The Third Annual One Bite Pizza Festival Is Tomorrow And The Lineup Is Stacked
When the first One Bite Pizza Fest launched two years ago, it was little more than a crazy idea cooked up by Portnoy and the Barstool team. Let's bring his famous pizza reviews to life and gather the best pizzerias under one roof for a one-day bacchanal.
No small feat to pull off.
After all, we're talking about some pizzerias that have been cooking out of the same ovens for close to 100 years. You can't necessarily transport those.
But where there's a will, there's a way.
And the magicians behind the Medium Rare event production company, and the Barstool production team pulled it off.
The debut event was pure madness in the best way. An estimated 4,000 attendees packed into a Coney Island farm league baseball stadium, crashing the local subway station with a sea of Portnoy merch and pizza boxes. It was a fucking monsoon outside but that didn't stop people from coming out and packing the place. Social feeds were flooded with clips of Portnoy’s live reviews, and a live performance by the up-and-coming Teddy Swims, made for a memorable afternoon.
Last year, the festival doubled in size. With over 20 participating vendors and attendance exceeding 10,000, it became a legitimate force in the food industry. They ran it in two "sessions", and both of them were slammed. I've never seen anything like it.
This year, Portnoy promises it’ll top them all- more pizza, more entertainment, and more surprises. “We wanted to build something that feels like the Woodstock of pizza,” Portnoy has said (half-jokingly, but only half). Mission accomplished.
And I think he's going to actually pull it off.
I mean look at this lineup.
Here are some of my personal favorites I've tried - these are the heavy hitters you’ll want to prioritize as you map out your tasting route. Bring an appetite.
Di Fara Pizza - Midwood, Brooklyn
The crown jewel of Brooklyn pizza. For decades, the late Dom DeMarco hand-crafted each pie himself, and that spirit lives on. Their legendary square slice has a caramelized crust edge that crunches like a potato chip, topped with imported San Marzano tomatoes, fresh basil, and hand-shaved cheese. It’s a slice that’s practically a religious experience. This is my favorite spot in NYC. It's a bitch to get to, but it's always worth the trip.
John’s of Bleecker Street - West Village, Manhattan
A piece of NYC pizza history. Since 1929, John’s has been slinging coal-fired pies from its original West Village location. Their blistered crust, smoky flavor, and no-nonsense vibe make this booth a must-visit for anyone craving old-school authenticity. This is the most consistently elite pizza you can semi-easily get your hands on in NYC.
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana - New Haven, CT
The birthplace of New Haven-style “apizza” and one of the most revered pizzerias in America. Their white clam pizza is legendary- briny, garlicky, and unlike anything else at the festival. Expect long lines and rave reviews from anyone lucky enough to score a slice. This is my favorite pizza I've had outside of Italy.
Lucali - Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
Known for its whisper-thin crust and perfectly balanced toppings, Lucali is as much about atmosphere as flavor. Their simple margherita with fresh basil and rich olive oil is proof that less is more. Last year, they sold out by mid-afternoon because if you try to go here in Brooklyn, you wait upwards of 4 hours. It's truly remarkable that Dave gets Mark, the owner of Lucali, to take a day off from making pizza for Hollywood celebrities and world-class athletes (he's essentially a celebrity himself), and show up at this event to sling pies all day. I'm telling you this event is no joke.
Ceres - Staten Island, NY
Ceres brings Staten Island swagger with a dough recipe passed down through generations. Their vodka sauce pie is the real star: creamy, tangy, and addictive, especially when paired with their house-made garlic knots. This is the new talk of the town hot spot everybody is raving about.
Joe & Pat’s Pizzeria - Staten Island, NY
A Staten Island staple since 1960, Joe & Pat’s is beloved for its ultra-thin, crisp crust and perfectly balanced sauce-to-cheese ratio. Their “Tri-Color” pizza-a blend of pesto, vodka, and marinara sauces-will be one of the most colorful, Instagram-worthy slices at the fest.
Modern Apizza - New Haven, CT
One of the “big three” of New Haven’s legendary pizza scene. Their Italian Bomb pie is a meat-lover’s dream, loaded with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, and more. Modern’s slightly chewy, wood-fired crust makes every bite a masterclass in balance and texture.
