October 2nd, 2007 By Jenna Walker
Food Review: G.D. Ritzy’s
Evansville is one of the few places left that is lucky enough to still be home to G.D. Ritzy’s, and to me, that makes it local. G.D. Ritzy’s was once a chain on a smaller scale, but now only three states still have their original Ritzy’s. Evansville is lucky enough to be the one city in one of three states that holds that honor. The other restaurants Owensboro, KY and Huntington, WV.
Ritzy’s has the old 50s style, decorated in green, silver, and white with a couple neon signs. Walking in, you order your food on the left side of the counter where it will soon arrive on a tray right near where you can find the condiments and utensils. However, the right side of the counter has the array of ice cream, and you do order that at a separate register. Most tables are on a platform and continue in the 50s style with stainless steel on the tables and plush green seats.
We decided to eat in so we could get a feel of the atmosphere. We both ordered a combo #1, which is a cheeseburger, shoestring fries, and a soft drink. Mine was delicious, just as they have always been. With the thin grilled hamburger patty, slice of cheese, crispy leaf lettuce, thin sliced tomato, tart pickles, and ketchup and mayo-what more could you ask for? Of course, I had to leave off the mustard and onion. If burgers aren’t your thing you can also find hot dogs, chili, or even a peanut butter & jelly sandwich on their menu. The chili is great for the colder months, and is unique in that they offer it 7 different ways and over spaghetti. The PB&J may sound boring, but they serve it open face with thin slices of strawberries over the jelly, and crushed peanuts over the peanut butter. Looking for something healthy? Their salads are great and made to order; they also offer steamed vegetables, grilled chicken sandwich, or a fish sandwich.
If you go to Ritzy’s, you can’t leave without getting some ice cream. Flavors range from chocolate to vanilla, mint chocolate chunk to peppermint, butter pecan to Oreo, and a lot in between. Sampling a few scoops of their ice cream is nothing less than delicious, but why not splurge and get a sundae? Choose any of their ice cream flavors and cover it in hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, topped with a cherry. You can also get a milkshake made with any one of their ice creams. If you ask for a chocolate shake, you’ll be asked if you want it made with vanilla (in which case they put chocolate syrup in it) or with chocolate (which is made with chocolate ice cream). I always suggest the chocolate-chocolate.
Ritzy’s truly is a staple of Evansville, and you can find everyone from infants to teens, to adults to grandparents stopping in for their food. While similar to Steak n Shake, Ritzy’s definitely takes the food, service, and cleanliness up a notch or two. I find it hard to believe there is someone from Evansville who hasn’t been there yet, but if you are someone who hasn’t, head to Ritzy’s for lunch. Go in, sit down, and enjoy. You won’t be sorry.
G.D. Ritzy’s can be found at 601 N. Green River Rd, (812) 474-6259; 4320 N 1st Ave, (812) 421-1300; or 4810 University Dr, (812) 425-8700. Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm.
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cody
October 02, 2007 @ 11:08AM
wow i dont even know where to start this is by far my favorite resteraunt in town! the cherry coke is to die for but they just need to stop raising prices on the cherry
AndyZ
October 02, 2007 @ 01:10PM
Call me bad names if you will, but I have never been particularly impressed with GD Ritzys. I have lived in Evansville 8 years, eaten there probably half a dozen times. I really do not see anything particularly special about it. I much prefer Zesto or the Burger Bank’s food.
Chimpie
October 02, 2007 @ 01:21PM
I remember stopping at GDR when I use to cruise Green River Rd (a LONG time ago). I loved their fries and their shakes.
BTW, do people still cruise GRR?
cody
October 02, 2007 @ 02:22PM
I think the cops have banned that. most of the car guys hang out at the new sonic on N green
Jenna
October 02, 2007 @ 03:25PM
chimpie—I think people STILL cruise green cringe to an extent, but like cody said, I think most people have taken to the parking lots re-cringe
andyz—I know where zestos is, but Burger Bank? I assume obviously burgers, where is it?
Mike
October 02, 2007 @ 04:12PM
Jenna, it’s over off covert. I’ve heard it’s really good. Supposed to be like little whitecastle burgers, except without the, eh… mess after.
Ryan Reynolds
October 02, 2007 @ 04:52PM
Two things:
What’s the writing on the T-shirt of the person across the table?
Has anyone been to the Big Top at Fulton and Maryland? Great place to both a.) get a burger and crinkle fries for $2.99 and b.) get knifed.
Jerry
October 03, 2007 @ 07:24AM
Honestly there is nothing bad at Ritzy’s. The burgers are fantastic, the salads are awesome, even their chicken salad is fresh and tasty. My family and I eat there at least twice a week, not to mention cherry cokes almost every day. We have been going there since the day they opened some 20 plus years ago. It used to be our Friday night tradition when the kids were little and we lived in Henderson. My ONLY complaint is the lines are too long sometimes, but well worth the wait.
