The Meatball Shop

• Delicious Food  
• Inexpensive
• Casual Atmosphere

Address: 170 Bedford Avenue, between N. 7th and N. 8th St.s

Telephone: 718-551-0520

Nearest Subway: L to Bedford Ave.

Map

Hours: 12 p.m. - 2 a.m., Sunday through Wednesday; 12 p.m. - 4 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.

Ambiance

The Meatball Shop is a much larger version of the original restaurant on Manhattan's Lower East Side, but the rustic, casual feel of the place is very much the same. There's a large bar as you enter, so feel free to sit there for dining or drinks, and the dining room follows behind, with booths and small tables. To your right you'll find the "take out" area and the kitchen, which is suprisingly large. The restaurant is loud but not deafening - perfect for a casual dinner out.

The meatballs here are simply delicious. The way the menu works is you can choose what kind of meatball (beef, spicy pork, chicken, vegetable, or special), what kind of sauce (classic tomato, spicy meat sauce, mushroom gravy, parmesan cream, or pesto) and as many sides as your heart desires. Sides can be served on the side, or underneath your meatballs. So if you're in the mood for Italian, have some rigatoni underneath. Four meatballs cost $7; and the sides are $4 each.

If you are in need of more carbohydrates, you can make the meatballs into sliders ($3), heroes ($9), or have them smashed on a brioche bun ($8).

The Meatball Shop also features wonderful dessert options, including floats or ice cream sandwiches for $4.

Pair your meatball dinner with beer on draft or a glass of wine from a short but nice list. There are also special housemade cocktails or, for teetotalers, root beer and cream soda.

Nearby

If you are still hungry but can't afford another meal, The Charleston right next door will give you a free pizza with any purchase of beer. Just down Bedford Avenue you'll find The Bedford, a slightly upscale restaurant with a very nice bar in the back. For a walk, McCarren Park is just a few blocks away.