Al Dusmet - Da Riccardo

Al Dusmet - Da Riccardo is a street-side takeaway meatball stand at Via Beato Cardinale Giuseppe Benedetto Dusmet 121 in the Civita district of Catania, beside the Archi della Marina and opposite the old customs house. The Archi della Marina are the railway arches that run along the waterfront near the port and the fish market, and the stand sits on a busy stretch used by both locals and visitors walking between the harbour and the cathedral. The food is Catanese meatballs, called polpette, and grilled meats, prepared quickly and served to eat on the spot or to take away. Polpette are a staple of Sicilian street food and home cooking, often flavoured with herbs, cheese and breadcrumbs, and the stand is known as a simple, inexpensive way to eat in the harbour area. There is no formal dining room: the stand operates from the street, with a counter, a grill and little or no seating, and an atmosphere defined by foot traffic, charcoal smoke and the noise of the nearby traffic and market. No dress code applies, and there is no beverage programme beyond basic soft drinks or bottled drinks, so visitors often pair the meatballs with a drink from a nearby bar. Prices are very low, commonly EUR 4 to 10 per person for a portion or a sandwich. Hours and a telephone number are not confirmed, so the stand should not be counted on at fixed times; the usual pattern for stands of this kind is lunch and evening service, and weather can affect operation. Reservations do not apply. The location makes it a convenient stop for travellers who combine the La Pescheria market, Piazza Duomo and the waterfront, and for those who want a quick meal without a sit-down restaurant. Vegetarians will find little on offer, as the focus is on meat.