The World's Best Meatball Sandwich?

[Mikeinthefalls]

Mangino’s Pizzeria

Home of “The Dugout”

Meatball Stuffed Loaf aka “The Dugout”

If you follow my posts on Connect or Google Maps it’s not hard to tell that I like food and waterfalls

I stumbled upon this unique culinary delight while creating a Waterfall List for Western Pennsylvania. I was looking for an interesting restaurant and noticed this particular place offered something I’d never seen before - The Dugout.

What is “The Dugout”?

I’d noticed that a number of Local Guides had mentioned “meatball” and “dugout” in their reviews, so I was intrigued.

Caption: Meatball is highlighted in numerous reviews

I looked at the photos that had been shared by others and instantly knew that I wanted one! Mangino’s was officially added to the list.

The Meatball Dugout (or, officially the Meatball Stuffed Loaf) did not disappoint - Four massive meatballs, stuffed into a crusty loaf of Italian bread that’s baked fresh daily. The bread is soft on the inside, but not so much that all the delicious red sauce and rich, melty cheese make it soggy. The sauce is somewhat sweet, but not that kind of sweet that lingers and makes you not appreciate the flavors of the tomatoes and seasonings.

The french fries were originally recommended by one of their very polite employees. She said they were her favorite, so I had to try them as well. The are just as delicious as the loaf! Thick fries that are cooked perfectly. Crispy and slightly salty, but soft and full of fresh potato taste on the inside. I’ve never finished both at the same time, but it’s always worth ordering in tandem.

Honestly - I really don’t even like meatball subs, but something about these lured me in… I’m glad, because they’re incredible and you should definitely stop in and have one, should you ever be in the area.

Mangino’s is a New Castle favorite

My original visit was November of 2021 and although Mangino’s is over an hour from my house, I made the drive 4 times last year… simply for the Meatball Stuffed Loaf and french fries! I’ll stop at a few of the waterfalls in the area to make it a day, but I’m making the trip for the loaf. I’ve even purchased extras to bring home to my family and they were enjoyed as much as my fresh one.

I know I’m not the only Local Guide that’s making a drive for a favorite food or dish, so share those with me in the comments! If you’re close enough or I’m traveling there in the future, maybe we can share them together.

@TerryPG You are quite the foodie - What will you make the drive for? @LightRich I’ve seen some of the delicious dishes you’ve posted - Any a newly discovered favorite? @indahnuria What dish would you drive around New Zealand for? @MelTG What’s a dish you’ll head somewhere else in Ohio for? @abermans I know you took a flight for escargot - What else would you travel for?

[Stephanie_OWL]

@Mikeinthefalls

Hier ist es Zeit zum Abendessen und nach deinem Bericht knurrt mir der Magen

Ich habe Hunger… NEIN… Ich habe HUNGER

Esbist wunderbar heraus zu lesen, dass du Essen liebst!

Da geht es mir ganz genauso. Und mir einen Ort auf Google herauszusuchen ist fast immer auch mit dem Genuss in einem örtlichen Imbiss oder Restaurant verbunden.

Ich LIEBE es wie du die Soße beschreibst, da ich ebenfalls ein großer Fan davon bin. Naja, eigentlich von einer Vielzahl an kulinarischen Köstlichkeiten.

Du schreibst lebendig und es ist eine Freude deinen Beitrag zu lesen!

Und nun…

ABENDESSEN

[IamJoseFelixAranda]

YES IT IS TIME FOR DINNER @Mikeinthefalls and @Stephanie_OWL .It is always a good idea to go there,order the french fries and the world best meatball sandwich.Beautyful delycious images from Pa.No dobut about that:I will try when I can,And I will have a coffee in the waterfalls after that.

[Mikeinthefalls]

Haha @Stephanie_OWL I thought about how many time zones might be eating when I posted, hoped it might inspire some hunger!

Yes - I’m also a huge foodie. I grow as many veggies & herbs as my space and growing season allow and love to create in the kitchen! I also like finding new favorite dishes (such as this one!) and Google Maps has proven to be a great resource for that. To drive by this restaurant, I’d not think it any different than most others:

*Caption: Photo of storefront of Mangino’s Pizzeria by LG @Mikeinthefalls *

But thanks to our amazing Local Guide community, I was able to see photos, read reviews and discover one of my favorite new foods!

Thanks so much for your complimentary words regarding my writing, I truly do appreciate that I do my best to be descriptive, in hopes of placing the reader there along with me. I’m glad that you enjoy.

