Current:Home > FinanceMassachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation -WealthGrow Network
Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-10 21:38:56
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
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- California governor signs laws to protect actors against unauthorized use of AI
- Aubrey O' Day Speaks Out on Vindication After Sean Diddy Combs' Arrest
- An 8-Year-Old Stole Her Mom's Car for a Joyride to Target—Then Won Over the Internet
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Fed rate decision will be big economic news this week. How much traders bet they'll cut
- Court reinstates Arkansas ban of electronic signatures on voter registration forms
- Tate Ratledge injury update: Georgia OL reportedly expected to be out several weeks
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Bill Gates calls for more aid to go to Africa and for debt relief for burdened countries
Ranking
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- WNBA's Caitlin Clark Celebrates Boyfriend Connor McCaffery's Career Milestone
- Loyal pitbull mix Maya credited with saving disabled owner's life in California house fire
- Schools reopen in a Kentucky county where a gunman wounded 5 on an interstate highway
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Haunting last message: 'All good here.' Coast Guard's Titan submersible hearing begins
- Flames from massive pipeline fire near Houston subside but continue burning
- Bret Michaels, new docuseries look back at ’80s hair metal debauchery: 'A different time'
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Horoscopes Today, September 17, 2024
Artem Chigvintsev's Lawyer Says He and Nikki Garcia Are Focused on Co-Parenting Amid Divorce
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs arrest and abuse allegations: A timeline of key events
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Tennessee increases 2025 football ticket prices to help pay players
Georgia court rejects local Republican attempt to handpick primary candidates
Vance and Georgia Gov. Kemp project Republican unity at evangelical event after Trump tensions