It Ain't Sauce, it's Gravy: Macaroni, homestyle cheesesteaks, the best meatballs in the world, and how food saved my life

Has cooking ever saved a life? It definitely rescued Steve Martorano from the streets of South Philadelphia, and an almost certain end in jail ... or worse. Raised on Gram's meatballs and Mom's macaroni, Martorano learned at an early age that full-flavored food made with loving hands was the only food worth eating. And, by the way, that's macaroni and gravy, not pasta and sauce, cuz. That's just the way it is in Martorano's world.
When it seemed like the only future for a kid from the neighborhood was to drive a truck or join the mob, it was this passion for food that inspired Martorano to reach for more and start his first "restaurant"--selling homemade sandwiches he prepared in his mother's basement. These sandwiches, served up with a side of Steve's personality, turned out to be the recipe for success and started Martorano in the restaurant business.
Eighteen years after opening the incredibly popular Cafe Martorano in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,...