PARSIPPANY — One of the most recognizable figures in the pizza world made an unexpected stop in Parsippany this week.
Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports and creator of the wildly popular “One Bite” pizza reviews, visited Famiglia Pizzeria Modern Italian Kitchen on Wednesday, June 10, drawing excitement from the restaurant’s owners, staff, and customers.
Located in the Troy Hills Shopping Center at 1125 Route 46, Famiglia Pizzeria opened its doors in October 2025 and has quickly developed a loyal following for its traditional Italian dishes, specialty pizzas, and homemade desserts.
According to owner Jonathan Rodriguez, Portnoy spent approximately 30 minutes at the restaurant, taking a tour of the kitchen, meeting staff members, and sampling several menu items. In addition to trying the restaurant’s pizza, Portnoy also tasted Famiglia’s popular zeppoles, which have become a customer favorite since the restaurant opened.
Rodriguez shared the surprise visit on the restaurant’s Instagram page, describing it as “a day we won’t forget” and expressing gratitude to Portnoy for stopping by.
“We were honored to have him visit,” Rodriguez said. “It’s something you never expect, especially for a newer restaurant.”
Rodriguez believes the visit may have been sparked by a recent Instagram post featuring the restaurant that gained significant attention online.
The impact of Portnoy’s appearance was immediate. In a follow-up social media post, Famiglia reported a noticeable increase in customers, describing what many restaurant owners around the country refer to as the “Dave Portnoy effect” — a surge in business following a visit or review by the influential pizza personality.
Portnoy’s pizza reviews have amassed millions of followers and have become a powerful force in the restaurant industry, often bringing national attention to local pizzerias with a single visit.
For Famiglia Pizzeria, the unexpected stop provided a major boost just months after opening and introduced the Parsippany eatery to an even wider audience.
Famiglia Pizzeria Modern Italian Kitchen is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. and is located at 1125 Route 46 in Parsippany. Customers can view the full menu and place orders online through the restaurant’s website or stop in to try the bar pie and other specialties that caught the attention of one of America’s most influential pizza reviewers.
