Rip's Cafe is a bar in Struthers area well known for its Slovak/Polish food especially the "Hunky Platter." I very randomly discovered this bar while in the area (Youngstown). I was really craving Eastern European food that tastes like home. All of the Eastern European restaurants were closed on Sunday except Rip's. I wasn't expecting much to be honest and really liked my time here. AMBIANCE: Basic dive bar. Humble surroundings. Plenty of TV's at the bar. Dim space. While this ambiance is not usually my cup of tea, I felt very comfortable here. Regulars were very nice and welcoming. FOOD/DRINKS: I ordered a glass of Moscato ($4). The wine brand was Barefoot. I don't drink this tier of wine to be honest. But I understand that dive bars don't stock upscale wine. A glass of wine was good. I ordered a few appetizers - Pirohy (6 pierogis, $6.99), one stuffed cabbage ($8.99), and 2 haluski ($13.98). The food was excellent for a dive bar and in general. I am a very tough critic of the food from my part of the world - Eastern Europe. This food was delicious and well done. It didn't taste frozen, but rather homemade. Everything was well salted and had enough butter. I was especially impressed with haluski and ordered multiple orders. I felt like for appetizers the portions were generous. The bartender mentioned that Hunky Platter ($16.99) is a popular choice. It comes with one stuffed cabbage, three pirohy, and a side of halusky. Essentially, I ordered the same thing but in larger quantity. SERVICE: The service was super friendly considering this is a dive. The bartender ensured I was happy, suggested different dishes, and asked personal questions. It was very pleasant interaction. I'm not a dive gal, but I'll absolutely be returning. The food is absolutely delicious. It's like a hidden gem for quality dinner. I can't wait to experience other menu items next time. Go experience Hunky Platter, you'll love it! read more

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Rip's Hunky Platter was AMAZING! (I couldn't find current menu pics so I've attached them here) read more

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Had a hotel room in town, as we are traveling, and wanted a dinner and a drink. Lots of options, but chose Rip's because of what we saw on Yelp and what we saw of their menu. We were so very happy to have made the decision to land here. The food was amazing, From the stuffed cabbage to egg rolls. All wonderfully flavored and served very nicely. Speaking of serving, the staff was a bit stressed, lots of people and only a couple of them... but they kept up and even took time to 'chat' with some out-of-town strangers. It was a fun place, a good old Cheers style bar, I felt everyone else in the place knew each other. But, they included and welcomed us. I would go back tomorrow, if I lived a little closer! read more

Every single thing we ordered was DELICIOUS. The Hunky platter (pirohy, haluski, stuffed cabbage), Hungarian peppers and oil, stuffed pepper and Cajun wings. Our waitress was super nice and attentive. Our first time there and we will be back!! read more

Craig Hockenberry Rips Cafe has some of the best food in the Youngstown area. I try to hit this place several times a month. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY read more

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Let's start with the important stuff. For all those people out there who never carry cash, like me, Rip's is CASH ONLY! Of the plethora of reviews I read, none of them happened to mention this important fact. Rip's doesn't take credit cards, which I should have guessed about this old school hangout. Thankfully, the owner let me to run down the street to an ATM after dinner, trusting me to return without leaving collateral as reassurance. Trust is still alive in America. Having recently returned from my fifth visit to Budapest, I've been craving expertly prepared Eastern European cuisine. So I scoured the Internet and came across a news story about Rip's. Patrons of this dimly-lit bar outside of Youngstown, Ohio, just minutes from the Pennsylvania border raved about the authentic Polish food. The three-generational establishment had operated since the 1930s with stellar reviews, but the article indicted they would be closed by the end of 2018. That was it, I was making the 9-hour pilgrimage from Nashville to Youngstown to enjoy Rip's before the doors closed forever. Who can blame the grandchild of the original owner for giving up the old cafe? Now in their mid-80s, it's way past time to retire! It made sense coming from my waitress and the restaurant's co-owner, although shockingly she didn't look a day over 60! The great-grandkids don't want to keep the restaurant going either, so that's it. The bar looks a little daunting from Google streetview, a dive in working class America. Would there be a smoky room with blue collar gentlemen glaring at this city slicker when I walked in? Instead, I found a clean, classic interior with a few such men, but none of them stared and the staff was incredibly welcoming. All my fears were alleviated. I had predetermined that my selection would by the legendary Hunky Platter. This sampler features three pirohy (Polish for what we call pierogis) with the smoothest potato filling, topped with the most perfectly softened onions, flavorful but not overpowering. The platter also includes a generous serving of halušky, tiny dumplings of soft, chewy dough thoroughly blended with tender, marinated cabbage. The third part of this Polish trilogy is the pig in a blanket, a massive loaf of juicy, flavorful ground sausage wrapped in a cabbage leaf. Oh that sauce!!! I had to order an extra pig in a blanket! You only have until the end of 2018 to make your pilgrimage, so don't delay! And may you Rest In Peace Rip's! read more

