Current:Home > NewsMassachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation-InfoLens
Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation
View Date:2025-01-11 06:06:04
A Massachusetts pizza place is seeing booming sales after businessman Dave Portnoy branded the joint as the "worst" in the U.S. during a viral feud with the owner.
Portnoy, the founder of sports and popular culture blog Barstool Sports, got into an on-camera dispute with Dragon Pizza owner Charlie Redd while Portnoy filmed his review of their pizza, which he called a "floppy mess" and gave it a 6.4 out of 10 rating.
Portnoy posted the review on his Instagram and YouTube channel, "One Bite Pizza Reviews," last week, labeling the in Somerville, Massachusetts joint "The Worst Pizza Place in America." He also shared footage of his expletive-filled exchange with Redd.
In the review, Portnoy criticized the pizza's heavy parmesan, saying "this is an acquired taste. If you get this, know you’re going to get hit with a left, right in the face with parmesan.”
See the top 50 pizzerias in the US:Ranked by Italian pizza experts: NYC leads with 9
"Dave, enjoy your pizza as any customer, but I don't appreciate what you do coming in and judging a business with one bite," Redd told Portnoy in the video as he recorded the review. "I hope you enjoy your pizza, but I don't appreciate what you do to small businesses."
Portnoy told Redd that his reviews actually help "so many small businesses" so he could peacefully say that the "pizza was trash" and referred to Redd as a clown.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Portnoy and Dragon Pizza for comment.
Dragon Pizza sees booming business
Redd's business appears to have profited following the negative review.
On Monday, Dragon Pizza thanked the community for "Another Day SOLD OUT" in an Instagram post. On Tuesday, the account announced its closure to get through the rest of the week.
"We are completely sold out and need a day to prepare for the rest of the week. Thank you to our amazing staff and supporters. Couldn’t do it without y’all," the Tuesday caption read.
More:Shake Shack launches new 'Hot Menu' featuring hot chicken sandwich, spicy burger
Despite the success, Redd does not view the situation as a positive experience telling Boston.com that he received death threats following the video's exposure.
"It’s kind of new terrain for me. It’s mental,” Redd said. “But I don’t want to give him credit for complicating my life. We’re running our pizza shop, and everyone is happy. I’m receiving death threats. I’ve received threats at my home. I’m receiving tons of all sorts of different attacks in many different ways."
Regardless of the negativity he told the outlet that they're going to keeping doing what they do.
"We’re in this no matter what,” Redd shared. "We’re going to go back to making pizza and making people happy.”
veryGood! (2)
Related
- 3 Iraqis tortured at Abu Ghraib win $42M judgement against defense contractor
- Pregnant Chick-fil-A manager killed in crash with prison transport van before baby shower
- 'Pops love you': Young father of 2 killed during fist fight at Louisiana bar
- Pennsylvania train crash highlights shortcomings of automated railroad braking system
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
- Is the April 2024 eclipse safe for pets? Why experts want you to leave them at home.
- Yellen says China’s rapid buildout of its green energy industry ‘distorts global prices’
- Selena Gomez goes makeup-free in stunning 'real' photo. We can learn a lot from her
- Klay Thompson returns to Golden State in NBA Cup game. How to watch
- MLB's five most pivotal players to watch for 2024
Ranking
- Wildfires burn on both coasts. Is climate change to blame?
- Boston to pay $4.6M to settle wrongful death suit stemming from police killing of mentally ill man
- North Carolina elections board finalizes results from primary marked by new voter ID rules
- Suspect's release before Chicago boy was fatally stabbed leads to prison board resignations
- Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
- Brittany Mahomes Shares She's Struggling With Hives and Acne in New Makeup-Free Selfies
- EU investigating Apple, Google and Meta's suspected violations of new Digital Markets Act
- MLB's five most pivotal players to watch for 2024
Recommendation
-
US Election Darkens the Door of COP29 as It Opens in Azerbaijan
-
Halle Berry reveals perimenopause was misdiagnosed as the 'worst case of herpes'
-
Brittany Snow Details “Completely” Shocking Divorce From Tyler Stanaland
-
In first, an Argentine court convicts ex-officers of crimes against trans women during dictatorship
-
Bankruptcy judge questioned Shilo Sanders' no-show at previous trial
-
Hop on Over to Old Navy, Where You Can Score 50% off During Their Easter Sale, With Deals Starting at $10
-
Who are Sean 'Diddy' Combs' children? Family tree as mogul faces assault claims, raids
-
Lawsuit says Ohio’s gender-affirming care ban violates the state constitution