Dave Portnoy, the king of pizza reviews, found himself in hot water during a recent outing in Mississippi that might just be the most dramatic slice of his career. While filming one of his famed“One Bite”reviews, a 20-year-old named Patrick McClintock decided to turn the event into a chaotic scene, throwing coins at Portnoy and hurling antisemitic remarks. Because apparently, nothing says“pizza party”like a little public disruption, right?
As the viral video of this incident made its rounds, it wasn’t long before the Starkville Police Department took action, issuing an arrest warrant for McClintock, who was subsequently charged with disturbing the peace. It’s truly wild how quickly things can get out of hand when someone thinks they’re being funny. Portnoy, who was in town for the Mississippi State vs. University of Georgia football game, probably expected to focus on the pizza, not on dodging coins and slurs.
The situation raises an important question about public discourse and the line between humor and hate. Just how much should folks be allowed to say in the name of “entertainment”? Portnoy later shared his experience on“CBS Sunday Morning,”discussing how he faces daily antisemitism. It’s a stark reminder that even in a laid-back pizza review setting, the shadow of prejudice can lurk nearby.
In a world that seems to be increasingly divided, it’s never too late to promote kindness and consideration—that’s the true takeaway here. So, who knows, maybe the next pizza review will be anticlimactic by comparison. After all, no one wants a side of drama with their pepperoni!
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
