Ralph’s New York Italian Restaurant, located at 315 N. Granville Street in Edenton, has opened without a sign. The only indication of its presence is a handwritten board in the grass that displays its hours. Despite the lack of signage, the restaurant is experiencing a surge in popularity, with customers flocking for its New York-style pizza.
Since opening five days ago, Ralph Casbarro’s restaurant has sold out of pizza every day. The busy atmosphere has left him and his wife, Leslee, managing a constant flow of orders, often with customers waiting. Many patrons are calling ahead to secure their pizzas for the evening.
Ralph’s has quickly become known as the place to find authentic New York-style pizza in northeastern North Carolina. Casbarro emphasizes the quality of his ingredients, highlighting the thin crust and fluffy rim that set his pizza apart from chain offerings.
He explained, “Compared to what most people are familiar with — the kind you get from chain stores — one of the big differences is the sauce. Other stores use cheap, canned tomatoes. We don’t do that. I make my own sauce from scratch.”
Casbarro’s sauce includes garlic and has a more authentic Italian flavor, unlike the sweeter sauces found at many pizza chains. He uses 100% natural cheese and sources his Italian sausage from Layden’s Country Store in Belvidere.
Originally from New Jersey, Casbarro moved to Edenton after leaving his Wall Street job to attend culinary school. He and Leslee restored a home in the area and decided to open a restaurant to stay busy.
Currently, Casbarro faces a challenge with staffing. He has had to limit his offerings until he hires more workers. For now, he only serves 18-inch pizzas and cannot provide individual slices on weekends. Future plans for ready-to-heat meals, baked cookies, and a delivery service are on hold until the business expands.
Ralph’s New York Italian Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call (252) 263-7047.
Related Topics
- Poll to Determine Best Traditional Pizza in Brockton
- Il Gusto Brings Authentic Italian Cuisine to Deer Park
- Rudy’s Pizza to Open in Prestwich with Free Pizza Giveaway
