The Man Behind the Reviews
By the One Bite Foodie Blog Staff
David Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, is a media mogul, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential voices in sports and entertainment. Known for his bold, unfiltered opinions, Portnoy built Barstool from the ground up, transforming it from a small print publication in 2003 into a digital empire spanning sports, gambling, pop culture, and even food.
While he is widely recognized for his sports commentary and controversial takes, Portnoy’s biggest impact outside of sports media has been through his One Bite Pizza Reviews—a side project that turned into a massive food content empire.
From New York street corners to small-town pizzerias, Portnoy’s reviews have not only entertained millions but also reshaped the pizza industry, making or breaking businesses with a single review. But how did a sports media giant like Barstool find itself at the center of a pizza revolution?
How It All Started
Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Reviews were not originally planned as a full-fledged business strategy. Instead, the idea started as a personal challenge—to eat and review every slice of pizza in New York City.
The rules? "One bite, everybody knows the rules."
Of course, Portnoy himself often ignored the rule, taking multiple bites to properly judge a slice. But the catchphrase stuck, and soon, fans started recognizing him on the streets, asking for reviews, and tuning in religiously for his latest takes.
At first, the reviews were informal and low-budget—just Portnoy, a pizza box, and a phone camera. But as his fan base exploded, so did the production quality, reach, and influence of his reviews. What started as a simple challenge quickly turned into a media powerhouse, with some of his videos garnering millions of views and influencing consumer behavior on a massive scale.
How One Bite Pizza Reviews Became a Business
What began as a fun food experiment turned into a major marketing asset for Portnoy and Barstool Sports. His pizza reviews started drawing huge engagement on social media, with audiences eagerly anticipating his next take on an iconic or undiscovered pizzeria.
Here’s how One Bite Pizza Reviews became a business strategy:
Massive Audience Growth – The viral nature of the videos attracted not just pizza lovers, but a wide demographic of fans.
Brand Deals & Sponsorships – Companies saw an opportunity in Portnoy’s authentic and direct style, leading to advertising deals and sponsorships.
Barstool’s Expansion – The reviews diversified Barstool’s content, helping the company reach beyond sports and gambling into lifestyle and food.
The One Bite App – Capitalizing on his pizza empire, Portnoy launched the One Bite app, where users can find and submit their own reviews.
Restaurant Industry Impact – A good review from Portnoy can skyrocket a pizzeria’s sales overnight, leading to lines out the door and a flood of new customers.
His influence has become so powerful that some pizzerias have even designed marketing campaigns around his reviews—highlighting his ratings in their stores, packaging, and promotions.
The One Bite Review Formula: Why It Works
There’s a reason Portnoy’s pizza review formula is so successful. It’s not just about the pizza—it’s about how the review is structured, delivered, and consumed.
Here’s why it works:
Simplicity – The 1-to-10 rating scale is easy to understand, making it accessible to all audiences.
Authenticity – Portnoy doesn’t sugarcoat his opinions, which builds trust and credibility with his audience.
Engagement – His humor, personality, and unpredictable reactions make the content fun and shareable.
Consistency – Posting frequent reviews keeps his audience engaged and coming back for more.
Viral Potential – A strong reaction—whether praising or roasting a pizzeria—often leads to massive online discussions.
This formula for success isn’t just limited to pizza—it can be applied to any type of food and beverage review business. And that’s where One Bite Foodie comes in.
One Bite Foodie: The Next Evolution in Food Reviews
While One Bite Foodie is not affiliated with David Portnoy, the One Bite Review formula is something that any content creator can use to build their own food review business.
The biggest difference? With One Bite Foodie, creators actually get paid for their content.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, where creators generate engagement but don’t earn revenue, One Bite Foodie is designed to empower food content creators with:
100% of tip money – Viewers and fans can tip you directly, and you keep every penny.
80% of digital ad and subscriber revenue – Unlike platforms that take all the profits, One Bite Foodie gives most of the earnings back to its creators.
Multiple content formats – Post videos, articles, and podcasts in one place, making it easier to grow your brand.
A local-first approach – Instead of fighting for attention on oversaturated platforms, One Bite Foodie helps creators connect with local audiences and businesses.
How You Can Use This Formula to Grow Your Own Food Review Business
Portnoy’s success proves that consistent, engaging food reviews can turn into a massive, profitable business. But with One Bite Foodie, you don’t need millions of followers or a major media empire to start earning money.
Here’s how you can leverage the One Bite Review formula on One Bite Foodie:
✔ Find your niche – Whether it’s pizza, tacos, coffee, or cocktails, focus on one category and own it.
✔ Be authentic – People love real, unfiltered opinions—don’t be afraid to speak your mind.
✔ Engage with local businesses – Visit restaurants, cafes, and bars in your city to build relationships and credibility.
✔ Post consistently – The more you post, the more your audience grows.
✔ Encourage tips and support – Let your followers know that they can support your journey through One Bite Foodie’s tip feature.
✔ Monetize with ads and subscriptions – With One Bite Foodie’s revenue-sharing model, you can turn your content into a full-time income.
Your Turn: Start Your Food Review Journey
David Portnoy built a pizza review empire with one simple idea. And now, with One Bite Foodie, you have the tools to build your own food review business—while keeping more of your hard-earned money.
Whether you’re a pizza lover, a cocktail connoisseur, a street food adventurer, or a fine dining enthusiast, One Bite Foodie is the platform for you.
Join today and start growing your food review brand—while actually getting paid for it!
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