Why Is This Pizza Shop in a Showdown With Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy? | Bon Appétit
"Opened in 2018 with a mission to make pizza using local ingredients and craftsmanship, this Somerville pizzeria was thrust into a national media firestorm after a viral, profanity-laced confrontation with a prominent online pizza reviewer who gave one bite of a slice a 6.4/10. The exchange — captured on video, reposted widely, and amplified by the reviewer’s subsequent appearances and merchandise — triggered waves of 1-star Yelp reviews that forced the page into moderation, a flood of fake prepaid orders, threats that required new security measures, and a paper plate taped to the window reading “We are not talking about it. Orders only.” The owner has publicly defended the idea that one-bite, sensationalized reviews are unfair and unprofessional, while emphasizing that he values traditional critics and aims to give every customer the same experience; he says the shop supports five adults, their partners, and 12 children and that the controversy has been frightening but also met with strong local support from customers who praise the food. " - BySam Stone
