MUST WATCH: A Real Life Christmas Miracle: Dave Portnoy Saved A Baltimore Pizzeria From Going Out Of Business With A $60,000 Dollar Gift
Dave Portnoy, the controversial media mogul labeled “the most influential person on the American pizza scene” by The New York Times, has come to size up Baltimore’s pies.
Portnoy was spotted in mid-December at several Maryland eateries, including Pizza John’s in Essex, Angeli’s Pizzeria in Little Italy, Matthew’s Pizzeria near Patterson Park and Frank’s Pizza & Pasta on Bel Air Road in Baltimore.
Portnoy uploaded his first review of a Baltimore pizzeria on Monday. He rated TinyBrickOven on Light Street in Federal Hill a 7.9 and, after learning the business was planning to close on Christmas Day due to struggles with getting a liquor license,
Portnoy committed to gifting them $60,000. In the video, Portnoy said the business should receive the money before Christmas.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” is my favorite movie ever made.
Frank Capra couldn’t have written a better script if he tried.
It’s one of those rare holiday films that’s universally beloved for its heartwarming reminder of humanity’s power to lift each other up.
George Bailey’s life unravels, only to realize, thanks to a celestial assist, that his existence has touched countless lives in ways he never imagined.
But here’s the thing- Capra’s magic isn’t just confined to the black-and-white glow of an old movie screen.
Sometimes, it spills out into the real world, where the unlikeliest of angels come dressed not in robes and wings, but in a $35 Barstool Sports hat from 47 Brand and skinny jeans.
Enter Dave Portnoy, who, like a modern-day Clarence, showed up at a pizza joint in Baltimore recently and saved Christmas.
The story starts in a struggling pizza restaurant, the kind of place George Bailey might’ve stopped for a slice while trying to figure out why the world hates him so much. Dave walked in, ready to do what he does best: eat, critique, and make some poor owner sweat over a decimal point rating.
But instead of just giving his review, Dave noticed something thanking the community for its support and announcing the pizzeria was closing on Christmas Day because of financial struggles. To no fault of their own as Dave pointed out-
“Very good. Thin, New York-kind of style. I really like it. … There’s no way this place should be going out of business. None,” Portnoy said in his online review. “None.”
The sign wasn’t some cheesy (pun intended) marketing gimmick or a plug for the latest special.
It was about paying it forward, urging customers to help those less fortunate.
Intrigued, Dave started asking questions.
The owner, Will, explained.
Business had been rough. He couldn’t afford the liquor license needed to sell beer, and without that revenue stream, he was behind on rent.
The restaurant was set to close at the end of the year.
And just like that, Dave did what Dave does: he flipped the script.
Instead of giving the guy the 7.9 and walking out, Dave reached into his Santa sack, and did something George Bailey would’ve applauded. He bailed the guy out. To the tune of $60,000. That’s not a typo. Sixty grand to cover (I assume) the liquor license, rent, and then some.
And it seems like it couldn’t have happened to a better person.
Will the owner comes across like one of the nicest, jolliest, fellows you’d find anywhere. True salt of the earth, good people.
This was a Christmas miracle, delivered not by Clarence, but by the King of the One-Bite Review.
And the best part is Dave doesn’t even celebrate Christmas because, as Smitty reminded us all, he is Jewish.
If that doesn’t feel like a Hallmark movie twist, I don’t know what does.
A Jewish guy saving Christmas for a pizza shop owner?
Mazel tov, indeed.
In It’s a Wonderful Life, George Bailey realizes he’s not as alone as he thinks.
That every kind act, every person he’s touched, ripples out in ways he never imagined.
Dave’s act of kindness wasn’t just about saving a business. It was about reminding all of us that there’s power in showing up for each other.
Yeah, sure, Dave’s “angel wings” might look more like a hunched back and arched neck (from blogging a million hours back in the day), and his version of Clarence is an assistant named Austin who carries the camera, but the result is the same. A man who thought his dream was dead now has a second chance, all because someone took a moment to care.
So this holiday season, let’s remember the lessons of both George Bailey and Dave Portnoy: The smallest places, the smallest gestures, can make the biggest difference.
And if you’re ever doubting the power of humanity, or listening to some clown bad mouth Barstool and/or Dave, remember this story. This is why I’m so proud to work for this company. Inside the rough exterior, and nonchalant about basically everything attitude, Dave is a big softie.
He’s like the Grinch after his heart grew 3 sizes.
Everybody who works for this company, and who supports it, should feel proud. This is the kind of stuff that matters.
I’ll put a bow on this and wrap up saying that, as George Bailey, and now Dave Portnoy, have proven, no man is a failure who has friends. And no pizza shop is doomed when Portnoy shows up.
Merry Christmas everybody!
P.s.- if you’re interested in helping Will and Tiny Brick Oven Pizzeria out, here’s their donation page.
P.p.s.- I saw that Towson pennant hanging in Will’s window and immediately got ‘Nam-like flashbacks to our Blackout shows at the Recher Theater. What a wild school that was. Those parties were bonkers.
P.p..p.s. - I fully understand the need to regulate the license process for establishments being allowed to sell beer and liquor. But these city government officials have zero clue the damage their laziness and bureaucracy cause to everyday people. The time and cost of a liquor license application process is crippling to some mom and pop businesses. They can’t afford not only the fees, but also the attorney expenses they’re forced to accrue because the process in some municipalities is so insane. There’s sadly way too many Will’s out there who are trying to follow their dream, own their own business, and support their communities, only to be railroaded by idiotic policies.
P.p.s. - what a wild turn of events for Will. One day he’s contemplating what he’s going to do after he closes shop. The next day he has Bill freaking Ackman soliciting the Maryland Governor and fundraising for him online.
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