If you’ve been anywhere near Baton Rouge food social media this past week, chances are you’ve seen it. A perfectly stacked meatball sandwich. Saucy, nostalgic, and very clearly made by someone who knows exactly what she’s doing. Behind the viral sub is Albina, the force behind Albina’s Kitchen and the owner of Jabby’s Pizza on Highland Road — and the story behind this sandwich is just as good as the first bite.

For Albina, this meatball sub didn’t come together overnight. It’s something she’s been thinking about and testing for a long time, all while running a kitchen built around one very powerful tool: a single pizza oven. “I’ve been working on creating a few sandwiches for so long,” she shared. “But because I only have the pizza oven, I had a really hard time figuring out how to bake the best bread — until I finally found a way.”

That breakthrough opened the door for a sandwich rooted in comfort, memory, and experience. The meatballs themselves are already a standout, especially for guests who have attended her Sicilian dinners, where they’ve become a favorite. “Everyone loves the meatballs in our Sicilian dinners,” Albina said. “And I thought, why not take these meatballs and create the best sub?”

Part of the inspiration also comes from time spent living in New Jersey, where Albina worked in a family restaurant and fell in love with a truly good meatball sandwich. That influence stayed with her as she continued to refine the idea back home. “I’m limited in what I can do with only one pizza oven,” she explained. “So I try to be creative with what I have and create the best dish possible.”

The result is a meatball sub that feels familiar but thoughtful, priced at $13.95 and available every day for the rest of the month. It’s the kind of dish that’s simple on the surface but clearly made with intention — and that’s exactly why it’s taken over timelines this week.

Beyond the buzz-worthy sandwich, Albina’s Kitchen continues to host intimate, in-demand dinners that often sell out quickly. Her Sicilian dinner is already sold out, but there are still a few special experiences on the calendar. She currently has three couples spots available for her Valentine’s dinner at $85 per couple. On February 25th at 6:30 p.m., Albina will also be hosting a Lebanese and Greek dinner for $70 per person.

This moment feels well-earned — the result of patience, creativity, and making the most of what’s available. If the response online is any indication, this meatball sub is only the beginning.

Photo Credit: Tony Ridinger via Eat The Boot FB