Barstool’s Dave Portnoy will get in feud with Dragon Pizza proprietor Charlie Redd

Meals

The media mogul and the restaurant’s proprietor traded insults.

A fierce change between a media mogul and a well-liked Somerville pizza store just lately went viral.

Dave Portnoy, who is thought for ranking pizzerias throughout the nation on his YouTube channel, “One Chunk Pizza Evaluations,” broke out right into a struggle with Dragon Pizza proprietor Charlie Redd. Whereas Portnoy was recording a overview of the spot’s pizza, giving it a adverse overview, Redd confronted him, telling him he didn’t “respect what [he does] to small companies.” The 2 had been quickly exchanging expletives, and the scene was caught on digicam. Portnoy posted the video on his channel Thursday, calling Dragon Pizza “the worst pizza place in America.” The video had over 300,000 views as of Friday afternoon.

Redd spoke with Boston.com saying that he has by no means been in the course of a feud like this earlier than — and has obtained threats to his life.

“It’s form of new terrain for me. It’s psychological,” Redd stated. “However I don’t wish to give him credit score for complicating my life. We’re operating our pizza store, and everyone seems to be completely satisfied. I’m receiving dying threats. I’ve obtained threats at my house. I’m receiving tons of all types of various assaults in many various methods.” As of Friday afternoon, Dragon Pizza had blocked commenting to their newest Instagram put up, and Redd stated they had been at the moment solely responding to media inquiries.

Many have taken to social media to weigh in on the controversy. Somervillians like Metropolis Councilor Jake Wilson have come out to point out their appreciation for Dragon Pizza on Twitter. In the meantime, Yelp has quickly blocked opinions from being written in regards to the pizzeria attributable to elevated public consideration.

Dragon Pizza appreciation put up. Not solely is their pizza prime notch, however they provide horrible human beings their simply due. https://t.co/1XflEUODHr

— Jake Wilson (@jake4somerville) August 25, 2023

Throughout his overview, Portnoy, who additionally just lately reacquired Barstool Sports activities, asserted that he didn’t just like the style and construction of the pizza. “This factor’s tremendous floppy,” he stated, whereas taking a chunk of a slice. He added, “It’s a floppy mess. Sturdy parmesan. Just like the parmesan is coming proper via. … That is an acquired style. When you get this, know you’re going to get hit with a left, proper within the face with parmesan.” He gave the pizza a ranking of 6.4 out of 10.

Portnoy’s overview was launched the day after the New York Publish reported that Barstool Sports activities would minimize its workers by practically 25%, resulting in the lack of round 100 jobs. The corporate was based in Milton, Massachusetts, in 2003.

Redd stated that Dragon Pizza will proceed to serve its clients. “We’re on this it doesn’t matter what,” he stated. “… We’re going to return to creating pizza and making folks completely satisfied.”