Barstool’s Dave Portnoy To Help Rebuild Iconic Elizabeth, NJ Pizza Joint Santillo’s
Saving Santillo’s
Polarizing internet personality, and founder of Barstool Sports, David Portnoy AKA El Presidente, knows pizza! And he is coming to the aid of one of Union County’s favorite pizzerias!
Ahead of his One Bite Pizza Festival in September, “The greatest gathering of pizzerias ever”, Portnoy announced on X that all the profits from the event are going to Al Santillo, owner of Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza with the hopes of rebuilding the facility.
“We need Santillos”, Portnoy said in his post.
Santillo’s Pizza Destroyed
Back in January, the 100-year-old pizza restaurant was destroyed in a fire that was said to have started from the ceiling before working its way through.
At the time, Al, the owner said he was still in a state of shock, and it was “like a death in the family.”
“One Bite, Everybody Knows The Rules”
Five years ago, Portnoy visited Santillo’s as part of his Barstool Pizza Review. Portnoy, eagerly bit into a slice and with excitement described it as “interesting”, and the crust had an “electric bite”.
ALSO SEE: New Jersey Wood Fired Pizza Restaurant Makes Yelp’s Top 100 Of 2024
After a few more bites, Dave landed an 8.3 score for Santillo’s. Fans of the reviews know that is a HIGH score for Bartstool. He would also go on to say Al Santillo was “a character” and if the scoring criteria were based solely on him, it would have been a 9.9. Al obliged Dave and gave him a tour of the establishment after the review.
For those interested in attending the pizza festival, presale tickets are available now. The event will host over thirty pizzerias from around the country, and a variety of styles. It will also have a bar and plenty of desserts for those looking for something sweet. Tickets a likely to sell FAST.
