Barstool Sports founder and self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur Dave Portnoy is back in Tampa Bay for another round of his popular “One Bite Pizza Reviews.” After making the rounds last spring, Portnoy has returned, this time blending pizza tasting with a side mission involving former Bucs coach Jon Gruden’s Quarterback Camp.
In a Dec. 12 Instagram post, Portnoy revealed he was in town to “find a bunch of guys” for Gruden’s camp but managed to squeeze in a review at Ybor City’s Due Amici Pizza & Pasta Bar, located at 1724 E 7th Ave.
Known for his candid and often colorful critiques, the 47-year-old once again stuck to his trademark formula: order a cheese pizza, take a few bites (despite the segment’s name), and assign a rating on a strict 1-10 scale—decimal points included.
“Right on point, you gotta be drunk to love this pizza,” Portnoy declared in the video, filmed outside the bustling Ybor hotspot. “Soak up the beer. Late night of partying. I am hungry, so that helps. This guy has been doing it for 14 years, so I’m going to give him every little inch I can give him.”
Despite initially confusing Tampa’s historic 7th Avenue for “Bourbon Street” and even “Arbor Street,” Portnoy rated Due Amici’s pizza a 6.1. He emphasized the pie’s ideal pairing with a night of drinking, calling it “drunk Bourbon Street pizza.”
Portnoy’s latest stop follows a pizza tour of Tampa Bay last April, where he reviewed local favorites such as Forbici in Hyde Park Village, Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza in Clearwater, Violet Stone in St. Pete, and Nona Slice House in Safety Harbor.
While it’s unclear whether Portnoy will visit more local pizza joints during this trip, speculation is already brewing that his Tampa appearances could hint at scouting locations for a potential Barstool Sports bar and restaurant in the area. Fans and foodies alike will undoubtedly be keeping a close watch.