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Toronto's Best Meatballs

Chef Massimo Capra bites into the city’s tastiest meatballs

by Karen Aagard

GRAND PRIZE

Paisano’s, 116 Willowdale Ave., North York

Massimo Capra takes his meatballs seriously. Working his way through plate after plate of the Italian comfort food, Capra sets his sights on Paisano’s bite-sized offerings. After careful consideration (“cross-checking” efforts), the Mistura exective chef declares Paisano’s meatballs the best of the bunch. “Wow!” he proclaims. “This was tough. But these are very good. The meatballs are well-formed, and the sauce has these nice, crunchy onions.”

Price: $6.00

FIRST RUNNER-UP

7 Numbers, 516 Eglinton Ave. W.

“There’s a present in here!” exclaims Capra.“There’s some nice mozzarella in the centre of this meatball. And the sauce is nice — chunky tomatoes and veggies.

Price: $11

SECOND RUNNER-UP

Boccone Deli, 1378 Yonge St.

“There are some nice mushrooms in this sauce,” says Capra. “The meat is nicely mixed and spiced very well. Too bad these are shaped so ugly!”

Price: $1.75 each

Hey Meatball!, 719 College St.

“Now this sauce is nice,” says Capra, “a little oily — but that’s not a bad thing. I would say that the meat isn’t mixed very well. It’s a bit like course sausage.”

Price: $5 to $7