Dupage Policy Journal

Pizza and politics are colliding in DuPage County, where the owner of Pie Life Pizzeria, Joe Smith, is facing backlash for social media posts in which he calls Republicans “racists” and glorifies political violence against conservatives. 

Pie Life Pizzeria, which has locations in Glen Ellyn and Carol Stream, posted one of anti-conservative messages on its Facebook page last week. 

“Turns out organizing to defeat the racist Republicans is super popular!!” Pie Life Pizzeria said on Facebook. 

Joe Smith, owner of Pie Life Pizzeria and supporter of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who has praised the moral authority of Louis Farrakhan, a known anti-Semite whose rhetoric promotes anti-Semitism, stands in front of a Palestinian flag. | Facebook / Joe Smith

The post was a reference to Smith's support for State Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). 

The Facebook page, which aligns the pizzeria's brand with leftist political causes, also highlights the submission of over 100 signatures backing Villa's campaign for State Comptroller.

This is the second post linked to Smith in recent weeks courting leftist radicalism and condemning the political right.  

On Sept. 12, just two days after the assassination of native Illinoisan and outspoken conservative Charlie Kirk at an event at a Utah university, Smith made a post referencing the killing.

“Play nazi games win nazi prizes,” Smith posted on his personal Facebook account. 

The top image on Smith’s Facebook page at the time was a photo of a woman holding an assault rifle. 

The Milton Township Republican Organization shared their reaction on Facebook.  

“Everyone Meet Joe. Joe owns ‘Pie life pizzeria’ on Roosevelt Rd in Glen Ellyn. Joe has a lot of opinions and loves airing them on social media," the Milton Township Republican Organization said on Facebook. "Well, we want to help make sure Joe gets his message out to the folks of Glen Ellyn so they know what he stands for.” 

Smith’s latest post garnered hundreds of reactions and comments, the overwhelming majority negative, with many longtime customers criticizing the business for alienating a large portion of its customer base based on political affiliation.

“I came to this Facebook page today to see their menu and after reading all of this I am completely turned off! No thank you, I’ll find somewhere else,” Barbara Dwyer wrote on Pie Life’s Facebook post.

With DuPage County’s demographic and political makeup nearly evenly split, observers are questioning why Smith chose to make political statements from his business account.

Talia Leuzzi Micek, who identified herself as a loyal customer and fellow business owner, expressed disappointment in the move. 

“As someone who is Republican I take extreme offense to this,” Micek wrote. “How could you isolate half of your customer base?!? as a business owner myself, It really breaks my heart because I would never go posting things like this for my clients to see. I love all my clients and have equal respect for them, regardless of which party they identify with. And this kind of rhetoric right here is what is exactly Wrong with this country at the moment. I’m truly sad that I can’t support this anymore.” 

Another former supporter, Jen Grant O’Shea, criticized the post as self-destructive. 

“I don’t understand. You’re taking your business down all on your own,” O’Shea wrote. 

“This is the most bizarre behavior I have ever seen from a small business owner. You do realize our country is pretty much split republican/democrat 50/50, right? The hate and bigotry you post is very telling though. Your opinions are just that, they are not truths. Why you continue to choose to post these things publicly, when you have a business that relies on customers of all political affiliations absolutely baffles me. If your business suffers as a result, you have only ONE person to blame, not an entire political party. You have made yourself such a polarizing figure, and posting all of this under your business’ name, it’s just unbelievable.” 

Regarding the county’s political divide as described by O’Shea, President Donald Trump received more votes in DuPage County during the 2024 presidential election than Gov. J.B. Pritzker did in his 2022 re-election bid. According to official county results, Trump earned 191,243 votes in 2024, compared to Pritzker’s 190,601 in 2022.

Eric Vollbrecht said the post was not only offensive but also historically tone-deaf, pointing to his own family's immigrant experience as a contrast to the rhetoric. 

“So disappointed in you Joe I'm a Republican and I'm not a racist,” Vollbrecht wrote. “Democracy Democrats don't even know what democracy is. My grandparents came here on Ellis Island legally and had to take all kinds of tests to make sure they weren't a health threat and prove that they had something to offer for the United States and they did everything through legal channels.” 

Michael Gar wrote a measured but firm rebuke. 

“I’m disappointed to see a local business publicly insult and stereotype a large group of people,” Gar wrote. “Regardless of anyone’s political views, labeling all Republicans as racists is unfair and divisive. I’ve always supported local restaurants like yours, but this kind of rhetoric alienates half your potential customers and takes away from what should bring the Glen Ellyn community together — good food and good people.” 

Some reactions were even more blunt.

“WTF!! Stick to pizza!!” Peter Sample wrote. 

Mimi Ivancevic-Hollis said the post changed her entire perception of the restaurant. 

“I bragged about your Pizza to our friends and family however hearing your political nonsense is a turn off. You lost us!” Ivancevic-Hollis wrote. 

Others mocked the business or referenced past behavior.

In a now-defunct 2020 GoFundMe campaign, Smith, solicited $500 “loans” from supporters to fund a pizza shop in Galway, Ireland, after closing his U.S. location for "health and personal" reasons. The campaign ultimately failed. 

James Duda mocked the post and referenced the owner’s rumored past plans to leave the country. 

“You must be planning to move to Ireland again with this goofy behavior on Facebook,” Duda wrote. “One things for sure. I won't be taking any more trips to Glen Ellyn for your pizza and won't recommend it anymore. See ya, Comrade.” 

Rob Konzelman, who called himself a supporter of the business for seven years, said the recent posts crossed a line. 

“Joe you know I have been such a supporter of your businesses for 7 years,” Konzelman wrote. “No one has brought you more trickle down business than I have. But these posts are taking things way too far. I'm all for you having your opinions and standing up for what you believe but that's not what this is anymore.” 

However, not all comments were negative. One enthusiastic supporter, Shae Panek, said she still fully backs the business.

“I love you guys so much!!! Literally the coolest pizza place EVER!!!!” Panek wrote. 

Another, Mike Witkus, defended the pizzeria with a taunting tone aimed at departing customers. 

“For all those leaving... I'm sure McCankels will serve u all well if you keep licking his salty toes!” Witkus wrote. “Fight.. Fight.. Fight... Joe!!!” 

Pie Life Pizzeria, whose tagline is “Jersey Pizza at its best!” has not responded publicly to the criticism. The post in question remains live on its Facebook page.

Pie Life Pizzeria operates two locations in DuPage County, one at 430 Roosevelt Road in Glen Ellyn, and the other at 541 Schmale Road in Carol Stream.

Smith's Facebook page also features images of him picketing alongside supporters of Democrat New Jersey gubernatorial candidate, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.

Baraka, long criticized for his ties to Black nationalist Louis Farrakhan, reignited controversy after being arrested during a protest at a Newark ICE facility he had pledged to shut down.

Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, has repeatedly delivered incendiary sermons condemning white people and Jews, blaming Jews for global conspiracies, the slave trade, and societal decay, while celebrating the "natural death of the white race," rhetoric.

Baraka, who once praised Farrakhan’s “moral authority,” has drawn scrutiny for comparing federal immigration enforcement to slave-catching, rhetoric consistent with far-left politics.