Hollywood Comes to Austin for Opening of Fat Sal’s
I must admit to being a huge fan of Entourage, the long-running HBO comedy about a band of buddies playing or trying to play the Hollywood game. But when Jerry “Turtle” Ferrara and his former East Coast pal Sal Capik (who turned out to be my High Pointe neighbor) decided that LA needed some decent sandwiches, Fat Sal’s was born. And my admiration for Entourage had absolutely no connection to my enjoyment of their place.
The sandwiches worked with the Hollywood and San Diego crowds, and Sal’s wife wanted to move to Austin. So the fourth Fat Sal’s on Guadalupe, just up the alley from the Thai Noodle House, had their soft opening several months ago. I tried the Fat Nona (their breakfast sandwich) first, and it was amore at first bite. Later I tried the Fat Bahn Mi-Ki and then the Bulgogi salad. There are dozens more, and they’re all good.
December 6th marked the grand opening of Fat Sal’s, and Ferrara flew out with his girlfriend Breanne Racano to join their partners in the festivities. One things I always remember about Turtle is that he could never get a date. The real life turtle apparently has no such problems. Racano is a stunning brunette and a really pleasant gal. In fact, I had a long chat with both of them and really enjoyed it. Jerry said that the Entourage cast was reforming for a feature film (a la Sex and the City). Racano was in the cast of Entourage for the last year of the show, but has worked mostly in indie-type films. She last appeared as Robin in the adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s Freaky Deaky.
Breanna Racano
But here’s the key. Fat Sal’s could work with or without the celebrity cachet. In fact, they actually downplay it. I think this is a wise move (considering the many celebrity restaurants that have bitten the dust). The food is solid, and no one’s visit is going to be ruined if they don’t see Turtle (unlike many a grumpy diner who has exited Bess after failing to catch a glimpse of owner Sandra Bullock).
The place has a light and playful environment to it, and it’s very nattily attired with clever and appealing signage. But the food will always tell, and in this case, I suspect it will be a pleasant story.
Jerry “Turtle” Ferrara chatting it up with the crowd
Sal Capik, Rob, and Jerry Ferrara
