4. Restaurants

Meatball Kitchen

2912 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH, 45219
  • (513) 407-7405
  • Store is closed

Meatball Kitchen Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )
Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )
TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.

Kfc ( 7716 Beechmont Ave )
Kfc ( 3006 Reading Rd )
TGI Friday’s ( 8150 Montgomery Rd )

  • Scott M.

    Salad - great Meatballs - good Garlic bread - alright Pasta sauce - kinda gross It's just rough here in Cincy. Good Italian is a rarity, and the marinara is the key. Meatball Kitchen's is a whiff. Sauce is watery and way, way too tart. I knew it the moment I saw the color, way too orange and it wasn't sticking to the pasta but running to the bottom of the container. I don't know if the tomatoes were bad, overripe, under-ripe, or just not right, but I tried hard not to gag my way through the meal. Pasta, by the way are midget rigatoni. The pasta was fine and combined with provolone, meatballs, and a copious amount of parmigiana they were very edible. But every time I got a good solid taste of the pasta sauce I wanted to hurl. I would come back and try the Alfredo sauce, it had a unique name. Maybe it's good. I think naming it "meatball" kitchen was much better choice than "marinara" kitchen, because it clearly hasn't been mastered.

    (2)

  • Kristan H.

    Went here for the first time on a Saturday night and quite enjoyed it. Cute casual interior, street parking, no wait. (Lunch seems to be much busier? At least based on reviews.) The menu is sweet and simple. Pick your type of meatball (beef, turkey, veggie), how you want it served (pasta vs. sandwich), then sauce (tomato, meat, bechamel), and optional sides (do the garlic bread pudding!). We got beef with tomato and turkey with meat, both on pasta. Both were tasty, though I think I slightly preferred the beef meatball and the meat sauce. Before going, some of the pictures made me wonder/worry about portions being too small, but no, I definitely felt full when I left. Happy full. Delicious full. I also got a chocolate cupcake, which was a perfect "end of the meal" size. And the servers were really, really friendly. So we'll definitely be coming back, and hope that others will join Meatball Kitchen (and Taste of Belgium) in making Short Vine the next happening place.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Cute place and unique concept: pick your meatball, your "vehicle" (ie. Pasta, sandwich eye) and your sauce. I got the turkey meatball salad and it was good although I was pretty jealous of my friend's yummier looking sandwich.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Delicious meatball sandwich with fresh bread! The coffee was tasty and the spaghetti and meatballs was out of this world. Would definitely go again! It's a must try!

    (4)

  • Sära C.

    This place is absolutely amazing! All of their meat is fresh from Findlay market, which means that it's locally grown. For lunch we had: pork meatball pezze pasta & the veggieball burrito. The pasta had a great ginger cream sauce & the burrito had a light but fantastic flavor. This place was such a delight that we decided to order takeout for dinner (too much to describe). Dinner was amazing as well. There is no other place with food this fresh & well prepared for these prices. We will definitely be eating here a few times a week!

    (5)

  • Angela R.

    So surprised! The veggie meatballs are crazy good, and their spicy cole slaw has chunks of blue cheese in it! I tried them at a pop up shop at Urban Artifact and can't wait to go to their brick n motor place in Clifton!

    (5)

  • Matthew H.

    The meatball kitchen is a revelation. Who thought you could market an entire restaurant around meatballs? They aren't super exciting or anything. But Meatball Kitchen definitely changes that. They offer a bunch of different options as far as types of meatballs and the accompanying sauces. Also you can choose between sandwich, salad, pasta, or hoagie. This opens up you're options, and allows you to try different a new things every visit. I've only been once so far, and i tried the pork meatballs, with the cream sauce on the focaccia bread. The meatballs were delicious, and the sauce was creamy and cheesy. The highlight for me was the bread. It was super buttery and fluffy. I would eat just about anything if it was sandwiched with this bread. We also tried a few of the sides. The sriracha sweet potatoes, which were not too bad, could have had more sriracha flavor. Also we had the cheesy hash browns, which were amazing and i would definitely order again. The atmosphere is very modern and clean. The wines on the wall is a cool display and helpful for pairing. They carry a bunch of local craft brews which I appreciate as a beer drinker. The staff was very helpful in assisting with us first timers, making recommendations and giving better descriptions of the food. I cannot wait to come back to this fun little restaurant.

    (4)

  • Joe K.

    Passing thru town I stopped here when I saw their sign because I'm a big fan of meatballs. I stepped inside this super clean establishment and was greeted with service that made me feel welcomed right away. Ordering couldn't have been easier. Pick a type of meatball, something for them to sit on and a sauce. You can add extras too. I had the spicy pork meatballs on pasta with a beer braised mushroom sauce with provolone. I was almost hoping it would be small so I could try another dish but Noooo. A very large portion that tasted absolutely wonderful more than filled me up. Now I'll roll myself out the door and contemplate moving here so I can do it again. Don't miss this gem. Great work guys.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    I went to check out Meatball Kitchen on their soft open and as soon as I walked in, I knew it was going to be a good night. First, their space is beautiful. Its open/airy and many seating options available...large communal table to a really cool dining bar that looks out the window. You walk up to the counter to order, the menu is simplistic but could give you endless options between pairings. I went with the turkey meatball sandwich on focaccia bread and their white béchamel sauce. Both the bread and meatballs were super fresh but I absolutely loved their sides!! With a deal like 2 for 3bucks, you could get all and be super happy. The srirachi sweet potato mash had a little kick, but not too spicy. The garlic onion bread pudding was freakin' amazing...must learn to cook for thanksgiving. My friend had the Spicy pork with red sauce and said it had great flavor. Its pretty no fuss and service was quick, but relaxing enough that you want to sit and enjoy conversation and meal. I look forward to going back and trying their untraditional meatballs...hello Bacon Cheddar meatball burger!

    (4)

  • Savannah K.

    Decided to try out a new place with my co-workers for lunch so we made the trek in the snow to the Meatball Kitchen. The place looked empty upon arrival and it had already been open for an hour prior to us getting there. Once inside, the decor was fitting and simple. Very clean and comfortable an appealing to the college crowd that it will likely draw. The menu is easy to read so it made my selection simple. I'm a pasta lover so naturally I gravitated towards the rigatoni. I chose the beef meatball, pasta and the classic tomato sauce. My food came out fairly quick and looked very appetizing. The sauce is a very simple tomato based sauce with a slightly creamy. The three meatballs that came on the pasta were definitely the star of the meal. They were a good portion size, not overwhelmingly big, and were packed full of flavor. My coworkers all got the meatball sandwich. Some ordered the spicy pork meatballs and said they didn't have as much spice as anticipated, but were still delicious. They also came to the conclusion that the meat sauce was better than the classic tomato. Lastly, they all raved abut the garlic and onion bread pudding. This caused some of them to go order more! The only issue we ran into was that half of the food ordered took about 10 minutes longer to receive than the rest. We were told they ran out of beef meatballs and had to make more and that is where I took off a star. Overall, I'd definitely recommend this place to everyone. It's something new to add to the growing "foodie" world in Cincinnati.

    (4)

  • Jennifer N.

    The food here is great! Wish there was a location in New England. The beef meatballs and meat sauce were tender, juicy and garlicky. My vegetarian daughter loved her "veggie meatball sub" and we were literally fighting over the side dishes. We loved the spicy sweet potatoes, kale salad, and garlic home fries. Wonderful, friendly service and a great house red by the glass. I liked the clever wine paring menu on the wall for wines by the bottle. Since it was late on Sunday, there weren't many cupcakes left, but they looked good.

    (5)

  • Aaron P.

    Quite good food, with inventive specials. Some past highlights: savory bread pudding, a phenomenal meatball banh mi. Spicy pork with bechamel is an especially good combination. Focaccia bread is very good. Housemade pickles are great and include vegetable other than cucumbers. Friendly, informed staff as well.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    So here is the lowdown - eating their vegetarian meatballs will make you a vegetarian. I am a meat eater. My wife is not. I will gladly give up meat when there is a suitable substitute. And Holy Batman Meatball Kitchen has got it! I've gotten takeout a few times and have been super impressed.

    (4)

  • Adam H.

    Was in town visiting and went here after grabbing the special on Groupon. I was surprised. The staff was great. I had the spicy pork meatball sandwich with tomato sauce, provolone, & siracha sweet potato mash. The food was great, the only thing I can complain about was the meatball wasn't spicy. It had a mild chorizo flavor which was nice, but was missing the oomph. The siracha sweet potato mash was great. I'll definitely be back here.

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    I had the meatballs and pasta with tomato sauce, also cole slaw and Srirachi mashed sweet potato. The food was good. The music was too loud, service seemed slow, and the food was served in paper dishes. I can understand their reasons for not having servers or washable plates, but if you're going to be a step-up from fast food, your meal shouldn't sweat through the plate or take twenty minutes to arrive. I was there about 1:00 PM, and the place was about half full. I thought that I read on the menu that was posted in the window that 2 meatballs and 2 sides would be $8.00, but when I paid my tab it came to $10 plus tax. I was not offered a receipt. I was doing research before I brought a friend there for lunch, but I think that I will have to do another visit before I recommend it to anyone I care about.

