Pizza Review: A Slice of San Francisco

San Francisco is renowned for its food scene, and pizza is no exception. As a pizza aficionado who has  lived in Brooklyn, explored New Jersey and experienced the U.S. pizza capital New Haven, I consider myself well-versed in the world of pizza. I’ve noticed that Dave Portnoy, Barstool Sports Founder who is behind the famed One Bite Pizza Reviews, has yet to venture into the pizza gems of San Francisco. Inspired by Portnoy’s reviews, I embarked on a mission to taste and rate the best pepperoni pizza slices San Francisco has to offer. This flavorful journey led me to four popular pizzerias: The Original Slice House by Tony Gemignani, Golden Boy Pizza, Square Pie Guys and Little Original Joe’s.

To rate a pizza, I first look at it. Does it look tasty? Is the cheese spread all over and nicely melted? Then, I pick up a slice to feel its weight and the firmness of the crust. I take a bite, tasting the combination of sauce, cheese and crust. I think about how delicious each part tastes and if they all work together. Then, I notice how it tastes after swallowing. A great slice makes me want another bite right away. Based on a combination of all my criteria, I give the pizza a score from 1 to 10. A perfect 10 is very rare as there is always room for improvement and a score of 10 would be the best pizza I have ever had. The goal is not just to judge, but to enjoy the pizza and appreciate the work that goes into making it.

The Original Slice House by Tony Gemignani is a beloved spot located in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood, also known as “Little Italy.” This classic pizzeria specializes in Neapolitan-style pizza, which is characterized by a thin crust, slightly charred edges  and simple toppings. I ordered a slice of pepperoni pizza and found that The Original Slice House offered a crust that hit the perfect balance between crispy and floppy. The electric sound it made upon biting into it was a symphony to my ears. The pepperonis were crispy and added depth to the pizza’s flavor profile. While it was a bit greasy, the overall taste remained outstanding, earning it a well-deserved score of 8.3/10.

Golden Boy Pizza is a legendary San Francisco institution that has been serving up square slices to the North Beach neighborhood since 1978. Golden Boy is a hole in the wall spot with limited seating, known to offer a thick focaccia-like pizza with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. This popular spot among locals faltered when it came to delivering a satisfying slice. The pepperoni pizza had an overall soggy texture which was disappointing. The lack of tomato sauce left the pizza tasting more like cheese bread than a classic pie, resulting in an underwhelming score of 5.8/10.

Square Pie Guys is a modern pizzeria with an industrial feel, located in three different locations: SOMA, Ghirardelli Square and Old Oakland. While this chain is a relatively new addition to the San Francisco pizza scene, it has quickly gained a loyal following. This chain is known for its Detroit-style pizza, which is characterized by a thick, crispy crust and rectangular shape. Upon tasting my generously topped pepperoni pizza, I was greeted with a solid crust and mouthwatering, melty cheese. The crust was fluffy and had a good consistency, making for a pleasant bite. However, the pizza fell short in terms of originality and distinctiveness, earning it a respectable but not groundbreaking score of 6.5/10.

Little Original Joe’s in the West Portal neighborhood has been around for a few years and also serves as a hip italian market offering pizza take out all day. The pepperoni pizza, a personal favorite of mine, was slightly soggy but surprisingly worked well with the rich tomato sauce. The crust, fluffy and reminiscent of sourdough bread, added an interesting twist. The charred pepperoni enhanced the overall flavor, and the tomato sauce harmoniously united all the elements, giving Little Original Joe’s a strong score of 7.9/10.

Choosing between The Original Slice House by Tony Gemignani, Golden Boy Pizza, Square Pie Guys and Little Original Joes ultimately comes down to personal preference. Each of these pizza spots has its own unique characteristics, but in my opinion, The Original Slice House by Tony Gemignani emerged as the clear winner with a score of 8.3/10. My pizza quest, inspired by Dave Portnoy’s One Bite Pizza Reviews, demonstrated that the City by the Bay possesses an impressive array of pizzerias catering to diverse tastes. I encourage both local residents and visitors to venture beyond their usual spots and explore these establishments. By doing so, they may find that their taste buds align with my discerning palate, and perhaps they will even uncover a new favorite slice in the process.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Aj Naser

AJ Naser is a junior and a writer for the Paper Tiger. He enjoys playing basketball and traveling to new places. He is passionate about making an impact in his community, doing meaningful work, and focusing his time where he can make a difference.

Latest posts by Aj Naser (see all)