Meatballs & Dreams
By wesaygravy
Meatballs & DreamsDec 16, 2021
Roni Rumble Play-In Selection Show
We randomly pick 16 spots out of the 76 pizza shop field for the play-in into the 64 shop tournament for the 2024 Roni Rumble.
Behind the scenes of a Barstool pizza review with the Square Deli
Recently Dave Portnoy of Barstool visited Square Deli of Everett MA for a pizza review. We have the owner, Chris, on Meatballs & Dreams to talk about the process behind the scenes of these reviews. The review still hasn't been posted yet as of 6/22.
Roni Rumble Verdict
All 4 judges recap each spot in the Roni Rumble Final 4, and then a CHAMPION is crowned.
North End $7,500 Outdoor Dining Fee
On this episode of Meatballs & Dreams, we have special guest Frank Mendoza of North End's 'Monica's Trattoria' on. Frank talks about the $7,500 fee for outdoor dining that only applies to North End of all neighborhoods in Boston.
Roni Rumble Rd of 32 Preview
Predictions, pizza, analysis, and a bracketology breakdown of the final 32 pizza shops left in the Roni Rumble!
The American Dream
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt are joined by special guest cakesbymike_90. Mike is the Pastry Chef at @j.paceandson in Saugus, MA. Mike moved to the States from Pisa Italy when he was 21. We dig into his favorite italian food spots around Boston, what life was like in Italy, his thoughts on American Pizza vs Italy Pizza, and much more!
Stinky Sushi
Mike of @banderas_mkt and Matt of @wesaygravy are on site at @blanchardswineandspirits in West Roxbury MA recapping New Years Eve, discussing thin cut prosciutto vs thick cut, Matt's argument with a few restaurant managers, and more!
Bar Pizza X's & O's
What are laced edges? What are burnt edges? What is BAR pizza? @wesaygravy and @mrbandera are joined by @ssbarpizza to get those answers. Jimmy of @ssbarpizza dives into the Bar Pizza World Championships that he hosted, how to order bar pizza, and explains to us where bar pizza country is on a map.
50 lbs of Meatballs
In episode 23 we announce what the finals of wesaychef will be about. Mike rants about Eataly at the Prudential, Matt is pissed that Giada hasn't responded, and the possibilities of a meatball tour are discussed.
wesaychef Round 2
What would your last meal be on death row? Mike explains his final meal which may be a shocker. The 2nd round divisions are picked live out of a hat, and a sneak peek is given as to what the challenge will be for the last round of wesaychef contestants.
The Underdog
We are joined by @edsketch who is a participant in the wesaychef tournament and also knows the local beer scene in and out. He's asked about beer terms 'Crushable' 'Imperial Stout' Haze Boys' --- what do they even all mean? Mike talks about his experience at Strega's weekend brunch, how he got destroyed in a bocce tournament by a team from Italy and much more.
wesaychef War Room
@mr_bandera and I hash out the format of wesaychef, review @cutletsmedfield , and discuss Winthrop's food scene and if it should be considered 'North Shore'. It gets a bit dicey at the 9 minute mark - has MIke never really tried Ramen Noodles made by @maurchan_inc ?????!!!!
Massachusetts Pizza Draft
We draft our top 5 picks/all star team from the recent @wesaygravy post of the "Massachusetts Pizza League", give a little update on wesaychef, and of course Patriots predictions.
Chicken Cutlet Gate
Mike addresses the accusations and reveals if he bought pre made frozen chicken cutlets. The details of wesaychef are revealed. Idle Hands Brewery Oktoberfest recap and Pizzas of the week.
Number 14
This episode is dedicated to Milton Academy's # 14 Jake Thibeault who was injured this past weekend in a hockey game and is currently paralyzed from the waist down after breaking is back in several places. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Jake...we know you are ready to fight back!
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt kick it off with Mike doing the dishes during the closing weekend of Bandera's Market in Dennis Port, MA. South Boston bar lines look insane, we debate eating the Cheesecake Factory vs a Big Mac, the best beer list around at Cleat & Anchor, and Matt in the dunk tank at Idle Hands Beer on September 11th. Of course we also talk about our pizza of the week, and give our Pats predictions.
Rundown:
2:24 MIKE'S DISH DUTY EXPERIENCE
5:20 SOUTH BOSTON BAR LINES
6:16 CAPO - ENDLESS PASTA
10:00 CHEESECAKE FACTORY CALORIES
12:32 FRANK PEPE VS SANTARPIO'S
14:29. CLEAT & ANCHOR
15:07 IDLE HANDS OKTOBERFEST
19:50 SULMONA RESTAURANT
21:09 WESAYGRAVY TROLLS
23:10 PIZZA BARBONE
24:19 PATRIOTS PREDICTIONS/FOOD
Meatball Restrictions
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt kick it off with a date who didn't eat ANY of the antipasto. Could you be with someone who doesn't eat traditional Italian food? They recap the St Anthony Feast of the North End, the need for workers in the restaurant industry, discuss a pop up idea they would do, and much more. Enjoy!