    (3)

  • Nina S.

    Delicious. Beautiful and trendy food, but cheap and relatively fast. My favorite is the Spicy Pork Bechamel Pasta. They are working on a new menu, but I don't know if it is a new location as it is called "Pacific Tavern". They won't be replacing their awesome menu as of now.

    (5)

  • Mary A.

    I was hesitant - only meatballs?? This place is great! I had the salad with veggie meatballs and it was wonderful. The meatballs are spiced delish and flavorful. Very juicy. I had two of the sliders, the beef and the veggie and the buns are soft and the sides are good. The cole slaw was tasty and the kale salad was interesting. I never tasted Kale before, and I can't say that it my knocked off my socks, but it was good. The service was quick, you order at the counter. To the person who said the wait was slow..they make everything to ORDER. Meaning it's not sitting around getting old and dry. If you are in the area, go!!

    (4)

  • Beth M.

    So good. Had the turkey meatball salad with the apple parsley dressing. Owner was so nice!

    (5)

  • Les G.

    This spot was a home run for me and my wife. Walked in and asked what was recommended. Beef Meatballs over Pasta with Béchamel. Add peppers, onions, and bacon. Fantastic! The wife had Beef Meatballs over pasta with Fra Diavlo. Fantastic! Side salads were great and the Cauliflower was one of the best I've had. Only drawback for me was no soda fountain

    (5)

  • Dustin M.

    I finally made it to Meatball Kitchen today after months of procrastinating. I was a little surprised that the place was empty, but the OSU game had just started a few minutes before and this place isn't really a bar. The guy at the counter was very friendly and recommended the beef meatball sandwich on focaccia with meat sauce and provolone when I told him I was in the mood for something "greasy." I also ordered a pork meatball on the side with beschemele (sp?) sauce for good measure. Both were really great and exactly what I was looking for today before watching football. People should support this place because the food is great, relatively cheap, and it is obvious that these guys take pride in what they do.

    (5)

  • Kimberly U.

    Seriously a top-notch restaurant. My boyfriend and I struggle with finding places to eat; I'm practically a carnivore and he's a vegetarian. This place has so many options to accommodate every appetite. We tried all of the sides, Boyfriend had the salad with veggie meatballs and I had the pork meatballs with pasta and tomato sauce. The meatballs are good, the sauce could use some work. But the sides were AMAZING. If you get the chance, get the sweet potatoes with sriracha and the garlic bread pudding. It's more like a stuffing than a bread pudding, and oh-so worth it.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    Really enjoyed trying this place out. Cold day after school nothing like the Turkey meatballs on focaccia bread with the bechamel sauce. Beer on tap for $3. Overall really good, only thing I would say is the bread to meatball ratio is a little off with too much bread. The inside has a nice chill vibe to it too.

    (4)

  • Sharon B.

    Ended up going to Meatball Kitchen after a horrible service experience at Hang Over Easy. I am so glad we ended up there. It was not very busy on an early Sunday afternoon. The lady who took our order, was so nice and patience since we did not know how it works. I ended up with the turkey meatballs and pasta w/ cheese. My other half had a beef meatball sandwich. They also offer beer and wine as well. Most beers are in bottles/cans and they have one beer on draft. We sat and waited for our food. It did not take long at all. We got it, it was good portion of food. I was glad I did not get any side dishes :) I did not even finish my pasta since it was so much and plus the three meatballs. My bf thought the sandwich was good, just a little too messy for him. He said next time he is getting the pasta. I am so glad that we ended up there and we will be back soon.

    (4)

  • Lauren H.

    Delicious! It isn't very often I'm this excited about a meal I paid so little for. I had the veggie meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and a side of seasonal roasted vegetables, which at the time was broccoli done in a seaweed salad style. I'm amazed at how delicious it all was! My husband had a meatball sandwich with meat sauce, which he enjoyed very much. Although we didn't get dessert, the cupcakes looked fantastic. The atmosphere is really cool, and they serve beer, wine, and a few cocktails. We will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Dan R.

    A salad at a meatball place? Yup. I get it regularly, and I'm not even vegetarian. You can order any kind of meatballs on your salad, but the veggie meatballs are delish and packed with flavor. I get the parsley vinaigrette AND tomato sauce as dressing. Sounds a little weird, but don't knock it til you've tried it. I live in Clifton and my brother lives in Hyde Park, and whenever I visit him, he asks me to pick up a meatball salad on the way. All the sides are good and interesting. They are on the smaller side, which is fine because you can get two sides for $3. So take that route and try the two that look best to you. The restaurant itself is simple and comfortable, and the staff is always friendly. If you haven't tried this new-ish spot on short vine, I encourage you to do so!

    (5)

  • Elise H.

    AmazeBALLS. Tremendous flavor, large portions, great EtOH selection, friendly service, terrific price. You cannot go wrong with whatever you order. I've tried all the meatballs, sauces, and most sides, plus the canolis are on point. You will leave satisfied and smiley. Highly recommended. Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Casey H.

    I really love using the concept of ordering your food at the counter and then taking it back to your table (there's got to be a word for that, right?), and applying it to meatball sandwiches, spaghetti and meatballs, etc. Some of my coworkers were confused when I requested we go here for lunch because I'm a vegetarian, but Meatball Kitchen is veggie friendly! I order the vegetarian meatballs with pasta, a side of the kale, and a German chocolate cupcake. Holy cow! The pasta and meatballs had the perfect amount of red sauce, and I enjoyed the pasta rather than a pile of spaghetti. My coworker, who frequently reminds us that he does not like vegetables, actually tried a small piece of the kale and didn't spit it out. Believe me, this is huge! And, I kind of forget about the cupcake because I consumed it so quickly; although I do remember discussing how we were in the wrong business and should have gotten into baking during the Cupcake Boom (yup, I think it should be a time period referenced in kid's history books). I'll be going back here for sure, very soon in fact. The employee at the counter was enthusiastic and fun, and the decor mimics a lot of newer restaurants popping up in Cincinnati. It is clean and rustic-log-cabin like. O also, the prices are incredibly reasonable, and you get a good amount of food too! This is an awesome addition to short Vine.

    (5)

  • Deena B.

    Thanks for the tip fellow Yelpsters...walked from Kingsgate Marriott. Looking for good vegetarian food. I found it!! Veggie meatball sandwich with tomato cilantro pesto sauce-mmm mmm good! Great veggie meatballs on homemade bread. ALL of the food is homemade! Kale salad was very tasty, sweet onions and light dressing. Sriracha sweet potato mash is a good complement of sweet and spicy. Even tried the succotash. Against my better judgement but April was right, the fresh corn and beans was quite tasty. In town for a week, and will need to come back for the salad with apple parsley dressing. Veggies unite, this is the place!!!

    (4)

  • Courty B.

    A love affair: Love the casual setup. Love the flavorful and spicy pork meatballs. Love the bechamel sauce. Love being an extra naughty little thing and adding melted provolone to the same. Love the variety of sides. Love the prices. Love the service. Love the cleanliness. Love the ease of parking in front. Love the simplicity. Meat me on Short Vine again and again.

    (4)

  • Steven C.

    Just finished up a most excellent meal at the MK. Wow, nothing but goodness through and through. The turkey meatball sandwich on focaccia and bechamel sauce was absolutely perfect. The focaccia was so soft and doughy, the sauce was salty and delicious, and oh those meatballs..Mmmm mmmmmm wowwie! My family had the beef meatball pasta dish and tomato sauce and raved about it all the way back to our hotel. This is a "must stop" if you are in the area. The owner could not have been more hospitable, and told us all about the different dishes, area attractions and gave us some pointers for our next stop, Gatlinburg. Meatball Kitchen, the best meatball kitchen in Ohio, even if it wasn't the only meatball kitchen in Ohio.

    (5)

  • Lam D.

    Didn't have as good as a time it seems as my fellow yelpers. I really wanted to try this place so my friend and I got pretty much everything on the menu. I had the Bechamel Sauce with Pasta with Beef Meatballs, with Spicy Pork, Turkey, and Veggie Meatballs. The Bechamel sauce was minimal on the pasta with only 1-2oz total sauce making the pasta very dry. I wasn't a big fan of their meatballs as well. We asked and there wasn't any bread crumbs in the meatballs but to me they all seemed very dry/filler tasting. We also got the Salad with all of the meatballs as well as the beef/spicy pork sandwich with the meat sauce. I would stay away from the salad as it doesn't pair well with the meatballs in my opinion. One thing I really did like about the food was the focaccia bread. I could just eat the bread with just the meat sauce and be satisfied. We also got one of each of the sides (Bread Pudding, Cole Slaw, Kale, Sweet Potato Hash). Most of the sides were left on the table as they were all just ok to not that good. Another thing I really enjoyed was the staff. All were very friendly and delightful to converse with. All in all, just an average meal with your typical meatballs. I would suggest the spicy pork meatball sandwich to optimize your experience.

    (3)

  • John L.

