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The Meatball Shop, sliding into the space occupied by relocated Cork, was completely renovated and redesigned with lots of playful food-themed art.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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The Meatball Shop in Logan Circle Finally Opens Tonight

The New York import serves its first dinner on Friday, October 19

by Tierney Plumb
Photos by Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Tierney Plumb is the editor of Eater DC, covering all things food and drink around the nation's capital.

Just in time for the weekend, New York import the Meatball Shop is scheduled to unleash its lineup of Jell-O shots and ground-meat globes tonight on one of D.C.’s busiest strips for nightlife.

The chain, which debuted its customizable meatball model in 2010 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side and has since sprinkled five additional outposts across the city, took over the space formerly occupied by Cork at 1720 14th Street NW. The wine bar consolidated operations in its market space across the street.

D.C. diners have been patiently waiting for the delayed venture to debut near Logan Circle. It was expected to open in late August but experienced some unanticipated kinks in D.C.’s permitting process. Scroll on for a first look inside the 2,400-square-foot interior billed as a hip hybrid of an Italian grandmother’s house and a bustling bar. The shop revealed its menu to Eater DC earlier this week.

Status: Scheduled to open on Friday, October 19 by 5:30 p.m., with lunch to follow in the coming weeks. 1720 14th Street NW; website.

Co-founder Daniel Holzman shot photographs of veggies and meat grinders as entry art.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
The Meatball Shop’s entire meatball-based menu will be served until last call, hoping to fill a void of post-11 p.m. dining options along D.C.’s thriving 14th Street corridor.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
The Meatball Shop splashes silly innuendos across the 70-seat space.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
The bar program, open until last call, serves strong sangrias, Moscow mules, Jell-O shots, and $11-$12 cocktails like the #Basic (Cruzan rum, pumpkin, all-spice, lemon).
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Meatball Shop co-owner Daniel Holzman started his cooking career at the age of 15 at Le Bernardin in New York City under chef Eric Ripert, going on to attend the Culinary Institute of America with a full scholarship from the James Beard Foundation.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
A secluded upstairs section, dubbed “Cockpit,” features board games, D.C.-themed maps and designs, and meatball-shaped wooden stools.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
Nearby, one bathroom door has “balls” written on it, and another has, “balls” with a red slash.
Rey Lopez/Eater DC

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