Meatballs For Lunch at Vallozzi’s 🍝✨

Written by Arlo Grey MacFarland

Growing up with an Italian mother, spaghetti and meatballs was a staple in my household.  A tender blend of ground beef, pork, and veal with her thick tomato sauce always brought me a sense of nurture and care.  So, when I learned I was going to an Italian restaurant to try meatballs, I was naturally quite excited.

Originally starting in Greensburg in the 1950s, Helen Vallozzi started out making homemade gnocchi from her basement.  Quickly expanding into a full menu of pastas, pizzas, and more, Vallozzi’s became a staple of Pittsburgh Italian cuisine.  In 2012, Helen’s grandson, Julian Vallozzi, opened the downtown location at 220 5th Ave.  

As of September 8, 2025, Vallozzi’s is now open on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. for lunch.  We stopped by this week to try their meatball appetizer, which will be featured at the Highmark International StrEAT Festival September 20-21, 2025.  Using ingredients sourced from Pennsylvania Macaroni Company in the Strip District, Vallozzi’s ensures fresh flavors in every dish served.

Walking into Vallozzi’s feels like walking into a wine cellar, with decorative vines hanging from the ceiling and a wall of featured Italian wines.  Their lunch menu includes homemade pastas, Helen’s gnocchi, and of course, the meatballs.

Photo courtesy of Zhenru Yan.

Three meatballs served with a generous amount of marinara sauce, topped with grated parmesan cheese.  Cutting into the juicy meatballs, I could smell the aromatic herbs and spices used in the recipe.  The first bite burst with flavor.  Savory tomato sauce with basil and garlic, combined with the succulent ground beef made for an instant connection of memory.

With views of the busy street outside, Vallozzi’s offers a temporary escape from the hustle of downtown life.  Sit back with a glass of wine in this Tuscan-inspired bistro, you won’t be disappointed.

For more information or to look at the menu, visit Vallozzi’s website here.