Ice Cube Pizza
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt are back at it talking about the finals of the Eatcinis 'Create a Cini' tournament hosted by @anthonypetrelis. They talk about what they want their ideal birthday cake to be, ice cube pizza, and the underground scene of the North End.
:30 JIMMY HAYES
1:09 CINI TOURNAMENT
2:40 MEDFORD
4:00 CHIX/BROCC/ALFREDO
5:01 CANNOLI BARK
5:21 FUNCTION FOOD
6:25 SUSHI CAKE
8:00 MIKE'S VS MODERN
8:45 TIRAMISU
9:40 HOCKEY CAKE
10:24 ICE CUBE PIZZA
12:45 EAST BOSTON OYSTER
14:50 CIAO PIZZA & PASTA
16:20 FORK & KNIFE 'ZA
17:30 MODERN PASTRY BAR
18:40 NORTH END BASEMENTS
Meatball Wine
Mike talks about the release of Bandera's Meatball Blend Wine and where to buy it. We introduce new segment called 'Pizzas of the Week' where we talk about pizzas that caught our eye on instagram. Matt talks about the big game Friday night in the Cini Tournament, and much more!
Cliff Notes:
:10 BANDERA'S MEATBALL BLEND
1:48 BACK OF WINE LABEL
2:57 MAKE WINE @ BOSTON WINERY
7:28 TRILLIUM PIZZA
9:33 BIG GAME FRIDAY NIGHT
10:30 TIME TO ASK FOR HELP
11:45 WHERE DO YOU VOTE?
12:45 ITALIAN INSTAGRAM PAGES
15:15 POSTO PIZZA - SOMERVILLE MA
16:24 JINNY'S PIZZA - NEWTON, MA
17:24 ENGLISH MUFFIN PIZZA
19:22 MOZZ OR BURRATA?
The Espresso Martini
The lucky number 13 episode. Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt dig into something that made this particular wedding one to remember, the future of digital menus for restaurants, a recap of the Little Italy Cup, the North End Feast and more!
Cliff Notes:
:12 What made this wedding Mike went to last weekend one to remember?
1:53 How long does it take to make 100 Espresso Martinis?
4:05 Matt’s prediction/thoughts about the future of the digital menu trend
5:25 Restaurants need to start personalizing the menu experience
8:47 Little Italy Cup Champions @ducalipizza, and why they won
10:50 Difference between the Sub Shop Tourney and Little Italy Cup
11:40 Matt's next tournament idea that will never happen
13:00 Do all food bloggers hate each other?
14:15 The @eatcinis @anthonypetrelis tournament
15:15 Mike giving Matt some homework before episode 14
16:20 Mike tell us about the North End Feast
18:00 @cakesbymike_90 - did I pronounce it right?
18:15 Don’t let Matt get hot with desserts
19:00 Huge reveal next week
Ranch Gate
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt get into ranch gate, roast beef sandwiches, the Bronx, and more. Cliff notes below!
:15 - Mike’s reaction to Matt’s final 4 exit in the @ssbarpizza tourney
:52 - Ranch Drizzle thoughts
3:00 - @ducalipizza vs @trattoriacarina
3:52 - The Bronx 17-1 on my page, how do we get to NY?
4:40 - Shoutout @casadellamozzerella
5:50 - Mike’s ideal North End Circuit @streganorthend, @tonyandelaines, @monicastrattoria
6:45 . Mike’s roast beef sandwich fail in @northshorebeefs contest
10:00 - South Shore/Cape Roast beef spot @mikesroastbeef_wyarmouth
11:50 - When Mike tried his first roast beef sandwich
14:00 - Maine/NH Lakes Region vacation talk
15:10 - @italianreviewcrew_bos reviews @banderas_mkt
16:50 - The deep sub roster of @milanosdelieastie
Onto Game 2
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt talk about the event at Eat Cinis this past Monday, game 2 of the Bar Pizza Homecook Tournament, and we break down Molinari's of Dorchester MA (a final 4ist in the Little Italy Cup).