Jenna
October 03, 2007 @ 11:14AM
@ryan: I think it says “got sport?” or “got spirit” (but probably the first)—my sister was eating with me that day, she is still in high school and plays on soccer at school and year round for other places.
@all: I’ll have to look into Burger Bank & Big Top…….we are always looking for new places here at It’s Evansville, especially local, so if anyone knows any that are local and that I may not know or or are neighborhood joints, please let me know! You can email me or submit tips via the comment box—thanks guys!
AndyZ
October 03, 2007 @ 11:46AM
Jenna,
Burger Bank is at 1617 S Weinbach, just south of the Shell Station, sort of across from Walgreen’s. The have White Castle style mini-burgers… those and the tenderloin are my faves!
Also, on the food front, I learned of a new business in town that delivers restuarant food to your door, no joke. http://www.didevv.com. Acapulco, Acropolis, Chili’s, FAzoli’s, Franco’s and F’s, Hacienda, MAT 888 China Bistro, Milano, Nick’s, Raffi’s, Salad World, Shylers, and Western Ribeye.
A friend of mine from Belleville, IL is starting food delivery service of his own and brought them to my attention. I have yet to try it out but will be soon! I think it is an awesome idea!
Anyways, let me know if you get the chance to try the Burger Bank.
Jenna
October 03, 2007 @ 11:50AM
@andyz: Burger Bank is pretty close to me, I wonder why I’ve never seen it! I heard something about the new delivery thing. I love it, haven’t used it yet, but in BTown there were 2 delivery companies that delivered from all around town, pretty much every fast food or restaurant could be delivered from. If it’s done right, it is just awesome
Karen
October 04, 2007 @ 09:39AM
GD ritzy is the best place to eat.out of this world………..
MajBEEF
October 05, 2007 @ 12:07AM
@jenna… Burger Bank is TOO close to me (I could walk)… I make about as many withdrawals from there as I do the the Donut Bank… NARF!
MajBEEF=andyz
October 05, 2007 @ 12:08AM
MajBeef = andyz, I forget who I am.
Pamela
October 18, 2007 @ 10:56AM
I haven’t lived in Evansville since 2002, but I still miss those giant chef salads from Ritzy’s!
swifty
November 02, 2007 @ 05:12PM
Now you can have GDR delivered to your home or office. Swifty Delivery 812.909.1494
Thomas
January 16, 2008 @ 12:39PM
Was in Evansville for business and decided to stop and try it out. It was great. Everything was hot and very fresh. Good food. I wish my town had one.
Anonymous
March 22, 2008 @ 08:57PM
I was in the resturaunt the other day getting a burger and chili. Someone who I believed to be a Manager had no gloves on, and put her unclean fingers in the pickles and cheese, when she went over to get my chili and cheese, I apparently saw her remove some of the cheese with her bare hands, I thought you were surpose to wear gloves when preparing someone elses’ food. I was so discusted with the way this resturaunt was being ran. I will never visit this resturaunt again.
jeremy
May 02, 2008 @ 12:19AM
Which ritzy’s was it that the manager put their bare hands in the food? i work at the west side ritzy’s so i could tell one of the other managers(putting your bare hands in food is unacceptable) and sorry that has disgusted you, i assure you that if you come into the west side ritzy’s that your food will be fresh, and it is very well run.
Lisa
July 15, 2008 @ 11:48AM
G.D. Ritzy’s is my favorite place to eat. If I don’t get to go at least a few times a month I feel as though I am being abused!!
It has the best Deluxe Garden salads with really good croutons! Also the chili and cheeseburgers are GREAT!
I ordered mine with everything/tomato.
I think I will go get some for lunch! :)
javon
July 28, 2008 @ 11:04AM
i work here i’m a grill guy and i have to say they have the best cherry coke i get one everytime i go to work. if the fries are cooked by the right person thats paying attention to them them are really tasty. o and there chicken which i cook is the bomb man with that lil limon zest tast to it. o and we can’t forget about the ice cream.
Chris
August 25, 2008 @ 03:15PM
I so miss G D Ritzy’s. I went to college in Columbus, OH which is, of course, the original home of G D Ritzy’s. I used to love going there. The food was wonderful. It’s a shame the chain collapsed. I have to go to Steak n Shake now.
Grerg
August 26, 2008 @ 05:09PM
I am formerly from Princeton and now living in California for the past 29 years. I get back home to Indiana at least twice a year and always make it a point to stop by and eat at Ritzy’s while I’m in Evansville. It is absolutely the best place to go for a hamburger. Out on the west coast, all the fuss is about In & Out Burgers, but they pale in comparison to Ritzy’s. I’m surprised that Ritzy’s hasn’t expanded nationally with the quality of food, service, and value they provide.