Emporio: A Meatball Joint

My first time dinning here was a few weeks ago. It's was very very busy and we had a party of 9 people. They were able to accommodate us with only a 30 minute wait time. The food was good, not great. Pricing was reasonable. With in walking distance of the convention center. A pretty cool place overall!

Walked in because it was across the street from our hotel and it was packed. Happy hour runs til 9 on Friday so that was a huge plus. Our bartender Bella was exceptional and combined a welcome to my home vibe with a professional and efficient twist. The meatballs were moist and large and the Wedge Salad and Cheese Bread were perfectly prepared and large quantities.

Last Friday night we dined outside on a beautiful evening here. Our service was very prompt and friendly upon arrival with being seated outside which was our request. Our server was very prompt as well with taking our drink and meal orders. It was fantastic sitting outside which made for a wonderful date night! I ordered one of the Saucy Ball Bowls, Atomic Balls, which was out of this world and really hit the spot! The prices are so good at this restaurant that I had to check the bill twice to ensure it was correct! This restaurant was a short stroll from Trinity Episcopal Cathedral where we saw a Candlelight Concert by Fever. We will definitely be back to dine in near future!

Food was excellent, service was even better! Lena made excellent suggestions and serviced us well with the balls!

I use to live in Pittsburgh and loved this place. Moved back to DC area and we were coming down to Morgantown WV for sister in laws graduation so we were super excited to drive down to Pittsburgh as well to have Emporio. We drove down 3 and a half hours and were met with our Server Jennifer who was the rudest server ever! We could not believe the way she spoke with us and gave Dry responses under her breath and could not even make EYE CONTACT when taking orders! Actually was flabbergasted when we asked a simple question if you guys had only Beef meatballs because I couldn’t remember she ignored the question. We asked again 2 more times as 3 different people at the table asked 1 by 1 that maybe she didn’t hear and she rolls her eyes and goes ONLY BEEF WITH PORK! Like ok maybe you’re just having a bad day. Then we see the same server laughing ear to ear smiling giggling and sits down with people at another table! Not sure if that was her family but very unprofessional and left such a sour taste in our mouth because we have never experienced something like this. Specially because we were nothing but excited to drive specially down to Pittsburgh just for Emporio. How disappointing!

I ordered from Door Dash. The Loaded Potato entree that I ordered had zero mashed potatoes. I paid $16 for 2 meatballs and some tater tots. I also ordered the parm herb fries for $9 and both items were extremely salty. I couldn't finish either and it gave me a terrible stomach ache. Never ordering from there again that's for sure.

Did not get what we ordered. Missing multiple elements of one dish. The pizza had raw dough. The Mac n cheese was so bland I would have rather had Kraft. We ordered fries and the way they were packaged made them soggy, all the sauces hot and spilled with melted plastic throughout. Absolutely not even close to ok for the prices they are charging. One of the worst food experiences I’ve ever had in Pittsburgh.

This place has gone downhill so badly, the meatballs taste like dollar tree frozen meatballs, they're smaller now, very dense and dry, portions are tiny, we thought they split our order. Bathroom was in disrepair, turned on the faucet and it shot water down my front. The beer boards hadn't been updated and everything we ordered was out, the menus were out of date and we had to play a game of trying to figure out what was still available to buy. One of the worst experiences I've had eating out. The first time we went it was rough, but I wanted to give them a second chance. This was a giant mistake. Stay away. Go around the corner to pizza Bari, it's cheaper and better in every way.

Not bad, not necessary good. Got one of their signature loaded baked potato bowls. Basically a few scoops of mashed potatoes, tater tots, nacho cheese, bacon, and 2 beef meatballs. It wasn't bad, just tasted kind of "cheap" if that's the right word. Guess this is a good place if you're looking for a quick inexpensive meal. Overall, not a bad experience. Good service. Good vibes. Mediocre food.

