318281 Thu Aug 17 01:06:33 -0700 2006 2 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 1813452 A little while ago I posted this thread asking for Spaghetti and Meatballs Style Italian places in the Bay Area. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/45972 One of the stranger suggestions (or so I thought) was katya's: Mary's Pizza Shack. By the website, it just didn't seem possible that this mini-chain could do anything well. Such was my arrogance. Don't get me wrong. I'm not endorsing the whole menu. In fact, I don't think I can endorse the spaghetti part of the equation without some reservations. But the meatballs are great. Just great. Rather than the spaghetti, I think the best way to get them is the impossible to eat neatly, open-faced meatball sandwich. Two big meatballs on toasted sourdough with meat sauce and mozzarella. $8.45 Thanks katya, and good call. http://www.maryspizzashack.com/locations.html G Thu Aug 17 01:06:33 -0700 2006 10990 Gerard 1 1813851 Heheh, hard to believe that Mary's puts TWO of those meatballs on a sandwich. When you get the spaghetti, the allotment is ONE giant meatball on your pasta and it is sooo satisfying. Meatball Sandwiches 94123 - http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/308093 Thu Aug 17 04:53:57 -0700 2006 1813452 10039 Melanie Wong 1 1816499 I was as surprised as you that they were that good since everything about Mary's seems to hint that it's going to serve mediocre chain family-friendly Italian food. That spicy sausage mixed in the meatballs makes all the difference. Mary's makes a decent pizza as well (and free - at least I hope they're free since I've taken a bunch of 'em - breadsticks in the basket when you come in), but their spag 'n balls are the real standout. They're my favorite anywhere, hands down. I'm so glad to hear you liked them! Fri Aug 18 05:20:31 -0700 2006 1813452 10992 katya