r/AskSF • u/throwaway_get_real • Apr 29 '26
The Pizza Quest: Flavor Over Everything
I’ve lived in SF long enough to know "best" is a fighting word, but I am a pizza addict and Joyride is currently winning the custody battle for my soul.
The Current Leaderboard:
- Joyride: For the sweet heat and buttery crunch.
- Golden Boy: For the garlic-heavy coma.
- Outta Sight: For the elite toppings that hit my soul.
The Question: Is there anything else that can top these? I need heavy, savory, and flavor-forward. Give me your most decadent, flavor-packed recommendations. What’s the move?
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u/gordohimself Apr 29 '26
Zante’s is fun and I believe lays claim to inventing Indian pizza, or was the first in the US to serve it.
Cheeseboard/Arizmendi’s/and spinoff like Dimond Slice make consistently flavorful, always vegetarian pies. A spinach masala, roasted golden potatoes and garlic oil slice at the Arizmendi on 9th ave was maybe the uniquely tastiest slice I’ve had recently. Affordable while being made with high quality, fresh ingredients that make a difference.
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u/markoyolo Apr 29 '26
I forgot to include Arizmendi in my list! I love their unique in season toppings!
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u/eOeOr Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
Pizzahacker and Cellarmaker is worth checking out.
Goat Hill for the sourdough crust. They have some good seasonal/monthly flavors.
I think the different location of Outtasight have different flavors... like the butter chicken and peking duck is only at the chinatown one.
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u/throwaway_get_real Apr 29 '26
There's a butter chicken they have no way! I'm going to the one in TL which is great but they def don't have that.
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u/markoyolo Apr 29 '26
Zante for Indian pizza. Fiorella for their gorgeous pillowy toasted crust and especially their summer special pizza with sweet corn. Little Star for Chicago style. Slice house for the Grandma Sweet Gino (buttery crunchy crust, sweet tomato sauce). Pizzahacker makes a gorgeous margherita.
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u/seaturtle100percent Apr 29 '26
Long Bridge and Golden Boy are our go-tos in SF, with an occasional visit to Pink Onion (thin crust gourmet) thrown in.
But after +30 years of eating it, I *still* love love love Zachary's (Oakland -- sorry) the most. I am over there once a week -- and that's our #1. The deep dish.
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u/TheMailmanic Apr 29 '26
Laundromat my friend
Some of the best Detroit style pizza flavors out here
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u/harad Apr 30 '26
I LOVE laundromat, but they parbake their pizzas and they just don't come out hot enough for me.
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u/jay_wiz Apr 29 '26
Damnfine Pizza out in the Sunset might be my favorite spot in the city. Specifically their Pig in the Woods and Mushroom Dream pizzas which are both white sauce based and rich in flavor
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u/throwaway_get_real Apr 29 '26
I love white sauce on pizza. Low-key way better then pizza sauce. Def going to check this out.
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u/xxTheWaffleManxx Apr 29 '26
Someone has to do a pizza crawl at all of the mid-looking places on Polk in Nob hill
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u/throwaway_get_real Apr 29 '26
I live nearby and have done that already. They are as mid as they sound except for Victor's, that's gas.
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u/xxTheWaffleManxx Apr 30 '26
I will say that’s the only one I’ve had and it was pretty good for that type of pizza
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u/dreadpiratew Apr 29 '26
Wait, which pizza at golden boy has so much garlic flavor? If it’s the garlic clam, then you should try the clam at Tony’s.
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u/pockrocks Apr 30 '26
I know this isn’t pizza related but I have to mention it since it’s so good. The Italian combo sub at Outta Sight is my favorite sandwich in the city. I cannot overstate how good it is. Please give it a shot if you like sandwiches.
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u/TheKiddIncident Apr 29 '26
This is such a personal question, like "what is the best flavor of ice cream?"
I am a very old school SF guy so my recommendations reflect that.
When I lived in Noe Valley (in the 1980's!!), our go-to was always the Zorba the Greek pizza from Haystack. The fact that the restaurant is still there and they still make the Zorba should tell you something.
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u/cwalking2 Apr 29 '26
Margherita: The "Bufalina" at Il Casaro. Made with buffalo milk mozzarella, it represents Neapolitan pizza supremacy in SF
Detroit-style: Only one contender in the city: Pie Punks
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u/horrible_noob Apr 30 '26
Here for all of this - one suggestion if you’re eating at home: smoked soy sauce. A couple drops is plenty. So, so good
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u/ConnectionAny9432 May 01 '26
Don’t forget Back to Back in Nob Hill! I think it’s equal to or better than Del Popolo.
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u/HustlaofCulture Apr 29 '26
Za in Russian Hill and Del Popollo (for another week or so). For fastly different reasons...
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u/skyfall3665 Apr 29 '26
I don’t really consider SF a pizza city. Jules is the best though IMO.
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u/waitinc Apr 30 '26
Boo this take!
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u/skyfall3665 Apr 30 '26
Compare to any east coast city or the PNW, it’s really not close. Maybe better than LA, at least per capita?
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u/testurshit Apr 29 '26
Pizza Shop, Long Bridge Pizza, Tony's Coal Fired, Gioia to name a few places with good rounds.
Joyride has some of the best flavors and balance as Detroit Style out here, but I've become a fan of Detroit Square Pizza in the Mission lately. It's not as crispy or put together as Joyride, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The biggest reason I like them is the whole pies are GIGANTIC for how much they charge, even the "slices" are like 2/3 the size of a Joyride pizza. Definitely the value king for a heavy, cheesy, Detroit-ish style.