Controversial Barstool Founder Dave Portnoy Visits Bay Area Pizza Shops

Despite past allegations, Portnoy's massive social media following brings exposure to local pizzerias.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is in the Bay Area this week filming content for his popular 'One Bite Pizza Reviews' series. While Portnoy has faced numerous controversies, including allegations of abusive behavior, his massive social media following of over 13 million across platforms provides significant exposure for the pizza shops he visits. Most local pizzeria owners are taking a neutral stance, welcoming the opportunity for new customers despite being aware of Portnoy's past transgressions.

Why it matters

Portnoy's influence in the pizza world is undeniable, with the New York Times dubbing him 'almost certainly the most influential person on the American pizza scene.' His visits can provide a major boost for small businesses, especially those struggling to recover from the pandemic. However, his controversial past raises questions about the ethics of aligning with such a figure.

The details

Portnoy arrived in the Bay Area earlier this week and began visiting local pizza shops, including Berman's Pizza and Palliser's Pizza. While most owners struck a neutral tone, acknowledging Portnoy's ability to drive new customers, some expressed reservations about his past behavior. Laura Seymour, owner of DamnFine Pizza, said she would welcome Portnoy but doesn't agree with everything he has done. Eric Ehler, co-owner of Outta Sight Pizza, noted that Portnoy had helped save many restaurants during the pandemic, despite his controversies.

  • Portnoy arrived in the Bay Area earlier this week.
  • Portnoy visited Berman's Pizza and Palliser's Pizza on Wednesday.

The players

Dave Portnoy

The founder and owner of the digital media company Barstool Sports, known for his popular 'One Bite Pizza Reviews' series on social media.

Berman

Co-owner of Berman's Pizza, a Bay Area pizzeria that Portnoy visited.

Palliser

Co-owner of Palliser's Pizza, another Bay Area pizzeria that Portnoy visited.

Laura Seymour

Owner of DamnFine Pizza, a pizzeria in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco.

Eric Ehler

Co-owner of Outta Sight Pizza, a slice shop in San Francisco's Chinatown.

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What they’re saying

“We weren't expecting him at all so we were just lucky that we were there trying a new pizza with our chef Jose. He had already ordered the pizza ahead of time so he just came in to pick it up and then he went outside and did his thing. We were able to say a quick hello afterwards, but the whole interaction took maybe four or five minutes.”

— Berman, Co-owner, Berman's Pizza (sfgate.com)

“The truth is, we haven't followed him in the way that some pizzerias do. We've just been kind of head-down making our pizza so I'm not in a position to pass judgement and not in a position to really turn this into politics.”

— Palliser, Co-owner, Palliser's Pizza (sfgate.com)

“I would welcome that. I'm confident in my product and to me pizza should be joyful. It's the pizza that I like, so I can firmly stand behind that and if someone else doesn't like it, I'm fine with that too.”

— Laura Seymour, Owner, DamnFine Pizza (sfgate.com)

“For as much bad as the man's done, or whatever, he did save a lot of restaurants and small businesses during the pandemic. He's just your typical bro.”

— Eric Ehler, Co-owner, Outta Sight Pizza (sfgate.com)

What’s next

Portnoy's review of Outta Sight Pizza is expected to be posted online in the near future.

The takeaway

Portnoy's controversial past has not deterred many Bay Area pizzerias from welcoming him, as his massive social media following provides significant exposure and potential new customers. However, the ethics of aligning with such a figure remain a point of contention, highlighting the complex dynamics within the local pizza scene.