I found this place thanks to Yelp. I had the Rip's burger with cheese, bacon and the fried egg. Beyond amazing and my picture is proof of how much I loved it. The meat is seasoned very well and it was cooked exactly how I ordered it. They didn't have fries but the tater tots did it. The atmosphere is pleasant. Quiet place with plenty of nice people having meaningful conversations. I loved it. read more

Rip's Cafe - Rip's Burger with egg, bacon and American cheese. - Cafes Near Me - Struthers, Ohio

Five out of five stars? Have I lost my mind? Well, slightly... You see this is a museum, a static display, of what a mill workers bar was back in the day. I honestly had dreams of the place last night. Getting the "Hunky Platter" and a beer, Genny on draft. $1.50 for the 16 oz glass. The Hunk Platter, a large stuffed cabbage (halubky) three pierogies(homemade) and haluski. Haluski, that is one of the cross over dishes you will find in Italian as well as Ukrainian or Hungarian homes across the Steel Valley. Usually, it is pretty simple. Egg noodles, fried cabbage, and butter maybe bacon. At Rip's, they use dumplings, homemade dumplings, instead of the egg noodles. The stuffed cabbage comes with a side of red paprika gravy, and the pierogies are homemade as well, with or without butter simmered onions. Oh yeah and hot dogs, chili dogs, for $1.25!!! No juke box. No pool table. About 600 sq feet maybe. One length of the wall is the bar, the other side is all booths. Tv's over the bar, but really no one much watches them. This is a place you go to when you are off work, and want some Grandma food. Oh, and the meals come with butter and some of the best freshest Italian bread I have ever had. I absolutely love this place, because I truly dislike frozen pierogies from the grocery store. Here, if you just want pierogies, butter simmered onions, bread and butter, you can get all you want for $.70 apiece. Better to me than wings, just get a chili dog on the side and a couple beers, and you have some of the best bar food available anywhere. And corned beef and cabbage for saint Patricks day, they sell out so get there early. Again. St. Patricks day, Youngstown area, corned beef and cabbage. Rip's. Stop in, enjoy some history. Clean, nice, great hunky food, sports on the TV's, what else do you want? Oh yeah. Beer and a bar. Well, this place fills all the squares! read more

Rip's Cafe - A couple of stuffed cabbage, halubky, with fresh baked bread and butter. Beat THAT! - Cafes Near Me - Struthers, Ohio

Was told about Rip's and couldn't wait to try the Hunky special! Yes, authentic and flavorful meal actually memorable! Casual atmosphere family oriented and oh boy are you in for a tr read more

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Great food.... Excellent value.... Daily specials.... I recommend it to anyone as long as you can do without French fries. read more

Rip's Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Struthers, Ohio

Genuinely the best stuffed cabbage and haluski I've ever had from a restaurant. There's nothing else to say, that's the review. Just order it. read more

A small place that suggests 90% of the occupants are daily regulars. Kind people. Undoubtedly the best stuffed Hungarian hot pepper you will ever find. I would visit this place for the pepper, a beer, and an hour on a bar stool any day. read more