    My wife and I eat here almost once a week while I might add to that for lunch while working at UC. This place has so many combinations to try. The bread is amazing on the sandwiches. My wife had chipotle as her reigning favorite quick bite restaurant but Meatball Kitchen knocked them off that throne. We beg you guys to open up one of these in Mariemont! We take all our out of town family to here to experience the best of Cincinnati.

    (5)

  • Erin F.

    Seriously good eats. I was so surprised with the quality for the price. I had a featured sub. Mushroom meatball. It was fantastic. Best meatballs I have had. The bread was fresh and the house made dressings were fantastic. Go eat here. Now.

    (5)

  • Christine M.

    Meatball Kitchen is just what it sounds like- a nice surprise. The surprise for me was actually that meatballs lend themselves to a fair number of applications enough to make a more than sufficient menu. Options are meat based, sauce focused, and in application. I went for the slider option with a veggie, pork, and beef variety- all with tomato sauce. I could have decided on a pasta, sandwich, or a la carte style, all which would suit many of my moods. The sides, veggies, potatoes, salad, etc. are also a great idea to add something special to your meal. I was impressed with everything I tried and would go back again. The staff was helpful and friendly. The space is nice and open. This is a great addition to the UC/Short Vine area.

    (3)

  • Perry S.

    Good food And nice quick service. I've had the burger, turkey tacos and the spicy chorizo with bechamel. The sides are all great too but the bread pudding takes the cake

    (4)

  • Sarah H.

    Meatball Kitchen is my favorite casual dining place! I dig the spicy pork meatballs w béchamel sauce, roasted beets, and roasted spicy broccoli. Friendly staff and very reasonable prices. Three satisfying visits inspired me to write my first Yelp! review. Support this great restaurant!!

    (5)

  • Kelly W.

    I got the three meatballs and 2 sides. I chose a beef, pork and turkey meatball. The beef meatball was rich and had some warm spices in it like cinnamon or something. The pork meatball was equally good and tasty. Great flavor in the turkey meatball too! The meat sauce was robust and yummy! I gotta give props to the sriracha sweet potatoes (not too spicy) and the side salad with the apple parsley dressing was so fresh tasting! Portions looked small as I walked out with my To-Go bag, but I couldn't even finish it all. I look forward to going back again whole I'm in town!

    (4)

  • Daniel S.

    Really, really good. I had the meatballs and pasta with the meat sauce. I was super impressed with how much food it was. Pretty cheap with a nice staff. I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Libby A.

    I see a lot of people reviewing the pasta dishes, but not the salads - which is a shame. (Disclaimer: I am a friend of the owner, but I'm going to share with you the ways in which I'm certain Meatball Kitchen will never fail.) The thing about Meatball Kitchen is you can always trust them to deliver the deliciousness. I always know that the ingredients will be incredibly fresh. And in the case of the salads, which I am obsessed over, the dressings are beyond delicious. The dressing mixed with the salad ingredients create such a most mouth-watering symbiosis, that I'm certain it was made in one of those special food laboratories, but of course it wasn't. It's just really good food. And, well, that's how talented they are at Meatball Kitchen.

    (5)

  • Kay E.

    Meatball Kitchen serves four types of meatballs and three sauces plus a smattering of presentations and sides. Their namesake (meatballs) should be awesome. Unfortunately my meatballs were underwhelming and the whole meal was tepid. My companion ordered the beef meatballs with meat sauce over pasta. The sauce seemed bland, but there was so little of it on the dish that it was hard to evaluate on its own merit. The meatballs were okay. Yet I ordered the meatball trio and my beef meatball was totally different. I also got the veggie meatball which was decent for what it was. It was surprisingly grainy for being gluten free. The spicy pork meatball was a little disconcertingly pink in the middle and also just okay. It had the most flavor, but I'd be reluctant to qualify it as "spicy." My spicy kale was cooked down like greens. It bland and the kale was poorly cleaned. My sriracha mashed sweet potatoes had a slight spice but mostly tasted of unseasoned sweet potatoes. Highlights: Clean Interior, Eco-Friendly Takeaway Containers, and Inexpensive Prices Downsides: Bland, Lukewarm, and Unimpressive Food

    (2)

  • Brian P.

    Great sandwich. Stayed traditional on my first visit, beef meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and provolone. I'll definitely be back and next time will be more adventurous with the menu. Smoky coleslaw was tasty!

    (4)

  • Teresa T.

    Went after the zoo since it is only a couple blocks away. I had a spicy pork meatball sandwich with tomato sauce and provolone. My husband has one of each meatball on pasta with meat sauce. I loved the sandwich. So much flavor and the bread was amazing. My husband is very picky about meatballs and sauce since he is from New York. He LOVED all the meatballs and the sauce. The house white wine was very good too, not super sweet like a lot of places. And the staff was great. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Haky M.

    What a cute place and a great addition to the area! Meatball Kitchen has something for everyone -- if you're looking for a pork sandwich with creamy béchamel sauce and savory bread pudding on the side, they've got you covered. But, on the other end of the spectrum, you can get turkey or vegetarian meatballs with healthy, tasty, veggie-based sides. That type of food is not easy to find at restaurants, especially in Cincinnati. I've had the veggie balls, one time on a platter with tomato sauce (YUM), and the other on a salad. The salad was not huge at first glance, but included roasted tomatoes, beets, quinoa, and the three generously sized (gluten free) veg-balls, along with house made dressing. All very delicious. At Meatball Kitchen, you order at the counter and the food comes quickly (from my experience), so it's certainly not a romantic, special occasion joint. For the price, though, you get high-quality, fresh fare in a friendly, clean atmosphere. I'll definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Daniel T.

    Meatball Kitchen is a very unique and delicious addition to Corryville! The food is very affordable for a cheap date or for a quick lunch. I highly recommend one of the sandwiches, the bread is homemade and really brings out the flavor of the meatballs. If you haven't been, stop by with a group of friends, you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Bobby P.

    Unique idea. Everything is made from scratch and delicious! Cheap, great tasting meal! Even have a descent alcohol selection. Worth the check-out!

    (4)

  • Jim E.

    Small menu, but excellent food and service! So helpful for being first time visitors. Very nice atmosphere and ambiance is casual. Will return for sure!

    (5)

  • Chris A.

    Meatball Kitchen is very modern and simple inside. A bit smaller than I had imagined with only about 10 tables. The atmosphere was nice and employees were friendly. I ordered the veggie meatballs with pasta and topped with béchamel sauce. It was very tasty and I was surprised how good the veggie meatballs were. The béchamel was very good as well. I would definitely recommend going here if you aren't too hungry and want to try something a little different. The portion sizes are not very big, but quality food makes up for that. I will probably visit here every few months to switch it up. There's too much competition in the area to visit anymore than that. If the portion sizes were larger, I'd definitely visit more often.

    (4)

  • Glen Y.

    My family and I just got into town for a UC/CCM tour and discovered Meatball Kitchen with all the positive reviews and being close to our hotel. April took great care of us as we tried the turkey meatball sandwich, turkey meatball pasta and kale salad. The combo meat and bechemal sauces worked with the sandwich and pasta. Everything we tried tasted fantastic and topped it off with their mini cannoli. April provided great customer service as she met with us during our visit and personalized the dining experience. We will definitely visit Meatball Kitchen on our return visit to UC/CCM.

    (5)

  • Liam W.

    Super nice staff. Everything is homemade. Good bottled beer selection for small local place. Definitely worth a try.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Meatball Kitchen is the kind of fresh, good, and wholesome food this city needed. It's inventive, very good bread and not your standard meatball restaurant. From the service to the setting this place is superb, with a very fair fare.

    (5)

  • Kait B.

    Meatball Kitchen is a great addition to the burgeoning restaurant scene in Short Vine. It's an interesting concept: a menu that revolves around different kinds of meatballs! I certainly can't think of any other restaurants in Cincinnati that follow the same model. I've eaten at Meatball Kitchen dozens of times now and every time, it is a good meal. I am fond of getting a spicy pork, beer or soy meatball. Yes.... even the soy is good! If I'm really hungry, I get an extra meatball and ALWAYS extra provolone cheese. I tend to stick with the pasta and bechamel sauce or the salad with red vinaigrette sauce and tomato sauce if I'm feeling like eating something fairly healthy. They serve coke products, beer and wine. You can even get wine to go! Meatball Kitchen also has a partnership with Zooted and you can get the food delivered for a relatively cheap delivery cost (I think it's $2-3). The staff at Meatball Kitchen is always super nice too and the food is affordable and quick. Definitely 5 stars!!

    (5)

  • Ryan Z.

    We met the Meatball Kitchen chef at one of Ryan Santos' recent Please dinners. I'm horrible with names and can't recall his at this time, but he was very friendly and patiently explained the 'sous-vide' process of cooking that evening's pork jowl. We were very impressed with his knowledge and passion for cooking, so we jumped at the opportunity to try his food at MK. I got a few items to go from here on the way back from a meeting in Clifton. The meatball pasta dish was fairly good, albeit maybe a little overpriced for what it was. You pay extra for everything, including cheese. The sides, on the other hand, were the stars of the show and a great deal at 2 for $3. The sriracha sweet potato mash and the onion&garlic bread pudding were both delicious. I ended up eating both of those and saved the pasta to eat as a snack later that day. I'd definitely try this again but would probably eat in house and go with a sandwich over a pasta.

