Store Proposes 'Free Pizza for Life' Game to Customers Who Leave Star Rating Terror

"Pizza is just flour and water but too expensive" complaint
Game rule: Make pizza with 1ℓ water and 1kg flour

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A pizza shop in Argentina with a long history cleverly responded to a customer who left malicious reviews along with a star rating attack, gaining enthusiastic support from netizens.

On the 22nd (local time), the Argentine daily La Naci?n reported that on the 20th, a customer named Claudio visited Apia Pizza located in Rosario, Argentina, and left a review on Google. In his review, accompanied by only one star, he complained, "Pizza is basically just flour and water, yet it costs 2000 pesos (about 6600 won) per serving. This is nothing short of armed robbery."

Although it could have been upsetting, the shop owner did not lose their sense of humor and responded in an extraordinary way. After capturing Claudio's post, they uploaded it to the shop's social media and invited him to play a game. Apia said, "Claudio, if you want, we propose a game, and if you succeed, we promise to provide free pizza for life." They then explained the rules of the game.

A photo of flour and water posted on SNS by Apia Pizza Shop in Argentina. It says "For Claudio."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

That evening, they prepared 1 liter of water and 1 kilogram of flour, and Claudio was to come to the shop and make the pizza he wanted within one hour. However, as he wrote in his review, he had to make the pizza using only flour and water, and there were several other conditions.

"You must not add any ingredients other than flour and water, and you cannot use staff, firewood, electricity, or gas. You cannot put sauce or mozzarella cheese on the pizza dough. Also, don't think about building a shop that has lasted 58 years or buying an oven."

The pizza shop owner cleverly explained that their shop has a long tradition of 58 years, that pizza contains various ingredients, and that running a shop involves additional expenses. They also posted a photo of the prepared flour and water. They concluded the post by saying, "If this comment offends you, we apologize, but for us who have been making the world's best pizza for 58 years, this is a sensitive matter. If you are curious about how we make pizza and why the price is what it is, please come to our shop anytime. See you in the evening." Netizens sent tens of thousands of hearts to this post, supporting the pizza shop. As of the 23rd, the post has about 2.45 million views.

On the day of the game, Claudio never showed up. In response, the pizza shop continued the 'Claudio Discount Event' instead of the game. Apia offered a 15% discount to customers who ordered pizza under Claudio's name until midnight that day.