We stopped by after a recommendation...and we were not disappointed. This is a classic Youngstown bar (i.e. everyone knows everyone) that just so happens to serve some remarkably delicious Polish food. The server (possibly owner???) was super friendly, chatted us up. Get the Hunky Platter, you'll be ordering one to go while eating the one already in front of you...it's that good. read more

Rip's Cafe - Hunky Platter and a DiRusso sausage sandwich. Yummy!! - Cafes Near Me - Struthers, Ohio

First visit to this iconic restaurant/bar in Struthers; we came for the hunky platter. Surprised to see that hunky food is not available any other day. The platter is it, and only on Thursdays. The menu is otherwise routine bar food. For some reason I thought you could get pieroghies, etc any day of the week and on Thurs it was a special. In any case it was good, not great. The noodles were gummy and the cabbage and meat bland. Everything needed a big dose of seasoning. Or bacon. That aside, it's a fun little place to hang out, have a cheap beer and watch sports on TV. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and the wait staff were working hard and friendly. So three stars for being local, working hard, and an honest effort at a menu item few attempt. Oh, and although I paid cash, there are credit card signs on the window, so maybe that has changed now. read more

Based on Yelp reviews, I suggested to my husband that we try Rip's for dinner last night. We pulled in and he said, "are you sure this is it"? Well yes, yes it is! We are both from Buffalo and it felt like walking into any bar in South Buffalo right down to the Genesee on tap! Clearly steel towns all think alike! We both had the Hunky platter and it was great especially the halusky which was made with small dumplings rather than egg noodles. Galubki and pierogies were tasty as well! Rip's is most certainly not fine dining, it's more bar than restaurant and clearly everyone there knew each other but that's what made it good! Don't be scared when you pull in the parking lot - the Hunky platter will be worth it but bring cash, they don't take credit cards! Pull up a bar stool and have a Genny or two! read more

A place where we go once a week for the best Hunky food !!! I am Slovak and just relocated from Hollywood Florida after 45 years... this is a cozy neighborhood bar with friendly Family -run staff and "The Hunky Platter " is consistently home made greatness I can always count on !! read more

Another awesome meal at Rips!! Brings back lots of memories of Grandma's pirogies and stuffed cabbage. I also had a couple of chili dogs and we all split a pitcher of Genny Cream Ale. Three huge meals and beer for less than 25 bucks - can't wait to come back!! read more

Rip's Cafe - Rips in Struthers, what a treat! - Cafes Near Me - Struthers, Ohio

Parking can be a little tight at times, but usually isn't much of an issue. Decor is a little outdated, but so is the majority of the crowd. Put it this way, if you're 50, you're likely the youngest person in the place. In any case, the prices are very reasonable and the food is really good. Not really my type of place, but I can't knock it. read more

I had heard about this place and brought an out of town Journalist who was doing a piece on a woman in Struthers. When the bartender/server came to our table I requested information and any history about Rips. She replied "Well, I dont know you can probably get some info off the menu" ? There was really nothing on the menu but food and prices. We all ordered the Hunky platter 7.99 , I thought was a little high even though everything is homemade. I would rate the food as OK, maybe because Im slovac and know how to make it. We asked about the dessert selection... there was none! The bartender told us to go next store where there was a bakery but it was closed. She came off a bit rude. Maybe the place can purchase there desserts from the bakery and have them? Only 2 beers of tap Genessee and Genesse Light. We have a local brewery it would have been nice to have that choice. There were 3 of us and we spent 40! Hometown feel? I dont think so, it made me pack my bags and run away from home! read more

It is with deep sadness that I share that Rips Cafe is no longer in business. The window into the region's cultural past is gone.

That was fun; a step back in time. Our original plans for dinner didn't lan out, place was closed, so friends suggested Rips. Hunky Platter was huge [left one pieorgi behind). The haluski with mini dumplings was surprising and very good. No credit cards, no dessert, no imported beers, so what! Happy to find it, sure beats a chain or yet another pizzeria. read more