If this had been our first trip there, we'd never have gone a second time. We hadn't been back much since the pandemic and I'm not sure if we hit it on a bad night, or if their food is always horrible now. The vibe is still good. Service was friendly, but bad (almost nothing we got the first time around matched what we ordered. The food tasted like it had been made hours and hours ago and sitting around getting cold. The restaurant was more empty than I'd ever seen it, so them being too busy wasn't the issue. I'm definitely not in a rush to return unless I hear that they're going back to the old restaurant standards. Very disappointing dinner for the same prices.

Food was good. Glad they brought back the meatball hoagie. Staff is still Great. Bartender Brett - Warm and friendly Ambiance bar area is the best area to eat and hang.

ASK FOR AN ITEMIZED BILL BEFORE YOU LET THEM PROCESS YOUR PAYMENT! In town for a trade show. Place was recommended by a local. Food was ok. They have a hand held touchscreen they bring to the table to process your card. Bill seemed high for a small group but assumed you are by the convention center so prices are inflated. Requested a receipt. I went through it when I got back to the hotel and the bill was padded with extra items we did order or get. Contacted them with the specifics of the bill and no response.

It's a fun concept, you build your custom meatball entree. You can order spicy, vegetarian, meaty, just whatever suits your taste. The service is fast, which is great if you are heading to a concert or play. The second level features more gourmet options, but sometimes it's good to keep things simple and quick.

Wanted something new and I'm so glad I stopped in. I loved the food and the service. I'll try more menu items because I'm certainly going to make this a regular lunch stop. I had a meatball panini with provolone and marinara sauce with a side of mashed potatoes. I highly recommend this place and look forward to the other levels. There's a rooftop bar and an Italian Restaurant in the same building.

Used to really enjoy coming here, but will never return. The manager was too lazy to actually check if the meatballs had egg in them- so he just assumed. We used to be able to eat the chicken meatballs but apparently they changed their ingredients. As if that part wasn't bad enough when I told him as we walked out he should take allergies more seriously my son could have left in an ambulance he has some rude remarks about how I should watch what restaurants I pick.

Such a unique, and yummy restaurant! I've never been anywhere quite like Emporio. When you arrive, you will notice the sign says something different. This confused us too, just know you've found the right place. My husband and I both got the chicken meatballs, which were pretty dry. But honestly, it's chicken and we should have known better. However, we loved the buffalo and the crazy sauce and I highly recommend anything over the tater tots. We don't live in Pittsburg, but we might just have to take another trip to try more meatballs. Great service and classic sports bar theme. It looked like they had a killer outdoor area, but we visited in the winter.

This place is awesome! Came here with some friends for a happy hour. There was a slight wait but we went to the third floor to have some drinks on the rooftop bar while we waited. Others at my table raved about the cheesy bread sticks, but I personally had a meatball slider. It was so perfect for my small appetite that evening. Our waitress was also wonderful. She was very attentive and didn't seem aggravated that we had a slightly larger group (8). I think this would be a great spot to take anyone who is downtown. Can't wait to come back!

Used to be my favorite restaurant up until yesterday :( I'm not sure how the angry birds bowl went from pic 1 to pic 2 but it is seriously such a shame and also was not good.. the pasta was clearly scooped out of a container and microwaved and the chicken meatballs are now mushy.

Used to be a good place. But I think there is new ownership and our experience was terrible. First, we "got in line" for a table using Yelp app. It said there was a 30 minute wait. When we arrived we were "first" in line but were told, "we don't use that any more." We said, ok and then put our name in and proceeded to the bar to wait for table. At that point a snarky female bartender told us the kitchen was backed up and she couldn't wait on us for a half hour. I have no idea what the kitchen status has to do with placing a drink order. So we walked out and went elsewhere. Avoid this place. Management is clueless. PS. A homeless person held the door for us when we arrived. So that was nice of him.

