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Restaurant · Italian-American

The Meatball Shop Menu Prices 2026: Full List, Combos & Best Value

The Meatball Shop is New York City's go-to destination for handcrafted meatballs, with a choose-your-own formula that lets guests pair any ball with any sauce and side. With locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, the concept has remained a neighborhood staple since 2010.

NYC institution since 2010Build-your-own meatball bowl6 Manhattan & Brooklyn locations
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Classic Beef Meatballs$13.00
Spicy Pork Meatballs$13.00
Veggie Meatballs$12.00
Naked Slider (3 balls)$8.00
Jump to: Quick answers Full menu Cheapest items Most popular Compare prices About FAQ
Quick answers

What to order — at a glance

Most popular
Classic Beef Meatballs ~$13

The signature menu staple

Vegetarian option
Veggie Meatballs ~$12

Vegetable-based meatball

Cheapest item
Naked Sliders ~$8

3 balls on slider rolls

Best value meal
Bowl with side ~$18

4 balls + sauce + one side

Combo meals

The Meatball Shop combo and meal deals

The Classic Bowl~$18

  • 4 Classic Beef Meatballs
  • Tomato Sauce
  • One Side (spaghetti, polenta, or salad)

Estimated price for a ball + sauce + side combination

The Veggie Bowl~$17

  • 4 Veggie Meatballs
  • Pesto or Tomato Sauce
  • One Side

Fully vegetarian combination

Full menu with prices

The Meatball Shop full menu and current prices

Prices shown are estimates based on publicly reported data. Verify current prices directly with your location.
The Balls5 itemsThe Sauces6 itemsSliders & Sandwiches3 itemsSides & Extras6 itemsDesserts3 itemsDrinks4 items
Budget picks

Cheapest items on the The Meatball Shop menu

  1. 1Bread & ButterAdd-on item~$3
  2. 2Soft Drinks~$3
  3. 3Side (Spaghetti, Polenta, Salad, etc.)~$5
  4. 4Naked Sliders (3 balls)~$8
  5. 5Draft Beer~$8
  6. 6Slider with Sauce & Cheese~$10
  7. 7House Wine (glass)~$10
  8. 8Veggie Meatballs (4 balls)~$12
  9. 9Classic Beef Meatballs (4 balls)~$13
Estimated calories + price

Most-ordered items: approximate calories and price

Calorie estimates based on publicly reported nutritional information. Verify with the restaurant for accurate figures.

ItemEst. CaloriesPrice
Classic Beef (4 balls)~520~$13
Spicy Pork (4 balls)~540~$13
Chicken (4 balls)~380~$13
Veggie (4 balls)~320~$12
Spaghetti (side)~210~$5
Polenta (side)~180~$5
Smash Cake~450~$6
Price comparison

How The Meatball Shop prices compare to similar NYC restaurants

Like-for-like comparison of a main protein dish, sandwich, and a meal with sides at comparable NYC casual restaurants.

CategoryThe Meatball ShopShake ShackFive Guys
Signature main (protein)~$13~$7–$10~$9–$12
Sandwich / burger~$14~$8–$10~$10–$13
Side dish~$5~$4–$5~$3–$4
Full meal (main + side + drink)~$21–$25~$15–$18~$16–$19
About

About The Meatball Shop

The Meatball Shop was founded in 2010 by childhood friends Michael Chernow and Daniel Holzman, who grew up together in New York City and shared a passion for simple, satisfying food. The original location opened on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and quickly became a neighborhood hit with its approachable concept: choose your meatball, choose your sauce, choose your side. That deceptively simple formula — made possible by rotating specials and an ever-changing daily cake — gave the restaurant its loyal following.

Over the years, The Meatball Shop expanded to several locations across Manhattan and Brooklyn, becoming one of New York City's most recognizable homegrown dining brands. The restaurant's commitment to scratch cooking, fresh ingredients, and a lively neighborhood atmosphere set it apart from both fast-casual chains and high-end Italian dining. The famous Smash Cake, a different flavor every single day, became a cult phenomenon in its own right and a reason regulars returned week after week.

The Meatball Shop has remained a testament to New York's appetite for comfort food done with care. Whether guests opt for classic beef with tomato sauce over spaghetti, or experiment with a seasonal special ball and marsala gravy over polenta, the experience is deliberately personal and endlessly customizable. It is the kind of restaurant that feels like it belongs to the neighborhood — because, in every sense, it does.

2010Year founded
6+NYC locations
$$Price range

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where are The Meatball Shop locations?

The Meatball Shop has multiple locations across New York City, including spots in the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, Hell's Kitchen, Upper West Side, Williamsburg (Brooklyn), and other neighborhoods. Check the official website for the current list of open locations and hours.

How does The Meatball Shop work?

The concept is build-your-own: you pick a meatball type (classic beef, spicy pork, chicken, veggie, or the daily special), choose a sauce from the rotating selection, and select a side such as spaghetti, polenta, or a salad. You can also order sliders or a hero sandwich instead of a bowl-style plate.

Does The Meatball Shop have vegetarian options?

Yes. The Meatball Shop offers a dedicated veggie meatball made from vegetables and grains. Many of the sauces — including the tomato sauce and pesto — are also vegetarian. Sides like polenta, mixed greens, and roasted vegetables round out a fully plant-based meal.

What is the Smash Cake at The Meatball Shop?

The Smash Cake is one of The Meatball Shop's most beloved traditions: every day, each location bakes a different homemade layer cake. Guests order a slice, which is "smashed" (cut and plated) tableside. Flavors rotate daily, so regulars never know what to expect — and that unpredictability is half the fun.

Does The Meatball Shop take reservations?

Reservation policies vary by location and time of day. Many locations accept walk-ins and may have a wait during peak dinner hours. It is best to check the official website or call your specific location ahead of time to confirm their current reservation policy.

Are gluten-free options available at The Meatball Shop?

Some items can be ordered gluten-free, such as the polenta base and salad sides. However, meatballs and sauces may contain gluten depending on the recipe. Guests with serious gluten allergies should speak directly with restaurant staff about cross-contamination risks before ordering.

What is the price range at The Meatball Shop?

The Meatball Shop is a mid-range casual restaurant. A typical meal — four meatballs with sauce and a side — runs approximately $17–$20 before tax and tip. Drinks, desserts, and add-ons bring the average check to around $25–$35 per person. Prices are estimates; confirm directly with your location.

Does The Meatball Shop offer takeout or delivery?

Yes, The Meatball Shop typically offers takeout from each location, and delivery may be available through third-party apps such as DoorDash, Grubhub, or Uber Eats depending on your neighborhood. Check the official website or your preferred delivery platform for availability.

Who founded The Meatball Shop?

The Meatball Shop was founded by childhood friends Michael Chernow and Daniel Holzman, who opened the first location on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 2010. The concept grew from their shared love of uncomplicated, well-made comfort food rooted in Italian-American cooking traditions.