Enjoy your dinner! I’m going to read your latest post…

[PaulPavlinovich]

Hi @Mikeinthefalls I’ve released this post from the spam quarantine. Sometimes it makes mistakes as this is more meat than spam :).

Paul

[MelTG]

@Mikeinthefalls that looks like mother of all stuffed loafs I can practically taste it, the photo is that good.

Ohio no doubt has some delicious culinary offerings. The mozzarella triangles at [Hilarities Fourth Street Theatre](http://Hilarities%204th Street Theatre (216) 736-4242 https://maps.app.goo.gl/kA2L2Jd3UxAJf4Xg8) are TO DIE FOR! Not really something you’d expect at a comedy club but, trust me!

I’ll never turn down a road trip to Columbus, as long as a stop at [Pita Hut Grill](http://Pita Hut Grill (614) 433-0996 https://maps.app.goo.gl/BjDq2dveDmJaHqdZ9) is on the itinerary.

There’s probably so many other places I am forgetting to mention right now, so don’t be surprised if I come back and drop another comment or two

[Diplomat_Peter]

Great post @Mikeinthefalls . I have to really up my game when it comes to variety of food. I only knew meatballs being part of just another meal rather than in sandwiches. Thanks for sharing.

[abermans]

@Mikeinthefalls never picked up the desire for meatball sandwiches but must admit your story makes me think I may have missed something along the way.
As for what I would travel for… steak.Yes, there are some half-decent restaurants in Europe but almost 30 years ago I had a proper “Peter Luger” out of body experience and I’ll keep chasing a repeat of that feel, likely till the day I die with properly aged T-Bone at hand (apologies to fellow GG vegetarians out there - I’ll never be converted to give up meat however good it will be printed or made out of soy).

[TerryPG]

@Mikeinthefalls I love the look of this meatball sandwich, I can see why you drive here, I would too.

YES ( damn you said in a nice way) You have hooked me on the foodie posts, I will post some of mine but probably tomorrow, Got -25 C weather and more coming in the area tonight and tomorrow and got a leak in the roof.

[Mikeinthefalls]

@MelTG Thanks for appreciating the photo! It was rather difficult having to restrain myself from diving right into to, so I could take the photo.

You’re correct - I’d never expect a comedy club to have that good of food. I’ll have to add that to my list.

I’m also a big fan of Pita Hut N Grille in Columbus… I even wrote a post on Connect about it! The best chicken shawarma pitas I’ve had. Small world We’ll have to plan a Pita Hut Meet-a Up

[Mikeinthefalls]

@Diplomat_Peter Thanks so much for appreciating this post! I definitely encourage you to take those leaps and broaden the variety of what you eat. I’m confident you’ll thank me in the future.

I enjoy cooking and creating in the kitchen, especially foods I’ve discovered and really enjoy. I did my best to replicate this and while it was pretty good - I much prefer the drive to get exactly what I’m craving

I’ll look forward to a tag in your first foodie post!

[Mikeinthefalls]

@abermans I’m right there with you, so I can totally understand - I really have never liked a meatball sub/sandwich. If not for the photos and reviews on Google Maps, I’d have never thought the idea of “The Dugout” to be appealing. Should you find something similar, I’d definitely encourage you to give it a go.

You won’t offend me with the mention of a great steak! I have to say, you’ve made me a bit envious of that experience based on your detailed description I’ve not been to Peter Lugers but they’re clearly doing everything correct, as they have quite the reputation. I hope you continue to find more great steaks, even if you never top that one they’re totally worth it.

Thanks for dropping a comment

[Mikeinthefalls]

Hahaha @TerryPG I’m glad to be a positive foodie influence

If you like the look, I promise you’d love the taste. One of the best red sauces I’ve had.

Wow, that’s cold! I hope your leak isn’t too bad. Stay warm. I’ll look forward to seeing those after the storm

[indahnuria]

I loveeee it @Mikeinthefalls . I can feel the rich sauce, the melting cheese and the meat! You really got the meat here.
I would love to try if they have the halal version :). And the fries look sooooo inviting as well.

Speaking about the food, I recently try Ferg Burger in Queenstown, New Zealand. It’s far away from my house in Wellington but been visiting QT twice and I always find myself queueing up in Ferg Burger hahaha. Great things they have the halal meat so I love trying so many of their fabulous burgers.

Another food I love here is pies! Cheese and mushroom, jalapenos and cheese, steak and cheese, mince pies… you name it! I love them all :). I guess I will have to get back to you on my Pies story ;p.

