Dragon Pizza owner on Portnoy feud: ‘I’m receiving death threats’

Meals

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

A fierce trade between a media mogul and a well-liked Somerville pizza store not too long ago went viral.

Dave Portnoy, who is understood for ranking pizzerias throughout the nation on his YouTube channel, “One Chunk Pizza Evaluations,” broke out right into a combat with Dragon Pizza proprietor Charlie Redd. Whereas Portnoy was recording a overview of the spot’s pizza, giving it a detrimental overview, Redd confronted him, telling him he didn’t “admire what [he does] to small companies.” The 2 have been quickly exchanging expletives, and the scene was caught on digital camera. 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 midst of a feud like this earlier than — and has acquired threats to his life.

“It’s form of new terrain for me. It’s psychological,” Redd stated. “However I don’t need to give him credit score for complicating my life. We’re working our pizza store, and everyone seems to be joyful. I’m receiving demise threats. I’ve acquired threats at my residence. 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 submit, and Redd stated they have 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 indicate their appreciation for Dragon Pizza on Twitter. In the meantime, Yelp has quickly blocked opinions from being written concerning the pizzeria as a result of elevated public consideration.

Dragon Pizza appreciation submit. Not solely is their pizza high notch, however they offer horrible human beings their simply due. https://t.co/1XflEUODHr

— Jake Wilson (@jake4somerville) August 25, 2023

Throughout his overview, Portnoy, who additionally not too long ago 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 chew of a slice. He added, “It’s a floppy mess. Robust parmesan. Just like the parmesan is coming proper by. … That is an acquired style. Should 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 Submit reported that Barstool Sports activities would reduce its workers by almost 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 prospects. “We’re on this it doesn’t matter what,” he stated. “… We’re going to return to creating pizza and making folks joyful.”