Dragon Pizza appears to be thriving despite a controversial review from Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, who gave the small business in Somerville, Massachusetts, a low rating of 6.4 out of 10 on his “One Bite” series.
After a heated exchange between Portnoy and the unnamed owner during the review, which Portnoy posted on Twitter and garnered 16.3 million views, Dragon Pizza temporarily closed its doors due to overwhelming customer demand.
In an Instagram post, Dragon Pizza expressed its gratitude to customers and staff, saying they were completely sold out and needed a day to prepare for the rest of the week.
Another post featured an employee holding a sign that read “Another Day! SOLD OUT,” with Dragon Pizza thanking its supporters and apologizing to those who had to wait.
Despite the initial controversy, Dragon Pizza also reported an influx of positive reviews and support from its community.
In a separate post, Dragon Pizza acknowledged the challenges it faced, stating that trolls were attacking every aspect of their business but emphasizing their determination to persevere.
Portnoy’s review took place on the sidewalk in front of Dragon Pizza, where he criticized the pizza’s overpowering taste of parmesan and described it as a “floppy mess.”
The owner confronted Portnoy during the review, expressing his displeasure at Portnoy’s judgment after just one bite.
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The exchange escalated into a heated argument with both parties exchanging insults, including profanities. The owner eventually referred to Portnoy as a “f–king b—h,” and Portnoy threatened to call the police.
Despite the negative review and confrontation, Dragon Pizza seems to have thrived, with overwhelming support from its community and a surge in positive reviews.
