Pizza Masters Episodes
Season 1, Episode 0
Pizza Masters
Sal Basille and Francis Garcia are first cousins, best friends, and together they own some of the most successful pizza shops in NYC. They're always on the search for the best pizza around so, in honor of Fran's birthday, they head off on a road trip to visit Graceland. It's the experience of a lifetime for an Elvis fanatic like Fran and, of course, these pizza masters make some stops along the way to discover the best pizza Tennessee has to offer.
Season 1, Episode 1
Franny Goes to Hollywood - Los Angeles, CA
Fran Garcia may be a pizza man, but he has always been an actor at heart. So, he heads to L.A. to see if he has what it takes to hang amongst the Brads and Leonardos. Of course, he takes his cousin, best friend, and "agent" Sal Basille along, and no trip with these two would be complete without finding the best food stops the city has to offer. First up, Fran and Sal hit up Guisados in East Los Angeles for tacos filled with homemade braises wrapped in fresh corn tortillas. Next, they visit their friend, film exec, and now bakery owner Lisa at Cake Monkey to thank her for arranging the audition for Fran, and to taste her sinfully sweet treats. Finally, to celebrate a successful trip, the boys head to the famous food trucks of Abbot Kinney to grab a slice at the Urban Oven. Just two New York pizza guys in the glitz and glamour of L.A. looking for fame, fortune, and, of course, great food.
Season 1, Episode 2
Close Encounters of the Hungry Kind - New Mexico
Vegas, baby! But not the one you're thinking of. No, this Vegas is slap dab in the heart of New Mexico, a quaint little town with deep roots in Old Western lore, and being just two hours north of Roswell, it's at the tip of "Alien Alley," a place with more UFO sightings than anywhere else in the world. Why are Fran and Sal, two Staten Island pizza guys, in this remote location in the middle of the desert looking for ETs? Sal has been obsessed with UFOs and all things extraterrestrial since he was a kid, and he desperately wants to make "contact." Fran, on the other hand, would rather be making contact with hundred dollar bills on the "real" Vegas strip. But, on this trip, one thing they can agree on is that there are some good eats in New Mexico. First, the boys grab breakfast at a place called Charlie's Spic & Span Bakery & Cafe where they learn the secret of New Mexican cooking, red and green chiles. Next, they set up camp in the desert and look for UFOs while they make a Grilled Pizza and their version of Pork and Beans under the stars. Finally, they reach Roswell, N.M., and discover Chef Toddzilla and his out of this world Zilla Burger and Cheescake Bombs.
Season 1, Episode 3
City of Cousinly Love - Philadelphia, PA
Fran and Sal are in Philadelphia to look for spots to open a new Artichoke Pizza. To ensure their success, they hit up successful multi-generational family restaurants who know how to succeed for the long haul in the City of Brotherly Love. First up, they visit the famous Italian Market and meet with brothers Jimmy and Eddie Rubino who own Ralph's Restaurant, the oldest family-owned Italian restaurant in the country, where they whip up a delicious Veal Capricciosa. Then, it's off to Varallo Bros. Bakery, where they've been making homemade Cannoli in the same spot for over 30 years. And no day in Philly would be complete without a pizza or two, so the guys head to Tacconelli's Pizzeria where the same family has been making pies for over 80 years. The pizza is so good you have to reserve the dough days in advance.
Season 1, Episode 4
Deep Dish Pizza? - Chicago, IL
New York pizza guys Fran Garcia and Sal Basille are in The Windy City armed with fork, knife and napkins and on a mission to discover the secrets of Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Their goal is to settle the age old debate: Is Chicago deep dish even pizza at all? First, they head to Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, the arguable birthplace of deep dish, to make the Chicago classic stuffed with sausage on a butter crust. Next, they stop by Roots Handmade Pizza to try a new take on Chicago-style with their Taco Pizza. Finally, they head to Hoosier Mama's for a deep dish pie on the sweeter side. Pizza or not, the verdict on this trip to Chicago is sure to be delicious.
Season 1, Episode 5
Cleveland Rocks
New York pizza cousins Fran Garcia and Sal Basille are in Cleveland. Fran is on the prowl for a new Cadillac, and during the test drive they find the best food and the most amazing music in the Home of Rock and Roll! They're heading to the West Side Market to make pizza bagels at Frickaccio's Pizza Market, perfect any time of day. Then it's over to Sokolowski's University Inn, one of the oldest restaurants in Cleveland, to learn how they make their famous stuffed cabbage and Salisbury steak. Finally, they head over to the Velvet Tango Room for cocktails, the best bananas foster and to make a sweet deal on a new Caddy.
Season 1, Episode 6
Sal's Big Fat Italian Birthday
It's Sal's birthday, and his cousin Fran has a surprise party planned for him. He's invited the whole family to come celebrate, dozens of fun, happy, loud Italians of all ages partying in Fran's big house in Staten Island. Before the shindig, Fran has to keep Sal occupied all day so he doesn't catch wind of the party. So he has set up a special birthday lunch for Sal at his favorite Asian restaurant in the city, Xi'an Famous Foods, where owner and chef Jason Wang will give Sal a private lesson on the secrets of hand pulled noodles and dumplings. Fran has also arranged a custom batch of lemon meringue birthday doughnuts from Fany Gerson at Dough for the party, but they are not ready in time so Fran stalls as he tells Sal they have to head to Artichoke Pizza to handle a "big order." Finally, Fran and Sal head to the house in Staten Island and, when they arrive, Sal's completely surprised! The whole family is there, some of whom he hasn't seen in a long time. They celebrate his BIG, FAT ITALIAN BIRTHDAY the only way they know how ... family, fun and lots of great food!
