Ralph's has the scoop on how to beat the heat
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

JENNIFER AMATO Michele Gitelman, manager of Ralph's Ices on Route 130, prepares a Ralphaccino, the store's signature shake.

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Freeze: For those looking for relief from the hot weather this summer, the coolest place to be is Ralph's Ices on Route 130.

Located inside of My Favorite Muffin in the Church Lane Plaza, across the highway from Renaissance Square, the three-month old establishment with a 70-year history offers over 50 flavors of fat-free, cholesterol-free water ice, 1 percent milk cream ice, homemade ice cream and varieties of arctic shakes, smoothies and sundaes.

"It's healthy, it's fat-free, it's great tasting and it has chunks of fruit in it," manager Michele Gitelman said. "It is the best of everything. The ice cream is homemade, and everything is top of the line."

Gitelman is continuing the tradition of Italian ices started by Italian immigrant Ralph Silvestre in Staten Island, N.Y. in 1928. Her cousins, Gary and Donna Dorsi, began their frozen venture as franchisees four years ago in Hazlet after learning about the ice business. Gitelman now manages their third store, located in North Brunswick, with the help of her mother, Yolanda Porciello; the deli owner, Joe Sellari; and several employees from the local area.

"Joe welcomed us. He is always very helpful. Even his workers always have something nice to say. He scoops for us if we're not here. He opened up the store for us and has made us very comfortable," Gitelman said.

The partnership with My Favorite Muffin works to Ralph's benefit as locals visit the establishment for coffee and sandwiches but leave sampling an Italian ice. However, Gitelman is seeking to create a customer base of her own.

"I think it's a fun place. I think it's great-tasting ice. It think it's cool, I think it's refreshing, it's just delicious," Gitelman said.

With the majority of the menu items ranging from $1.75 to $3.50, the prices shouldn't freeze customers' assets. There are common ice flavors such as cherry, grape, lemon and orange and more exotic ones like bubble gum, root beer and passion fruit. No-sugar-added ices come in chocolate mousse, orange creme, java chic and lemon.

The cream ices include banana fudge, birthday cake, cannoli, peanut butter cookie dough, rainbow cookie and strawberry cheesecake. The homemade ice cream selections feature vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cake batter, butter pecan, mint chip and cookie dough.

"The fruit ices all have pieces of fresh fruit," Gitelman said of the items shipped from Staten Island. "The Snickers taste like Snickers. The Milky Way tastes like Milky Way. We also have Almond Joy and Jelly Ring."

The Ralphaccino is the signature shake, made with cappuccino ice, Ghirardelli frappe, 1-percent milk and topped with homemade whipped cream and cinnamon. A vanilla version, the Vanilla Ralphie, instead uses vanilla ice, white frappe, vanilla syrup and milk. The Palm Tree Ralphie mixes coconut ice, frappe, milk and coconut flavoring, topped off with whipped cream and toasted coconut. The Vanilla Chai Shake combines vanilla ice, chai powder and milk with a dusting of white chocolate over whipped cream.

For those who wish to leave the premises, three-quart party buckets are available for $17 to $19 for parties, picnics and barbecues. Yet a huge benefit of the location within the cafe is the ability to use the indoor seating. Gitelman said business meetings, athletic teams, swim clubs and camps can host get-togethers inside.

"People who know Ralph's love it," she said. "Everyone comes in and says, 'Oh my God, it's so delicious, I can't believe Ralph's is here.' They know it from when they were a child or from their first date. And if it's their first time they say, 'I've never tasted something so delicious.' "

Ralph's Ices will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. through September. For more information call (732) 940-0064.