Idaho Statesman: NYC chain expands to Boise with ‘the best meatball sub on the planet.’ They deliver.

BY MICHAEL DEEDS
FEBRUARY 25, 2021 04:00 AM

Being the CEO of a restaurant chain, Adam Rosenbaum realizes that his opinion about the food might be subjective.

Still, let’s hear him out, Boise. The dude is a baller.

The Meatball Shop, which has four locations in New York City, opens Friday, Feb. 26, at Crave Delivery, a virtual-kitchen collective at 2900 W. Excursion Blvd. in Meridian.

Not sure what to order? You can’t go wrong with the OG NYC Hero sandwich, Rosenbaum said in a phone interview. It’s packed with three classic meatballs, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. It costs $15. And like all Meatball Shop sandwiches, it comes with a salad.

“I might be biased,” Rosenbaum said, “but it’s the best meatball sub on the planet.”

Like other Crave brands, The Meatball Shop will offer delivery and takeout, but no on-site dining. Customers order using the Crave app. Delivery costs $4.99 and can include orders from multiple eateries.

The Meatball Shop was started by two buddies in 2010. The entire menu isn’t available at Crave, but a significant portion of it made the trip to Idaho: meatballs, pastas, veggie dishes, sandwiches, sauces and sides.

The fast-casual chain fills the Italian-food niche at Crave, pizza excluded. (That’s Tony G’s territory.) Meatball-loving Idahoans will be able to order Balls and Sauce ($9 for three) or upgrade to Bowls ($16, three balls served over pasta, mashed potatoes or polenta).

And don’t forget about the beloved Mini Buffalo Balls ($9). “Those are a big hit everywhere — basically a buffalo chicken wing without the bone,” Rosenbaum told the Statesman in January. “They’re amazing.”

The Meatball Shop is the 15th restaurant to open at Crave, which has 16 kitchen suites.