Food was very disappointing. Meatballs were okay. The bruschetta did not have enough tomatoes or cheese. My drink was missing the tajin rim which upset me because I love spicy. Overall I will not go back or recommend
Ulrike W.
I mean, it's meatballs. No big deal right? But what makes it special, are all the variations. Pick your meatball, pick your sauce, pick your side, I love that I can let my cravings lead me. Favorite: Chicken meatballs with pesto sauce. Clean environment, friendly service.
brian c
Absolutely delicious!!!! Pick your meatball, then pick a pasta and sauce to go with it! We all loved our meal and the service was great. Don’t forget to have a homemade cookie ice cream sandwich for dessert, you don’t want to miss it!
Anne G.
The food was good quality. But, at times it felt like the waiter wouldn't come over and see if we needed anything else.
Rubin Varghese
Came to try their spicy meatball. It was good but not inherently spicy or flavored. More like added after cooked. Service was good and it was a nice place with outdoor seating and indoor bar. It's on 2nd Ave so there is metered parking til 7
Thomas M.
My nephew loves the meatball shop. My brother, at best, likes the meatball shop. However, recently we switched from the chicken meatball to the spicy veal meatball and I would say that is where it's at. Get the sandy, not the bowl, change it up, live your life. Get extra cheese, why not.
It was great. We sat outside which wasn't such a good idea because inside was better, the staff wasn't bad and the food was great. Great for families for sure. Overall I'd give it an 8/10.
Kelli F.
Having visited the West Village location (multiple times), I feel safe in rating it the same 5 stars as the UES. I noticed the WV location closed but having lived on the UES for a significant amount of time, I am confident in my five star rating. Also, I worked on the photographs for The Meatball Shop Cookbook and the owners are professional, creative, and very good at what they do. I have gifted the cookbook to numerous family and friends. The feedback has been nothing but positive. My favorites in the cookbook are the Spring risotto and and the Spaniard meatballs. Bring on the chorizo!
Stephanie T.
The food was delicious and very filing. The spaghetti in meatballs comes in three sauces - tomato, Parmesan cream, and pesto. It was a very unique dish and the meatballs were huge and came with spaghetti on the side and inside. The rigatoni had a nice spicy kick to it and you can ask for it on the side. The waiters were super friendly and very accommodating.
Diana Carolina Avalos
I’m still eating and I had to stop to write this review. AMAZING FOOD! I have family visiting NYC and I always struggle to find family friendly places. This place is a star ? great food. Spacious tables. Great service. Great price. 100% recommend. And will definitely come back ??
I used to love going to the meatball shop. This was my first time back since the pandemic ended. I was very disappointed. They change the menu, I order the chicken parm and it didn't had any flavor. The bread look like they didn't finish baking it. My friend order the rigatoni and the meatball where too spicy he couldn't even eat them. That was his first time at the meat ball shop and ask our waiter for recommendations. He never mention they were super spicy and we love spicy food .
Angelina C.
Do not let the name fool you, The Meatball Shop has something for EVERYONE! I went with my Vegan and I was really worried and have been putting off going here for years because my partner is vegan. I'm thinking "meatball shop... meat and balls.. he can't have this" BUT HE CAN! They have vegan options and gluten free options. I ordered 2 apps because the bowls looked HUGE... my vegan ordered the bowl option.The apps slayed, the Italian wedding soup... guess who's obsessed?! ME THE BRUSCHETTA (we shared and I ate the cheese portion so be mindful to ask to make vegan/gluten free an item (if that item can be made as such) because we forgot and my vegan had to eat around) SOOOOO GOOD! My meatball sampler was good and my little side of pasta was tasty too! I recommend it all my vegan enjoyed his plant balls and pasta and it was so huge, even he... the plate cleaner (lol) had to take a doggy bag! All in all it was a slammin meal can't wait to get soup from there AGAIN! Also our server and the additional waitress in the section next to ours, so nice very chill made the experience awesome! I hope they take care of us again!
