To begin, I will state unequivocally that the meatball is my favorite sandwich (unless I'm in…read moreChicago, then it may quickly switch to a hot dipped Italian beef). So, when I first discovered the "Chucktown Meatball Co.," I hunted them down with the intention of telling them how disappointed I was, since it is SO rare I have a meatball worth its salt. Often, it has been a miserable experience, especially since I ONLY eat housemade meatballs and not the atomic waste, cylinder shaped frozen craters found at the fast-food shack of your (poor and ill-advised) choice.
It took some effort, but I finally find them via Instagram, pull up to their truck parked somewhere in the swamps of West Ashley, and order the Meatball Hero (marinara on toasted Italian roll and topped with Pesto, parmigiana, and stracciatella). The preparation took a little time but trust me - that is a good thing. Before long, we complete the handoff, and I walk back to my car and immediately take a bite. Incredible. Are these the best meatballs I've ever had? No, they are not. That trophy belongs to my departed Italian mother's concoction. However, these are so good, tasty and fresh, I find myself heading back on a weekly basis (if not more). I wanted to try their pasta and other things but couldn't get off the meatball hero. Finally, the owner, in an almost plea to rid me of my demons, suggested the chicken parm hero (chicken cutlet with marinara, mozzarella, provolone, and parmigiana with pesto/stracciatella on a toasted Italian roll), and I obliged. Equally incredible, with a red hot fried fresh chicken cutlet smothered in a molten mess that was glorious to eat. Both sandwiches should be common in the Northeast (with varying degrees of quality) but finding them in Charleston at this culinary level is as rare as driving down a street with no flooding. We're talking about super high-quality food here (shockingly prepared in a truck) at a more than reasonable price.
The following week, I went back to my meatball hero, because it's what I crave. I'll eventually get around to trying the pasta, but for now, let me go down swinging with a toasted Italian roll in my veins and a smile on my face. When you find them, walk up and tell them Milo sent you. They'll know.
