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Meatball Sandwich
(Meatball Sub)
Meatball sandwich is an Italian-American invention typically consisting of a long Italian-style roll filled with meatballs, red sauce, and mild cheeses such as mozzarella or provolone. It is believed that this sandwich was invented in the USA at the turn of the 20th century.
Nowadays, there are numerous variations on the meatball sandwich, but the meatballs are usually made with a combination of ground pork and beef, enriched with eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, basil, parsley, and onions. For the best experience, this sandwich should be followed by a glass of cold beer.
WHERE TO EAT The best Meatball Sandwich in the world (according to food experts)
1
Recommended by Serious Eats and 8 other food critics.
"Take delicate, intensely lamb-y little meatballs, plop 'em on buns with a pleasingly meaty-tasting tomato sauce, and add creamy Caprino, an Italian goat's milk cheese: you've got our favorite meatball sliders in town."
2
Recommended by Pete Wells and 6 other food critics.
"At first, the sandwich exhibits nothing out of the ordinary. The tomato sauce, simple and summery, just seems to have been made by a good cook. The mozzarella and torn leaves of basil are fresh.The meat is juicy and rosy pink on the inside, the color of a perfectly cooked pork chop. It is completely faithful to your memories while being much, much better than you remembered."
3
Recommended by Dan Myers and 6 other food critics.
"These restaurants serve the best meatballs in America - These giant meatballs are then baked, sliced in half, and simmered in fresh-made marinara sauce all day long. This mom and pop meatball shop serves some killer meatballs."
4
Recommended by Noah Galuten and 6 other food critics.
"The meatballs are fluffy, specked faintly with fennel seeds, and made from an appropriate balance of beef and pork. Soaked in a bright marinara, they manage to lift the sandwich up, rather than bog it down to sloth-in-a-tar-pit territory, like many other versions you'll encounter. Here the bread's interior can soak up all the bright, tangy sauce, while the golden-brown crust will maintain its shape, and, with it, the integrity of the sandwich."
5
Recommended by Ken Forkish and 6 other food critics.
"Tommy Habetz’s meatball sandwich on a hoagie roll with tomato sauce, melted cheese, and pocked with brown takes me back to the East Coast meatball subs I loved growing up in Maryland—only these are better."
6
Recommended by Teresa Gubbins and 5 other food critics.
"The best meatballs found around Dallas: Jimmy's Food Store - Meatball sandwich. The original!"
7
Recommended by Danny Jensen and 3 other food critics.
"Where to get the 13 best meatball sandwiches in LA - AATB's version has hearty meatballs served atop provolone, doused with marinara, and dusted with Parmesan on freshly baked, crunchy bread."
8
Recommended by Chicago Magazine and 2 other food critics.
"No condiments, no fuss, just saucy meatballs on a crunchy Upper Crust roll, provolone optional."
9
Recommended by Jeffy Mai and 2 other food critics.
"Chicago's 20 Essential Sandwiches - The meatball sub is among the best of its kind, loaded with homemade meatballs, red sauce, and optional cheese and hot peppers."
