FAQ

Food

Your menus say that most of your balls contain pork. Please explain?

All of our meat balls contain pork product, but our Veggie Balls are completely meat and pork free. 

I’m vegetarian. Is there any meat in anything that is not obvious?

There is no meat in the Veggie Balls but our mushroom gravy and risotto contain chicken stock. Also check with your server for more info about our daily rotating specials. 

I’m gluten intolerant. What can I eat?

We have fine-tuned a recipe for a gluten-free ball. The chicken meatballs are made with basmati rice, rice flour and are gluten free when paired with the Classic Tomato sauce or pesto.

We also offer Kitchen Sink salads with no balls, risotto, mashed potato, simple salad, spinach, broccoli, and polenta. Also check with your server about our daily rotating specials. 

I am lactose intolerant. What doesn’t have dairy in it?

Our chicken and spicy pork balls are dairy free, as is the classic tomato and spicy meat sauce. The pesto has parmesan cheese and the mushroom gravy contains butter.

Most sides are dairy free except for the polenta and mashed potatoes but please check with your server about our daily rotating specials.

All naked balls and sandwiches can be served without additional grated cheese on top.  

I want to bring my friends into The Meatball Shop but one of them is vegan.

Our Kitchen Sink salad with no balls is vegan, as is our simple salad, spinach, broccoli, and white beans. Please check with your server about the ingredients of our rotating Daily Greens & Roast Veggies specials.

Why don’t you offer more vegetarian/vegan ball options?

At this stage we do not offer another vegatarian/vegan ball but all recipe submissions are welcome.

I want to order sliders To Go. Why won’t you let me?

Sliders are our in house specialty that we offer only to our restaurant diners. Because of their bun and size, sliders do not travel well. 

My favorite meatball recipe is not in The Meatball Shop Cookbook.  What gives?

We are sorry that your favorite recipe did not make the Cookbook cut. Most of our recipes can also be found online in the PRESS section of our website.  

Reservations

Why don’t you take reservations?

Our shops are high volume and very small, so we unfortunately cannot accommodate large parties or hold tables. The 170 Bedford location is our largest Meatball Shop and can take reservations for parties of 8 to 12 people with 48 hours notice. Please download our Group Reservations Form (Link to form download) and send to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for confirmation of your reservation. If you have any questions feel free to contact our Bedford location at {718} 551-0520.

Can we hire out the whole restaurant?

None of our restaurants are available for exclusive hire, however our 170 Bedford location has an enclosed outdoor event space which can be exclusively hired out. Please note we require a minimum of 4 business days notice for all bookings.

For prix fixe menu and pricing options, please email Daniele Bourne: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Wait Times/Seating

Why is it always so crowded in your restaurant?  I’m too hungry to wait 2 hours for a table.

Our meatballs bring all the ballers to the yard, so unfortunately we cannot always help the crowds. But we always try to seat and feed everyone as quickly as possible and ensure everyone is comfortable. Our 170 Bedford location is our largest Meatbal Shop but you can also always try to beat the masses by arriving when we open at noon, or dining during non peak times:

M-F 3-6pm
S -T After 10pm
Friday & Saturday - after 11pm.

We are just waiting on one person to get here, they are almost here.  Why won’t you seat us?

It is our policy across the board that we do not seat incomplete parties. We operate on a first-come first-served basis and therefore it’s not fair to hold a table while other groups are complete and all ready to be seated. 

Locations/Franchising

We love The Meatball Shop - why don’t you open a Shop where I live?

We truly appreciate the love and support, and although The Meatball Shop is constantly growing, we are actively focusing on our existing locations.

We want to franchise with you, are you interested?

At this stage we are not entertaining thoughts about franchising, but thank you so much for your interest and we will definitely let you know if we ever decide to move in that direction. 

Donations/Contributions

I am having a fundraiser and would love a donation.

The Meatball Shop is a small organization with limited resources and therefore unfortunately cannot cater to every donation request. However each request will be examined on a case-by-case basis and responded to within 48hours. Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Employment

The Meatball Shop rules! How do I get a job here?

We recommend dropping off a resume in person to one of our locations from Monday -Thursday between 3-5PM. A manager would be happy to speak with you if they are available. 

You can also email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to see if we are currently hiring.

Media/Press

We would love to interview Mike & Dan for our magazine/newspaper/TV show/ website/BLOG. How can we get in touch with them?

You can email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) for all publicity & media enquiries.