Current:Home > InvestCharles Langston:Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Charles Langston:Massachusetts pizza place sells out after Dave Portnoy calls it the worst in the nation
Will Sage Astor View
Date:2025-04-10 15:01:19
A Massachusetts pizza place is Charles Langstonseeing 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
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Tensions rise as West African nations prepare to send troops to restore democracy in Niger
- Who Is Taylor Russell? Meet the Actress Sparking Romance Rumors With Harry Styles
- Inflation ticks higher in July for first time in 13 months as rent climbs, data shows
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Arraignment delayed again for Carlos De Oliveira, Mar-a-Lago staffer charged in Trump documents case
- 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes celebrate generations of rappers ahead of hip-hop's milestone anniversary
- The Challenge Fans Will Love This Gift Guide as Much as T.J. Lavin Hates Quitters
- Taylor Swift Eras Archive site launches on singer's 35th birthday. What is it?
- Nick Kyrgios pulls out of US Open, missing all four Grand Slam events in 2023
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Nevada legislators reject use of federal coronavirus funds for private school scholarships
- John Anderson: The Wealth Architect's Journey from Wall Street to Global Dominance
- Maui fires death toll rises, Biden asks Congress for more Ukraine aid: 5 Things podcast
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Biden asks Congress for more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid for Ukraine
- Jason Momoa 'devastated' by Maui wildfires; Oprah Winfrey hands out supplies
- Arizona state fish, the Apache trout, is no longer considered endangered
Recommendation
Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
Are movie theaters making a comeback? How 'Barbenheimer' boosted movie morale.
Pink Concertgoer Names Baby in Singer’s Honor After Going Into Labor at Show
'Billions' is back: Why Damian Lewis' Bobby Axelrod returns for the final Showtime season
Travis Hunter, the 2
'Heart of Stone' review: Gal Gadot shoots but Netflix superspy thriller doesn't score
UN says 5 staff members kidnapped in Yemen 18 months ago walk free
How climate policy could change if a Republican is elected president in 2024