Unique Character and Comfort at The Ripe Tomato, Malta, NY

When asked how he came to own the restaurant,9 in Malta when an elephant named “Beulah”
Joe Gleason simply says, “I was driving by onegraced the parking lot to encourage visitors into its
day… and it was for sale.” The owner of Thedoors. Yes, the couple had cleverly rented a
Ripe Tomato in Malta, NY paints an interesting storymammoth pachyderm to market the business and
of how he launched the quaint upstate New Yorkhad adorned her with a saddle covered in tomatoes.
restaurant after noticing a “For Sale” signBeulah was a big success and brought not only
one day while passing through the town. He alsopassing visitors but also a slew of media attention to
reminisces on his almost 55 years in the food industrythe newly named restaurant. “Business tripled
having started as a mere dishwasher in Manhattanafter that and it’s been a successful business for
and purchasing his first of 14 restaurants after only aus ever since” says Gleason.
few short years in the food service industry and withToday, the Ripe Tomato stands proudly on a strip of
no experience in the “front-of-the-house”.Route 9 conveniently located about half way
“I started as a dishwasher and hadn’t evenbetween Saratoga Springs and Clifton Park, NY. Its
so much as bartended prior to the opening night ofinviting red glow and big country farmhouse feel
my own first restaurant, “TJWcontinues to beckon visitors inside (even without
Gleason’s” in Manhattan,” says Gleason.Beulah pacing the parking lot).
“I recall that Gin & Tonics were only 75Inside, checkered tablecloths continue the
cents back then and a Whiskey Sour was 85 cents.country-feel and smells from the kitchen coupled with
After a week of trying to keep up with all theunique wall art that incorporates big bright tomatoes
varying drink prices, I just decided to makeinto famous works of art (such as the Mona Lisa and
everything $1.00.” Gleason opened that firstAmerican Gothic by Grant Wood), all designed by
restaurant & tavern in 1960 and it quicklyLynn; complete the comfortable, warm atmosphere.
became the jewel of its Manhattan neighborhood, itsAlthough Gleason’s early restaurants served a
popularity proven by its mention in a June 6, 1977limited menu of burgers and pub fare, the Ripe
supplement of New York Magazine calledTomato boasts an extensive menu that is a mixture
”Columbus Avenue, Rebirth of a Vibrantof American country fare and Italian classics. House
Street” which included a write-up of TJWs.Specials on the menu include a Cedar Salmon dish
Gleason’s other successful restaurants over theserved over a cedar plank for unique flavoring and a
span of his career have resided in NYC, New Jersey,Shrimp and Scallop Bisque touted as having been
Florida, St. Croix and right here in beautiful upstate,voted the “Best Soup in Saratoga”. The
NY where his remaining restaurant resides: The Riperestaurant also offers an extensive wine list and any
Tomato in Malta, NY.patron should be sure to leave enough room for one
The Ripe Tomato in Malta, now in its 15th year ofof their incredible homemade desserts. Homemade
service was once called the “Elm Treepumpkin pie was the temptation on the day that this
Tavern” but after experiencing a difficult start,writer visited the establishment.
Mr. Gleason was ready to put the restaurant back onGleason and the restaurant’s managing partner,
the market after only two years of business until hisMr. Milan Vesic welcome patrons to come in for any
wife, Lynn suggested that they first try to renameoccasion from a weekday family dinner to a romantic
the establishment and roll-it out with a new theme,dinner for two or for any special occasion. They say
tomatoes! A grand reopening was planned tothat their ultimate goal is to leave every customer
resurrect the struggling restaurant and on its openingfeeling, “full and happy” and my visit did just
day, the Ripe Tomato stopped traffic on busy Routethat!