    (4)

  • Spencer V.

    Amazing, I cannot say how good the food is. A fun little twist on the Classic Italian meatball. With your choice of four different kind of meatballs ( beef, turkey, spicy pork, and vegetarian) three sauces (tomato, meat, béchamel) and three different ways to eat them (sandwich, pasta, salad) you cannot go wrong. And if none of that appeals to you they have probably the most amazing bacon cheddar meatball burger with Cincinnati BBQ grippo chips on top. Vegan soups and plenty of booze makes this place a MUST. I HIGHLY recommend this place to everyone.

    (5)

  • Ameet C.

    Coryville and Clifton heights are experiencing a renaissance with a multitude of wonderful new places to eat in the area. A new-ish entrant to the area is meatball kitchen and my visit there did not disappoint ! First of all, I thought that the menu and the overall concept of the restaurant (to serve mainly meatballs) was kinda quirky and unique and I loved it. The restaurant is on short vine and there is plenty of street parking in the area. The interior is minimalistic, clean and modern. I tried the meatball combo. I went for the veggie meatball, which was made out of brown rice, black beans, mushrooms, spinach, walnuts and cheese. The meatball was of a nice size and it was very flavorful. I liked the tomato sauce that came with it. I had a side of sautéed Kale with garlic and shallots, which was very good. I also enjoyed the Cole Slaw : It was very different tasting, but it tasted good. Everything in the restaurant is made from scratch. The staff is very friendly and welcoming. They have a good drink selection too. I definitely recommend this place for someone, especially UC students , who want to try something different to go to MeatBall kitchen for a weeknight dinner.

    (4)

  • Ann S.

    I will first start off by saying the ambiance is great. It's a good location, small and quaint but very cute and cozy at the same time. I tried the pasta with meatballs, and it was just okay. Wasn't great, but overall experience was good. Customer service was great and they are off to a good start. I would try something different next time I go, but I think this is a great little addition to Short Vine.

    (3)

  • Justin G.

    Awesome, delicious food in a ever improving neighborhood near UC and the medical center. Great for eat in (very cool ambiance) or take out. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Mallory T.

    I ventured over here based on the other reviews I would chalk up my experience as just okay. The lady at the counter was very sweet and was willing to explain the menu which was helpful for first timers like me. I had the turkey meatballs which were really good with the white sauce which I wasn't really impressed with just needed more flavor. My boyfriend got the siracha potatoes as a side and neither of us could taste the siracha in them maybe it wasn't supposed to be that powerful of a taste. I also had the bread pudding as a side which was more like a stuffing you would have at thanksgiving. I will give this place another shot and try something different.

    (3)

  • Gerardo R.

    Simple but good. Spicy pork meatballs: A+. Wish they have more pasta options such whole grain or no carb

    (4)

  • Susan A.

    Fantastic, priced right, and everyone was friendly. Will always come back. The pasta with tomato sauce was perfect. Their meatballs are better than any I have had in Indianapolis. Great stuff.

    (5)

  • Greg S.

    Cool, fun, really tasty restaurant in a part of town that is making a big comeback. Food was really tasty and the service was genuine and interested. Will definitely head back.

    (4)

  • Tsyria T.

    I love Meatball Kitchen! They have a very simple menu, and every single item is delicious. I've only enjoyed their meatballs in their pasta and their sandwich. I'm sure the other options are delicious, but I can't seem to part from the pasta. I also love their meatballs and usually just get one of each - beef, spicy pork, and turkey. The turkey is my favorite! (They also have a vegetarian option that sounds amazing, but I never know which meatball to sacrifice to try it) I've had most of their sauces but my favorites are the meat and the mushroom. I usually add a slice of provolone to my pasta and it makes a huge difference. The sides are a great deal as well - two for $4! My favorite is the kale salad. If you're especially hungry, order a side of focaccia bread. It comes with two big pieces, enough to share! They also do carry-out. I was craving it so I called them and asked to see how fast they could make the food. They told me 15 minutes, and when I arrived, it was hot and ready to go! This restaurant is one of my favorites on short vine - and I'm so thankful they opened up this year because that's probably the only place within walking distance to me. I probably go here a little too often, but it never disappoints. I just ate here yesterday and I already crave more!

    (5)

  • Nada B.

    got a sub which is 4 meatballs on a 16 bricks hoagie type bun with a sauce and 2 extras for $10. The meatballs and sauce were fine (beef, marinara) nothing special to write about. The extras (provolone and peppers/onions) didn't add much either and were also scarce on the sub. The most disappointing part was how soggy the bread was..the outside was nicely toasted but the inner part was like gloop. Granted, I did order to go but I live less than 2 blocks away. It also took about 15 minutes to put the sub together even though the restaurant was empty..I assume the meatballs and sauce are pre-prepared so the wait felt a bit long.

    (2)

  • Emily H.

    Found this place while searching for a Clifton restaurant for my monthly dinner group. While it wasn't a great fit for that, I put it on my list to try. Came in on a Sunday for lunch. I was a little nervous to find only one other patron inside, but it was an off peak time for lunch. Ordered a salad with Turkey Meatballs on the side. It took a little longer than anticipated for the food to arrive, but well worth the wait. Salad was delicious and very fresh. Turkey meatballs had a nice flavor and were piping hot. Portion size was more than adequate for the price. I'll be back :)

    (4)

  • Andrea J.

    Exactly as the name implies, this place knows meatballs. I met my sister here around 7pm on a Tuesday and it wasn't picked, which was nice. We've been wanting to try this place for over 6 months so we were both pretty excited. Essentially you pick how you want your meatballs serves to you (salad, sub, pasta, or just plain), pick your meat (turkey, beef, spicy pork or veggie) and pick your sauce. I love that you can mix and match to get exactly what you want. My sister picked a salad with 2 turkey and 1 beef meatballs. The dressing on the salad was nice and light, and it was a decent sized salad. I went with the meatball +2 side combo. 2 beef, 1 turkey, with diavolo sauce. My sides were sriracha sweet potato mash and cauliflower (suggested by the gentleman working). The 2 sides made it a perfectly portioned meal, just the right amount of food. The diavolo sauce had some kick to it, which I loved. The sriracha sweet potatoes were quite yummy as well. The first bite we couldn't taste the sriracha but the second bite you do. It's not overpowering at all. My sister and I agreed that the meatballs were a little smaller than we expected, but very flavorful. We both liked the beef over the turkey. Next time I will try a sub since they use Sixteen bricks local bread! Adorable place, both my sis and I will be back!

    (4)

  • Eli D.

    This is not a cheap, greaser sandwich shop. You will be paying $11+ for a sandwich, side, and a drink that isn't water. That being said, It should be graded as such. My meatball sub was a bit difficult to eat. The roll is pretty big and it's toasted, so it maintains its shape and isn't very pliable which makes for awkward, messy eating. The taste of the roll is decent though. I had 2 pork and 2 beef meatballs, the mushroom sauce, provolone cheese, and the mushrooms/peppers topping on this sub. The beef meatballs were completely unremarkable, but I did enjoy the pork meatballs. I also had the sweet mashed potatoes, which were also unremarkable, and the slaw. The slaw wasn't half bad; I enjoyed that bleu cheese is one of its ingredients. The guy at the counter was pretty helpful with food recommendations, and pleasant in general. I may or may not go back.

    (3)

  • Karla M.

    Meatball Kitchen serves great food! I go here at least once a week. I love their Veggie Ball Burrito and their Pasta with Turkey Meatballs and Mushroom sauce. Their Cauliflower side is very tasty also. Their food satisfies my hunger every time. I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Joel B.

    I've had a few dishes from here, and while none of the meatballs have been too amazing, everything that goes along with them has. The sauces are all flavorful, the salads have good fresh veggies, the sirachia sweet potatoes highlight what the rooster can do (too often people have just thrown it in on dishes, these are actually made complimentary), and the bread rounds it all out. If they just did meatballs I wouldn't bother going back, but the total package makes this place well worth checking out. A note - check group on before you go, they typically run a $7 for $14 deal, make that first try easier, because this place is on the expensive side for what it is.

    (4)

  • C B.

    This place surprised me as far as quality of the food. It was delicious and unique. It took a little longer than I expected since we were the only guests not already eating when we walked in. But I would definitely eat here again when in the area!

    (4)

  • Matt P.