Sally’s Apizza - New Haven, CT
A fierce rival to Frank Pepe, Sally’s is known for its charred, thin-crust pies and deeply flavorful sauce. Their classic tomato pie is simplicity perfected- a humble yet transcendent slice that defines the New Haven style. People in this country really don't eat them like they do overseas, but if that's your jam, you really can't find a better one than Sally's.
Prince Street Pizza - Nolita, Manhattan
Home to the internet-famous spicy pepperoni square. With perfectly crisped cups of pepperoni and a thick, pillowy crust, this slice is practically made for Instagram. They've expanded like crazy nation-wide but I don't care if you've tried them in a non-NYC location. None of them even come close to the OG.
Regina Pizza - Boston, MA
The queen of Boston's North End. A taste of Boston right in the heart of NYC. Regina’s pies feature a chewy, slightly sweet crust topped with tangy sauce and high-quality cheese. Their booth is a must for anyone curious about how Beantown does pizza.
Brooklyn Square Pizza - Jackson, NJ
We actually just had this place twice when the catered for us on the Beach House. They are known for their “Grandma” square pies, Brooklyn Square brings the New Jersey flavor in a big way. Their signature square pie layers cheese beneath sauce for a gooey, decadent bite with perfectly crisp edges.
Fredi the Pizzaman - Melvindale, MI
Representing Detroit, this (and Loui's) are a must for me to visit when I'm up in Detroit visiting my friends from college. Fredi’s thick, airy, caramelized-crust squares are a masterclass in comfort food. He has perfected the slight-char down to a science. Look for his signature pepperoni pie, with those iconic crispy, curled edges.
Santillo’s Brick Oven Pizza - Elizabeth, NJ
This is the real guinea shit. Santillo’s is old-school to the core, with a century-old brick oven that gives every pie a smoky, one-of-a-kind flavor. Their giant 20-inch pizzas will be cut into perfect tasting slices for festival-goers. Al stole the show last year when Dave brought him up on stage and told him he was donating all proceeds to the rebuilding of his pizzeria which burnt down earlier last year. He documented rebuilding his oven, brick by brick, on their instagram and it's amazing.
ZaZa’s Pizzeria - Chicago, IL
Chicago’s not just about deep dish, and ZaZa’s proves it. Known for their thin, east coast style pies, they (and Jimmy's) are the only two spots in Chicago that come close to pizza from back home. The family who owns and operates Zazas are the fucking greatest people and their booth will be a crowd favorite for anyone looking to taste the Midwest’s best.
Pizza’Amici - Chicago, IL
A rising star in the suburban pizza world, Pizza’Amici specializes in Chicago tavern style. My good friends Billy and Cecily Federighi own and run this place and it's become one of the hardest reservations in Chicago in just a few months.
Colony Grill - Stamford, CT
Another one of my favorites because of how unique it is. Colony’s ultra-thin, bar-style pies are famous for their “hot oil” topping- a spicy drizzle that turns every bite into a fiery, addictive experience. This booth will be a sleeper hit for heat seekers.
Borelli’s - East Meadow, NY
Shameless plug for Frankie's old man's spot. A Long Island classic known for hearty, family-style pies. Their meatball parm slice is comfort food at its finest, delivering nostalgia and flavor in every bite. I've sadly still only got to try it at these past fests. I really need to hit the restaurant and have everything on the menu.
Whether you’re a hardcore pizza disciple or just someone who loves a good day out, this year’s One Bite Pizza Fest is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience.
Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Time: The afternoon session runs 12:30-4:30. The evening session runs 5:30- 9:30
Location: Randall's Island, NY
Tickets: Available Here General admission includes 5 tasting tokens; VIP passes include early entry and exclusive merch. Previous years sold out in advance, so don’t wait.
Crowd Size: Expected attendance of 10,000+.
Transportation: Subway highly recommended; limited parking nearby.
Family Friendly: Kids under 10 enter free with adult ticket holder.
Food Allergies: Gluten-free and vegetarian options available at select booths; inquire directly with vendors.
Pricing: Additional tasting tokens available for purchase, $5 per slice.
Social Media: Follow @stoolpresidente and @OneBitePizzaFest for live updates, vendor reveals, and surprise pop-ups.
The weather also looks freaking perfect.
Beyond the pizza, attendees can expect live music, DJ sets, and a photo booth designed like Portnoy’s infamous review backdrop. Rumors are swirling about a surprise celebrity guest or two, and if past years are any indication, there will be plenty of memorable moments caught on camera.