Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and now a Fox Sports “Big Noon Kickoff” panelist, returns to Utah this week for the Utah-BYU rivalry game in Provo.
Earlier this season, the media personality landed in Salt Lake City for Utah’s matchup against Texas Tech.
Portnoy, who is also famous for his “One Bite Pizza Reviews” YouTube channel, said on the social media platform X that he didn’t " have high hopes for pizza, but you never know."
Since then, he’s done several reviews and slowly released them online.
Here’s a breakdown of all of his Utah pizza reviews.
The Pie Pizzeria
Score: 6.9
Portnoy makes it no secret that he likes thin, crispy pizza.
So some Utahns who have eaten the thicker, cheesier pizza often found at the Pie saw Portnoy walk out with a thin-crust pizza, thought there had been foul play.
The Pie was quick to offer a rebuttal.
“Fun fact: The Pie has been serving thin-crust, light-cheese pies cooked well-done for 45 years. Just ask, we make them all the time!” the pizzeria posted on X. “Guess we should’ve been louder about it… maybe Utah just needed a Pie named the Portnoy Pie to spread the word."
Portnoy, meanwhile, enjoyed the pizza.
“For a campus pizza spot I think it’s pretty good,” he said. “This is better campus pizza than the Iowa State spot.”
Slackwater Pizza
Score: 7.3
There are five Slackwater locations along the Wasatch Front.
Portnoy visited the Salt Lake City locale on 500 West.
“Without looking at this, this thing is as light as a feather,” he said. “The cheese has a little bit of a tang. Great undercarriage. ... Great vibes on the inside. It’s an interesting taste. It’s not normal cheese. There’s something about it. There’s some kick to it.”
Pie Hole
Score: 3.8
The Pie Hole might be a late-night favorite in downtown Salt Lake City — but it wasn’t a Portnoy favorite.
“Looks like you’re in a rave zone when you walk in,” Portnoy said. “There were sober people inside of it, which makes no sense. This is a drunk pizza spot.
He added after trying the pizza: “It’s worse than I thought. You gotta be drunk for this. You have to be drunk for Pie Hole.”
Secret Pizza Club
Score: 8.2
You’ve got to be ready and a little lucky to get your hands on a slice from Secret Pizza Club. The pop-up, which operates out of a bakery, makes pizzas twice a week. You have to order them online in advance — and they go quick.
This was Portnoy’s favorite stop in Utah so far.
“Great undercarriage,” he said. “Very good. I think they cheered just from my head nod. My head nod is that predictable. They said their inspiration was Angelo’s in Philly.
“It’s superior to anything I’ve had over here. Great Pizza.”
Villagio Pizzeria
Score: 7.8
Portnoy was enamored with the owner of this spot on State Street in South Salt Lake.
“Pizza looks good,” Portnoy said. “Good, crispy. Very good pizza. Guy’s been making it his whole life. I’m going 7.8 with love. ... Authentic New York pizza. They should change the sign, authentic New York guy.”