Horrible service. Waited an hour after being seated and no drink. I can't eat the food, always get an upset stomach after. Used to be ok but recently gone down. Servers at the bar on phones and not making drinks. Claimed was helping a party. At the time, only two other tables were being used. Checks came out wrong. Not given correct pricing and different items rang up

Who doesn't love meatballs? Now make those meatballs out of chicken, toss them in hot sauce, top them with blue cheese and jalapeños, and serve them over mac n cheese. I was in love. They saw me and my palette coming from a looong ways away. They also offer many other meatball options. Even a create your own where you choose your meatball protein, sauce, and what it's over. And they have salads, fries, and even more. It was very busy when I was there. And I definitely got lost in the bar crush shuffle. But it was also a bartender all on their own. So completely understandable, just not the best experience. But would totally come back. Fab flavors happening here!

I never been to a restaurant that mostly served variations of meatballs and sauce. It was quite crowded due to the events gong on downtown. Food came out fast and tasty with dipping sauce that was just too good to describe. I really appreciated the fancy jugs of water they brought out to the table for quick refills.

Layla was excellent! Great service! Location was right across from our hotel. Starving and this place did not disappoint. Chicken meatball sub and beef with parm hit the spot.

This place used to be great, but after our last visit, I doubt we'll be back. Our server spent a lot of time hanging out with the bartender and when we finally got to order, the food came out a different times. My husband got his food and the rest of the table had 20 minutes before we got ours. No update, just a it'll be out soon. Our whole visit took an hour and we had to pack half our food because we were late to a show by the time the food arrived.

Man, talk about things that used to be good. This used to be one of my favorite places to eat, and haven't been there for about 8 months. I have no idea what happened. I ordered the poutine. It is not poutine anymore, it is cheese fries with gravy. Where are the curds? Also the fries are very soggy. I also got crack fries - needs way more sauce. I got the atomic bowl. The Mac and Cheese had almost no cheese whatsoever and tasted like bland pasta. It also was clumpy and felt old. The buffalo chicken balls were just a soggy mess of buffalo mush. They used to be little fried balls that had texture and were covered in a nice buffalo - now they just tear apart and have the consistency of a loose cookie dough. It was really unappetizing. I ended up having to throw away half of my food. I probably won't be going back, ever - the food was truly awful compared to how it used to be.

We were so disappointed. I have been waiting to try this place for years. We arrived and waited at the hostess stand for about 5 minutes before we mentioned waiting for the hostess to a passing waiter. They said "okay they will be right back". We waited longer while multiple servers and a manager passed us by and kept saying someone will be coming. The host stand was covered in napkins and old drinking glasses some half full, and others wet with melted ice and condensation. No one had been there in awhile and it wasn't promising that they were coming back to finish their shift lol. We went next door on the patio, and I cannot tell you how many people we saw waiting right inside the door that would also turn around and walk out for the same reasons. Super disappointed.

I stopped by here earlier today with my wife for dinner. Our neighborhood has food trucks come every other Thursday and on this day it happened to be the Emporio Meatball Truck. Since it's a food truck, there's not much to say about it other than it was being worked by two employees and it let me know that Emporio is the "official meatball of the Pittsburgh Penguins". For dinner on this day, both my wife and I decided to go with the crack Mac attack. The menu described it as 5 fried Buffalo chicken balls, gov't Mac and cheese with crack sauce. We waited maybe 5 minutes for our order to be ready and once we received it we headed back home. Once there I opened it up and dug in. The first thing that I noticed was how spicy the crack sauce was. It was good though as it also had a sweet component to it and so I could understand the name. The Buffalo chicken balls had a nice exterior and a warm and juicy interior to them. Last but not least was the Mac and cheese which was the most disappointing part. The pasta was cooked correctly, I just wish that there had been more sauce on it and that it was a bit creamier. Oh well. The bottom line for me is that I would head back here again in the future. I was actually surprised by how much I liked my dish and would also like to try their "angry birds".

