Dave Portnoy & Ann Michael Maye's Pizza Review Increased Business SO Much That Gianni's Deli Had To Double The Staff To Keep Up With Demand? And Their Owner Is The Sweetest Woman Alive Who's Been Living In A Hotel Due To Damaged Pipes? LFG!
Folks, the 25 Days of Bakemas might be over... But the season of giving is STILL going strong thanks to Ann Michael Maye & a very tall Fearless Leader/Tastemaker named Dave Portnoy. For the uninitiated, he's the #1 alpha/jackhammer of sports media and truthfully, the most honest man I know. Not to mention the most influential Patriots fan in NFL history!
Not too shabby for a kid from Swampscott.
So when he teams up with Drake Maye's superstar chef wife for a multi-video crossover event, you better believe it's gonna put asses in seats. Specifically in this case, asses in a massive line for pizza that's absolutely worth the wait. Along with an A+ chicken parm sandwich and an even better backstory.
Shout out to Gianni's Deli in Needham, MA!
And ALL HAIL THE KING & QUEEN OF NEW ENGLAND!!
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(CBS) - The Barstool Sports founder rated Gianni's a 7.7, which he said on his scale is a very strong score. Ann Michael Maye gave the pizza an 8.1.
Aida Agayby, owner of Gianni's, said the video was filmed on Christmas Eve. She said she had no idea who Portnoy was when the large group came in, asking for just one cheese pizza and two plates. "When he go out, my customer told me 'You don't know this guy?' I said no. He told me, 'This guy is a big, big shot. He's famous.' I said, I don't know, but I am going to apologize," Agayby said.
After the video hit the internet, a business boom followed. Agayby's niece posted a plea for help on social media.
"Their shop was recently visited by Dave Portnoy for a pizza review, and since then the response has been overwhelming – in the best possible way," the post read. "They have always operated the business on their own, but due to the sudden and significant increase in demand, they are in urgent need of additional help." Agayby said everyone in her family has come in to help in the days after the pizza review was published, including her son who works at Boston Children's Hospital. It usually is only three people running the shop, but in recent days has been up to eight.
"Crazy. We're slammed. Two days after he posted the video Thursday night at 7:30 … After that, the phone never ends," she said. The pizza shop owner said the increase in business has been a welcome sight for her. She recently had to move out of her home due to water damage from a damaged pipe. She's been dealing with insurance, living in a hotel and paying month-to-month. "I got a little sad, not upset. Because, God can you do something? Then Christmas Eve, this guy came to me like God sent something for me," Agayby said.
Gianni's has been in Needham for 25 years. It is located on Highland Ave. in Needham Heights.
Giphy Images.Now obviously this is nothing new for Dave Portnoy, he's already saved small businesses in droves of hundreds, and thousands. Frankly I'm not sure his heart could get any more bigger by this point. He's truly the living embodiment of CHOOSE LOVE. Inspiring to see.
And a good reminder to check your texts.
But also great to see Ann Michael "Drake Maye" Maye already creating such a tight bond with the New England faithful. I can't recall ever seeing Gisele in Needham, not once. Nice to finally have a true Queen Of The North in the building. Check out her TIkTok if you haven't seen her baking videos yet. Banger recipes ONLY.
So if you're ever around the Boston area, head over to Needham kid and treat yourself to the best of Gianni's Deli. Can't expect every One Bite Pizza Review to change lives for the better but if anyone deserves it, it's Aida Agayby. A rare soul who doesn't get lost in the toxic mess of the internet, exudes humble greatness, and raised 3 kids who went into healthcare.
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She deserves endless positive comments and a vacation in paradise.
Goddamn model American if you ask me. Everybody knows the rules. Once again let's say it together now, THANK YOU DAVE PORTNOY! YOUR SURFER HAIR LOOKS GREAT TODAY!!