Meatballs from Marabella
An old-time Philly restaurateur comes 'round again.
Tired of burger shops?
How about meatballs.
Marabella Meatball Company, a mostly quick-serve operation, is planned for 1211 Walnut St., next to the Citibank branch (to the left, as you're looking at the bank).
If the Marabella name rings a bell, it's probably because you remember the local Italian chain with locations scattered from the Jersey Shore to Blue Bell in the 1980s and 1990s. There was one in the Academy House (Sakeya is there now) and another in the Windsor Suites at 17th and the Parkway.
Founder Gabe Marabella, who's been doing a little of this and a little of that over the last few years since an ill-starred partnership with Neil Stein at Avenue B, says he'll offer four varieties of meatballs (beef, pork, chicken, and vegetable), four sauces (a meat-based tomato sauce, marinara, mushroom, and cheese), and side dishes.
He's hoping for an Oct. 1, umm, rollout.