Our Favorite Places to Celebrate National Meatball Day!

There are few things that bring us more pure, unadulterated foodie joy that really good Italian comfort food.  And meatballs are pretty much the quintessential Italian comfort food.  Really good, classic meatballs rank pretty high on our list of favorite foods.  But what we really love is when a restaurant serves up their own unique version of meatballs, often with a distinctly un-traditional twist.  Here is our list of some of our favorite places in town to indulge in tasty, unique meatballs.  Whether you like adventurous meatballs or prefer the more classic type, there is sure to be a meatball on this list that you will enjoy!  Head out to one (or more) of these spots on March 9th to celebrate National Meatball Day!

Meatballs at Il Desco

The Restaurant: Il Desco

Part of Town: Riverside

The Meatball Appetizer at Il Desco is made of veal and sausage, served over polenta with tomato sauce and Pecorino Romano (1 for $5, 2 for $9, or 3 for $12).  This is one of the best items on Il Desco’s menu.  It sounds simple, but the flavor profile is perfection.  Don’t miss it next time you go in.

The Restaurant: Hawkers

Part of Town: Riverside

Feeling adventurous?  Get the Curry Hawker Meatballs ($5.00).  These are two skewers of three small meatballs each and they have a delicious curry sauce with a kick over them.

The Restaurant: Buca di Beppo

Part of Town: Southside

Home of the Half Pound Meatball ($5.99 each or 3 for $14.99)!  We don’t give much attention to chain restaurants, but it’s meatball day and Buca di Beppo has one that is half a pound.  Go big or go home!

Meatball Sub at V Pizza

The Restaurant: V Pizza

Part of Town:

Meatball Sub made with premium fresh, all meat, no filler meatballs – get it in your belly. Is this the best meatball sub in Jax?  You be the judge.

The Restaurant: Carmine’s Pie House

Part of Town: Riverside

Meatballs 3 ways: one huge meatball covered in sauce with melted mozzarella for an appetizer ($5.57), a meatball sub ($8.57), or sliced meatballs on your pizza.  Oh the pastabilities!

The Restaurant: Enza’s

Part of Town: Mandarin

Maybe you were thinking traditional spaghetti and meatballs?  There’s no shame in that carb game and Enza’s won’t let you down.  But why not celebrate with even more meat?  The meatball and sausage platter is made with red and green peppers and onions sautéed in tomato sauce and topped with mozzarella.

Meatballs at Mezza

The Restaurant: Mezza

Part of Town: Neptune Beach

Try the Lamb Meatball appetizer ($11.00).  This dish is comprised of two good sized meatballs made of ground lamb with polenta, tomato, mint, and Piave.  The flavor is nice without the gaminess that sometimes takes away from the enjoyment of lamb.

The Restaurant: Taverna

Neighborhood: San Marco

For an upscale, contemporary take on traditional Italian cuisine head to Taverna.  The meatball appetizer  ($10.00) offers three meatballs in a tomato basil sauce with grilled peasant bread.

The Restaurant: Pinegrove Market and Deli

Part of Town: Avondale

Originally a butcher shop and now one of the best burger spots in Jax, Pinegrove Market is one place every true Jacksonvillian should visit before they die.  The Meatball Sub ($8.99) is from-scratch, hand-rolled meatballs in a French Pantry Baguette with homemade marinara, topped with mozzarella and parmesan, finished by a quick toast in the oven.  We salute you, Pinegrove.