Dragon Pizza packed after Dave Portnoy’s fight with owner


It must be an acquired taste.

A day after Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy got into a heated altercation with the owner of Dragon Pizza in Somerville, Massachusetts, the pizzeria was packed with seemingly satisfied customers.

One customer even disagreed with Portnoy’s review, giving his piece — a maple bacon slice — a much higher rating than Portnoy did.

“I’d give this one probably around a 9 [out of 10]… But it is a little floppy, I do have to agree there,” the customer told The Post while chewing. “Yeah, I saw [the altercation]. I thought it was better than he rated it, but that’s just my taste. The owner, [identified by the Boston Globe as Charlie Redd], seemed a little bit out of control, maybe he was having a bad day.

“It got caught on camera, I think that’s what it was.”


Dragon Pizza’s owner in his restaurant one day after his altercation with Dave Portnoy.
David McGlynn for NY Post

The 46-year-old Portnoy, who recently reacquired Barstool Sports from Penn Entertainment for $1, visited the pizza shop for one of his pizza reviews, which has been one of his trademarks since he rose to sports media prominence.

In a series now dubbed “One Bite,” Portnoy visits famous pizzerias and, well, takes one bite and subsequently records a review of the pizza right outside the restaurant, giving it a rating from 1-10.

Portnoy clearly did not enjoy his slice from Dragon Pizza and began ragging on it as “trash” and a “floppy mess,” giving it a 6.4 rating.


Dragon Pizza's owner in his restaurant one day after his altercation with Dave Portnoy.
Dragon Pizza’s owner in his restaurant one day after his altercation with Dave Portnoy.
David McGlynn for NY Post

That’s when Redd walked out and confronted Portnoy.

“Enjoy your pizza as any customer, but I don’t appreciate what you do, coming in and judging a business in one bite,” Redd said.

After Portnoy responded that he helps small businesses, the owner shot back, “I don’t see it that way,” before going back into the pizzeria.

A few moments later, Redd re-emerged and told Portnoy to stop standing in front of his business.

“Let me be clear, f–k you,” Portnoy shot back repeatedly before calling the owner a “motherf–ker” and an “a–hole.”

Redd threatened to call the police, and when Portnoy asked what for, he replied, “for being a f–king bitch.”


One customer gave his slice from Dragon Pizza a much higher rating than Dave Portnoy.
One customer gave his slice from Dragon Pizza a much higher rating than Dave Portnoy.
David McGlynn for NY Post

Dragon Pizza was crowded one day after the owner got into a confrontation with Dave Portnoy.
Dragon Pizza was crowded one day after the owner got into a confrontation with Dave Portnoy.
David McGlynn for NY Post

Though Redd could be seen in the pizzeria on Friday, he appeared to have no interest in using the attention for newfound fame.

A paper plate with “we are not talking about it” written on it is taped to the window.

The customer who gave the 9 out of 10 rating said his decision to visit Dragon Pizza on Friday was in part due to Portnoy’s review.


The owner of Dragon Pizza seemingly does not want to speak about his altercation with Dave Portnoy.
The owner of Dragon Pizza seemingly does not want to speak about his altercation with Dave Portnoy.
David McGlynn for NY Post

“It made me think about getting a slice of pizza,” he said. “That was it.”



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