Ralph's Tavern
1328 Central Ave, Albany
(518) 489-8290
Recent Reviews
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I have been coming to Ralph's for years. Recently had the chicken parmigan and it was terrible. The chicken was very small and paperthin and tough. It had more breading than chicken .I had to use a steak knife to cut it also No taste to it. I mentioned it the waitress and said she would tell the cook and that was it. I mentioned it to another staff member who is very friendly and he felt bad and went to let the owner know. The owner never came to the table. I'm not the type to complain about food very disappointed in ralphs. Is there new owners ???
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
We had a really good experience at Ralph’s. It was a quaint little place that has obviously been in business for a long time. The staff was friendly. The place was clean and welcoming. Started off with medium buffalo wings and french fries with beef gravy. For dinner I had a half portion of penne with two meatballs and one hot sausage. My wife had the fish fry with french fries. The french fries were cooked exceptionally well crispy on the outside soft on the inside. The beef gravy was delicious and salty. Just like I expected definitely homemade. My half portion of pasta was definitely more than enough for one person the meatballs were tender, and the sausage was flavorful. I got it with the marinara sauce, which was a little spicy to my surprise, but it was still good. My wife enjoyed the fish fry said it was delicious in the cocktail sauce and tartar sauce was good. The wings in my opinion are one of the best in the area. Great flavor cooked exceptionally well crispy on the outside tender on the inside indefinitely fresh it’s a must try if you like chicken wings. We also ordered a sheet pizza to go with Italian sweet peppers and sausage turned out to be delicious. We heated it up the next day. It’s a must try for looking for a good place for dinner. That’s not very expensive but has good quality food. Recommend giving it a try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Ordered delivery from Ralph's. Got eggplant parm which was wonderful. Also ordered a personal sized pizza with pepperoni. The pizza was cut into six pieces. There was a grand total of only 4 thin pieces of pepperoni on the entire pie. Very disappointing.
Food: 3
Had a delicious meal with my grandson, everything excellent staff, service and prices!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Italian food and super service. Very friendly. Excellent desserts too.
If you want to see how a packed Friday night restaurant should be run, go to Ralph’s Tavern. We walked in not realizing how busy it would be — the place was jammed — yet within minutes we had drinks in hand and were seated in a very reasonable time thanks to Tommy.
In the past, we avoided Friday nights because the wait felt endless and the dining room seemed chaotic. Now, even when you’re waiting, there’s a sense that things are moving and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Tommy has brought order and flow to a very busy space.
Tommy is nothing short of a legend. He runs the dining room with calm authority, humor, and an energy that keeps everything moving without making guests feel rushed. The way he works with the staff — constant communication, mutual respect, and true teamwork — creates an upbeat, welcoming vibe throughout the room. Even on a hectic night, he checked in and made us feel genuinely valued.
Our waitress was wonderful — friendly, attentive, and completely on top of everything despite the crowd.
It was also great to see owner Lee greeting guests and keeping an eye on the dining room. You can tell he truly cares about running a smooth operation and creating a great customer experience. We also loved seeing local young people clearing tables — polite, hardworking, and full of personality — a great example of supporting community youth.
We kept it simple — pizza, antipasto, and drinks — but that pizza didn’t stand a chance: light, airy, incredibly fresh, and served piping hot in the pan. There are very few places left that deliver that classic, fresh-from-the-oven pizzeria experience.
As we left, Tommy thanked us for coming and wished us a good evening — the perfect finishing touch to a well-run, memorable night. Now we understand exactly why Ralph’s is such a neighborhood favorite. We’ll definitely be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have been going to Ralph since I was little. When they opened and the food was fantastic. They changed a lot of stuff. I ordered boldless wings last night. You couldn't even eat them cause. They were so hard and then they brought out the chicken parm. Without the bread and I had this really small piece when I seen another plate come by. It was 3 times my size, and the sauce was thicker. Mine was watery, it was terrible. And for the price they charged. That's insane. We will never be going back there again. And I would recommend people to really try not going there for a while because the food was terrible.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 4
Every time I am in town I make it a point to visit, great food, great service, great atmosphere!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere and top-notch service, will definitely come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food very disappointing..
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything about this place thrilled me starting with the host Tom energy was amazing friendly efficient quick then we had Sierra as our server beautiful girl on point efficient Nice and Gavin was a bus boy. He was amazing as well. The whole experience will have me going back again and again we were celebrating a friends 50th birthday. They came out and sang happy birthday to her. I just have to say I will be back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I took my 83 year old dad to dinner here tonight. Food was delicious and dad said the old Italian music brought him back to his childhood. Waitress was very happy, nice and fast to bring out our food. Even the busboy was smiling. Tommy stopped over twice to ask how everything was and if we needed anything. He is so friendly and personable. Highly recommend Ralph’s! Thanks for an enjoyable dinner.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tom was the best thing ever!!!! He changed the whole atmosphere and the food was delicious 😋. Thank you. Will def. Come again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
You can dress in any way, sports jacket, or just getting out of work blue collar and feel comfortable. Right off the exit i90.
You won't be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I grew up going to Ralph's and have great memories with my grandparents there. Today its not even close to what It was. We ordered food to go and it was absolutely awful. I had the veal sorento with linguine the veal was dried out and had no flavor the eggplant tasted like it was prebattered and frozen. The linguine was so over cooked it turned to mush in my mouth. My wife had the chicken parm which was just a little bit better than the veal. Her linguine was also way over cooked. Im very sad to see such a decline in what was a quality restaurant. Perhaps dine in is the only way to go.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 3
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