Ralph’s Market & the Ralphburger

Ralph and Lillian Wade opened Ralph’s Market in 1972, after Ralph left his job as a butcher at the A&P after 22 years. The market was located in the one-story, brick building at the corner of Rockbridge and Mt. Eden Rd., just south of I-64. It was a corner grocery/diner with 13 barstools at the counter. You could get an ice-cold Coca Cola in a 6 oz. glass bottle from the cooler, or if you were a “regular”, there would be a coffee mug there with your name on it. A dressed Ralphburger was $1.45, and a plain one was $1.30.

There were two things that were special about Ralphburger. First, Ralph ground his own fresh chuck roast once or twice daily, and they never squashed the juices out of it as it was cooking. Second, the Ralphburger was topped with Lillian’s homemade, green tomato ketchup, which really gave it a great punch!

Mrs. Wade was usually the cook, and Ralph generally ran the register. The burger was approximately 5 ounces and was served on waxed paper. Lillian also made her own soap from Lye, Borax, and the bacon and sausage drippings from the grill.

There wasn’t always a place to sit, but Ralph’s motto was, “Stay small, crowded, and uncomfortable. You’ll look busy and you’ll stay busy.”