    Meatball Kitchen comes down to a very simple judgment for me- the food is solid and I don't mind stopping by once in a while but I'm not going to go out of my way to make a trip to this establishment. Every time I have been to Meatball Kitchen (which I think has been about 4 visits thus far) I have left thinking, "That was pleasant but nothing really special." Their concept is simple and gives the customer a good variety of options which is a nice way to start the meal, making for easy ordering. You walk-in, approach the counter and decide amongst the several different options located on the menu board. On my first visit I decided to try a classic combo of the beef meatballs with their tomato sauce as a sandwich (you can have your meatballs with pasta, as a sandwich, salad or sub). Don't get me wrong, these are solid, well made meatballs- but quite frankly, they aren't anything I couldn't throw together at home. The main problem was the bread of my sandwich, it was clearly fresh but was way too thick which didn't allow the taste of the meatballs to shine and also made the sandwich quite hard to handle. In future visits I tried a smattering of different items- spicy pork meatballs with pasta and béchamel- the sauce was good, very similar to alfredo, however the meatballs were way over-spiced with cinnamon and cloves to the point of being almost inedible. Another time I tried a salad with their turkey meatballs which was the best of all my choices. The salad was fresh, with a delightful apple-parsley dressing and the meatballs were light and tasty. Their selection of side dishes have always proven to be solid. The mashed sweet potatoes and smoky coleslaw are not to be missed. Also, it is worth noting that the portion sizes are quite generous- you certainly won't leave hungry. Overall, Meatball Kitchen is a generally solid if somewhat inconsistent choice.

    (3)

  • John K.

    My family and I have eaten here many times and we all love it. Friendly service, wonderful atmosphere, and great food. Recently, I even had them cater a work event for about 30 people and everyone was amazed how fresh, unique, and delicious everything was.

    (5)

  • M Y.

    Flavorful meatballs and sides! Quite a few GF options too. Affordable, homemade food...going back soon!

    (5)

  • Thomas O.

    This place is good. Nothing great. No wow factor. We arrived around 5pm, it was empty. Service was slow, but nice and courteous. Taste like something I can easily make at home. I ordered the pasta with meat sauce and I dont know why they decided to put cinnamon in the sauce. Gross.

    (3)

  • Leslie B.

    Meatball Kitchen always hits it out of the park! Their food is not only fresh and delicious, but creative and exciting! The menu is simple, but everything on it is unbelievable. I could literally eat here every day. That Bechamel sauce is amazing.

    (5)

  • Win K.

    The vegetarian balls are amazing! Sauces are great! Service is awesome! Good wine selection!

    (5)

  • Rodney W.

    Don't order delivery. It's been two hours and no food. Also, no answer from phone calls. This is just terrible service.

    (1)

  • Allison U.

    Meatball Kitchen is the kind of restaurant that I wish I had down the street either back home in Chicago or near my apartment in St. Louis. However, lucky for me, I am just a few blocks away from this awesome little spot during my time in Cincinnati! Meatball Kitchen takes something as potentially simple as a meatball and expands on it offering a variety of meatball types while utilizing fresh local ingredients to get the job done. They offer four different types of meatballs, 4 different sauces, and you can get your meatballs on top of a salad, inside a sandwich, or sans salad/bread with a few side items. I've come here three times and, in that span, I've tried 2 meatball flavors, 3 sauces, and 1 of their sides. Each time I've gotten my meatballs served on a salad with their apple parsley dressing which I highly recommend. I'm salivating just thinking about it... Their turkey meatballs are delicious! Made with spinach and fennel, they are complimented well by the Diavolo sauce (a spicy tomato sauce) and the mushroom sauce. From experience, I can also say that they are just as good the day after for leftovers! I've also tried their veggie meatballs. They have a black bean base and, while I thoroughly enjoyed these little guys, I think that I would recommend the turkey meatballs over these. A friend of mine tried the pork meatballs, per the cashier's recommendation, and she really enjoyed them! For the sides, I have tried the sweet potato mash. I have to admit, I am not a member of the sriracha fan club, so I was a little bit skeptical of this dish at first. However, my immense love for anything with sweet potatoes took over and I'm glad it did! This side was sweet with just the right amount of kick... I would come back for this alone! In my experiences, the customer service has been great. The servers have been happy to provide recommendations and, upon taking their suggestions, my taste buds have been extremely happy. One perk that this spot offers is meals that can be available for pick up. They offer a variety of packages including meatballs and sides that would be great for a family week night dinner as well as an awesome (and more well-balanced) alternative to Easy Mac for college and grad students. For a great non-chain spot near the UC campus that makes great food with local ingredients, I'd definitely suggest checking out the Meatball Kitchen.

    (5)

  • Jack H.

    Awesome place. Love the view. Love the food. Just be sure to not fall off any cliffs!

    (5)

  • Khiemo S.

    Great pickles! Meatballs are rather unimpressive. I got the beef meatballs and they were very bland. My gf got the turkey meatballs and i could not tell the difference. Meat sauce and tomato sauce was good but still lacking in flavor. For what it is, the food are somewhat pricy. Up charges for cheese, pickles and onions & peppers? Come on now. On the plus side, portions were adequate otherwise this would definitely be a 2 star. Not a terrible place but definitely not going to pay $10 for bland meatballs and sauce.

    (3)

  • Bianca D.

    tl;dr Gourmet Meatballs in a gorgeous, customizable, and affordable package! Well Hello Meatball Kitchen! Less than 5 minutes from the college, and I could definitely see this turning into a habit! The food is served on cafeteria trays but tastes nothing like school lunch! The decor was adorable, but the main focus was food. This place is obviously run by someone who loves food, and puts that love first! The layout is quite simple and like chipotle (except your food is made to order). You pick your type of meatball, the sauce, your vehicle (salad, bun, pasta, or combo--comes with 2 sides) and all your add ons! If this wasn't cool enough, they also have 3-4 specials daily AND dessert with cupcakes that look AMAZING. Today they had cannolis...so I passed. I had the combo (only $8?!?!?!?!) and I got 3 turkey meatballs with béchamel, a scoop of sweet potato sriracha mash, and a side salad. The turkey meatballs were incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful! How did they do that? Most of my turkey meat products are dry as a bone! They are magic workers. The béchamel; out of this world, and the clerk proclaimed it was his favorite sauce! The salad was my second favorite, with crisp romaine and quinoa (protein nutrient PUNCH) and the red wine vinaigrette was divine! Last, but not least THEY SERVE LIQUOR! That's right! a glass of wine for $5 and a carafe for $10. This place is where wallets stay fat, and belly's stay full!

    (5)

  • Sandra F.

    The first time I tried Meatball Kitchen was on the Yelp's BB Riverboats event back in August. I tried the Turkey Sausage with Bechamel, which has brie & parmesan cream sauce with garlic bread crumbs. Delish!! I also tried one of their cupcakes (it had a spicy flavor). After trying the samples, I was sold. Definately wanted to drop by and get more! Meatball Kitchen is located in Clifton. You walk in and order. They bring the meal out to you. Love the simplicity of this restaurant. It's small, yet spacious. Decor and colors are bright. You pick your meatballs: -Beef -Turkey -Spicy Pork -Vegetarian (gluten free) You choose your plate: Sandwich, Pasta, or Salad. You choose your Sauce: Meat, Tomato, or Bechamel. There are extras you can add for small additional price-extra meatball, bacon, provolone cheese and pickles. If you don't want to get a sandwich or pasta, you can also choose the meatball platter, featured meatball tacos (special for the day), bacon/cheddar meatball burger, etc. I got the meatball platter. I requested to try a different variety. So I got the Turkey, Beef, and Vegetarian with Meat and Bechamel sauce on the side. As my two sides, I got the Kale Salad and the Sriracha Sweet Potato Mash. For Dessert, I got the pumpkin cupcake. As for my drink, I got a carafe of house red wine. Everything was perfect!!!! Words cannot describe how awesome my meal was. The meatball was not overcooked, sauce had a delicious flavor. Kale salad was not soggy (my salad was not drowining in dressing), and my sriracha sweet potato mash was spicy, but not overwhelming. Server was very helpful and patient. My friend and I were indecisive on what to order. He was giving us helpful tips. I highly recommend coming here. Their food has a unique flavor and very cheap in pricing. Menu is very simple, which I love. They also have specials on happy hour on weekdays. I see myself being a regular at this place. LOVE IT!

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    This was a great place for meatballs even the turkey and veggie meatballs. Also the best home made focaccia bread for the sandwiches. The prices are totally worth the flavors. Staff there was very friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Gloria Z.

