additional 70 plus cream based ice flavors.  A cream ice has a special consistency which can best be described as a combination of an ice and ice cream all in one. 

With inventive names such as Bonsai Banana and intriguing flavors like Rainbow Cookie, your tastes may be drawn to the cream ice menu.  Other highlights on the cream ice menu are the curious Chocolate Milk and Coconut Raspberry Tart. 

Rounding off the main menu is ice cream.  While Cake Batter is always a fan favorite, flavors such as Crazy Coconut, Mint Chip and Mississippi Mud are also worthwhile tries.

If the flavor of the ice cream isn't enough, over 26 topping choices complete the experience.  Traditional sprinkles are accompanied by options such as Chocolate Espresso Beans, Nerds and Black Cherry Topping. Any one of the many toppings is a possible choice for the perfect sundae.

Believe it or not, the wide variety of flavors is only half of the experience.  Ralph's Ices is open daily from 10:30 a.m. until midnight, staffed with friendly and outgoing employees. Additionally, there is a very old-fashioned feel about the place.  Customers walk up to the counter and see a giant menu exhibiting all of the flavor choices, as well as the many size options.  One waits to be served at the window, and completes their entire purchase while remaining outside. 

While visiting Ralph's we sampled both the Rainbow Cookie cream ice and a soft Vanilla ice cream cone, covered with a hard chocolate shell.  Impressively, the ice cream was prepared while we waited, unlike many other ice cream places where the same item is found pre-packed and frozen.  Both of our choices were uniquely and neatly presented and thoroughly enjoyed.

One thing is for sure: it's nearly impossible to satisfy all of your curiosities and cravings in a few trips.  In fact, it's a good thing that Ralph's Ices is open from October until May, because it just may take that long to get through the menu!

Ralphs Ices in Farmingville is located at 623 Horseblock Road and in Holbrook at 1191 Grundy Avenue.