The Meat Ball Shop: Tiny Bites, Big Flavor!

When I first heard about the Meatball Shop, it was hard to wrap my mind around a restaurant dedicated to my childhood obsession of hearty meaty wonders. Would it be beef or pork, or something in between? As an adult, how could I fully enjoy a meal of just meatballs? Boy was I wrong, and pleasantly surprised when I became initiated into DC’s new comfort food spot.

The old school meets new school vibe of the décor, pays homage to their first restaurant in NYC. Photos of Italian immigrants juxtaposed against modern whitewashed walls with a sleek modern bar makes the space feel cozy and unpretentious. The warmth of the staff boasts an immediate openness to their recommendations of their own brand of comfort food favorites.

Cocktails and Starters

If it’s your first time here, do yourself a solid and order one of their signature cocktails. I ordered the PIE-SEXUAL, an Old Overhold whiskey muddled with a plum-ginger syrup, dusted with cinnamon. Can you say delicious! If you’re a Whiskey connoisseur, the Meatball Shop carries 15 different variations from all over the world, from as far as Japan. Their beer and wine selections are also interesting and modestly priced.

To munch on before dinner, order the starters, they’re tiny bites of goodness. By mid-sip, our order of mozz (mozzarella), crab cake and risotto balls hit the table and were devoured in less than 15 minutes. Each ball comes with its own sauce and is more than enough for two or more to share. Although all of our selections were divine—I loved the crab cake balls with the salt and vinegar potato chip crust. The crunchy tang dipped in Old Bay aioli had a welcomed flavor combination, yet it didn’t have the heaviness of most fried foods.

Mains and Sides

Being first-timers, we opted for the classic, salmon and Maine lobster meatballs. Although I’m a meatball purist, the salmon with yogurt dill and the Maine lobster with lemon butter sauce, looked particularly interesting to me. I love the meats, but a little seafood never hurt NOBODY!

We decided to pair our meatballs with some of the seasonal sides, which were a feast on their own. The butternut squash with fig and goat cheese had a hint of sweetness, and the almond crust added another layer of texture that took the flavor up a notch. The buttery polenta had a creamy essence that paired well with my Main lobster balls and was a sophisticated duo. Have this on date night—you won’t be disappointed!

The standout of the evening was the Veggie Ball Melt, a mixture of seasoned vegetables with just the right amount of pesto blanketed over melted cheese on a brioche bun. This is the sandwich that would convert a carnivore to a vegetarian. So decadent and delicious and my belly was all smiles!

The Meatball Shop is a wonderful dining experience for the simple to the persnickety eater. It’s great for date night, families, or large groups and will easily be on your favorites list.

March 9th, is National Meatball Day, so stop by for their Bucket of Balls eating contest. Grand prize is a party for your crew of six!

Address: 1720 14th Street NW, Washington, DC

Phone: 202-684-8564

Hours of Operation

• Sun – Tues: 11:30am to 12:00am
• Wed – Thurs: 11:30am to 1:00am
• Fri – Sat: 11:00am to 2:00am

Instagram: @meatballers

Shamyra Edmonds

Shamyra Edmonds is a world citizen and food connoisseur who studied hospitality management at the Les Roches School of International Hotel Management, in Switzerland. She can be found teaching or taking cooking classes, organizing fantastic food and wine experiences or eating chocolate croissants. Check out her personal food blog: www.passport2cuisine.com and follow her on Instagram: @passport2cuisine