New Super Bowl favorite: Meatballs rank higher than wings
Who knew? Apparently chicken wings are not the most sought after food for the Super Bowl. A new analysis of Google search data claims meatballs are number one nationwide with guacamole coming in second. Chips and salsa rank third, followed by tater tots, chili and, finally, at number six, chicken wings.
Wings are definitely a game-day staple — the report says two in five Americans plan to eat them — and still place tops in New York fans' hearts, minds and stomachs (they're also number one in Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia).
But still. Meatballs have made inroads. Which got us wondering where's best to find them. Suggestions follow.
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Rockland
Banchetto Feast, Nanuet
A combination of flavors can be found at this Italian restaurant with its Black Angus Meatball Sampler, made with pork, Black Angus beef and veal. The threesome are then simmered and served in three different sauces including classic marinara and ricotta, fra diavolo and housemade vodka sauce. 75 West Route 59 and S. Middletown Road, 845-624-3070, banchettorestaurant.com
El Toro Steakhouse, Congers
A steakhouse may not be the first place you may think of for meatballs, but the one at El Toro is so big, it can feed two. The appetizer is served in a marinara sauce and made with a blend of beef and pork. 109 South Route 303, 845-777-9225, eltorosteakhouseny.com
Italian Food Center, West Haverstraw
The meatballs at this gourmet food store/Italian deli are a combination of chopped meat, cheeses and breadcrumbs and spices and are made daily in-house along with a homemade sauce (though you can get them plain if you prefer). The meatball parmigiana is a fan fave and comes topped with homemade mozzarella on an ever so slightly toasted hero. Those looking for an alternative can try the food center's chicken meatballs, which are baked similarly to perfection, and available as a parmigiana sandwich. Another option: The large stuffed meatball filled with homemade mozzarella and topped with sauce and grated parmigiana. Get your camera ready to Instagram when the melted mozzarella oozes upon each bite. 35 S. Route 9W, 845-947-3794, italianfoodctr.com
Leonardo's Italian Deli & Catering, New City
This is sandwich heaven. Choose from the "Sonny's Toll Booth," meatballs, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle and Boom Boom sauce or "The Johnny Utah," with meatballs, marinara, provolone and pesto on a hero. Prefer something simpler? There's always the classic meatball parm. Owner Frank Ficarra can literally make anything you want: Just ask. All meatballs, fyi, are a mixture of beef and pork. 14 N. Main St., 845-638-3455, leosdelicatering.com
Norcina, New City
Norcina's meatballs are a mix of Pat Lafrieda ground sweet Italian sausage, Pat Lafrieda ground lamb, eggs, panko breadcrumbs and imported 24-month-aged parmigiano reggiano. They're served in tomato sauce with dollops of seasoned ricotta cheese. Enjoy them at the restaurant or to go (trays available). 186 N. Main St., 845-638-8030, norcinanewcity.com
Russo's House of Pizza, Pearl River
Meatball sliders, meatballs with cheese, ziti and meatballs and meatball parm pizza are some of the options at this pizzeria, famous for its PizzaRito, a rolled cheese pizza combined with a host of ingredients — think chicken, meatballs, pepperoni, baked ziti and mozzarella sticks. 8 E. Central Ave., 845-735-0867.
Westchester
Avitabile Deli, Yonkers
Folks may come near and far for the fresh mozzarella — it's made fresh-made-every-morning — but this authentic Italian deli also has meatballs on the menu, a blend of beef and pork made from a recipe personally created by Maria Avitabile. There's also lots of other food should you crave something else; the deli case features approximately 15 different homemade salads, fresh homemade sausage, and shelves packed with imported pastas, tomatoes, coffees and oils that make it feel like you've walked into a market in Italy. There are 25 different cheeses along with homemade sausage, and imported soppressata, prosciutto, mortadella, and porketta. 1016 McLean Ave., 914-237-2389, avitabiledeli.com
Furci's, Yorktown Heights
When you crave food like your grandmother or mother makes (or used to make!), head to family-owned Furci's where "Momma's Meatballs" are topped with tomato sauce, ricotta, and parmesan cheese. Or, go for "Momma’s Sunday Dinner," spaghetti with homemade meatballs and fresh basil in a slow cooked tomato sauce. They're also available in trays to go. 334 Underhill Ave., 914-302-7900, furcisrestaurant.com
Graziella's Market, West Harrison
Chef Gracie DiFeo, who's long been a fixture, known for her restaurant Graziella's, which was in White Plains for 27 years, first on South Broadway and later on Church Street, is still serving her famous meatballs, just now at this Italian market that she and her family opened last May. The meatballs are a blend of beef, veal and pork and can be served on a hero, on a plate, with sauce, without, on salad — you name it, they can offer it. They're also always available on their hot bar as well via catering orders. 109 Gainsborg Ave. West Harrison, 914-948-0880, graziellasmarket.com
Polpettina, Eastchester
You've gotta figure a restaurant named after a meatball has gotta take them seriously, right? And indeed Polpettina, which translates to little meatball in Italian, offers two choices: A beef one with tomato basil, ricotta, pecorino and parsley and a chicken meatball with sesame soy jus, pickled carrots and scallions. You can also get them parm style, atop pizza or with pasta. They're available in trays for catering. 102 Fisher Ave., 914-961-0061, polpettina.com
The Sandwich Spot, Valhalla
How's this for meatball overload? The Meatball Vodka is made with housemade meatballs with vodka sauce then topped with shaved parmigiano reggiano and scallions on melted imported Asiago cheese on toasted ciabatta bread. There's also a meatball parm with San Marzana DOP tomato sauce, straciatella cheese (which is basically like the ooey, gooey, melt-in-your-mouth interior of a burrata cheese), fresh basil and shaved parm. This shop is all about using fresh quality ingredients. 160 Legion Dr., 914-615-9662, thesandwichspotny.com
Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Meatballs rank higher than chicken wings nationwide for Super Bowl
