Dave Portnoy, the well-known figure behind Barstool Sports’ pizza reviews, recently visited Krust Kitchen in Madison, New Jersey. The restaurant, which only had three reviews on the app at the time, drew Portnoy’s attention for its unique offerings and the passion of its staff.
During his visit, Portnoy highlighted Krust Kitchen’s bar pie, known for its exceptionally thin crust. He described the pizza as “thinny thin,” a style he seems to have expected from previous experiences. Although he appreciated the overall quality of the pie, he noted that the pizza could have used more crispness to reach its full potential. Despite this, he gave the pizza a fair score of 7.3 out of 10.
Keith Fielding, the general manager and chef, took the opportunity to introduce Portnoy to the restaurant’s broader menu and philosophy. Fielding emphasized that Krust Kitchen is a micro-business that values quality over quantity. He shared that 90% of their dishes are made from scratch and mentioned some of the restaurant’s specialty pizzas, including Detroit-style and Chicago deep dish. Fielding’s commitment to maintaining the authenticity and quality of their offerings reflects the restaurant’s dedication to culinary excellence.
The conversation also touched on the restaurant’s efforts to innovate while preserving traditional flavors, which is evident in their use of original recipes like the cheso and clams pizza. Fielding’s approach to maintaining food quality—testing different versions and transportation scenarios—demonstrates their meticulous attention to detail.
Portnoy’s review, although focused on the pizza, also captured the essence of Krust Kitchen’s operation and its place within the local community. His interactions with Fielding provided viewers with a deeper understanding of the restaurant’s goals and challenges, making this visit about more than just food—it was a glimpse into the heart of a small business striving to make a significant impact in a competitive culinary scene.