Best Meatballs and Meatball Subs in Atlantic City & Cape May, NJ

Renowned food critic Harry Hurley shares his top picks for the tastiest meatballs and meatball subs in the region.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Food critic Harry Hurley highlights some of the best meatballs and meatball subs in the Atlantic City and Cape May, New Jersey areas. He recommends standout options from Pete's Subs, Capriccio Italian Restaurant, Congress Hall Boiler Room, Capri Pizza, and Johnny B's Firehouse Meatballs.

Why it matters

The Atlantic City and Cape May regions are known for their vibrant food scenes, with many local restaurants and eateries offering unique and delicious takes on classic dishes like meatballs and meatball subs. Hurley's recommendations provide a helpful guide for locals and visitors alike to find the tastiest meatball options in the area.

The details

Hurley highlights several top spots for meatballs and meatball subs in the region. At Pete's Subs in Egg Harbor Township, he praises the "taste, texture and sauce" of their meatball subs, which are made fresh daily starting at 11am. At Capriccio Italian Restaurant in Atlantic City's Resorts Casino Hotel, Hurley calls the meatballs "simply magnificent" and says the restaurant is "one of the finest in America." The meatballs at Congress Hall's Boiler Room in Cape May are described as "fabulous" and "exploding with flavor." Capri Pizza in Northfield is noted for owner-operator Rocco Giugliano's 50 years of perfecting his meatball recipe. And retired Atlantic City firefighter Johnny Brenner's "Firehouse Meatballs" are praised for their high quality and variety of meat options.

  • The meatball subs at Pete's Subs are available starting at 11:00 a.m. daily.

The players

Pete's Subs

A sub shop located in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey that is known for its delicious meatball subs.

Capriccio Italian Restaurant

A fine dining Italian restaurant located in the Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey that is praised for its exceptional meatballs.

Congress Hall Boiler Room

A restaurant located in the historic Congress Hall hotel in Cape May, New Jersey that serves highly-regarded meatballs as an appetizer.

Capri Pizza

A pizza restaurant in Northfield, New Jersey that has been perfecting its meatball recipe for over 50 years under the ownership of Rocco Giugliano.

Johnny B's Firehouse Meatballs

A meatball vendor run by retired Atlantic City firefighter Johnny Brenner, known for his high-quality meatballs made with a variety of meats.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Hands down, it's Pete's Subs on Zion Road in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.”

— Harry Hurley, Food Critic (wpgtalkradio.com)

“Capriccio Italian Restaurant is one of the finest restaurants in America.”

— Harry Hurley, Food Critic (wpgtalkradio.com)

“These Congress Hall, Boiler Room meatballs are fabulous.”

— Harry Hurley, Food Critic (wpgtalkradio.com)

“Owner — Operator Rocco Giugliano has been perfecting his meatballs for more than 50 years.”

— Harry Hurley, Food Critic (wpgtalkradio.com)

“I have loved his meatballs from the guest time that I had one.”

— Harry Hurley, Food Critic (wpgtalkradio.com)

The takeaway

The Atlantic City and Cape May regions are home to a diverse array of restaurants and eateries that offer exceptional meatballs and meatball subs, showcasing the vibrant and varied food scene in this part of New Jersey. Hurley's recommendations provide a helpful guide for locals and visitors to find the tastiest meatball options in the area.