Cliff Notes:
:12 - @eatcini cigar / dinner event Recap
1:46 – Cini Contest run by @anthonypetrelis and @eatcini
2:20 – Matt's idea for the Cini Contest
3:33 – Matt’s Game 1 South Shore Homemade Bar Pizza recap
4:20 – Mike & Matt's opinions on bar pizza
4:50 – The pressure of game 2 that Matt is facing
5:15 – Matt’s hot take on why restaurant's repost tournaments/some don’t
8:40 – Gameplan for match #2
9:35 - @molinarispizzeria breakdown, in the final of the Little Italy Cup
11:40 – Do you prefer sitting at the bar or a table?
Live from the North End
Mike of @banderas_mkt is having his morning espresso, Matt of @wesaygravy is trying to understand him with truck deliveries in the background. Let's go!
Cliff Notes:
1:18 What was it like celebrating Italy's Euro win in the North end?
3:00 The Cape vacation recap
8:45 We breakdown Tony & Elaines of the North End
12:00 Martha’s Vineyard and Chatham Food
14:50 My idea on how I want to play bobby flay in a match
17:00 Bar Pizza tourney run by an Instagram blogger
Bocce Tournament
After a few weeks off, Mike of @banderas_mkt and Matt of @wesaygravy are back at it. In this episode they talk about what the plan is for the week of the 4th in the Cape, Matt rants a bit about IG as usual, and they both discuss planning the Cape's largest Bocce tournament in history.
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 08 - 'The Boston Nightlife Scene'
In episode 8, DJ Costa of Big Night joins us to talk about the Boston nightlife scene.
-He reveals June 12th as the night he will be headlining at 'The Grand' in Boston's Seaport, as well as the opening dates of Memoir at the Encore Casino.
-What do celebrities like Tiesto and Pauly D ask for when they're in Boston?
Where does DJ Costa take them to eat?
What's the craziest story he has?
Also - Mike reveals how many meatballs Bandera's sold over memorial day weekend and it's insane.
All that and much more in episodee 8!
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 07 - 'Nachos Italiano'
In Episode 7, Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt have special guest Philip Frattaroli join. Philip is the owner of Lucia's in Boston's North End & Winchester, MA, Ducali Pizzeria of the North End, and the Cunard Tavern of East Boston.
Topics discussed:
-The tough pandemic decisions that Philip had to make as a North End business owner
-His thoughts on the Little Italy Cup and the Frattaroli family's record in the tournament so far
-The 'Nachos Italiano' dish that has propelled Ducali Pizzeria into the final 64
-Bandera's Market is 3 days away from opening day and Mike talks about the shop's preparation for the the big weekend
-Craft beer in the North End and much more!
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 06 - 'Bruins & Bucatini'
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt recorded episode 6 after Mike's spray tan and during the Bruins game 2.
-Downtown Hyannis restaurants
-Bruins game 1 performance
-Mike's first Bob's of Medford MA experience
-North end breakfast spots
-Little Italy Cup best of 3 series previews (Strega vs Lucia), (Tresca vs Carmelina's)
-and much more!
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 05 - "Elmer"
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @Banderas_mkt get into some serious topics this episode:
-GnocchiGate 2021
-A Fake IG post being called out
-Mike's up to date North End patio rankings
-Mike's hidden gem sushi spot in the South Shore
-Matt's response to his rigatoni dish ratings
Meatballs & Dreams - Special Edition (Mother's Day)
The one and only Dolly Bandera of @banderas_mkt joins us on this special edition of M's and D's!
-Straight MEATBALL talk. The X's and O's of making a meatball.
-How many meatballs does Bandera's Market make a day?
-Will Bandera's be releasing a new sub this summer?
-Dolly's favorite Florida restaurants
And more!
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 04 - "The 2 Day Hangover"
In this episode, Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt talk about:
-New food spots they tried this week (Roy's Cold Cuts of East Boston, Pisa Pizza of Malden)
-Break down some matchups in round 2 of the North End bracket in the Little Italy Cup
-A new restaurant opening that people camped out overnight for
-Food blog etiquette
-The craziest sub order Mike has seen at Bandera's Market
And much more!
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 03 - "wesay....what?!"
Episode 3 details:
-Matt talks about his tv show 'Masterchef' stint
-Is Bandera's Market revealing a lobster roll this summer?
-Break down North End bracket weekly results in the the Little Italy Cup
-How many meatballs can you eat in 5 minutes?
-Vegas/Florida Restaurants
-Mike waits until the end to break some news to Matt
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 02 - The DEEP South
In this episode, Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of @banderas_mkt talk about North End espresso martinis, south shore bar pizza, where food bloggers go from here, and some old Boston spots like News and Splash.
Meatballs & Dreams EPISODE 01 - "What's Going On Out There??"
Matt of @wesaygravy and Mike of Bandera's Deli in Dennis Port talk about the Boston italian sub shop ranks, the patio scene of Boston's North End, and discuss the italian restaurant scene.