    This place rocks! Another great addition to a newer genre of eating experience...no wait staff, disposable plates/bowls, minimalist decor, you order at the counter but they do carry it to your table. Kind of the classic pizza joint style, but serving unique tasty and memorable dishes, independently owned and one of a kind! What's not to love? Perfect portion sizes leaving you definitely satisfied without overindulging, and great prices. Small menu which nevertheless gives you lots of options. Sufficient wine and beer options, plus a couple daily cocktail specials! Soft drinks, too, of course, and special ones at that. We shared a carafe of the house red wine, a great deal at ten bucks. I had the meatball trio, one each of the turkey, beef, and pork. I definitely recommend this on your first visit. Amazingly, the turkey took first prize in my book! Loved the seasoning and the added spinach. They were all delicious in their own unique ways. The pork meat ball had a cinnamony spicy vibe, and paired with the Mashed Sriracha sweet potatoes, really got me thinking of some serious alternatives for Thanksgiving dinner this year! I had the tomato sauce, my husband chose the meat sauce, and the other sides were the kale, the salad, and roasted broccoli. This latter was surprisingly served cold, but was absolutely delicious. Everything, in fact, was top notch and we were both very pleased. I'm only sorry I didn't order a slice of focaccia bread to sop up the remaining sauce. I had to make do with my fork, and it was worth the extra effort, it was that good. I wanted to mention that the tomato sauce is NOT a marinara sauce; it's a tomato and Parmesan cheese sauce with butter. So it's going to be thinner and much lighter in color than what you might expect for a more traditional red sauce over spaghetti. But honestly, if you're craving spaghetti and meatballs, this is not your place. After we finished licking the plates, I was really salivating for a taste of either the cupcake or cannoli of the day. To my great distress, they were all sold out! It was only around 3:30 in the afternoon. So I must drop a star, sadly, for that disappointment. After a discussion with the staff, it was decided that next time I'll call ahead, and have my sweet treat held in reserve! (Especially important as I don't live at all close by. However, I'm very hopeful that certain circumstances may before long lead to my being able to hit this place fairly often. But that's another story.) Highly recommended!

    (4)

  • Jaylyn A.

    I went in for my first time today, and loved it ! I think this mig be one of my new favorite places to pick up food near UC. I got the vegetarian meatballs on salad, and it was delicious. Next time, I want to try turkey meatballs, the kale, and the sweet potato mash. The guy working was very friendly and helpful. He answered all of my questions, and was working very hard. I could tell the guy in the kitchen was working very hard as well! The space is very clean and welcoming. I really look forward to going back.

    (5)

  • David S.

    Amazing food. It is easily the best value in the entire Cincinnati area. We got the beef meatballs in pasta with the Diavola sauce and spicy pork meatball sub with tomato sauce, bacon, onions and peppers. They were so flavorful and unique. For the price, it is unbeatable. I live 25 minutes away, but it is worth the drive. The only two items I tried that were not incredible were smoky coleslaw and the cupcakes. They were okay, but they did not compare to the rest.

    (5)

  • Sarah F.

    We ducked in this place on a rainy Saturday for lunch (in all honesty because Taste of Belgium Clifton across the street was on a 45 minute wait) and weren't too sure what to expect. You order at the counter and the menu is set up Chipotle style--pick one from each column to build your meal. I went with a "combo" which is meatballs (meat and sauce of your choice) and 2 sides. They get all their meat locally from Findley Market, which is very cool and yet the prices are reasonable ($8 for my meal plus $2 for a drink). I got beef meatballs in a tomato sauce, smoky coleslaw and hash brown gratin plus a (very, very weak) iced tea. The meatballs were good, but I probably chose the most ordinary combination on the menu--nothing really stood out about the tomato sauce. It had a "cilantro pesto" drizzle on top which sounded promising, but I couldn't taste it at all. The smoky coleslaw was very good--it has Siracha in it so a nice kick without being overwhelmingly spicy. The hash brown gratin was a big ball of shredded hash browns--pleasant, but quite bland. The interior is quirky/industrial, but was exceedingly dark when we were there. Chairs are rather uncomfortable and the music is a little loud for conversation (but they turned it down upon request). The woman at the counter was very nice and helpful. If I lived in the neighborhood or had a passionate love of meatballs, I would stop by again to try different combinations, but I wasn't wowed enough to make a special trip.

    (3)

  • Brad H.

    What do you get when you put spicy pork meatballs on focaccia with béchamel sauce to make a sandwich ? The answer is pure deliciousness! You go up to the counter at this short vine establishment and you review the menu, constantly saying "I want that, no that, no that..." On and on... We have been here twice already and have tried all but the veggie meatball ( which I am sure is delicious). We have gotten it on the sandwich and on the salad and all are very well prepared. The turkey meatball is moist and well seasoned, and goes great in the salad. I have heard they deliver through Zooted Delivery, but I haven't tried. Stop in! I don't think it's possible you will regret it!

    (4)

  • Corinn B.

    DELICIOUS! I can't wait to go back. Had the pasta with the pork meatballs and spicy Diavolo sauce. Also had to have their soup of the day and a salad. Too much food for one sitting, but I took the remainder of my pasta home and had it for a snack later. The salad was so fresh and DELICIOUS! Everything was excellent. I have a deep love for pasta, and this place did not disappoint. The kiddo went with me and is now a fan as well. No more Olive Garden for her....she said this place is her new favorite! It just tastes so fresh-in her opinion. (I'm not an Olive Garden fan, but she was....now she's been converted, thanks to this place!)

    (5)

  • Benjamin H.

    I love the meatball kitchen! I feel it's often overlooked with the location it's in but it's not to be missed. I've tried the sub with spicy pork meatballs (quite a big sub) and the sandwich with beef meatballs. Both were excellent. I love the variety you can bring to your food with the toppings and multiple sauces they offer. I recommend the diavolo sauce and adding peppers and onions ($1 extra) to whatever you get. Soo good. If it was a little closer to me I'd go much more often. At $10 for the sub, it is a little more than it should be in my opinion, but I can't complain too much with how mouth watering it is. Not to forget, they also offer wine pairings. I'm not much of a wine guy but it's a nice touch.

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    This is a great spot for uniquely inspired food for less than $10. If you're a foodie prepare to do a couple of $1 add-ons (bacon!) because there are some decent choices for such a simplified menu. I had a combo so I could try a number of things but they offer a meatball sandwich, pasta etc. after you choose"how" you want your meatballs you choose "what" you want exactly. Choices are beef, turkey, pork and veggie all mixed with herbs and cheeses etc. After you select the meatballs you select the sauce and two sides. I had beef, pork and veggie meatballs in a cheese sauce with a kale salad and sweet potatoes on the side. It came out fairly quickly and I was satisfied by the portion I was offered. They also have local brews and wines on the menu and select the best drink to pair with your food selections. Lots of light, easily understandable menu, interesting concept= great dining experience for sure!

    (4)

  • Todd R.

    This was a pleasant surprise, i was not thrilled when my wife and her friend told me we were going to a "Chipotle" style meatball place. Don't be fooled by the confusing feel you get when you enter, because you will miss something so great! The beef meatballs are tremendous & the white sauce was a rich and creamy dream all swirled together between the most delicious bun I have ever tasted. The only down side, if you can call it that, was that the bun was so rich and deliciousness that I wanted to eat it all but if I did I would be uncomfortably full. The sides were batting .500, the kale salad was perfection, crisp fresh kale with perfectly grilled onions in a lite red wine vinaigrette sauce. However the cole slaw at first taste was good but after the second bite took bitter turn for the worst. All and all I would love to go back if I am in the area however if I am planning a trip to eat in Clifton it wouldn't beat out my other Clifton faves.

    (4)

  • Roberta R.

    Super awesome! Veggies sub is soooo good... Sweet potato mash is to die for.... Super friendly... A must go!

    (5)

  • mike a.

    Just spectacular. Posted photos of our food. These pictures say a thousand words. Even the vegetarian meatballs will put yo mamma's to shame. Throw in those killer hash brown bombs and a cold beer and you have the best meal in Clifton - at a great price.

    (5)

  • Jessica N.

    Meatball Kitchen is part of the long-awaited renaissance of Short Vine. I've been here a couple of times now and it is always on my mind as a place to stop when I'm in the Clifton area. I love that this place offers the main course, dessert, and drinks in a casual environment - and uses local ingredients when possible to boot! My favorite meatball offerings are the turkey and the vegetarian (I love anything black bean-based!). I will start by saying that the meatballs are great by themselves. I have also had them with the tomato sauce and on a salad. The apple-parsley dressing is great! It goes very well with the turkey meatball, IMHO. AND THE SIDES! Meatball Kitchen has many a great side item. My favorite (and everyone else's' favorite, as you can tell from other reviews) is the sriracha sweet potato mash. The succotash is a close second. I'm getting hungry just talking about them. Meatball kitchen also offers a variety of wine and beer as well as desserts. I've had their cupcakes and they are very good and the perfect ending to your meatball meal! I'm so happy that this place exists and is thriving on Short Vine. I can't wait for my next visit.

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    This is a review for catering and dining in the restaurant. We host a monthly meeting and are trying to include catering from local venues. I emailed Meatball Kitchen and received a prompt response. I detailed our budget and group preferences and they developed an order perfect for us. The entire order was hot, ready, and perfectly packaged for us on arrival. Everything was cooked fresh for us :). Our group was wowed by What we brought (veg, beef, and turkey meatballs, sweet potatoes, coleslaw, bread, rigatoni, and of course cupcakes!) I have ordered carryout and dined in at the restaurant. I'm not a huge fan of most meatballs but theirs are absolutely fantastic. I love salted focaccia, and innovative drinks (like cucumber lemonade). The staff are helpful and friendly, and the restaurant (and restrooms) are clean. I'm glad to have Meatball Kitchen in the neighborhood.

    (5)

  • Kar S.

