by Danya Henninger

In 1893, Francesco Dispigno left Naples and traveled to America with his wife and young son. They landed at Ellis Island, where his son's Italian name - Rafael - was officially changed to Ralph. The family headed to Philadelphia and settled on South Ninth Street.

Seven years later, Dispigno, who had worked in the shellfishing trade, decided the time had come to follow his dream of running a full-service restaurant. He rented space at the corner of Ninth and Montrose, and in 1900, opened the doors to Ralph's Italian Restaurant. 

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Source: http://www.philly.com/