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    Emporio: A Meatball Joint

    3.7 (388 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    EMPORIO: A MEATBALL JOINT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
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    Moderate noise

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    Andrew B.

    Drove nearly an hour specifically to try this place. When we arrived, we were turned away because someone had bought the entire restaurant out. We were so sad and then had to scramble to find a new place to eat, in 30 degree weather. I know that it!s not their fault that someone bought it out, but I was really upset that we didnt find out until going inside. There was no post online to notify people until an hour after we had already been turned away. If I'm able to visit again, ill update my review.

    drinks
    Melissa T.

    Upon arrival we were sat immediately and our server was PHENOMENAL. She was so cheerful, helpful and patient with us as it was a gurls night so lots to catch up on. For drinks the table got Blitzens Cranberry Mule, Dasher's Sugar Cookie martini and a non alcoholic cranberry mule. None of us in fact got meatballs lol I got the muffuletta. It's an Italian meats sandwich with cheese and an olive salad on focaccia. With a side of fries. The sandwich was HUGE. I did also get a side of the crack sauce and it in deed was crack. I had no shame in asking for a second cup of it. Loved their holiday decor and it felt so welcoming.

    Halle W.

    Rather disappointing! I was kind of excited to try this place, I mean how can you go wrong with a "meatball joint" right? Wrong! The approach is pretty cool, which is what grabbed our attention while walking around downtown. We love an open garage vibe and to be able to enjoy the fresh air and watch people go by. But that's really the best part about this "mercato". It wasn't crowded on our visit yet it took the host at least 10 minutes to acknowledge us and seat us. She must have had some very important Coke vs Pepsi debate to attend, at least that's what part of her conversation with another server was overheard as we stood there waiting to be acknowledged. If there are two things that are my favorite to eat - it's Italian wedding soup and good meatballs. Growing up the child of a native Italian Yinzer, I've had the best in the Burgh and am always looking for new and different venues to get both. This is definitely not the place. Let's start with the wedding soup. It's very bitter and lacks flavor. At first glance, it looks really good but it is really just meh with its one sad meatball, way too much spinach (or possibly kale) when it should be Swiss chard and the lack of any kind of pasta (it should have acini de Pepe). I didn't finish the soup and no one else at the table wanted it either. Next, the classic Italian meatball slider is anything but classic Italian. It's just average. However, the meatball is better than the meat sauce that I ordered on my slider. Meat sauce - hold the sauce! More like crumbled meat with a smidge of tomato flavor. Luckily, my husband ordered vodka sauce with his average spicy pork meatball that I could share. Otherwise it would have been a dry meatball with crumbled meat on a stale slider bun. Our server was great - attentive and quick with drinks and follow up. Not his fault our food was subpar. Needless to say, this restaurant will not be on our list of places to return to when visiting downtown again.

    Christy C.

    Great happy hour spot with food and drink specials! We loved the customizable meatball sliders and the price ($1) was unbeatable for happy hour. The buffalo chicken balls were also tasty! Their $5 wine pours included the whole list, which was great! Our server was very friendly and attentive and also gave us great recommendations. The atmosphere was lively, but we sat near the patio where it wasn't too loud even as the place started filling up. I'd definitely come back next time I'm in town!

    Brianna G.

    I was so kindly invited here to sample a few menu items off of the new menu they released this October! They are cooking up so much more than just meatballs at this meatball joint! My favorite dishes were the crab fries and the chicken pesto sandwich on focaccia! The Ball of the Month was Octoberfest inspired with spatzel, beer cheese, and a pork & sauerkraut meatball! It was delicious and gave all the fall vibes. If you're craving dessert, order the ricotta doughnuts. Served steaming hot with chocolate drizzle. These were DIVINE, and I don't typically reach for a doughnut. I love the 3 level concept of sienna mercato. Emporio is the place for a casual meal. If you want something a little more elevated go up to Mezzo and see their new cocktail lounge! And lastly stop up on the gorgeous rooftop Il Tetto for an espresso martini and amazing city skyline views and city lights!

    This tiny Caesar Salad was $17. I ordered fried chicken and got grilled and asked for balsamic dressing instead of Caesar and got none.
    Jessie H.

