West Side Rag
  • TOP NEWS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT US
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT
    • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
    • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
West Side Rag
No Result
View All Result
SUPPORT THE RAG
No Result
View All Result

Favorite WSR Stories

  • UWS Church Raises Over $200,000 for 107th Street Fire Victims: ‘Everyone Lost Everything’
  • Owner of Pit Bulls that Attacked Penny the Chihuahua on UWS in May is Arrested in NY Courtroom
  • This Giving Tuesday Help Sustain West Side Rag
Get WSR FREE in your inbox
SUPPORT THE RAG

The Meatball Shop Closes as Burke & Wills Reopens

November 22, 2017 | 9:20 PM - Updated on November 23, 2017 | 8:04 AM
in FOOD, NEWS, OPEN/CLOSED
18

On Thanksgiving Eve, one restaurant closed its doors for good while another was able to reopen after a stressful week.

The Meatball Shop at 447 Amsterdam Avenue between 81st and 82nd Streets announced its sudden closure following dinner service on Wednesday. “Structural changes to the locations interior necessary to enable the restaurant to run were too cost prohibitive to continue operation,” a company spokesperson wrote. “The team is also looking to shift their focus to new projects on the horizon.” CEO Adam Rosenbaum said the chain plans to be explore “new opportunities in the neighborhood in the future.” This location had opened in 2014.

A staff member told us the workers found out today. The company spokesperson said the Meatball Shop would find new positions for employees at one of the chain’s other restaurants in the city.

Burke & Wills and The Manhattan Cricket Club on 79th Street, meanwhile, were able to reopen their doors after being shuttered by a state marshal last week because of tax issues. With those issues apparently resolved, the liquor was flowing and restaurant-goers chowed down on Australian delicacies. “I’m at MCC right now,” wrote Todd, who sent in the photo above. “It’s packed and so is B&W.”

Share this article:
SUPPORT THE RAG
Leave a comment

Please limit comments to 150 words and keep them civil and relevant to the article at hand. Comments are closed after six days. Our primary goal is to create a safe and respectful space where a broad spectrum of voices can be heard. We welcome diverse viewpoints and encourage readers to engage critically with one another’s ideas, but never at the expense of civility. Disagreement is expected—even encouraged—but it must be expressed with care and consideration. Comments that take cheap shots, escalate conflict, or veer into ideological warfare detract from the constructive spirit we aim to cultivate. A detailed statement on comments and WSR policy can be read here.

guest

guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

18 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Pedestrian
Pedestrian
8 years ago

No respect for wait staff or other workers. It is appalling.

0
Reply
Steven
Steven
8 years ago

I liked The Meatball Shop though it was a bit pricey.

0
Reply
Jake Black
Jake Black
8 years ago

This is a tragic day for Meatball Lovers on the Upper West Side and a Glorious day for lovers of Australian delicacies.

0
Reply
Lord Of The Slice
Lord Of The Slice
8 years ago
Reply to  Jake Black

lol….Vegemite.

hahaha

0
Reply
Debra
Debra
8 years ago

I’m completely befuddled by the closing of
The Meatball Shop. Every time I’ve been
there it’s been packed. It seemed
to be doing so well. Sad to see it go.

0
Reply
wombatNYC
wombatNYC
8 years ago

The UWS – Where restaurants open only to Die !
Meatball shop was yummy and you could go healthy or unhealthy on ordering . Food was good and prices moderate . Will be missed

0
Reply
Margaret
Margaret
8 years ago

What a bummer. Meatball Shop was a great casual dinner. I don’t really follow the explanation why they’re shutting down, but sad to see them go.

0
Reply
steve smith
steve smith
8 years ago

This was my meeting (meating) place for me and my friend….good food, good drinks and local spot for all ages….may I suggest you find another location between 96th and 106th on Broadway! Way too many vacant spots there! Please?

0
Reply
Me
Me
8 years ago

Good. Less one less place promoting cruelty (killing animals) as desirable. Even if you lack compassion for animals, red meat is horrible for you!

0
Reply
Ugh
Ugh
8 years ago
Reply to  Me

Go jump in a lake!

0
Reply
JF
JF
8 years ago

MBS was my family’s go to restaurant…the perfect family restaurant. Something for everyone…So sad to see them go. The excuse seems bizarre. Wouldn’t structural issues be the landlords issue and would be covered by some sort of insurance? The UWS is becoming a ghost town…so disturbing.

0
Reply
Derek
Derek
8 years ago

The Meatball Shop was the most disgusting food I have ever eaten. Not sure how it survived this long, but most people running there don’t know anything about real Italian cooking anyhow. Hell- the Italian food and the Irish pub next door is better!!LOL

0
Reply
Derek
Derek
8 years ago
Reply to  Derek

Last line should read “Italian food “In” the Irish Pub next door…”

0
Reply
Mary
Mary
8 years ago

Not surprised about the meatball shop. Never up to the standards of the other Italian Restaurants in the neighborhood.

0
Reply
Sean
Sean
8 years ago

No more balls for you.

0
Reply
SA
SA
8 years ago

I miss what was there before Meatball Shop, which was EJ’s Luncheonette.

0
Reply
FrugalUWSr
FrugalUWSr
8 years ago

I’m thrilled to see the Meatball Shop close. At $9 for the meatballs alone (an additional cost for the pasta), this place was ridiculous.

0
Reply
Chase
Chase
8 years ago

Polpette is the meatball shop of my hood. Meatball shop is fools gold… hype. Buh-Bye.

0
Reply

YOU MIGHT LIKE...

New Absolute Bagel Set to Open This Month, Employee Says
FOOD

New Absolute Bagel Set to Open This Month, Employee Says

December 17, 2025 | 6:35 PM
An UWS Mystery in the Riverside Park Foliage: Gift Bags, Backward Words, and Eggs
ABSURDITY

An UWS Mystery in the Riverside Park Foliage: Gift Bags, Backward Words, and Eggs

December 17, 2025 | 3:15 PM
Previous Post

Photo Gallery: Happy 700-Pound Monsters Come to Life

Next Post

Museum Expansion Opponents Highlight Asbestos Risks, Push for Last-Minute Commenting Blitz

this week's events image
Next Post
‘BEAUTIFUL AND BRILLIANT’ NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM ADDITION WINS LANDMARKS APPROVAL

Museum Expansion Opponents Highlight Asbestos Risks, Push for Last-Minute Commenting Blitz

SILVER STARS FITNESS — IT’S TIME FOR A NEW YOU! (SPONSORED)

Silver Stars Fitness: 5 Tips for a Post-Thanksgiving Workout; Plus Enjoy Our Holiday Sale of 20% Off on All Classes and Private Services

Video: Love, Loss and Fresh Fish on the Last Day at Joon Fish Market

Video: Love, Loss and Fresh Fish on the Last Day at Joon Fish Market

  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • NEWSLETTER
  • WSR MERCH!
  • ADVERTISE
  • EVENTS
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS OF USE
  • SITE MAP
Site design by RLDGROUP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • TOP NEWS
  • THIS WEEK’S EVENTS
  • OPEN/CLOSED
  • FOOD
  • SCHOOLS
  • OUTDOORS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • ART & CULTURE
  • POLITICS
  • COLUMNS
  • CRIME
  • HISTORY
  • ABSURDITY
  • ABOUT
    • OUR STORY
    • CONTRIBUTORS
    • CONTACT US
    • GET WSR FREE IN YOUR INBOX
    • SEND US TIPS AND IDEAS
  • WSR SHOP

© 2025 West Side Rag | All rights reserved.