Internet sensation Dave Portnoy was back in his home state for his One Bite Pizza Reviews series. Here’s what readers had to say about Portnoy’s pizza rating system.
By Nia Harmon
Controversy follows Dave Portnoy wherever he goes — and his One Bite Pizza Reviews are no exception.
The Swampscott native and founder of media outlet Barstool Sports recently finished a tour across the state for his One Bite Pizza Reviews, a YouTube series where the influencer rates pizza and other dishes on a scale of 1 to 10.
- Dave Portnoy feud brought increased business, Dragon Pizza owner says
While Portnoy was in the midst of his Massachusetts tour, we asked our readers to share their thoughts on his method of judging.At the time, he had released reviews of Garlic Breath Pizza in North Andover, Tree House Brewing Company in Tewksbury, and The Next Page Cafe in Weymouth, among others.
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Out of 350 responses, 261 voters said that they do not agree with Portnoy’s rating skills.
Portnoy’s rating system measure’s the quality of plain, cheese pizzas based on their taste, weight, structure, and look. After a taste, he then grades them on a scale from 1 to 10.
Last year, Portnoy’s pizza rating YouTube series made headlines when he got into a viral argument with the owner of Dragon Pizza, a popular Somerville pizza shop. (He gave the pizza a rating of 6.4 out of 10.)
Since our survey was first published, Portnoy went on to rate six more restaurants in the state for the series, plus a bonus stop at Marylou’s Coffee.
Out of all 16 restaurants reviewed, a roast beef sandwich from Brothers Roast Beef & Pizza in Kingston actually scored the highest, earning an almost perfect score of 9.8. The lowest scoring pizza on the tour was from Tripoli Pizza & Bakery in Lawrence, which scored a 6.2.
The influencer is now biting his way through New Jersey.
Do you agree with Dave Portnoy's recent One Bite reviews?
Yes
25%
89
No
75%
263
“Portnoy doesn’t know real pizza. He has a particular taste which is over cooked pizza which does not allow for an accurate rating. With that said, to each his own,” wrote Steve F. from Middletown, NJ.
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Some voters question the reliability of his reviews, citing his lack of culinary experience.
“Please tell me, what is the culinary training in an academic environment that Dave Portnoy has that makes him qualified to provide commentary on anything food related? Because he has lots of fans/followers on social media does not qualify him as an expert critic of pizza or any other food related item,” wrote Bruce M., from Marshfield.
The remaining 89 votes agree that just one bite is enough to give an adequate review of these places.
“Portnoy nails it,” wrote Mark J., from Beacon Hill.
“I trust his palate. I have been to a lot of the places he has reviewed and he is on point,” wrote William M., Whitman.
Here’s what readers had to say about One Bite Pizza Review.’
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
“This dude is so obnoxious I can’t even listen to what he’s saying about pizza. And judging based on one bite and one style of pizza is kind of silly. One guy’s taste in pizza shouldn’t have so much sway. Ask Dragon Pizza in Somerville (which is great, by the way).”
– Dan, Melrose
“He only rates ‘football pizza’ which as a pizza style itself, well, kind of sucks. Portnoy would go to Italy, have the best pizza in the world and give it a 7.1. ‘It’s just got that Tuscan Flop…'”
– Dave, Minneapolis
“There’s all different styles of pizza. You’ve got to grade them separately. Example being a beach pizza is not a New Haven Pizza. And don’t get me wrong I prefer New Haven Pizza over a beach pizza but it is what it is.”
– Anthony S., Belmont
“One bite is not enough.”
– A Boston.com reader
“Everyone has a pizza style preference, Portnoy prefers classic NY Style pizza and that is what I like, so I enjoy his reviews and use them to try new places.”
– Mike R., Andover
“I agree. He made a review and is entitled to opinions.”
– Chuster, Arlington
“I find his reviews to be accurate for the most part.”
– Michael H., Duxbury
“I like his method. It should only take one bite just like a free sample. One bite that lets you know the taste [and] the texture. 🍕”
– Scott N., Birmingham, MI
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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