    Didn't think someone could open a restaurant that features meatballs as their main dish, but meatball kitchen has done it! They have several different kinds of meatballs to go with pasta, sandwich, tacos..etc, and then you pick your sauce. I tried both beef w/ tomatoes and spicy pork w/ béchamel, which are the 2 most popular combos. I had high hopes for the spicy pork, but the beef was still OG. It was more tender, and with the tomato sauce, it was much more flavorful. For side dishes, I'd go with sautéed kale and salad. Hands down, the best sautéed kale I have ever tasted. It's hard to cook delicious kale, but they've also done it yet again! The salad was light with a delicious dressing and some quinoa mixed in. The pictures on yelp may make the portion looks small, but they give you good amount. Along with their reasonable prices and cool ambiance, I will be visiting meatball kitchen again very soon!

    (4)

  • Georgia B.

    Oh my so yummy and great portion. Many options to vary your meal for each visit. Definitely a filling meal, one portion could even be split or reheated for another meal.

    (4)

  • Alicia B.

    My favs: Bechamel sauce is the bomb. Spicy pork on focaccia or in the salad. Vegetarian meatballs also surprisingly very very good. The mashed sweet potato also had a simple, clean, and enjoyable flavor. So-so: The beef and turkey meatballs are just okay and don't really stray from their expected tastes. The tomato based sauce lacked excitement. The kale is very brisk and the pepitas (sunflower seeds) and light honey mustard it's dressed in helped cut some of the bitterness. Nice, comfy decor. Customer service was excellent! Looking forward to eating here again.

    (3)

  • Sarah W.

    Excellent service and food. The Siracha whipped sweet potatoes were to die for. Yum! The meatballs with tomato sauce were melt in your mouth delicious. Love the locally sourced meat and food. Kudos!

    (5)

  • Roger B.

    Warm fresh and fast what more can you ask. Had a meatball sub and it was vary flavorful and quite well filled. A place I would visit again when in town.

    (5)

  • Jessie T.

    I was ready to take on this restaurant because I usually do not like meatballs.. yep, I said it. Something about the texture of them weirds me out & I just never was into them that much.. but I had sampled Meatball Kitchen at the Yelp Summer Bash riverboat event, and it made me want to go try it out. My boyfriend and I went for a quick dinner here tonight. I ordered the build-your-own meal, choosing the spicy pork meatball with bechamel sauce on the focaccia bread as a sandwich with the kale salad and succotash as my sides. My boyfriend got the special of the day which was the Vietnamese meatball banh mi, and sweet potato mash and smokey cole slaw as his sides. As tasty as the foccacia was (made fresh in house), it was a little too oily and heavy for me and I think next time I will opt for having my meatball on a salad. The sandwich was actually quite large and could probably be enough for 2 servings. The meatballs were pretty good and flavorful and the sauce was alright.. nothing far from your average alfredo-type sauce. I initially had a gut feeling to try the meat sauce, and I should have gone with that instead, but that will be had the next time I go. The succotash gets two thumbs up for the crispiness and freshness of the corn & green beans and the sweet potato mash was absolutely delicious.. sweet and spicy all in one? Yes, please! I literally stole those sweet potatoes from my boyfriend.. and did not feel guilty. As for the cole slaw and kale salad, those were on the sub-par side as far as flavor goes and were just OK to me. I only had a bite of his banh mi, which I wasn't a huge fan of.. mostly because I am Vietnamese and it did not taste very authentic, but I appreciated it for what it was. The sauce was just too sticky and a tad too vinegary. The woman that served us was super friendly and helpful when we were deciding what to order and it was clear that she loved the restaurant and what they did there. The interior was also very simple & trendy and had just enough seating for a busy lunch-time. I had a satisfying experience and would give this about 3.5 stars.. but I will for sure come back to try more!

    (4)

  • Jacob H.

    For the price the is the best quality food you can get near UC by far. Go with the sandwich and you will not be disappointed. Also has a very modern chill vibe that adds the the experience.

    (5)

  • Kate L.

    I had high expectations for Meatball Kitchen, especially after reading the reviews. Unfortunately, I was let down. My boyfriend and I went for dinner on a Saturday night. I think our mistake was showing up at 8:40pm when they close at 9pm. While the service was fine, the food was cold and I felt like they had already "closed" for the night. The flavors were good, I just wish it would have been hot and fresh. I ordered the special which was a veggie burrito for $7. While it was okay, l would opt for a veggie burrito from chipotle any day over this (I know it's hard to compare chipotle to a meatball place, but still...) My boyfriend ordered the veggie meatballs over pasta with béchamel sauce, peppers and onions, and provolone cheese. It sounds better than it tasted, but again I think it would have been a totally different experience if the dish had been hot. We also ordered the smoky coleslaw, hash brown gratin, and 2 cupcakes. The hash brown gratin was better than the coleslaw, but it too needed to be hotter. The cupcakes were good! I give it 3 stars because the place is super cute and I love the concept. I will definitely give it another shot, and I'm hopping we just caught them at a bad time.

    (3)

  • Cindy G.

    Move over tacos, cronuts, and cupcakes -- there's a new trend in town and it's meatballs! Now as we all know, not all meatballs are created equally. In fact I am so turned off by how many horrible meatballs are out there, that I actually shy away from ordering them. I can now say that Meatball Kitchen has now restored my faith in meatball humanity. Let's start with the atmosphere. A humble new addition in conjunction with the #RiseofShortVine. Meatball Kitchen's clean, bright, sunny disposition put us in a great mood as soon as we walked in the door. The color palate consists of simple grays, blues and greens that make for a soothing and contemporary atmosphere. We wanted to try a little bit of each so we went with the happy hour trio of meatball sliders for $5 bucks. We tried the turkey, spicy pork, and beef meatball. What surprised me the most was the consistency of each. The size (not to big, and not to small) the texture, and the temperature were all spot on. The only thing differentiating them was the taste. I love the spicy pork it had great flavor, but I am shocked to say that the turkey meatball was actually my favorite! The trio of meatballs was also accompanied by a trio of sauces. We tried the béchamel, the meat sauce, and the tomato. I am still craving just one more spoonfull of that incredible béchamel!! The tomato tasted roasted and fresh, and the meat sauce was a huge win in my book. My bf makes the best meat sauce I have ever tasted and this was up there as far as freshness. We also tried the spicy pork meatball with béchamel over pasta and if I went back again this is what I would order. I just cant get over how delicious the sauce was. Last but not least, the CUPCAKES! Oh my gawwwd. The holy grail of cupcakes can be found here and rightfully so. The owner filled us in that they actually have a full time pastry chef that makes home made focaccia, pretzel buns and cupcakes. Those three things are all I need to survive in life... Overall the thing that sets meatball kitchen aside, not just from other meatball contenders, but other restaurants as well is the freshness and quality of ingredients. Their philosophy is simple fresh food executed to perfection at a cost that everyone can afford. In conclusion, the food is damn good and I can't wait to go back. High five for following your passion and restoring my faith in a good meatball. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Alex V.

    Excellent fresh food. Great value. Good options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. We ate there and it was very nice but I will be coming back for to go on occasion. I can't think of a better option for fresh food for the whole family when you're in a pinch. Love the option of straight meatballs with two sides.

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    I often stop by the place for lunch and order through the 3rd party delivery company (Zooted, often not so great, but not Meatball Kitchen's fault). Service and food quality is consistently wonderful! A great spot in clifton that offers more than just pizza and burgers. I always enjoy their daily desserts and specials. Thanks Meatball Kitchen!

    (5)

  • Santeri P.

    My wife and I stopped in here on a Thursday during the early evening for some food before a crosstown bar hop. I give them three stars because we liked the food but it is a limited menu since it's a meatball place. If I find myself returning a lot then I will bump them up to four but I can't do that from one visit. I ordered the sandwich with two spicy pork meatballs and one beef meatball and the meat sauce. My wife had the pasta with the same meatballs and béchamel. She wanted some peppers and onions and they kindly made some for her even though it wasn't something they offered on the menu. I really liked the sandwich and the focaccia tasted good but I will say that it was hard to eat as a sandwich. I tried for a few bites but it kept falling apart so I eventually just settled with using a fork and knife. This didn't bother me because I ate it in the restaurant but I could see this bothering some people. The pasta with the béchamel was also good and my wife said she liked it even though she doesn't always like other cream sauces. We were both happy with our meals and will most likely stop in again to eat. The service was also friendly and accomodating.

    (3)

  • Alyssa F.

    Love it! Meatballs are one of my favorite foods, so when we went here we ended up with an overflowing table of food! We tried two kinds of meatballs- beef and spicy pork. Spicy pork was the clear winner! Boyfriend had his beef meatballs over pasta with meat sauce, which was delicious, but a little too traditional of a route for me :) I went with the spicy pork on the ciabatta bread with bechamel sauce. So amazingly good. We also tried the "tacos" which tasted more like a gyro to us. It was a special that weekend, but they told me that they are probably going to add them to the menu. I wasn't a huge fan of the taco but boyfriend gobbled it up so it's probably just taste- I don't really like gyros either. For sides we got the sriracha sweet potato mash (just ok- not very spicy), and the smoky coleslaw. The coleslaw was amazing- get it! Next time I want to try the kale. They have a few good choices of beer- two hearted on tap, plus margaritas ($9 for a carafe) and boxed wine. To top it off, everyone who worked there was so super friendly! We talked with the cashiers a while when we got there, and I saw the chefs come out and talk to a table, too. They said they might be starting happy hour special soon, which will bring this cheap meal down even more! For all that food and two beers, it was about $30 - probably more than we meant to spend, but we had to try it all!