[Diplomat_Peter]

Oh yes @Mikeinthefalls definitely I will tag you. And to tell the truth my body is lean and doctors, wife, Pastor are on my case for not eating enough for my health.

[Mikeinthefalls]

Yesssss! You have it correct @indahnuria all the goodness in there!

I’ve never heard of Ferg Burger but it looks and sounds delicious. Is that a single restaurant or a chain in NZ? I love your photo with the burger haha

Ok, tell me more about these pies?? They sound like my kind of dish. I think you make need to write a post for us!

[Mikeinthefalls]

@Diplomat_Peter Here’s one more photo to encourage you to eat more!

[Diplomat_Peter]

Thanks @Mikeinthefalls , that’s why you are a Guiding Star

[LightRich]

¡Que onda @Mikeinthefalls !

Me tardé un poco en responder, lo que sucede es que siempre tengo mil opciones de platillos deliciosos que quiero comer una y otra vez!

México tiene una variedad tan amplia de platillos que podríamos comer algo diferente todos los días del año, pero en esta ocasión te platicaré de dos lugares que visito con frecuencia.

Los fines de semana acostumbro realizar mis sesiones de running en el centro de la ciudad, en el Bosque de Chapultepec, Polanco y la Avenida Paseo de la Reforma, en Ciudad de México, aun cuando tengo que recorrer unos 15 kms desde casa para llegar a esa zona. Al terminar es imprescindible regalarme un buen desayuno con mis amigos y para eso tengo un sinfín de opciones, pero he elegido algunas de ellas que tengo en una lista de Google Maps: Desayunos Post-training!

Entre esa lista hay un lugar llamado Pan Comido que me gusta muchísimo por su decoración y por un par de combos de desayuno que disfruto por su sabor y presentación: los Huevos Marley, y el Croque Madame.

Los Huevos Marley son un par de huevos estrellados que van montados en tortillas y choriqueso, y van decorados con aguacate, queso, crema, cebolla y julianas de chile jalapeño. Wow, deliciosos!! La salsa tarasca lleva chile guajillo y chile de árbol que le dan un sabor muy especial. Mientras que el Croque Madame es un sandwich de quesos provolone y manchego con un huevo estrellado que va acompañado de chips de betabel, camote y yuca que también venden en bolsitas para llevar. Obviamente estos combos incluyen, café, jugo y fruta fresca cubierta con granola y miel. Un desayuno de campeones después de entrenar!!

Pero, ya que estamos en este tema, quiero compartir otro platillo que recientemente descubrí en Restaurante Imagina, un lugar muy cercano a casa que es ideal para visitar en cualquier momento pero que no había visitado desde antes de la pandemia. Esta vez regresamos para desayunar por el cumpleaños de mi hermana y ahí descubrí una crepas deliciosas que están bañadas con dos tipos de salsa: Salsa de Chile Poblano, o Salsa de Chile Chipotle, una verdadera maravilla!!

Ambos platillos se ven muy parecidos salvo por el color de la salsa que los cubre pero en la descripción de cada uno encontrarán los ingredientes que cada una de ellas lleva.

Obviamente voy a invitar a algunos amigos para que comenten, @LaloPadilla @Bere_Marichi @Chuytorres-alc @ReyLey @luis_rich @ErnestoGZamora @Imperiospice @VictorRamos24 ¿a que lugar manejarían específicamente para comer un platillo especial o cual es su platillo favorito que nunca dejarían de comer?

[TerryPG]

Absolute Delicious looking foodie shots @LightRich and yes @Mikeinthefalls took me a while to answer because I could have gone on and on, and on and on , but I did narrow it down to a few

I love meat pies but I can’t find the pic of my favourite one in Niagara Falls, I’ll keep looking.

Unfortunately these other pics are places a wee bit to far to drive for me.

First one:

Above pic is a very special burger From Boston Burger in Boston Mass.

Next pic also from Boston Mass.

This place Sam Lagrassas makes the best sandwiches corned beef, smoked meat South of Montreal.

Next pic is from Williamsville NY. The best Ploughman’s lunch I have ever had,

Found this at Tavern at Windsor Park

What is a Ploughman’s lunch, they are never the same, and can consist of some or all or more of the following

the lunch consists of a hunk of cheese, such as cheddar or Stilton, crusty bread, butter, and a pickle or relish, often Branston pickle, a jarred pickled-vegetable relish. Popular additions include chutney, fruit, pickled onions, sliced ham, pork pie, a boiled egg, and pâté.

Thanks for posting this Mike but it is a little too far to drive .

Or you can come to my house And I can make you Beer can chicken, sorry about the old pic.