CITY NEWS
SEPTEMBER • AVENTURA DIGEST • PG 10
Ralph’s International Market is smoking the competition
(Left) Chef Juan, left, and Ray, right, load up the smoker with every meat, poultry and fish imaginable. On this day, he had a whole lamb that was slow smoked all day for a party, and a unique corned beef brisket. Both had Montreal seasoning.
HOLLYWOOD - As he puts the final spice rub on a whole lamb, Chef Juan carries it toward the front of the store and heads to the newest and most popular cooking tool at Ralph’s International Market. As the doors of the woodburning smoker, which is giving off the aroma of a mesquite, hickory and oak wood, fly open, you are introduced to a different world. One that has endless possibilities. As Chef Juan and owner Pat Lucci load up the smoker with every meat, poultry and fish imaginable, this facility - known more for the Eastern European and Middle East foods, is transformed into a smoking mecca. “The combination of the rub we use and the hours of smoke that we infuse in everything has really changed the playing field for us,” Chef Juan admits. “Just in the short time we have had this smoker, we have been able to experiment with new types of foods to slow smoke with our Montreal seasoning as a rub.” While specialty orders are always welcome - such as whole hog and lamb, the smoker has already been a huge part of what Ralph’s International Market has added to a facility that is already one of the most popular in eastern Hollywood. On any given day, you can
A True Shopping Experience For those who are tired of the same old products you get in every grocery store, Ralph’s International Market offers so much more. Nearly every Eastern European and Middle Eastern country has something in the spacious store. From Russian, Croatian and Latvian - to Bulgarian, Israeli, Lebanese, Polish and many other countries, there are cheeses, pickles, sauces, waters, cookies, frozen foods and freshly prepared items. The wine and beer selection is endless. Wines from over 20 countries and beers with alcohol content much higher than you would find that was made in this country. “I sit down with a smoked turkey leg and have one of those Baltika Beers,” said Chef Juan. “That is how you combine the tastes of two great countries.”
watch Chef Juan loading on chickens, ribs, briskets, pork roasts and even Italian sausage which is kicked up with spices and enhanced by the smoking process. “You never hear much about anyone smoking Italian sausage,” Lucci smiled. “I guarantee that if you come in here and taste a piece of that delicious sausage, you will come back - often.” In addition, Chef Juan is always experimenting with meats, fish and poultry - giving Ralph’s International Market a huge advantage over anyone else who does smoking. Different types of wood also play a huge role in the flavor. If you ever go out and try and to find a nice piece of smoked salmon, king or any other kind of fish, you better be prepared to pay a lot of money. That’s not the case here. Doing the entire smoking process in one place cuts down on all costs. Thanksgiving Around The Corner One of the most popular things that Chef Juan smokes are turkeys. They are not only delicious, but loaded with flavor and are quite unique. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s not too early to come in and sample
exactly what a slow smoked turkey tastes like. Many admit that it’s some of the best they’ve ever had. “We make it easy to place a full Thanksgiving order and we will have everything that goes along with it,” Lucci explained. “All the side dishes, breads and desserts for a dining experience that will please everyone.” Dine In - Any Time The first thing you want to do when roaming the many aisles of the store - or check out the prepared foods counter. Fresh smoked chickens, ribs, turkey legs and wings and side dishes are available every day. “Our lunches are the best you will get,” Lucci said. “Look for yourself and you will see how fresh and appealing everything looks.” Where else can you get 2 eggs, choice of meat (bacon, ham or sausage), choice of home fries, oatmeal or grits, toast and coffee included for $2.99? Or maybe choose one of their other items from the menu at the same low prices. How about a daily lunch special from $4.99 to $5.65 that includes one entree and two sides cooked fresh every day? How about a Cuban sandwich, or Gyro, Reuben, or one of the other tasty sandwiches from the grill?
(Middle) Growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., owner Pat Lucci still carries his hometown items such as Weber’s Mustard, Chiavetta’s Marinade, P.J.’s Crystal Beach Loganberry Syrup and the famous Anchor Bar hot wing sauce.
Representing Buffalo Even though he has called south Florida home for decades, Lucci never forgot his roots. Growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., those products - such as Weber’s Mustard, Chiavetta’s Marinade, P.J.’s Crystal Beach Loganberry Syrup and hot wing sauce from
the one and only Anchor Bar, are all available to the public right here in Hollywood. The historic creation of the Buffalo Wing came about back in 1964, when owner Teressa Bellissimo was faced with feeding her son and his friends a late snack. Having an excess of chicken wings on hand, she fried up the wings, dipped them in a buttered spicy chile sauce, and served them with celery and blue cheese dressing as a dipping sauce to cut the heat. The wings were an instant hit. When it comes to hot dogs, Ralph’s has some of the finest. Direct from Buffalo are the famous Sahlens and Wardyski’s straight from the famed Broadway Market. Looking for the legenday “White/Red Hots?” How about Rochester’s own Zweigles! Nobody carries these hot dogs, but Ralph’s International Market.
Ralph’s International Market 3701 North 29th Ave Hollywood, FL 33030 954-923-9037 – 954-925-6775 954-925-5338 Fax HOURS Mon. – Fri. (7:30 AM-6:00 PM) Saturday (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) Sunday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)