Best Dishes Orlando
Best Meatballs in Orlando
Homemade daily by the Navarra family since 1991
Why These Meatballs Are Different
Most Italian restaurants in Orlando use pre-made meatballs from a supplier. You can taste the difference immediately. At Ciao Italia Ristorante, every single meatball is made from scratch in our kitchen using a recipe the Navarra family brought over from Italy. The blend of meats, the seasoning, the slow simmer in our house marinara. There is no shortcut and there is no substitute.
The family has been making them the same way since 1991 when they opened on Westwood Blvd. More than three decades later, the meatballs are still one of the most ordered items on the menu. Regulars who have been coming for 20 years will tell you they have never tasted anything quite like them anywhere else in Orlando.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Done Right
Our meatballs are served with spaghetti and a rich, house-made marinara sauce that has been simmering for hours. The pasta is cooked to order. The sauce clings to the noodles the way it should. This is not a plate of spaghetti with sauce poured on top. Every component is made to work together.
It sounds simple because it is simple. Good meat, good tomatoes, good olive oil, good technique, and time. That is the recipe. The problem is that most restaurants skip the time part. We do not.
A Dish the Whole Family Loves
Spaghetti and meatballs is one of those rare dishes that makes everyone at the table happy. The adults love it, the kids devour it. Our kids menu includes spaghetti and meatballs for $13, and it comes with gelato for dessert. Available for children 10 and under.
What Makes a Great Meatball
A great meatball is tender, never rubbery. It holds together but falls apart on your fork. The seasoning is balanced with garlic, fresh herbs, and a touch of parmigiano. And it needs to be the right size. Too small and there is no satisfaction. Too large and the texture suffers. Ours are the right size.
The chains serve meatballs that taste like they came out of a bag because they did. The difference between a handmade meatball and a factory meatball is the same difference between a home-cooked meal and a microwave dinner. You know it the second you take a bite.
Open Every Night
Ciao Italia is open 7 days a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Free parking, Zagat rated, and located at 6149 Westwood Blvd. Call (407) 354-0770 for reservations.
