A Florida man has been accused of impersonating a popular pizzeria, Roman’s Pizzeria, known for receiving a positive review from Barstool Sports founder and pizza critic Dave Portnoy. Jose Marti-Alvarez, 55, allegedly falsely advertised his business in hotels in Miami Springs, tricking tourists into ordering undercooked and overpriced food.
Marti-Alvarez targeted hotels near Miami International Airport and carried out the scam for several years, damaging the reputation of Roman’s Pizzeria. Customers filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau and left negative reviews online.
Jesus Roman, the owner of Roman’s Pizzeria, first learned of the scam when upset customers came to his shop looking for the food they ordered. He has been dealing with the issue for years and has filed a police report.
Marti-Alvarez was arrested and charged with “organized scheme to defraud.” Additionally, he faces an aggravated battery charge for allegedly hitting a hotel staff member with his vehicle while trying to flee the scene.
During a court appearance, Marti-Alvarez was ordered to avoid the Days Inn where the incident occurred. Roman had a message for the accused, urging him to do things correctly if he chooses to engage in such activities.
Portnoy rated Roman’s Pizzeria and praised the plain cheese pizza, calling it a “solid 7.4.” He highlighted the fresh and light crust, making it a perfect choice for football watching on Sundays. The pizza received high praise from the renowned pizza connoisseur.
