Imagine that first bite into a meatball sandwich - the crunch of the bread, the softness of meatballs, and the pull of melted cheese. There’s no better sensation than sinking your teeth into a heavenly Italian meatball sub. While easy to make at home, it’s worthwhile to step out for this saucy, meaty, and cheesy creation. There are thousands of restaurants across the United States that claim to serve “the best” in the industry…but, are they really “the best”?
Across the United States, we found the establishments that serve up “the best Italian Meatball Sandwiches” in America. The meatball is the quintessential showstopper for most sandwich shops. Whether it’s dunked in sauce or fried to perfection, here is a guide to some of the best spots that serve the ultimate meatball sandwiches.
Locanda Verde
Tribeca- New York, NY
(Photo Credit: The infatuation)
Italian-American chef, Andrew Carmellini never had a meatball growing up. This winner of Best New Chef in 2000 built a restaurant with one of the best meatball sandwiches in America. Aside from Italian goat cheese added to the sandwich, these are made entirely in-house. Chef Carmellini uses house-ground lamb with onions, simmers the meat in his tomato sauce, and finally serves it on a parmesan-onion bread. Many critics love these meatballs for the “old-school style,” that blends the lamb meat with tasty bread and Italian goat cheese.
Location: 377 Greenwich St, New York, NY
The Meatball Shop
Hell's Kitchen- New York, NY
With three restaurants across Manhattan and Brooklyn, The Meatball Shop serves meatballs in a variety of styles. “Meatball Specialists”, Michael Chernow and Daniel Holtzman, take a simple and traditional approach. They started their restaurant to serve one thing and one thing only: meatballs. Choose from the classic beef meatballs with ricotta cheese or try their spicy pork and vegetable meatballs.
Location: 798 9th Ave, New York, NY
Upper East Side Location: Between 76th and 77th Streets, 1462 2nd Ave, New York, NY
Parm
Battery Park City- New York, NY
(Photo Credit: New York Magazine)
For a meatball sandwich that will make you nostalgic for eating your grandmother’s meatballs, head to Parm in NYC. Some critics say that at first glance, their sandwiches seem like nothing out of the ordinary. However, one bite will transport you back in time, reliving your favorite meatball sandwich memories. The restaurant has created an atmosphere reminiscent of old-school Little Italy. Rave reviews come in for how the veal, beef, and sausage combined make for a flavorful impact. Others claim it’s the fresh basil that brings it all together.
Location: 250 Vesey St. New York NY
Moochie’s Meatballs and More
Central City- Salt Lake City, UT
(Photo Credit: Moochie's Meatballs)
Shockingly, critics have said Moochie’s Meatballs and More in Salt Lake City serve up some of the best meatballs in America. What’s so loved about these meatballs is that they are crafted, baked, sliced in half and left to marinate in their homemade marinara sauce. Not only can you get a delicious meatball sandwich, Moochie’s adds meatballs to everything. Their obsession with meatballs has led them to craft the “Atomic Meatball Sandwich”, stuffed with feta cheese and jalapeno peppers.
Location: 232 E 800 S, Salt Lake City, UT
Bay Cities Italian Deli and Bakery
Santa Monica, CA
(Photo Credit: The infatuation)
Bay Cities in Santa Monica has the fluffiest, most balanced meatballs that might exist. The meatballs have the perfect mixture of herbs and spices as well as their blend of beef and pork. Their fresh-baked bread soaks up tangy marinara sauce, leaving you with a flavorful bite every time. While the sandwich may be messy, it’s a favorite that is hard to resist.
Location: 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Fantano’s Subs
Little Italy- Chicago, IL
(Photo Credit: Youtube)
Fantano’s Subs is part of Chicago’s top 20 essential sandwiches. Their meatball sub is often considered the best of its kind in Chicago. Everything about this sandwich is homemade. From their meatballs and red sauce, down to the cheese and red peppers, it tastes like it’s coming out of your grandmother’s basement. Many love the enormous size of the meatballs that Fantano’s stuffs into their bread with melted cheese. It’s a small reward for tracking down this sandwich shop in Chicago.
Location: 2151 W 95th St, Chicago, IL
AJ Forrisi
Assistant Editor for America Domani, AJ Forrisi is a Brooklyn-based writer and photographer. His work focuses on food, travel, sports, landscapes, and urban scenes. You can find him on Instagram @aj.photo.works.