Dave Portnoy, the boss of Barstool Sports, is organizing the One Bite Pizza Festival for the second year in a row to highlight small local businesses. The festival will take place at Randall’s Island Park and is set to feature slices from 35 pizzerias in the tri-state area. These pizzerias include popular spots such as Prince Street in Nolita, Di Fara in Brooklyn, and Frank Pepe in New Haven, all of which Portnoy has personally reviewed in his One Bite pizza reviews.
The inaugural One Bite festival held in Coney Island last year received its share of controversy, with some media outlets criticizing Portnoy for his behavior. Despite this, the festival was a success with no pizzerias dropping out, 5,000 attendees, and no major issues throughout the event. Portnoy questioned the media’s motives for trying to incite controversy and expressed admiration for the pizza makers who stood behind him. The festival sold out and proceeded smoothly, showcasing the strength of the community he has built.
Portnoy began his One Bite pizza reviews in 2017, giving ratings from 1 to 10 based on a single cheese slice. The reviews have now expanded to have their own app, a YouTube channel with 1.34 million subscribers, and a significant presence on social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. Portnoy’s love for meeting pizza makers and their stories has grown over the years, leading him to have a deep respect for small businesses and the effort needed to succeed.
In addition to promoting small businesses through his reviews and festival, Portnoy is donating all proceeds from this year’s fest to Al Santillo to help him rebuild his century-old restaurant, Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza, in New Jersey. This gesture goes a long way in showcasing Portnoy’s dedication to supporting local businesses and helping them grow. Santillo praised Portnoy for his impact on their business, noting the significant boost in exposure and opportunities that came as a result of Portnoy’s support.
The positive effects of Portnoy’s reviews are evident in the success stories of pizzerias like Brooklyn Square, whose owner, Peter Grippo, saw a surge in Instagram followers after being reviewed by Portnoy in 2020. Grippo credits Portnoy for the growth and visibility of his business, highlighting the impact that a positive review from a popular figure can have on a small business. Grippo, along with many others in the industry, praises Portnoy for his authenticity and genuine care for the businesses he supports.
Overall, Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Festival is an opportunity for slice-lovers to come together and experience some of the best local pizzerias in the tri-state area. Portnoy’s dedication to promoting these businesses, supporting rebuilding efforts, and fostering a sense of community through events like this showcases his commitment to uplifting small businesses and bringing people together over a shared love of pizza. The festival serves as a reminder of the positive impact that individuals like Portnoy can have on local communities and the importance of supporting small businesses.
