Current:Home > StocksMassachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation -WealthPro Academy
Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation
View
Date:2025-04-17 00:44:24
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! (6)
Related
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- No arrests in South Africa mass shootings as death toll rises to 18
- Beyoncé strips down with Levi's for new collab: See the cheeky ad
- Jay Leno Shares Update 2 Years After Burn Accident and Motorcycle Crash
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- Madelyn Cline Briefly Addresses Relationships With Pete Davidson and Chase Stokes
- Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross Shares Her Health Advice After Surviving Anal Cancer
- Helene's brutal toll: At least 100 dead; states struggling to recover. Live updates
- Tropical weather brings record rainfall. Experts share how to stay safe in floods.
- Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma Make Debut as Married Couple During Paris Fashion Week
Ranking
- Olympic disqualification of gold medal hopeful exposes 'dark side' of women's wrestling
- NBA players, coaches, GMs react to Dikembe Mutombo's death: 'He made us who we are.'
- Gavin Creel, Tony Award-Winning Actor, Dead at 48 After Battle With Rare Cancer
- Former Tennessee Gov. Winfield Dunn, who left dentistry to win as a first-time candidate, dies at 97
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- Julianne Hough Claps Back at Critics Who Told Her to Eat a Cheeseburger After Sharing Bikini Video
- Arkansas sues YouTube over claims that the site is fueling a mental health crisis
- Channing Tatum Admits He's Freaking Out Over Daughter Everly's Latest Milestone
Recommendation
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Judge strikes down Georgia ban on abortions, allowing them to resume beyond 6 weeks into pregnancy
Everything We Loved in September: Shop the Checkout Staff’s Favorite Products
Plans to build green spaces aimed at tackling heat, flooding and blight
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Conyers fire: Shelter-in-place still in effect after chemical fire at pool cleaning plant
Why Rihanna Says Being a Mom of 2 Boys Is an “Olympic Sport”
Tyler Cameron’s Girlfriend Tate Madden Shares Peek Inside Their Romance