The Meatball Shop
Permanently Closed
Inventive meatball sandwiches, bowls, cocktails, and Jell-O shots
Inventive meatball sandwiches, bowls, cocktails, and Jell-O shots
"The Meatball Shop, another New York import, previously occupied the space at 1720 14th Street NW before Mexicue. It received a lackluster review and closed after less than a year." - Gabe Hiatt
"Washington City Paper reports that Mexicue expects to replace the Meatball Shop, a fellow casual New York import that couldn’t survive a full year at 1720 14th Street NW." - Gabe Hiatt
"The Meatball Shop, which operates six locations in New York City and opened on 14th Street NW last October, couldn’t survive on one of D.C.’s busiest strips for nightlife. Popville flagged a photo of its papered-up facade this morning, and its D.C. address has been removed from the company’s website. Yelp marks the location near Logan Circle as 'permanently closed.' The company sent a statement expressing gratitude to the DC community but cited challenges beyond their control for the closure. Employees received advanced notice, and efforts are being made to place them in other jobs. The chain initially redesigned the 2,400-square-foot space with playful, food-themed art and a 70-seat interior designed as a hybrid of an Italian grandmother’s house with a bustling bar. The menu featured customizable meatballs, salads, platters, Jell-O shots, and sangria but lacked a happy hour. The venture faced delays due to D.C.’s permitting process. Meatball Shop CEO Adam Rosenbaum aimed to avoid overwhelming the D.C. market and had considered Georgetown for a second location." - Tierney Plumb
"The New York-based chain’s new strawberry margarita is half-off all day on Sunday. Macho Balls, made with chipotle chicken, avocado crema, escabeche, and fresh cilantro, are $5 for five. Get added heat from a “Swift Kick” sauce for $1." - Tierney Plumb
"NYC’s months-old meatball import is wrapping up its first winter in D.C. by releasing its ramen noodle-stuffed pork spheres. Executive chef Dan Sharp adds ramen noodles directly into the pork meatball mixture, then lets them float atop a light ramen broth adorned with minced pork, mushrooms, sprouts, kabocha squash, and seaweed. Expect the inventive order ($15) to stick around for about a month. Add its 'Swift Kick' hot sauce to turn up the heat." - Tierney Plumb