Dave Portnoy's Tampa Pizza Tour: The Definitive Ranking Of The Top 5 'One Bite' Scores
Dave Portnoy's highly anticipated "One Bite" pizza tour of the Tampa Bay area delivered a seismic shock to the local food scene, with the controversial Barstool Sports founder reviewing over 20 pizzerias in a concentrated burst. The reviews, which took place in late 2024 and early 2025, confirmed that the region has a surprisingly competitive pizza landscape, with "El Pres" handing out some respectable scores and sparking the immediate "Portnoy Effect" for the lucky winners. This deep-dive article provides the freshest look at the definitive rankings, the key commentary from Portnoy himself, and the dramatic impact his ratings had on the Tampa and St. Pete pizza community.
The "One Bite" rating system, famous for its ruthless honesty and decimal-point precision, saw a few Tampa establishments rise to the top, proving that the Bay Area can hang with some of the best pizza cities in the country. From Safety Harbor to South Tampa, Portnoy's visit was a masterclass in generating buzz, leaving a trail of both ecstatic owners and disappointed competitors. The scores below are the most current and official ratings as logged on the One Bite App.
Dave Portnoy's Tampa Pizza Tour: The Top-Rated Pizzerias
The Tampa Bay area, encompassing Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Safety Harbor, saw a flurry of activity during Portnoy's visit. While the average score hovered in the mid-6s, a select few pizzerias managed to break into the coveted 7s and 8s, earning the highest marks and instant national recognition. The following list details the highest scores from the tour, with the top spot achieving a score that put it among the best in Florida.
- The Nona Slice House (Safety Harbor, FL): 8.1
- Forbici Modern Italian (Tampa, FL): 7.9
- Santoro's Pizzeria (St. Petersburg, FL): 7.8
- Pizza Box (Tampa, FL): 7.8
- Madison Avenue Pizza (Dunedin, FL): 7.7
- Piper's Scratch Pizza Shop (Largo, FL): 7.6
- DiGiorgio's Pizzeria (Clearwater, FL): 7.5
- Marina's Pizza and Pasta (Tampa, FL): 7.5
- Brooklyn Pizza Company (Tampa, FL): 7.4
- Il Panificio (Sarasota, FL): 7.4
The undisputed champion of the Tampa Bay tour was The Nona Slice House in Safety Harbor. Owner and World Pizza Champion Jamie Culliton presented Portnoy with an "Old World Pizza Margherita," which Portnoy proclaimed to be "by far the better slice" and a pizza that delivered a near-perfect experience. The score of 8.1 is considered elite in the "One Bite" universe, instantly catapulting the Safety Harbor spot onto the national pizza map and demonstrating the high quality of their award-winning recipes.
The Contenders: Commentary on the High Scorers
The pizzerias that earned high marks all shared common characteristics that Portnoy consistently praises: a great crust, minimal "flop," and a balanced ratio of sauce, cheese, and oil. The reviews provided specific, in-depth commentary that gives aspiring pizza makers a blueprint for success in the eyes of "El Pres."
Forbici Modern Italian, a popular Tampa spot, secured the second-highest score with a very respectable 7.9. Portnoy's review highlighted the quality ingredients and excellent crispness of the crust, often a make-or-break factor in his ratings. The high score for Forbici firmly established it as one of the must-try pizza destinations in the city, especially for those who appreciate a more upscale, modern Italian approach to the classic slice.
Both Santoro's Pizzeria in St. Pete and Pizza Box in Tampa tied with a strong 7.8. Santoro's is known for its New York-style pizza, and the score suggests Portnoy found a slice that truly reminded him of the Northeast. Pizza Box, on the other hand, is a local favorite that saw its popularity skyrocket overnight following the review, a testament to the "Portnoy Effect."
The Bottom of the Barrel: Scores Under 7.0
No "One Bite" tour is complete without a few scores in the dreaded 5s and 6s, which Portnoy often reserves for slices he deems average or below. These lower scores, while sometimes controversial, are crucial for providing context to the higher rankings and defining the overall quality of the local pizza scene.
One of the lowest scores went to Joey Brooklyn's Famous Pizza Kitchen, which received a 5.9. Scores in the 5s typically indicate a fundamental flaw in the pizza, such as a soggy crust, bland sauce, or poor cheese quality. Other establishments that received scores in the low-to-mid 6s included Sally O'Neals Pizza Hotline (6.1), Lee's Grocery (6.3), and Palazzo Pizza (6.4).
Portnoy's critical feedback often centered on the "flop" (how much the tip of the slice droops), the texture of the dough, and the overall balance of flavor. A score below 6.5 suggests a standard, serviceable slice that lacks the "wow" factor or has a significant structural issue. For these pizzerias, the review serves as a public challenge to improve their product, even if the immediate publicity still brings in new customers curious to judge for themselves.
The Portnoy Effect: The Impact on Tampa Bay Pizza Culture
The arrival of Dave Portnoy and his "One Bite" camera crew had an immediate and profound impact on the Tampa Bay pizza scene. This phenomenon, known as the "Portnoy Effect," results in an instant, massive surge in business for the reviewed pizzerias, especially those that receive a high score.
For places like The Nona Slice House and Forbici, the high scores meant lines out the door and a dramatic increase in online orders. The publicity extends far beyond the local area, as millions of people follow the Barstool Sports brand and the One Bite App. Pizzerias are often forced to hire new staff, order more ingredients, and even temporarily adjust their hours to cope with the sudden influx of "El Pres" fans seeking the highly-rated slice.
The tour also generated significant discussion among local pizza aficionados. The reviews sparked debates on social media about whether Portnoy's criteria are fair, if he missed any local gems, and how the Tampa Bay pizza scene stacks up against cities like New York, Chicago, and New Haven. This increased public interest in the quality of local pizza ultimately benefits the entire culinary community, raising the bar for all competitors. The focus on specific pizza styles, such as the "Old World" and "Detroit Red Top" slices at Nona, also educated the public on the diverse options available outside of the standard New York or Neapolitan styles.
In conclusion, Dave Portnoy's Tampa pizza tour was a landmark event for the region. It highlighted the impressive quality of the top-tier establishments, most notably The Nona Slice House, while providing a viral platform for the entire local pizza ecosystem. For residents and visitors alike, the "One Bite" rankings now serve as an essential, up-to-date guide for finding the best slice in the Tampa Bay area.
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