Sal's Pizza
Jake chases an arsonist while the precinct gets hacked by their own new hire.
"Sal's Pizza" is the ninth episode of the first season of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, written by Lakshmi Sundaram and David Phillips and directed by Craig Zisk. It aired on Fox in the United States on November 12, 2013. The episode features Jake Peralta investigating a fire that destroyed his favorite pizzeria, leading to a conflict with Fire Marshall Boone (Patton Oswalt). Meanwhile, a computer virus exposes the squad's search histories, prompting Terry and Gina to recruit a new IT specialist who turns out to be the hacker themselves. The episode was the ninth broadcast but the eighth produced.
- Type
- Episode
- Owner
- Sal
- Affiliation
- Destroyed by Arson (Gino)
- First Appearance
- Season 1, Episode 9 ('Sal's Pizza')
- Status
- Destroyed in Fire
- Notable Feature
- Site of Jake and his father's post-Little League tradition
Lore & Background
Sal's Pizza serves as a crucial emotional anchor for Jake Peralta, representing a sanctuary from his childhood before his father abandoned him. It was the specific location where he and his dad went after every Little League game, making its destruction in a fire deeply personal. The pizzeria is owned by Sal (played by Joey Diaz) and is destroyed early in the episode. Fire Marshall Boone initially refuses to let Jake investigate the site and suggests that Sal burned down his own restaurant. This accusation drives Jake to break protocol, eventually leading him to collaborate with Boone after he learns about Jake's personal history with the establishment. The fire was set by Gino, who burned down Sal's Pizza because Sal refused to sell him the business.
In Their Own Story
The plot splits between two main threads. In one, Jake and Charles Boyle investigate Sal's Pizza's destruction but are blocked by Fire Marshall Boone. They interrogate competitors and attempt to sneak into the scene, resulting in a brawl with fire inspectors. After Jake reveals his childhood connection to the pizzeria to Captain Holt, Boone allows him to help solve the case. Together they identify Gino, a competitor who stole Sal's recipe for his own restaurant. In the parallel storyline, a virus prints everyone's internet search histories, causing Amy Santiago to discover that Rosa Diaz declined a captain position in Ropesburg, New Jersey. To soothe Amy's jealousy, Rosa takes her to visit the boring Ropesburg precinct before they return to New York.
Reader's Guide
Viewers can expect the episode to balance Jake's emotional investigation with the squad's reaction to the data leak. The cold open features the virus printing search histories, which sets off a chain of passive-aggressive behavior from Amy toward Rosa. The climax involves Jake and Boone finding the culprit, Gino. A key twist occurs when Terry and Gina hire a new IT specialist who is revealed to be the person responsible for hacking the precinct in the first place. Critical reception was positive, with specific praise directed at Patton Oswalt's performance as Fire Marshall Boone and the development of Jake's character regarding his father issues.
Did You Know?
- The episode was the ninth to be broadcast but the eighth to be produced.
- Fire Marshall Boone is played by Patton Oswalt, whose performance received positive critical reviews.
- Gino, the culprit who burned down Sal's Pizza, did so because Sal refused to sell him the business.
- Amy Santiago becomes jealous of Rosa Diaz being considered for a captain position, not about Marcus.
- The new IT specialist hired by Terry and Gina was actually the person who hacked the precinct's computer system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sal's Pizza in Brooklyn Nine-Nine?
It is a recurring neighborhood pizzeria located near the 99th Precinct that serves as an unofficial second home for the detectives. Owned by Sal, it frequently appears throughout the series as a casual hangout spot for the squad.
When did Sal's Pizza first appear on the show?
The location debuted in Season 1, Episode 4, titled The Tagger, where Jake Peralta and Rosa Diaz visit after a case. It has since become a staple setting for late-night scenes across multiple seasons.
Why do the detectives go to Sal's Pizza?
The squad uses the restaurant primarily for midnight pizza runs following high-stakes cases or long shifts at work. It provides an informal environment where they can celebrate victories, debrief tactics, or simply vent over cold slices.
Is Sal's Pizza considered a character in any story arcs?
While not a sentient character, the pizzeria functions as a vital plot device that grounds the team's camaraderie outside the precinct walls. It often serves as the backdrop for character development moments during off-duty hours.
What happens to Sal's Pizza by the end of the series?
The establishment remains a consistent part of the precinct's neighborhood environment throughout the series run. It continues to operate as a beloved local spot where the team can gather regardless of their changing personal lives.
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