Pepp’s Pizzeria Turns Dave Portnoy’s Misleading Review into a Win

A pizza restaurant in Urbandale, Iowa, has cleverly turned a misleading review from Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy into a promotional opportunity. On October 2, 2023, Portnoy visited Pepp’s Pizzeria and gave their pizza a score of 7.3 out of 10. While this score is respectable, it falls short compared to the higher ratings he often bestows upon other establishments, which can significantly boost a restaurant’s visibility and customer traffic.

During his visit, Portnoy decided to tell the staff he had rated their pizza 7.6 to avoid hurting their feelings. The staff reacted positively, applauding the seemingly higher score. Later, however, Portnoy expressed regret over not being honest about the actual rating, wishing he had informed them of the true score.

Pepp’s Pizzeria responded to this unexpected twist in a playful manner through a social media post. They acknowledged that Portnoy’s fabricated score “hurt” but appreciated his visit nonetheless. The restaurant highlighted in their Instagram post, “7.3 is still a great score. But we had to have a little fun with this.”

In a light-hearted jab at the situation, Pepp’s Pizzeria launched merchandise featuring shirts that read “one lie, everyone knows the rules,” with the actual score crossed out. This phrase is a nod to Portnoy’s well-known pizza review slogan, “one bite.” The restaurant encouraged Portnoy to purchase a shirt for himself and his Barstool staff, emphasizing the fun nature of their interaction.

Community Response and Anticipated Impact

Fans of Pepp’s Pizzeria have responded enthusiastically to the restaurant’s witty handling of the situation. Comments on social media praised their approach, with one user exclaiming, “Great response! Take my money,” while another remarked, “Way to roll with the punches on this and capitalize on it.” The clever marketing tactic appears to have resonated well with the community, turning a potential setback into an opportunity for engagement.

Portnoy’s reviews often lead to a surge in customer interest when he rates a pizza highly. Although Pepp’s score of 7.3 may not place it among the highest-rated pizzerias, the publicity generated by this incident could help elevate its status in the local pizza scene. Portnoy’s other reviews during his visit to Iowa included a string of mid-7 scores, indicating that he has found several quality pies in the area.

As Pepp’s Pizzeria embraces the moment, it remains to be seen whether this playful marketing will draw in new customers and establish the restaurant as a staple for pizza lovers in Iowa. The clever response to Portnoy’s misstatement illustrates the resilience and creativity of small businesses in navigating the unpredictable world of restaurant reviews.