This place is great food, this is our go to whenever we go to Pittsburgh. Big shout out to Sam the waitress for being friendly and attentive. Modern ambience with dim lighting and good bar options. The menu options have changed a bit in the past six months so make sure you read cooking styles carefully before ordering. Mgr checked in and other workers chatted us up as well

Long review, sorry in advance. TLDR: used to be awesome, changed for the worse. I used to LOVE this place. it's a family favorite. unfortunately, the recent changes to the menu have significantly reduced the quality. they got rid of the custom pasta option with government cheese and other sauces, which was my favorite. they got rid of the spicy ball and pork ball. the falafel bowl is advertised as having "sautéed vegetables" but only came with corn? the fries seem frozen and lackluster, and worst of all, they are missing the meatball flags! everything unique about this place has been erased. I don't write from a place of hate or entitlement- I've never reviewed a place before- but this experience was very disappointing. this place used to be a Pittsburgh institution. I strongly recommend that management reverse the changes.

I really would give more stars had the service been better. Unfortunately, during my first visit to Pittsburgh, my first impression was slightly tainted by my group and I's interactions with the hostess at the front. Tamika, the woman who greets every visitor coming into Emporio, talked down to us like we were children -- with little to no respect and a lack of kindness. I would love to give the benefit of the doubt but unfortunately, as we returned to the establishment for the second day to go to the rooftop bar connected to Emporio, Tamika was rude to us yet again. And that really rubbed me the wrong way. I highly suggest a different greeter at the entrance to your restaurant as to not turn people away.

For a place that is only meatballs you would think great meatballs nope! I had a beef and a chix and both were like saw dust and cold , there sauces were just as bad. I would bet these are from frozen.

Used to love this place. Lived close by and would order 2-3 times a month. Moved out of the city a few months ago and went back today... disappointed. The meatballs are .... mushy. and they've changed their crack sauce recipe apparently. Its gross now to be frank. Sadly wont get again. Ill forever miss the flavors of the original. I've always gotten the Angry Birds bowl. My partner agrees.

I like the food and service ranges from ok to good. I have been coming here for years. Pricing is deceptive. I never paid much attention to the receipt until today. The bill provides a cash and card total. I thought they offered a discount for cash, but it turns out they tack on 4% for each line item. For example my salad was $10 on the menu, but 10.40 on my bill. My Angry Birds bowl was $16 on the menu yet $16.64 on the bill. This screams class action lawsuit to me. I think I'll find somewhere else to dine in the future. Too bad as I do like the food. I just don't like being tricked and prefer to spend my money with places that are transparent.

This was my second visit to Emporio, however I do like to patronize the Emporio Food Truck when it is nearby to my home. We were promptly seated on the main floor and our waitress was attentive. I had the regular beef meatballs with crack sauce and tots. I love the crack sauce. They were VERY sparse with the sauce. My wife had the marinara sauce and tots. We each had two drinks. Our bill was $70.00. I like it but it is definitely advantageous to visit during happy hour, especially if you are going to imbibe. Next time I hope they put more crack sauce on my meatballs.

This restaurant is so so cute. It's actually pretty easy to miss because the restaurant is actually housed with two other restaurants - a charcuterie place and a rooftop bar - and so the name out the outside is actually not Emporio. Got takeout on a weekday night and the place was packed, definitely recommend reserving a table ahead of time if you want to eat in. The food was very okay. Got the Saucy Balls with 4 different kinds of meatballs (chicken, beef, pork, and a spicy meatball of the week) with Basil Pesto Cream and Mac 'n Cheese. The meatballs were pretty dry, would recommend getting the spicy ones as it cuts through the meatiness a lot better. The sauce definitely helps a lot to give it a little bit more moisture. The mac 'n cheese was a little bit underwhelming, there wasn't a lot of cheese in ours but I like the pasta shape. Overall, beautiful place but the food was just okay. Also its a kind of pricey for the amount you get but I guess that's dinner prices right?

This was a fun spot for lunch. Who doesn't want to build your own meatball bowl? Hubbie and I shared a bowl of 4 meatballs over a bed of crispy Brussel sprouts with a spicy marinara sauce. Yummy! We had the beef meatball, the pork, chicken, and the ball of the month which was taco. The pork was definitely our favorite. We both agreed that beef and chicken were a bit dense and dry, but overall a unique and tasty experience.

