Pizza Shop Owner’s Witty Responses to Bad Reviews Go Viral
In a digital age where online reviews can make or break a business, one Australian pizza shop owner has taken an unconventional approach to criticism that’s capturing attention across the internet. Ali Cengiz, the 38-year-old owner of Sunnyside Sliced in Melbourne’s southeastern suburb of Mentone, has gone viral for his cheeky, no-nonsense responses to negative reviews of his New York-style pizzeria. Rather than offering the standard apologetic business replies, Cengiz has opted for a more direct approach that has simultaneously entertained and divided the public. His journey from swearing off the pizza business to embracing it wholeheartedly reflects his passion for authentic pizza and the community he serves, while his responses to critics show his determination to protect his team and his craft.
Sunnyside Sliced represents Cengiz’s love letter to New York pizza, born from his decade of living in the Big Apple. After spending the first twenty years of his life around his family’s suburban Melbourne pizzeria—even living in the back of the establishment for a time—Cengiz initially rejected the pizza business in favor of a finance career. However, his time in New York rekindled his passion for pizza, leading him to establish Sunnyside Sliced upon his return to Australia. The pizzeria specializes in authentic New York-style pizza, offering sizeable slices at $9 AUD ($6 USD) and 18-inch whole pizzas ranging from $40-$60 AUD ($26-40 USD). These prices have become a point of contention for some customers, who have taken to online platforms to express their dissatisfaction, only to be met with Cengiz’s unfiltered comebacks.
Cengiz’s responses to negative reviews range from humorous to blunt, with quips that have captured public attention. When one customer complained about the price being “outrageous” and the pizza having “nothing special about the sauce,” Cengiz simply responded: “No more pizza for you! Lifetime ban.” Another reviewer who described their experience as “overrated” and mentioned walking away with their $9 received the retort: “I’ll pay you $9 for every step you take away from our store.” When a customer complained about a “salty” pizza and poor service, Cengiz shot back: “The pizza can’t have been as salty as your review.” These snappy responses represent what Cengiz describes as his reaction when a “line is crossed”—when criticism moves beyond constructive feedback about the food or service and becomes personal or unnecessarily harsh.
The pizza shop owner’s approach to customer feedback has sparked considerable debate among Australians who have followed the viral story. Many critics argue that his responses demonstrate poor business etiquette and fail to address legitimate customer concerns. Some social media users have suggested that his attempts at satire have missed the mark, coming across as mean-spirited rather than witty. Others have characterized his responses as “disgusting” and unprofessional, arguing that businesses should take all customer feedback seriously, even when delivered through public review platforms. The critics suggest that responding with sarcasm or dismissiveness only serves to alienate potential customers and reinforces negative perceptions of the business, regardless of whether the initial reviews were fair or accurate.
Despite the criticism, Cengiz has garnered a substantial following of supporters who appreciate his candid approach and willingness to defend his business and staff. Some fans have commented that his “sass” makes them want to visit the pizzeria regardless of the mixed reviews, suggesting his unconventional strategy might actually be an effective form of advertising. Cengiz himself maintains that he genuinely welcomes constructive criticism and prefers when customers bring issues directly to him or his management team through more private channels, such as email or in-person conversations. He draws a clear distinction between thoughtful feedback that can help improve the business and reviews that he perceives as personal attacks or unreasonably damaging. “You can be honest without being hurtful,” Cengiz notes, explaining that he holds both his team and his customers to this standard.
Behind the viral responses lies Cengiz’s deep commitment to his craft and his community. After rediscovering his passion for pizza in New York in 2020, he established Sunnyside Sliced with the intention of “sharing his story and making people happy.” Despite the long hours—hauling dough into his “lab” at 11 PM or meeting tradespeople at 5 AM—Cengiz expresses gratitude for the encouragement he receives from his community. He particularly emphasizes his responsibility to protect younger team members who might be subjected to disrespectful behavior from customers. Through both his pizza and his unapologetic online presence, Cengiz embodies a business owner who refuses to separate his personal values from his professional endeavors. Whether his approach ultimately helps or hurts his business remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: in a world of carefully crafted corporate responses, Sunnyside Sliced offers something refreshingly authentic—one slice, and one cheeky response, at a time.
