By Hometown Weekly Staff
A Christmas Eve visit from a Barstool Sports pizza review team has sparked a major business surge for Gianni’s Pizza in Needham Heights, according to a report by CBS Boston. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy rated Gianni’s a 7.7 in his widely followed pizza review series, calling it a “very strong score” on his scale. The pizza also received an 8.1 from Ann Michael Maye, CBS reported.
Maye is the wife of Drake Maye, quarterback for the New England Patriots, and has built a sizable following on social media. Known for lifestyle, fashion, and behind-the-scenes NFL content, she regularly posts to Instagram and TikTok.
Gianni’s owner, Aida Agayby, told CBS Boston the visit happened without her knowing who Portnoy was. She said a large group came into the shop on Christmas Eve and ordered just one cheese pizza and two plates. “When he go out, my customer told me, ‘You don’t know this guy?’ I said no,” Agayby told CBS Boston. “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.”
Once the video was posted online, the effect was immediate. Agayby said the phone began ringing nonstop as new customers flooded in. “Crazy. We’re slammed,” she told CBS Boston. “Two days after he posted the video Thursday night at 7:30 … after that, the phone never ends.”
According to CBS Boston, Agayby’s niece posted a message on social media asking for help as demand surged. “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. Gianni’s is typically run by three people, but staffing has increased to as many as eight in recent days, with family members stepping in to help — including Agayby’s son, who works at Boston Children’s Hospital.
The increase in business has come at a difficult time for Agayby personally. She told CBS Boston she recently had to move out of her home due to water damage caused by a broken pipe and has been living in a hotel while dealing with insurance issues.
“I got a little sad, not upset,” she said. “Because, God can you do something? Then Christmas Eve, this guy came to me like God sent something for me.” Gianni’s Pizza has been operating in Needham for 25 years and is located on Highland Avenue in Needham Heights.