This is one of the coolest spots in Pittsburgh. Sienna Mercato is three floors of different style restaurants and Emporio is the one on the ground floor. Yes, it's a "meatball joint", but it's so much more. The menu has quite a few fun appetizers (try the parmesan fries!) and lots of choices for meatball sandwiches/paninis/sliders. The beer list is quite long but I'm not a beer drinker so I didn't partake. My husband tried Platform Strawberry Cheesecake Porter that he loved. We were blessed with great hospitality from the hostess to the bartender to the waitress. Everyone was energetic. We didn't feel like we had to rush out either which is unusual for a downtown spot as they usually love to turn tables over quickly. We will definitely be back.

What an awful experience. We ordered 3 items and only 2 were delivered. I called and they said to contact DoorDash who indicated that since my order was paid to restaurant (not sure how this works online) I had to go there for resolution. When I called the restaurant again, the nice hostess said her manager indicated there was nothing they could do. WTH? Never have I experienced such bad service in an online order. Who knows maybe the Italian hoagie would have been good!

A terrible dining experience. The meatballs were dry and overcooked. They were out of 5 different draft beers on the menu, and the order was botched up and we didn't get the food or the beers we ordered. A big disappointment.

Called in to place an order for pickup around 6:30pm on a Saturday night. Food was ready about 15 minutes later which was great because when I showed up the wait to be seated for those who wanted to eat in was about 30 minutes. While takeout was speedier, I think it made for a poorer food experience. Unfortunately, by the time I got home the fries were cold and stale. They were beyond saving and were thrown right in the bin. The few bites I did have weren't particularly memorable and rather bland. The atomic chicken meatballs were very dry as well, but because they were in a sauce and served with macaroni and cheese they were salvageable and it wasn't difficult to reheat. Finally, the spicy pork slider with tomato/basil sauce had a good flavor but the slider bun had turned to a crouton during the drive home. Yet another casualty. I can imagine the experience could've been much better if we'd decided to eat in, but convenience won out today and the meal quality paid dearly for that.

This is the place to go for a good meatball. We were promptly seated which was surprising because downtown was pretty packed. I had the chicken meatball panini with mashed potatoes. The meatball was flavorful and cooked well. The potatoes were pretty good as well.

It's a decent meatball place. I liked their buffalo ranch sauce and crack sauce. Didn't like the mushroom gravy this time. Quick service from friendly staff. It's in downtown so finding parking on a weekend could be a challenge .

We stopped here for lunch with friends on Friday. For a place that specializes in meatballs this place needs a lesson in making meatballs! No one in the group enjoyed their food. Meatballs had no flavor or spices. I had gluten free chicken balls and had to use a knife to cut the meatballs. I did not get bread, and really grateful as everyone else in our group got meatball sandwiches and the bread was dry and tough. They all said it tasted like the bread had been warmed in a microwave bc it was hard and chewy. Ordered Diet Pepsi and it was flat. Requested new and we're told"that is the way it is ". We will not be returning to this establishment!

We had attempted to go to another restaurant for my Birthday dinner but they were completely booked. We decided to walk up a few blocks and try out Sienna Mercato. I'm so glad we did! For my drink I got a mule. It was delicious and well mixed. My appetizer- the crack fries. I quickly understood the name because I could not stop eating them! My boyfriend got the crab and shrimp Buffalo dip. He was taken aback that it was cold but enjoyed it. He did say he couldn't taste much crab or shrimp. For our entrees, I got the saucy balls with 2 chicken meatballs and 2 beef ones over tomato risotto and covered in tomato basil sauce. It was out of this world! The beef meatballs were perfectly seasoned and just magnificent. The chicken balls were slightly salty but also very good. The risotto was cooked to perfection and the sauce complimented it all perfectly. My boyfriend also did the saucy balls with chicken balls, pesto sauce, and tortellinis. I loved the pesto but the rest was too heavy for me. He however loved it. We left full, satisfied, and with leftovers. Can't wait to come back!

