Ralph’s Cigars
For more than two decades, Ralph’s Cigars has been as much a fixture on Taylor Street as Mario’s Italian Lemonade and Rosebud’s. Ralph’s stocks a range of quality handmade cigars, does a brisk business in flavored cigars and keeps prices sane. But anybody who spends time in cigar shops knows that what makes a great cigar shop is the people. It starts with Ralph Rubalcava, who grew up in the neighborhood and when prompted will give lively accounts of the retail history, the major and minor hoods, the celebrities, the politicians, the tragedies and the triumphs. Ralph knows everybody and everybody knows Ralph. His daughters Maddy and Marisa, along with a rotating lineup of part-timers, mind the counter. The regulars range from ex-cons to cops of all variety—SWAT, detectives, beat patrols, security guards. There are lots of veterans, as well as preachers. A real estate guy and a printer. Car washers and school counselors. Writers and cartoonists. Construction workers and house flippers. You’ll see local sports stars, musicians, aldermen, too. Studs Terkel used to stop in to grab his smokes. All these people are stationed in front of one or the other TV, lounging in one of the vinyl chairs, or out back on the patio. When somebody needs a mechanic, or an opinion on the best beef sandwich, or a line on tickets to the playoffs, all you have to do is ask around the shop. Ralph’s, over the years, has been the site of celebrations—birthdays, holidays, going-away parties, the annual Thanksgiving dinner—as well as respectful memorials to mark the passing of those who were part of the extended Ralph’s family. As Ralph will tell you, “Relax. You’re living the life.” (Don Evans)
1154 W. Taylor, 312.829.0672, ralphcigars.com
Best of Chicago 2019
