A behind-the-scenes look at Dave Portnoy's four Rhode Island pizza reviews on Thursday (2025)

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-trip pizza journey in Rhode Island Thursday, starting at Merlino's in Cranston.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-trip pizza journey in Rhode Island Thursday, starting at Merlino's in Cranston.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-trip pizza journey in Rhode Island Thursday, starting at Merlino's in Cranston.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-trip pizza journey in Rhode Island Thursday, starting at Merlino's in Cranston.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-trip pizza journey in Rhode Island Thursday, starting at Merlino's in Cranston.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy went on a four-shop tour of RI pizza places Thursday and stopped at Francesco's on Hope St. after owner Frank Schiavone got Portnoy's attention with some confident signage.

Dave Portnoy (center) poses with Francesco's Pizzeria owner Frank Schiavone (right), his wife Stephanie (left) and son Frankie.

Dave Portnoy takes a photo with passerbys outside of Francesco's Pizzeria after filming his review of the Hope St. pizza stop Thursday.

The third leg of Barstool Sports' founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy's journey in Rhode Island took him to Providence's Nice Slice, where his appearance came as a shock to employees inside.

The third leg of Barstool Sports' founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy's journey in Rhode Island took him to Providence's Nice Slice, where his appearance came as a shock to employees inside.

The third leg of Barstool Sports' founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy's journey in Rhode Island took him to Providence's Nice Slice, where his appearance came as a shock to employees inside.

The third leg of Barstool Sports' founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy's journey in Rhode Island took him to Providence's Nice Slice, where his appearance came as a shock to employees inside.

The third leg of Barstool Sports' founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy's journey in Rhode Island took him to Providence's Nice Slice, where his appearance came as a shock to employees inside.

Dave Portnoy's final stop on his RI pizza journey Thursday took him to D. Palmieri's in Johnston and while Portnoy - who prefers a "New Haven slice" - didn't enjoy the traditional RI pizza strip, owner Stephen Palmieri was quick to make him a cheese pie Portnoy enjoyed.

With traffic on Killingly Street backed up, several people pulled over to take pictures with Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy while he waited for his pizza at D. Palmieri's in Johnston Thursday.

With traffic on Killingly Street backed up, several people pulled over to take pictures with Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy while he waited for his pizza at D. Palmieri's in Johnston Thursday.

Dave Portnoy's final stop on his RI pizza journey Thursday took him to D. Palmieri's in Johnston and while Portnoy - who prefers a "New Haven slice" - didn't enjoy the traditional RI pizza strip, owner Stephen Palmieri was quick to make him a cheese pie Portnoy enjoyed.

With traffic on Killingly Street backed up, several people pulled over to take pictures with Barstool Sports founder and pizza influencer Dave Portnoy while he waited for his pizza at D. Palmieri's in Johnston Thursday.

Dave Portnoy's final stop on his RI pizza journey Thursday took him to D. Palmieri's in Johnston and while Portnoy - who prefers a "New Haven slice" - didn't enjoy the traditional RI pizza strip, owner Stephen Palmieri was quick to make him a cheese pie Portnoy enjoyed.

Stephen Palmieri, owner of D. Palmieri's in Johnston, busts out his cell phone during Dave Portnoy's review of the restaurant Thursday afternoon.

Dave Portnoy's final stop on his RI pizza journey Thursday took him to D. Palmieri's in Johnston and while Portnoy - who prefers a "New Haven slice" - didn't enjoy the traditional RI pizza strip, owner Stephen Palmieri was quick to make him a cheese pie Portnoy enjoyed.