If you have an allergy do not go here. My son has a severe egg allergy. As usual my wife called ahead of time and spoke with the manager and he confirmed that the chicken meatballs did not have egg in them. We arrived and again double checked with the waitress who informed us that the chicken meatballs did in fact contain egg. We asked to speak with the manager as he told us that there was no egg. The manager came over and said that he was mistaken and all of their meatballs contain egg and he was new to the position and did not know the menu. My wife said it was important to know the menu when people with allergies ask about items to which he replied maybe we should just watch what restaurants we go to. This is an unacceptable response from a manager of a restaurant. I will be sure to let everyone I know not to eat at emporio or any of their restaurants ever again. Review would be a 0 if you could.

On the ground floor of Sienna Mercato, it's a convenient place for a casual bite to eat before heading up to the rooftop bar, Il Tetto. Despite there being a decent number of other diners on the Friday night in September when we stopped in for a late night dinner, our meatball meals were served quickly. I wish they had been served piping hot but their veggie balls in basil tomato sauce were very flavorful. I always order tap water to drink even when I order other beverages and their tap water actually taste delicious. Our waitress was wonderful explaining the different types of meatball meals option available. We went with customizing our orders of different flavors of meatballs in a bowl with different sauce combinations. You can also order side dishes ($7+/each). The crispy Brussel Spouts could have been much more crispy. The winter cheddar mash potatoes were nice and cheesy. Everything could have been warmer. Their chairs are not the most comfortable but I did appreciate the spaciousness between tables. It's a lively atmosphere in sync with being located on Penn Ave in the Cultural District.

I use to come here all the time. I moved away and this was my first time back in 4 years. This place is not the same. They don't offer all the sauces. The meatballs are solid, tasteless chunks. There weren't many people in there and I now know why. We won't be coming back unfortunately.

This place used to be one of my all time favorite restaurants. I loved dine in, carry out, and delivery! However, since they've changed the menu I doubt I'll be back again unfortunately. They got rid of amazing items like the brussel sprouts, but mainly the build your own bowl. The crack sauce used to be AMAZING. Now you can only get it on one dish and it tastes different. Assuming this is due to the economy like every other thing today, but it's a shame

Food was good but service was AWFUL. Miserable staff and when I wanted to place a to go order a HALF HOUR before close I was told no.

I stopped by Emporio Meatball during the Three Rivers Arts Festival this weekend! We were hungry around 2 pm and didn't want any of the festival food at Point State Park. I'm glad we just kept walking and stumbled upon Emporio! I have eaten at the food truck and at the restaurant plenty of times before concerts or Pens games, but hadn't been in over a year. It was our waiter's first week working, and he was so sweet. I can't remember his name, but we loved his energy! My friend and I both ordered a glass of Cabernet to start. They carry the Collefrisio wine from Italy that a few other local wine bars carry. It goes great with their meatball sandwiches. :) Unfortunately, both of our glasses were dirty with lipstick stains. Our waiter immediately brought fresh glasses, and we enjoyed the wine. People are always surprised when I order the veggie balls, but they are so good! They kind of remind me of falafel. I get two veggie balls (they are huge) smashed between bread with provolone cheese. The basil pesto is my favorite sauce to dip it in. I also ordered the rocket salad which is made up of arugula, slivered almonds, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes. The tomatoes were not ripe at all and I put them to the side. The thick balsamic over the salad was delicious. My total was $25 for my panini, salad, and wine. It was the perfect lunch. My friend ordered the spicy pork meatballs over tortellini with marinara sauce. She wasn't expecting the meatballs to be so large, so she ended up taking the other half home. We sat right on the sidewalk of Penn Ave which was perfect for people watching. This is a solid place for an easy lunch or dinner downtown. The food is always consistent and everyone can find something they like! They have a few vegan and gluten free options.

I was really impressed with the service and the food. Everything was amazing! Staff and the manager were very nice.

