New Italian

Slagel Family Farm Meatballs

Longman & Eagle

A delicious mishmash of marinara sauce, pepperoni, and polenta with two perfectly caramelized meatballs. $8. 2657 N. Kedzie Ave., 773-276-7110

Barbecue

Brisket

Chicago Q

A clever, spicy riff on ’70s-era cocktail meatballs, seasoned with red pepper and glazed with one of four house sauces. $8. 1160 N. Dearborn St., 312-642-1160

Mediterranean

Albóndigas

MFK

The union of these raisin-studded pork-veal balls with sweet tomato jam is the best Spanish coupling since jamón met sherry. $16. 432 W. Diversey Pkwy., 773-857-2540

Sichuan

Lamb-Peppercorn

Atwood

Five elegant bite-size tributes to a Chinese-style lamb stir-fry, enhanced with scallions, cumin, and refreshing hints of cilantro. $15. 1 W. Washington St., 312-368-1900

Shanghainese

Lion’s Head

Duck Duck Goat

These porkers sponge up all the earthy flavors of a broth stocked with cabbage, shiitakes, and pickled Fresno chilies. $14. 857 W. Fulton Market, 312-902-3825

Classic Italian

Wagyu Beef

Siena Tavern

A beautiful softball-size behemoth blanketed with ricotta and carefully set in a pool of sweet, basil-flecked marinara. $19. 51 W. Kinzie St., 312-595-1322

Japanese

Chicken Tsukune

Momotaro

Our Fave:These smoky, ultratender yakitori meatballs—bursting with ginger and yuzu—are the most decadent morsels ever put on a skewer. $10. 820 W. Lake St., 312-733-4818

Cajun

Boudin Balls

Big Jones

Crispy pork liver hushpuppies paired with a bold Southern blend of cayenne mayo and sweet pickle relish. $9. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-275-5725

Hawaiian

Spam

Mahalo

Zesty and sweet—and perhaps the only meatball in town that’s meant to be consumed witha tiki drink. $12. 1501 N. Milwaukee Ave., 708-328-3091

Vietnamese

Banh Mi–Style

Ada St.

Gloriously porky gems, served with pickled veggies and Sriracha aïoli, capture the rich flavors of a fully loaded banh mi. $13. 1664 N. Ada St., 773-697-7069