'Candidly, we made a mistake' | &pizza removes controversial 'Marion Berry Knots' from menu

WASHINGTON — A D.C. pizza chain has removed a controversial dessert amid a backlash over what some say was an inappropriate reference to the late D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. 

The restaurant, &pizza, announced the dessert, "Marion Berry Knots," earlier this month and captured D.C.'s attention ─ not for the flavor but its tagline, which appeared to make fun of Barry's 1990 drug arrest:

The Marion Berry Knots have enough powdered sugar to have customers "bumping elbows to order — and even force the DEA to look twice."

Barry passed away in 2014, so many felt the comment insensitive and led to some calling for a boycott. On Wednesday, there was a protest outside an &pizza protest outside a location in D.C. Later in the day, the pizza chain removed the dessert item and apologized. 

"Candidly, we made a mistake," said &pizza CEO Mike Burns in a letter to the public. "And for that, we sincerely apologize." 

Burns further explained that &pizza stands for philanthropy, activism, and societal betterment in the communities they serve and that the dessert was meant to be humorous, not insensitive. 

"While humor was our intent, it was regrettably off the mark," Burns wrote. "We're an edgy brand known for being risk-takers. The parody of the former Mayor and portrayal of substance abuse was wrong. "

After hearing feedback from people on social media, Burns apologized for the hurt and frustration &pizza caused, especially to the Barry family. 

"We recognize his impact on the District and greater Capital area and understand why his legacy remains as strong as it is today," the letter reads.

Burns says the pizza chain is reaching out to community leaders with the goal of working together to create a positive impact. 

"Again, we apologize. We have nothing but love for D.C., which we consider the greatest city in the world," Burns said. "Trust that &pizza hears you and we will do better."