Thursday, May 10, 2012

Meatball Madness!! Best Meatballs in South Florida



The meatball, one of my all time favorite comfort foods. I like my balls to be pillow-y soft on the inside with great meat flavor and they MUST be paired with outstanding sauce.

This is a short list.  The places listed are head and shoulders above the rest in town. 

TIER ONE

Macaluso's- (South Beach) Chef  D'Andrea serves a dynamite meatball. Tip- you can get them for lunch or to go at their market next door.

Cafe Martorano- (Ft. Lauderdale) As good as a meatball gets.  

I would love to do a side by side tasting to determine a winner. 

TIER TWO

Noodles Panini- (Ft. Lauderdale) Aunt Marion's meatballs are the real deal.

Frankie and Johnnys- (Ft. Lauderdale) New addition to the list.  Fluffy, meaty and great sauce.

Tudor House- (South Beach)- Chef DeRosa excels with comfort food (ugly burger & pork belly Cuban sandwich) and his monster meatball doesn't disappoint.

Fulvio's- (Hollywood) An underrated meatball in the area that always hits the spot.



HONORABLE MENTION

Sonnys Famous Steak Hogies (Hollywood) Sonny serves a great meatball hogie BUT it is impossible to pass on their cheesesteaks. (TIP- get one to go or go hungry and get a cheesesteak with a meatball hogie on the side)

Racks (North Miami Beach) They serve a surprisingly soft and tasty meatball.
  

TO EAT LIST

Randazzo's (Coral Gables) I still have not been to Randazzo's. 
Cafe La Buca (Pompano) I suspect that their meatball may be tier one or two worthy.  We shall see.
Prime Italian (South Beach) Heard good things but I am doubtful.


Are there any additional knockouts in the area?

6 comments:

Alex said...

Randazzo's is a great meatball (very similar to Martorano) but the sauce brings it down. Too acidic.

Carlos Miller said...

I'm one of those weird guys who prefer my meatballs hard on the outside, like little charred burgers, instead of mushy soft, which is why I prefer to make them myself.

Have you tried Anthony's?

Anonymous said...

Andiamo has introduced a line of homemade meatballs that are old-school ItalianAmeican. Great Meatball Parm!

BestPlacesTo said...

I can't believe you left out Anthony's Runway 84 in Fort Lauderdale. Definitely right up there with the best.

I would also suggest Talia's in Boca - without question the best in Palm Beach County.

And finally, Canyon's Short Rib Meatball is a unique category killer!!

Anonymous said...

seriously? wow, way off. i hate prime italian, but the sausage/ricotta stuffed meatball is prob the best bite of food in florida. i'm a nyc foodie and my wife is a chef. trust me

Rings the Caddy said...

You really need to sample the meatball at Cafe de Buca. I believe it will give both of your Tier 1 a push down to Tier 2. Absolutely the best I've ever had anywhere. Also the sauce is beyond compare. A tremendous compliment to the meatball and delicious enough to just mop up with some dough.