The Meatball Shop

Now this is a restaurant after my own heart.  Spaghetti and meatballs are my Sunday night family tradition (as many of you know), and if I were going to open up a restaurant it would be all about meatballs.  Looks like someone beat me to the punch (good for them!), with an original location about a year and a half ago and now two more locations in Manhattan.

The Meatball Shop, from famed restaurateur Michael Chernow with executive chef Daniel Holzman.

I love a good concept, and I love an amazing brand experience even better.  For me, restaurants are all about the concept and the experience, and this one nails it.  If you like meatballs or comfort food or are just a foodie, this place is fabulous!  Fabulous!  Meatballs of every kind ... almost like the buffet of meatball recipes lined up in my kitchen.  The atmosphere is so fun, so Manhattan.  And the owners are, well, like rock stars.  Chefs and restaurateurs have long become sexy celebrities, and these two are right up there (good for them!).

They've got a whole "brand" thing going on, complete with social media (@meatballers) and you can also vote on bringing your favorites back onto the menu.  The place is not trying to be anything but meatballs, and I have to give them props for embracing the "balls" jokes.  On the drink menu is my favorite with, "you'll get thirsty eating our balls."  Ba-dump-ba (good for them!).

Yes, guys, you had me at meatballs ... now I've just got to get the cookbook.  What's your experience?  Jim.

Jim Joseph
President, Cohn & Wolfe North America
Author, The Experience Effect series
Professor, NYU

PS - Join my webinar this Wednesday where I reveal the secrets to big brand marketing.  12:00 Noon EST.