Cozy Italian spot w/ legit red sauce meatballs. Old-school vibe, not fine dining but solid.
Nestled on West 71st Street, this Italian eatery offers a taste of classic American-Italian cuisine, with a particular focus on their meatballs. While some describe it as an old-school spot that isn't fine dining, others rave about their red sauce and flavorful meatballs, claiming they hold up to the city's best. It's a cozy spot, suitable for both intimate dinners and gatherings.
The restaurant specializes in American-Italian cuisine, with a strong emphasis on meatballs, often described as 'red sauce style'. While some find them to be the best in the city, others consider them decent old-school fare. The establishment is recommended for those seeking classic Italian-American comfort food.
"The restaurant is particularly recommended for its American-Italian red sauce meatballs. Other praised dishes include pasta and seafood."
Customers generally have a positive sentiment towards the restaurant, often highlighting their well-regarded meatballs and classic Italian dishes. Some note it as a good, unpretentious option for a comfortable meal.
Important Note
While generally well-regarded for its meatballs, one comment suggests it's not a fine dining experience and focuses on old-school Italian dishes.
"In a humorous suggestion for trying beef, the user lists pastrami, burgers, hot dogs, meatball, cheesesteak, and steak from various places."
Neutral"This user explains the difference between spaghetti and linguine, noting that while they are distinct, they are often confused."
Neutral"This former employee clarifies that the commissary kitchen was used for only about two years and that meatballs were made in-house at the Bedford location for the last seven years before the menu changed and quality declined."
Neutral"This user states that the initial period from 2010-2018 was the restaurant's prime, implying that visiting only a few years ago meant missing the best years."
Positive"This user, a former employee, details the operational hours and the shift in company ethos after the original owners sold the business."
Neutral"This user states that the original Lower East Side location was spectacular."
Positive"This user recounts a negative experience where they found a piece of wire in their food and were offered only a glass of wine as compensation."
Negative"This user strongly disliked the restaurant, calling it 'bland pretentious shit-bucket'."
Negative"This user expresses sadness about the closure."
Negative"This user asks which location is being discussed, noting that the Upper East Side location closed some time ago."
Neutral"This user also had their second date at The Meatball Shop with their now long-term boyfriend."
Positive"This user fondly remembers the 'Kitchen Sink' dish from about 10 years ago."
Positive"This user expresses sadness and gratitude for the memories of the restaurant, which provided comfort food after long workdays."
Negative"This user will miss the restaurant and its cookbook, specifically mentioning the mint ice cream."
Negative"This user states they did not like the restaurant at all."
Negative"This user misses the earlier popularity of poke, specifically mentioning Poke Bowl in Union Square."
Positive"This user harshly criticizes the food as 'awful' and 'commissary prepped slop', comparing it unfavorably to other establishments."
Negative"This user confirms both original owners sold the business; one is in the wellness industry, and the other opened a pizza restaurant in California."
Neutral"This user is sad about the closure, as they and their wife had planned to visit in May and will miss the buffalo chicken meatballs and cream sauce."
Negative"This user had passed by the Williamsburg location years ago and found it just 'ok' when they finally tried it in 2019, noting it was expensive for a self-service model."
Neutral
