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Before I delve into my review for The Meatball Shop, I must admit that I am now a carnivore. After a year and a half of pescatarianism, I have begun to eat meat for health reasons. So last week when my friend invited me to dinner at The Meatball Shop, I couldn’t resist the offer because back in my previous carnivore days, I adored quality meatballs and of course, meatball subs.

The Meatball Shop has several Manhattan locations, but we chose to go to the Upper East Side spot. I adore the area, as I’ve always dreamed of living in the UES, and the actual restaurant was tranquil and adorable. The wait time wasn’t bad at all (15 minutes) and they have a fancy text message system set up to alert you when your table is ready.

Name: The Meatball SHop

Location: 1462 2nd Avenue

Time: 8:30 pm on a Saturday

Order: Meatball Smash with beef balls, classic tomato sauce and mozzarella

Price: $10

Review: Oh my goodness—this was delicious. The meatballs were definitely gourmet and fresh with pure beef. The brioche bun was perfectly soft yet crispy because it was toasted. The sandwich was brought together by a basic, classic tomato sauce that melded perfectly with the fresh mozzarella. The sandwich was hearty, albeit not as hot as I would have preferred, and came paired with a light simple salad, complete with apple (or was it pear?) slices and a light vinaigrette. All in all, a delicious, homestyle meatball sandwich and refreshing salad. Definitely a bargain, too—it was only $10!

Rating: 4.5/5