Amanda Kulick
We stopped by the meatball shop for lunch not realizing it was national meatball day, but what a lucky surprise! They have happy hour specials from 12-6 at the bar with $8 select food and $5 select drinks. I got a 1/2 og nyc hero and the mini Buffalo balls. The people in my group also tried the og flatbread and the spaghetti and meatballs. We all agreed the food was ok but no one was super impressed. We also all agreed that the water had a very odd flavor to it. I think it’s worth it for a happy hour special but maybe not a lunch. The portions for the hero and spaghetti were pretty decent but the flatbread and Buffalo balls were very small. The service was also just ok for me. It took a while to get our food and we were the only people inside at the time. Our server was also a little snarky when offering to split our check and then saying well you should have told me that sooner. So like why even ask us? Also we were still the only people there so it’s not like they were too busy. Overall it was fine. I might be willing to try it for happy hour drinks, but I wouldn’t be upset to not go back.
Amanda K.
We stopped by the meatball shop for lunch not realizing it was national meatball day, but what a lucky surprise! They have happy hour specials from 12-6 at the bar with $8 select food and $5 select drinks. I got a 1/2 og nyc hero and the mini Buffalo balls. The people in my group also tried the og flatbread and the spaghetti and meatballs. We all agreed the food was ok but no one was super impressed. We also all agreed that the water had a very odd flavor to it. I think it's worth it for a happy hour special but maybe not a lunch. The portions for the hero and spaghetti were pretty decent but the flatbread and Buffalo balls were very small. The service was also just ok for me. It took a while to get our food and we were the only people inside at the time. Our server was also a little snarky when offering to split our check and then saying well you should have told me that sooner. So like why even ask us? Also we were still the only people there so it's not like they were too busy. Overall it was fine. I might be willing to try it for happy hour drinks, but I wouldn't be upset to not go back.
Stefanie Emmerich
Really good food, Love the spicy meat sauce. It was a fantastic last evening of our vacation. The garlic bread was very delicous.
Food was very disappointing. Meatballs were okay. The bruschetta did not have enough tomatoes or cheese. My drink was missing the tajin rim which upset me because I love spicy. Overall I will not go back or recommend
I mean, it's meatballs. No big deal right? But what makes it special, are all the variations. Pick your meatball, pick your sauce, pick your side, I love that I can let my cravings lead me. Favorite: Chicken meatballs with pesto sauce. Clean environment, friendly service.
Absolutely delicious!!!! Pick your meatball, then pick a pasta and sauce to go with it! We all loved our meal and the service was great. Don’t forget to have a homemade cookie ice cream sandwich for dessert, you don’t want to miss it!
The food was good quality. But, at times it felt like the waiter wouldn't come over and see if we needed anything else.
Came to try their spicy meatball. It was good but not inherently spicy or flavored. More like added after cooked. Service was good and it was a nice place with outdoor seating and indoor bar. It's on 2nd Ave so there is metered parking til 7
My nephew loves the meatball shop. My brother, at best, likes the meatball shop. However, recently we switched from the chicken meatball to the spicy veal meatball and I would say that is where it's at. Get the sandy, not the bowl, change it up, live your life. Get extra cheese, why not.
It was great. We sat outside which wasn't such a good idea because inside was better, the staff wasn't bad and the food was great. Great for families for sure. Overall I'd give it an 8/10.
Having visited the West Village location (multiple times), I feel safe in rating it the same 5 stars as the UES. I noticed the WV location closed but having lived on the UES for a significant amount of time, I am confident in my five star rating. Also, I worked on the photographs for The Meatball Shop Cookbook and the owners are professional, creative, and very good at what they do. I have gifted the cookbook to numerous family and friends. The feedback has been nothing but positive. My favorites in the cookbook are the Spring risotto and and the Spaniard meatballs. Bring on the chorizo!
