Milestones

America’s New ‘Oldest Italian Restaurant’ Is in South Philly

Theodore Roosevelt used to dig Ralph's red gravy.
Theodore Roosevelt used to dig Ralph’s red gravy. Photo: Courtesy GPTMC

There’s no doubt that the closing of San Francisco’s time-honored Fior D’Italia is a huge drag. It first opened its doors in 1886, and had been regarded as the country’s oldest Italian restaurant until it went dark after dinner service on Monday, according to KGO-TV. Seems several relocations, fire and a sagging economy sealed its fate. On the bright side though, the end of its run gives the City by the Bay the opportunity to hang its “oldest” marker in a new place. And it also gives our nation as a whole a brand new oldest Italian restaurant. Those bragging rights now belong to Ralph’s Italian Restaurant in South Philly, which has been slinging red gravy since 1915, and counts former president Theodore Roosevelt, and Frank Sinatra as devotees. [KGO-TV]

Earlier: Oldest Italian Restaurant in the Country, Fior d’Italia, Closes Tonight

America’s New ‘Oldest Italian Restaurant’ Is in South Philly