Current:Home > reviewsMassachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation -ProfitPoint
Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation
View
Date:2025-04-11 19:12:40
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! (68)
Related
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- This artist gets up to her neck in water to spread awareness of climate change
- Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native heading to Congress, journeys home to the river
- Russia's War In Ukraine Is Hurting Nature
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Kerry Washington, LeBron James and More Send Messages to Jamie Foxx Amid Hospitalization
- Ecologists say federal wildfire plans are dangerously out of step with climate change
- With time ticking for climate action, Supreme Court limits ways to curb emissions
- Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
- These Survivor 44 Contestants Are Dating After Meeting on the Island
Ranking
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- More than 3 feet of rain triggers evacuation warnings in Australia's largest city
- Opinion: Blistering summers are the future
- Watch Adele FaceTime Boyfriend Rich Paul During His Twitch Stream With Kai Cenat
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Camila Cabello and Ex Shawn Mendes Spotted Kissing During Coachella Reunion
- How Botox Re-Shaped the Face of Beauty
- Why Olivia Culpo's Sisters Weren't Told About Christian McCaffrey's Proposal Plans
Recommendation
Could your smelly farts help science?
Ukrainians have a special place in their hearts for Boris Johnson
Science In The City: Cylita Guy Talks Chasing Bats And Tracking Rats
Kelly Clarkson Seemingly Calls Out Ex Brandon Blackstock in Scathing New Songs
Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
We’re Not Alright After Learning Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson Might Be Brothers
Kylie Jenner Rocks Chic Style at Coachella: Look Back at the Kardashian-Jenners' Best Festival Looks
Climate change is forcing Zimbabwe to move thousands of animals in the wild