    (4)

  • Jill C.

    I'll admit, when I heard about this place, I was skeptical. I don't tend to LOVE meat or meatballs, so a whole meat-based restaurant didn't seem super exciting. Then, I ate here. We squeaked in onto the Happy Hour menu which allowed for three sliders (and three different kinds of meatballs!), two sides, and a house beer for a reasonable dinner and an opportunity to try a large variety in a single meal. Everything was great-the greens were spicy, the sweet potatoes were awesome, and the meatballs were pretty great. Hint: the HH menu is 3-6 and includes items that are not otherwise on the menu. They also had some great looking cupcakes for dessert. The atmosphere at MBK is pretty great-it's about the food. The high quality food and casual/fast atmosphere is a nice addition to Short Vine. For some reason, I was (pleasantly) surprised to find that they sell alcohol-beer and wine. Definitely an excellent option for lunch or dinner. I'm excited to go back and try the pasta!

    (5)

  • Martha C.

    Went to meatball kitchen last night with a few friends before a concert. Yes, it was slightly cloudy and indeed, there was a chance of meatballs.......sorry for the bad joke. My image, and the yumminess portrayed in my photo, is the 3 meatball, 2 sides and a sauce meal. As my choices of meatballs, I went with the veggie, spicy pork and turkey. My least favorite was turkey, but the spicy and veggie were both delicious! I would recommend. And, as for the sides, the onion/garlic bread pudding, or stuffing as I like to call it, was delicious as well. You'll also note the beer, which they have a limited selection of, but who needs a bar when you have good craft selections along with the chic PBR, afterall?! Overall, Meatball Kitchen was great! Going forward, I hope to head back sometime when its warm. I would love to see this place have a nice little outdoor sidewalk eating space for those who want to sit outside. *** as a side note, Yelp spell check thinks yumminess should be chubbiness. Semi true in my case. : )

    (4)

  • Stephanie K.

    Best meatball sub I've ever had. What a fun lunch spot! The focus of this restaurant is meatballs. First choose the type of meatball you want: beef, turkey, spicy pork, veggie. Then pick your "plate" or how you'd like to consume your meatballs. You can eat them on a sandwich, on pasta, or on a salad. Lastly pick a sauce: meat, tomato, or béchamel. I tried the spicy pork meatballs on a sandwich with tomato sauce. With the first bite I was in food heaven. The bread oh my god is soooo freaking fantastic! It's a focaccia that is crisp with buttery goodness, but pillowy soft at the same time. It went so well with the meatballs. I also tried a lemon blueberry cupcake that was good, but nothing special. It needed some extra lemon zing. It was made by the same baker who did the focaccia so at least they got that going for them. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Ashley W.

    The staff here is top notch, especially the Baker. She knows my whole family by face when we walk in, and by voice when we place our orders over the phone. And this lady can bake a cupcake and focaccia like no ones business from one Pastry chef to another. The side salads here are great, and both vinaigrettes you can choose are good, particularly the apple parsley. And the savory bread pudding which is presently not on the menu is FANTASTIC! They need to bring it back. All of the meatballs are good the pork, beef, turkey and black bean. I am in love with the béchamel and meat sauces. My only complaint is that sometimes it seems that if the meat sauce is running low they thin it out, which is greatly noticeable- in taste and appearance. .

    (4)

  • Vicky N.

    Meatball Kitchen is close to campus and has been on my list for a while... I finally got to try it a couple of weeks ago, and it did not fail to please!! First of all, no line, no wait, food came quick. Secondly, the server/cashier was excellent! She was friendly, helpful, and gave great recommendations. I had no clue the food was made from scratch and locally - ingredients from Findlay Market - (which is probably why the meatballs are so delicious - Cincy Pride!) The concept of this place is similar to Piada, but IMO, this one is better. I had the beef meatballs with mushroom sauce, which was very tasty and filling for me. The prices are reasonable for a college budget, and the other combos sounded so delicious, I will definitely have to make another stop here again soon.

    (4)

  • Tabitha W.

    When I caught wind of this new restaurant, I immediately thought it would be a great place to introduce my husband to. Our tastes in cuisine can vary significantly, but I had a feeling this would be right up his alley! I totally nailed it. :) We headed over for a Saturday lunch, and it was pretty empty. There weren't but a handful of other customers there during our entire visit. We ordered at the counter and our food was brought out on a tray. Of course I have to say that I LOVE that there is a vegetarian meatball option. And it was pretty tasty, too! We shared a Vegetarian Meatball Sandwich with Bechamel Sauce, a side of Onion/Garlic Bread Pudding, and Sriracha Sweet Potato Mash. The sides are a decent size at 2 for $3. My husband loved them (I'm not the biggest sweet potato OR bread pudding fan, so I was ambivalent, but I'm fine with that.) We also shared a very sweet cupcake - sharing it was perfect; otherwise, the sweetness probably would have been too overwhelming. There are other meatball combinations I'd like to try, so I hope to return again soon!

    (4)

  • Cheryl C.

    Yum! Best meatball sub I've had in, maybe, ever. The focaccia bread was the perfect complement.

    (5)

  • Mark K.

    Had the meatball platter and it didn't disappoint. Liked the hash brown casserole and smoked Cole slaw sides. Not the cheapest for the size, but very tasty. Will return to try other menu items; even if its just in a different wrapper................Counter person very helpful and knowledgeable about product................

    (4)

  • Josh R.

    From out of town and looking for a local favorite...this was SO GOOD! We tried three different things and each was delicious!

    (5)

  • Catherine K.

    Excellent quick/casual place! I wish they had a location downtown! We tried out this place since we had an amazon local offer. So glad we did! Both my husband and I got the beef meatball sandwich topped with provolone. The focaccia sandwich bread was the perfect match for the rich meatballs! Service was friendly.

    (5)

  • Tara S.

    Perfecto! Went to MK on a week night for a meeting with two pals. Got the special on offer - jambalaya with the spicy pork. Knocked my socks off. Was my first of many visits. I recommend MK highly, you just can't go wrong. Great service, great food.

    (5)

  • Jeff Y.

    Best meatballs ever!! I've never eaten meatballs more delicious than these!! The beef meatballs taste like tender bobby veal, and the mushroom sauce is perfect!!

    (5)

  • Steven F.

    Okay, have been there 2 times in the last few weeks. First, this is a small restaurant. I would not call in fast food, since each order is made to order and so it takes a little while until it arrives. Second, if you have not been there you pick what type of meatballs you want (they have beef, spicy, turkey and vegetarian), then you pick your "base" (pasta, sandwich, salad or sub), then you pick your sauce (several to pick from) and finally there are some extra's that you can get. When we were there it looked like there were 3 guys working there. They guy behind the register, the cook in the back and a third guy doing a variety of things. The gentlemen behind the register was very personable and very helpful in describing the various items and guiding us. First time there we both got pasta. I got mine with the meat sauce. When it was brought over I thought it seemed like a fairly small serving for the money. However, as I ate it, and ate it, I realized there was a lot there. I had to work to finish it. However, it was so good, there was no way I was going to leave any behind. It comes with 3 meatballs. I got an extra one. I order 2 beef meatballs and 2 of the spicy meatballs. They were both very good and the meat sauce (more beef) was excellent. Pasta was $7. Next time there I got the sub. It comes with 4 meatballs and 2 toppings. I got onions & peppers and provolone cheese. The bread was a great hard crust roll. It was excellent. Only tricky part is if you don't hold the roll tightly the meatballs will try and sneak out. Sandwich was $10. This is a great neighborhood place with great food run by very nice people. If you decide to go before a UC basketball event, or something like that, just make sure you leave enough time. I would say around 45 minutes or more.

    (5)

  • Suzy W.

    So we tried this because we were looking for a new place for date night. Well, if youre used to food with regular flavor, this is not the place for you. the spicy pork meatballs have cinnamon in them. Very different tastes, but very very good. I wouldn't expect this delicious little place to be on scary short vine.

    (4)

  • Katie F.

    Stopped into Meatball Kitchen last Saturday afternoon. Expected it to be packed, but we were some of the few in there. PEOPLE!! WAKE UP!! There's awesome things happening on Short Vine.... and Meatball Kitchen is one of them! I had a meatball sandwich with Béchamel and a side of their garlic onion bread pudding. My boyfriend had their meatball burger (more like 3 sliders) and ordered their seasonal veggies (beets.... weird). Anyway, those dang meatballs were so delicious. I can't wait to come back and try them on other stuff, like Pasta! They have beer and wine, which I was surprised by. Even have a draft tap (which I believe rotates, right now it's Bells Two Hearted). The staff was really friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is great. I loved the photography on the walls. What a neat spot!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Meatball Kitchen

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