In the early twentieth century, Ralph Silvestro, an Italian émigré, began making and selling shaved ice on Staten Island, helping his fellow New Yorkers stay cool in the summer heat. Fast forward to the twenty-first century, and his company now serves these cool concoctions throughout the five boroughs, Long Island, and New Jersey.

Usually around March, the shops open for the season, serving water ices, sherberts, smoothies, and ice creams. While their offerings can get as decadent as the Hot Fudge Crunch—which Ralph's calls "your own personal ice cream cake"—they also create classics like the lemon and orange Italian ices, whose recipes remain unchanged from the days of Ralph himself.

Regardless of which treat they choose, customers can expect only high-quality ingredients thanks to Ralph's grandsons, who run the business and insist on the same standards that their grandfather did years ago.