    Two stars for the incredibly lovely bartender, the STELLAR playlist, and a serviceable and reasonably priced glass of Pinot Grigio. I'm in Pittsburgh for work and accidentally came here looking for the associated pizza restaurant (I probably needed to go upstairs but I was tired from traveling and lazy so once I sat down I was staying.) the bartender was super nice and speedy and I enjoyed my glass of Pinot Grigio while I was waiting for the order I placed to go. I had been hankering for pizza so took awhile to decide but wound up ordering the cheesy bread appetizer and a salad. I ordered the Caesar salad with fried chicken and asked for to balsamic for the Caesar dressing. As I mentioned, the bartender was a pro (and deftly handling the service bar, all of the patrons seated at the bar, and several tables) so I'm sure she put the order, which she repeated back to me perfectly, in right... So imagine my dismay when I unboxed my dinner in the hotel room across the street and saw my sad, small, totally undressed salad with grilled chicken :(. My $17 dollar sad, undressed, salad which was note even remotely what I ordered. The cheesy bread is also hard and unappetizing, although the marinara they served on the side is tasty. The food was packaged well but they didn't include napkins or utensils. Very disappointing. I would have been better off eating at the hotel restaurant.

    Traditional spaghetti & Meatballs bowl
    Luis C.

    Found this gem near the convention center in Pittsburgh. The meatballs were as delicious as I've ever had! The place is airy and comfortable. Our server made sure we had everything we needed and full drink glasses in a timely and efficient manner! We enjoyed our visit! Wish you had a place in L.A.!

    Italian Wedding Soup with Chicken Meatball
    Ashley S.

    We visited Emporio for lunch. We got there when the restaurant just opened, so there wasn't a wait. The service was quick and the food was pretty good. I ended up getting a side salad with wedding soup and I added a chicken meatball to the soup. It was very tasty, just wish I had ordered another meatball. The meatball was a good size and it was well seasoned. Soup could've been a little warmer, but not bad overall. The restaurant itself was nice and clean. You can tell the restaurant seems like it has a groovy type of atmosphere based on the decor. Definitely will have to visit again!

    Poutine & ball
    Kat V.

    If this had been our first trip there, we'd never have gone a second time. We hadn't been back much since the pandemic and I'm not sure if we hit it on a bad night, or if their food is always horrible now. The vibe is still good. Service was friendly, but bad (almost nothing we got the first time around matched what we ordered. The food tasted like it had been made hours and hours ago and sitting around getting cold. The restaurant was more empty than I'd ever seen it, so them being too busy wasn't the issue. I'm definitely not in a rush to return unless I hear that they're going back to the old restaurant standards. Very disappointing dinner for the same prices.

    Sampler
    Thomas C.

    Was excited to try Emporio, but was met with unfortunate service and food. Coming in at 2:30pm on a Tuesday, the place was pretty empty. It's a classic "garage" type feel with steel chairs and wobbly tables. The kind hostess allowed us to sit anywhere, in which was chose the tables next to the outdoor patio. It took about 10 minutes before anyone came to take our orders. I realize it's a slow time and crossover, but it was pretty unacceptable. Especially since I saw the manager and waiters all walking near our table cleaning the other tables but not servicing us first. The bartender finally came over, with no apology, and took our orders. Not having the bread for the panini and hoagie was disappointing, but he didn't suggest another option for us so we just went with the sliders. Once they came, they were without the cheese and the bread was not soft. The meatball and sauce were great though. The meatball sample was fine. We decided we didn't really love the chicken meatball (dry, firm, too much breading) but the beef one was great! I would hope this isn't the way it always is, but it didn't make me want to return.

    Front counter

    In Pittsburgh for the first time, and this looked appetizing. Waitress was "in training", which sometimes can be dicey, but you couldn't tell she was inexperienced, since she was attentive, energetic, let me ask questions, and if she didn't know, she was quick to go get an answer. She'll do well. Got the wedge salad, which was good-sized, fresh and delicious. Then ordered the Mac and cheese after debating between that and the pesto pasta. It was pretty good. The portion was a little small for the price, but the cheese was very flavorful - as was the jalapeños on top. Their meatballs are their signature, but while they're seasoned very well, they're a touch dense and a little dry. Overall, worth the trip and maybe another try for the pesto.

    Halie G.

    A meatball joint!  Right on Penn Avenue, on the First Floor of Sienna Mercato.  Local cuisine, Italian/American with a full-service bar and table seating available.  They offer a variety of salads, snacks and different styles of meatball dishes- from sliders to bowls, paired with pastas or just on their own.  Lots of variations of meatballs and sauces- chicken, pork, beef and veggie as well as over eight different sauces!  Had Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and Poutine! Featuring a monthly meatball each month which is a super fun flavorful ball that is constantly changing- this month it is: Tuscan Chicken .  Friendly staff and quick service makes this a great spot to grab lunch or dinner.  Great location to grab a bite before a show, concert or game!

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    9 months ago

    I ordered delivery and got their meatball of the month, it was delicious and I would defiantly order from here again.

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    Derive wasn't anything great. Good tastes microwave or from a bag. Won't be returning.

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