The Meatball Shop’s Spicy Pork Meatballs: Celebrating a Classic

Date April 29, 2010

Meatball Shop Spicy Pork Meatballs - NYCFoodGuy.com

Brian De Palma has Scarface.  Jimi Hendrix had “All Along the Watchtower.”  And Daniel Holzman has his meatballs.    Remaking a classic is never easy, but when it’s done right, it’s so sweet you forget there was ever an original version.  This is the case with Holzman’s spicy pork meatballs (4 for $7) at his popular new restaurant The Meatball Shop.  Just larger than golfball size, each tender meatball splits at the lightest urging of your fork revealing a juicy interior filled with pork butt and pickled cherry pepper.  The latter adds a pleasingly assertive level of heat which lingers during and beyond each bite.  The bright “classic” tomato sauce pairs nicely, offering a tartness that’s balanced by the use of high quality olive oil.  Order the two over al dente rigatoni (plus $4) from the “Stick to your bones” section of the menu or opt for just meatballs and sauce. Either way, it’s all covered in feathers of shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano and no matter what, the best bite will be scooping up the bits of meat and tomato at the bottom of the bowl.  Just like Mother intended.

The Meatball Shop Website 84 Stanton Street b/t Orchard St & Allen St New York, NY 10002   212-982-8895   Sun.-Wed. Noon-2AM Thurs.-Sat. Noon-4AM

8 Responses to “The Meatball Shop’s Spicy Pork Meatballs: Celebrating a Classic”

  1. lauren said:

    You don’t seem to leave your hood much NYCFG unless it is to return to Long Island. 90% of recent posts have been LES – and heavily reviewed places to boot.

  2. tampax said:

    food guy you got ur period today or
    what? what was that about?

  3. Robert Sawyer said:

    I don’t know Lawrence, I don’t think you’re not being as critical as you might be.
    Yes, it’s a fine, tender meatball with a bit of heat, but not exceptional, and perhaps, not worthy mention, let alone praise. I ate two orders of the dish before I concluded that it was fine for people who go to the restaurant for its young, convivial setting, but not for people who aren’t taking bites between texting. If I sound disappointed, well, I was, The Meatball Shop while media friendly and much hyped, didn’t produce a meatball I’d cross the street to eat.

  4. bbqmackster said:

    I have to 2nd that FoodGuy. Well, at least the previous review, maybe you liked it whereas I was less than impressed. It’s a one trick pony at best! We tried 4 different combo’s meatballs, a special of tandoori lamb, underseasoned somehow, spicy pork, not that spicy, the beef, was just okay, and the only combo that really seemed well executed, comforting and where you wish had more was the Chicken with Mushroom sauce. The server said his fav was a meatball sub, but this lae is all about the combos so we didn’t want to fill up on one sammy. Which I might go back to try if I worked or lived near by, which I don’t, so forget it. The only real redeeming factor was that with 4 various meatball combos and 3 beers our bill was 35 bucks before tip. But we didn’t want any more meatballs and were still hungry, so we left to get more savory items, which meant we passed on what could have been the best part; the ice cream sandwiches…

  5. Shnibblz said:

    On a side note, Brian is not only the creator of the larger-than-golfball-sized-meatballs, he is also the ingenious mind behind the thirst-quenching and deliciously indulgent Dulce de Leche (say that 5 times fast 😛 ) snow-cones. Huh? Yes, that’s right. Coffee/ice – (all natural ingredients) and brought to you/me every weekend at the Hester Square Market. Admittedly, I was surprised and curious when I heard about these treats – and I couldn’t resist a taster. It was perfect and light and just what I needed on that hot day in a crowded market. Excellent work, Brian!
    And thank you, NYC Food Guy, for making this all happen. Snow-caps off to you…! :-*

  6. donuts4dinner said:

    I had the pork meatball hero and really liked it, despite taking 20 minutes to get it back to my office before eating it. I think a looooooooooooot of Italian in NYC sucks and was prepared to not like Meatball Shop, but the ingredients that went into my sandwich were just too high-quality not to like.

  7. In The Meatball Shop’s Kitchen with Chef & Co-Owner Daniel Holzman | NYC Food Guy said:

    […] Related: NYC Food Guy’s Meatball Shop Review […]

  8. Beck & Bulow said:

    I made these last night and my lovely wife loved them! Great flavor and easy to make.

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