The custom meatball/sauce options are a novel idea, but I've always been disappointed in the quality of the food. The big problem is the only vegetarian option - the veggie meatball - is pretty bland and unappealing. The texture is not great and feels very pasty and cloying in your mouth. Flavor is weird and it seems like the recipe doesn't include the typical herbs or flavorings that you would typically associate with meatballs? The frozen vegetarian meatballs from grocery stores are way better. Sauces also seem to be hit or miss. Generally the creamy sauces have been a little off flavor-wise in my opinion. Though the food is mediocre for vegetarians especially, the atmosphere is nice and this always feels like a lively place downtown. Truly an anchor on the Penn Ave corridor. I keep coming back here for the experience. If you're unfamiliar with the multi-level layout of the restaurant, I think it's a little confusing and the hosts are not always the best at being present and helping direct traffic. I've definitely seen a lot of people go to the rooftop and come back down after they find out there usually aren't meatballs served up there.

You guys, seriously what is happening to my reviews???? I've posted one about this place when the first opened. Ugh, Yelp, why?!? Balls, Balls, Balls...that's how my last review started. Maybe that was the problem? Lol. Anyway haven't been here in a few months and I'm not disappointed at all. Me and the boyfriend ordered and shared our faves: Fugetta Bowl Mac and cheese (creamy parm) This is a great spot for locals and out of towners. Love the whole vibe/combo of Emporio, IL Tetto and Mezzo. Three joints in one.

It was interesting. We just radomly walked in. We didn't really know what it was. Meatballs. Balls balls balls. All kinds. I had the buffalo chicken and my boyfriend had the beef with loaded mashed and tater tots... yep it comes with 2 potatoes. The taste was alright. It came super fast and was luke warm. We were in and out I. Prob 30 minutes. We did walk up to the other to floors to check them out. The roof top bar looked nice. It was pretty packed so we headed out.

Nice place for happy hour, but otherwise overpriced Food: 4.5, Value: 5, Atmosphere: 4, Service: 3.5 This is a great place for happy hour (4-6pm on weekdays)! They do half off their entire drink menu with $5 poutine and $0.50 cent buffalo chicken balls. The only issue is this happy hour is earlier than normal, so can be hard to get to on a weekday unless you are already downtown. The poutine has gotten better over the years! The fries still stay super crispy despite being covered in gravy and cheese! The gravy is mild in flavor, but they give you a decent amount (you can also choose any of their other sauces if you don't like traditional gravy). The cheese curds are melted and delicious. You can add toppings like bacon and eggs, but they are around $1-2 dollars a piece on top of the $5 base price. The buffalo chicken balls are delicious! They are doused in a sticky spicy sweet and sour buffalo sauce and are really filling. 6-8 of them are a full meal. As far as the rest of their menu, the meatballs and sauces are standard and are overpriced for the portion size. Overall great place for happy hour, but pass at any other time! Get the poutine and buffalo chicken balls!

This is the second time I've been and I'm not even from Pittsburgh. This time I ordered a chicken slider with vodka sauce and it was incredible! My boyfriend got Buffalo meatballs with Mac and cheese. The meatballs are so flavorful and there's a lot of combinations to choose from. If you ever find yourself in Downtown Pittsburgh, go to Emporio!

$10 for a side of fries? Get outta here. Go elsewhere. This place isn't worth it. Just go to Pizzaiolo or DiAnoia's for meatballs and even other options!

My disappoint is immeasurable. I should've taken the hint that no one was there for the food when everyone was sitting at the bar. Service was pretty slow. The food didn't take too long to come but we waited for long periods of time without the waitress coming by and also for the check. Ambience was nice but the food... Got the "saucy balls" with chicken meatballs, Mac and cheese, and buffalo sauce. Now, I understand that naturally chicken meatballs are going to be more dry, and maybe it would be wise to get a different kind. However, I believe that if it's on the menu it should be good. Restaurants shouldn't offer more variety if they can't make the food well. These meatballs were rocks. Just unbelievably dense. On top of that the buffalo sauce was like eating gasoline. The only thing I could taste was the heat from that sauce. I read another review that said the Mac and cheese was worse than Kraft and I think that well describes the quality. The cheese sauce just tasted like the powder that comes in boxed Mac and cheese. Overall was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in a while- which means a lot coming from a college student regularly eating in the dining halls.