The food was delicious and very filing. The spaghetti in meatballs comes in three sauces - tomato, Parmesan cream, and pesto. It was a very unique dish and the meatballs were huge and came with spaghetti on the side and inside. The rigatoni had a nice spicy kick to it and you can ask for it on the side. The waiters were super friendly and very accommodating.
I’m still eating and I had to stop to write this review. AMAZING FOOD! I have family visiting NYC and I always struggle to find family friendly places. This place is a star ? great food. Spacious tables. Great service. Great price. 100% recommend. And will definitely come back ??
Restaurantji Recommends
I used to love going to the meatball shop. This was my first time back since the pandemic ended. I was very disappointed. They change the menu, I order the chicken parm and it didn't had any flavor. The bread look like they didn't finish baking it. My friend order the rigatoni and the meatball where too spicy he couldn't even eat them. That was his first time at the meat ball shop and ask our waiter for recommendations. He never mention they were super spicy and we love spicy food .
Do not let the name fool you, The Meatball Shop has something for EVERYONE! I went with my Vegan and I was really worried and have been putting off going here for years because my partner is vegan. I'm thinking "meatball shop... meat and balls.. he can't have this" BUT HE CAN! They have vegan options and gluten free options. I ordered 2 apps because the bowls looked HUGE... my vegan ordered the bowl option.The apps slayed, the Italian wedding soup... guess who's obsessed?! ME THE BRUSCHETTA (we shared and I ate the cheese portion so be mindful to ask to make vegan/gluten free an item (if that item can be made as such) because we forgot and my vegan had to eat around) SOOOOO GOOD! My meatball sampler was good and my little side of pasta was tasty too! I recommend it all my vegan enjoyed his plant balls and pasta and it was so huge, even he... the plate cleaner (lol) had to take a doggy bag! All in all it was a slammin meal can't wait to get soup from there AGAIN! Also our server and the additional waitress in the section next to ours, so nice very chill made the experience awesome! I hope they take care of us again!
We stopped by the meatball shop for lunch not realizing it was national meatball day, but what a lucky surprise! They have happy hour specials from 12-6 at the bar with $8 select food and $5 select drinks. I got a 1/2 og nyc hero and the mini Buffalo balls. The people in my group also tried the og flatbread and the spaghetti and meatballs. We all agreed the food was ok but no one was super impressed. We also all agreed that the water had a very odd flavor to it. I think it’s worth it for a happy hour special but maybe not a lunch. The portions for the hero and spaghetti were pretty decent but the flatbread and Buffalo balls were very small. The service was also just ok for me. It took a while to get our food and we were the only people inside at the time. Our server was also a little snarky when offering to split our check and then saying well you should have told me that sooner. So like why even ask us? Also we were still the only people there so it’s not like they were too busy. Overall it was fine. I might be willing to try it for happy hour drinks, but I wouldn’t be upset to not go back.
We stopped by the meatball shop for lunch not realizing it was national meatball day, but what a lucky surprise! They have happy hour specials from 12-6 at the bar with $8 select food and $5 select drinks. I got a 1/2 og nyc hero and the mini Buffalo balls. The people in my group also tried the og flatbread and the spaghetti and meatballs. We all agreed the food was ok but no one was super impressed. We also all agreed that the water had a very odd flavor to it. I think it's worth it for a happy hour special but maybe not a lunch. The portions for the hero and spaghetti were pretty decent but the flatbread and Buffalo balls were very small. The service was also just ok for me. It took a while to get our food and we were the only people inside at the time. Our server was also a little snarky when offering to split our check and then saying well you should have told me that sooner. So like why even ask us? Also we were still the only people there so it's not like they were too busy. Overall it was fine. I might be willing to try it for happy hour drinks, but I wouldn't be upset to not go back.
Really good food, Love the spicy meat sauce. It was a fantastic last evening of our vacation. The garlic bread was very delicous.