Meatballs!

Location: The Meatball Stoppe –Orlando, Florida

Date of Visit: 01/13/2017

I am at a loss of words at this place! All I know is that I will be coming back to this place. The Meatball Place was a small place (not so small now) I passed by every single day on my way home from work or going to work. I saw postings of the place through social media and I did not realize I live less than three miles from this place. It was definitely more than I expected. I want to give a personal thank you to one of the owners Isabella Morgia di Vicari (I want you to practice her name!). She gave me and my company a guided tour of the food and the place itself. This is definitely a personal touch I am unaccustomed to but I enjoyed that. I never seem to meet the owners on a lot of my visits but it is nice when I do, especially when I see them taking care of the customers themselves. It was my first time eating there but I felt welcomed and I did not feel lost looking at the menu. This place had a very simple menu with very authentic Italian flavors. This place is in a shopping plaza I remember has seen a lot of changes over the years. I remember ten years ago (maybe more) there was a phone shop and a gym, neither of which exist anymore. It is in a very active strip now. I definitely make a call to anyone that lives in the immediate area to check this place out. The restaurant is at the tail end of a renovation but I look forward to the finished product.

Accessibility: This place is located at the corner of Goldenrod Road and Lake Underhill Road in Orlando, Florida. You are only able to exit and enter the strip via the westbound Lake Underhill side. There are no other access points. Parking was a little congested but you can find a space. Driving around the strip is a little tight. Just use a little caution when going around. Be aware the intersection is subject to heavy congestion during commute times.

Customer Service: We were greeted immediately by Ms Isabella upon entry. We were instructed to sit at the two seat tables as the four seat tables are for larger groups. I was fine with that arrangement. Menus were on every table. Ms Isabella showed us how to order and told us of the items available. There is a lunch special available during the day. It was a very welcoming experience and in fact she let my friend choose the music. The other servers I met were very nice and knowledgeable of the menu as well. We received our orders in approximately ten minutes.

Lets Get to the Menu: The total for everything was approximately $26. Prices were very reasonable. I ordered “Meatballs on Top” which included three large meatballs, peppers and onions on top of penne pasta with mushroom marsala sauce and a ‘gem’ on top (fried egg). I do not regret that egg, that was the best part about it. My company ordered a meatball smash. You will find a great selection of styles and sauces available, all customized how you want it. That marsala sauce had a very rich flavor. All of the ingredients were very fresh. It is nice to have the home made taste with the home made atmosphere. There are a few desserts and alcoholic drinks available. I also ordered appetizer of baked mozzarella. It had bread and a roasted tomato sauce with fresh mozzarella in the sauce. In fact, Ms Isabella showed us how to eat is as noted in the pics.

Extras: Say hello to Ms Isabella and crew. She is very passionate about the restaurant and I was told she has a program on YouTube and a book as well. I will take a look at both. You are close to SR-408 (tolls).