They say “imitation is the best form of flattery.” When it comes to meatballs, this is a very sensitive subject to me. Anyone can make meatballs, but no one should lay claim to perfecting a certain idea or style of meatballs—or call themselves “originators” of it—unless it is the truth.

The truth is, JOHNNY MEATBALLS ON A ROLL is definitely THE WORLD’S FIRST MOBILE MEATBALL CART and I've done ample research to back up this fact. Before this concept gets copied, let the record show why yours truly deserves the credit for what’s sure to be the next phenomenon of food carts and food trucks...

Donatella Arpaia (owner of Mia Donna in NYC) has a “meatball cart,” which she wheels out onto the patio of her restaurant. In Portland, there are a few meatball food trucks in operation (“Garden State,” and “Mobster Meatballs”). Not knocking any of the above, but none of them are quite like JOHNNY MEATBALLS – ON A ROLL. Donatella’s is basically immobile—it does not leave the restaurant patio—and it is really more of a “meatball bar” or “serving wagon.” The Oregon ones are actually vehicles—just like any other food truck.

JOHNNY MEATBALLS – ON A ROLL is a combination of a food truck and a serving wagon. It is a totally custom constructed cart, unlike your average hot dog or pretzel carts. It’s bigger than a wagon and smaller than a food truck. It attaches to a hitch and is pulled around on the back of an automobile or pick-up on a trailer, making it truly mobile and truly unique! We're adding things every day and coming up with new creative ideas to make this the most unique, un-friggin'-believable mobile meatball cart EVER built!!!

Hot dog and pretzel carts are all the same...that stainless steel look, which is okay but it's not un-friggin'-believable! You won't see an inch of stainless steel on the meatball cart. It's going to have a wooden frame with shelves, all painted with the brightest colors and and our official JM On A Roll logo, and all the logos of our preferred vendors which will help us make this cart truly “Jersey Italian.” From our friends at Star Ravioli where our meatballs are made, to La Fede Jersey-grown tomatoes, to Venice Bakery in Garfield—our suppliers of the best baked bread in the Garden State!!!

And unlike every other Italian-American food cart which serves sausage and peppers, zeppoles (and maybe even meatballs), this cart SPECIALIZES in just meatballs. Furthermore, it is the only cart serving “Trinity” meatballs (made of veal, pork and beef) and it is personally operated by JOHNNY MEATBALLS! You cannot get “Trinity” meatballs in stores unless they are Johnny’s, which are the ONLY commercially-produced meatball on the market made of all three meats. Sure, you may be able to get them in a fancy sit-down restaurant, but this has never been available in stores and never out of a food cart!

Black, gold and red will be our main colors so when you see those colors, you will know it's us!! We're gonna have an enormous neon yellow umbrella, custom made balloons in the shape of tomatoes and onions, and lots of other features you'll have to wait and see! Now this is all just the cart itself...

We are also attaching the JOHNNY MEATBALLS ALLA CART topping bar, which will contain all of our sauces and toppings to "King-ify" your sandwich, plus fresh fruit cocktail. And if you thought we were just selling cans of soda, think again! We will have another drink machine attached which will dispense out ice cold San Benedetto iced teas.

At every event we visit, we will also have a huge tented area a few feet away with tables underneath so you can enjoy your food right there just like it's Sunday afternoon at my house. And you can pick up some items from our souvenir section where you can purchase "My Big Friggin' Book," CDs of "The Meatball Song," official JM merchandise (t-shirts, hats, aprons), gift baskets and much more! There will always be a party happening at our stand, that's the vibe we plan to give off. Picture music playing, flashing lights, visits from famous foodies and film crews, and best of all, the aroma of hot meatballs filling the air!!

Just like I publicly introduced the idea of bringing “Trinity” meatballs to America first (on “My Big Friggin’ Wedding” in November 2010) BEFORE “Joey Saucy Balls” declared his incorrect “uniqueness” for making “Grandma’s 3-Meat Meatballs” on “America’s Next Great Restaurant” (March 2011), JOHNNY MEATBALLS ON A ROLL will also be known as THE ORIGINAL!

The first model—JM #1—will set the new standard in food carts. Beware of imposters or copycats. Blending old school and the future, that's what I'm all about and that's what this whole venture is all about. Seeing the faces of happy eaters enjoying my meatballs is the best feeling in the world, and wherever you see my cart I will be! I don't want a “chain” restaurant. I know someday this will lead to an entire “Meat Fleet” which will sweep the nation!

This Friday at Star Ravioli (meatball making headquarters) we will be unveiling the cart for the first time at our “Friends & Family” ribbon-cutting ceremony at 12pm! We will be demonstrating all of the cart features, most importantly our different sandwich combos. Here's a little taste of our menu...

“The Original JM On A Roll” - Two large meatballs (6 total ounces) made of veal, pork & beef served on a seven inch VENICE BAKERY hero roll. Choose your sauce:
Sunday Gravy - Homemade tomato sauce
Vodka Sauce - Tomato, onions and cream
Fra Diavolo Sauce - Spicy tomato sauce
All sauces made with LA FEDE (Jersey grown) tomatoes

“King-ify” your sandwich with these fine toppings from our “Johnny Meatballs Alla Cart” topping bar…

“Relish Me” - Add hot giardiniera relish
“Caramelize Me” - Add caramelized onions
“Pepper Me Red” - Add roasted red peppers
“Spread It On” - Add Johnny’s Special 10-Spice blend infused ricotta spread
“Olive You” - Add olives
“Pearly Whites” - Add marinated mozzarella pearls
Go crazy and get everything on it...We call that “The Big Mike.”

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HAWORTH, NJ STREET FAIR: Following our ribbon-cutting day on Friday, we will be at our first official event of the season on Sunday. Come visit us from 10am-5pm at the Haworth Women's Club Street Fair & Flea Market. This fair will be held at Terrace Street Park (across from the pond) in Haworth, New Jersey. Follow the cart all spring and summer on twitter (@johnnymeatballs) for all of our appearances!!!