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!
See Tune-In Times

Recipes From This Episode

Spicy Cumin Lamb Hand-Ripped Noodles

Spicy and Sour Lamb Dumplings

Staten Island Pie

Upcoming Airings

See Full Schedule
Thursday
Dec 14
9am | 8c
Cleveland Rocks
Black Magic Pizza

On TV

Carnival Eats

7:30am | 6:30c

Brunch at Bobby's

8:30am | 7:30c

Brunch at Bobby's

9:30am | 8:30c

Burgers, Brew & 'Que

10:30am | 9:30c

Burgers, Brew & 'Que

11:30am | 10:30c

Carnival Eats

12pm | 11c

Carnival Eats

12:30pm | 11:30c

Carnival Eats

1pm | 12c

Carnival Eats

1:30pm | 12:30c

Man v. Food

2pm | 1c

Man v. Food

2:30pm | 1:30c

Man v. Food

3pm | 2c

Man v. Food

3:30pm | 2:30c

Man v. Food

4pm | 3c

Man v. Food

4:30pm | 3:30c

Good Eats

5pm | 4c

Good Eats

5:30pm | 4:30c

Good Eats

6pm | 5c

Good Eats

6:30pm | 5:30c
On Tonight

The Zimmern List

11:30pm | 10:30c

The Zimmern List

3:30am | 2:30c
What's Hot

Man Fire Food

Wednesdays 8|7p

So Much Pretty Food Here