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Arinell Pizza (Pizza cuisine)  $

 9
JaT Rating

509 Valencia Street, San Francisco, 94110  (Directions)


(415) 255-1303


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29 years of NY style pizza out of the Mission district


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 998
Reviewed: 6/25/2004
Rating: 8.5
My photo gallery 		Almost 30 years in business, Arinell Pizza must be something right. With a tiny pizzeria in the Mission district, most likely a late night favorite among the bar/club goers who frequent the bustling nightlife.

Ive had New York pizza before and would have to say this is probably the closest thing to authentic NY slice on the west coast. Lets do the breakdown;

Crust - Ultra thin, crust breaks when folded. Good stuff!!

Sauce - great and mixes well with the cheese and crust

Cheese - not too much, not too little.

Toppings - Pepperoni could have been more crispier...just my preference.

Arinell serves the real deal...if you're a fan of NY thin slice pizza, this is your spot. This place probably deserves a 9 for you thin crust eaters but I'm more of the fan of a thicker crust, exotic cheeses, and gourmet toppings. Either way Arinell Pizza is GOOD.
 
  RETURN VISIT for Jason! 6/25/2005 - 9 Rating: Ive been craving New York pizza for a couple of weeks now and needed to make a return visit to my favorite NY slice...Arinell. I got off work a little early and made the trek up to the Mission district. Parking is the worst in Mission and I must have circled twice around the block and finally said screw it...Im going to risk getting my car towed for a NY slice, I parked in the center lane. You're not suppose to but I didnt drive 25 mins to not get a slice.

Slice of cheese still holds strong. I think my last rating might have been a little low, but at the time, Arinell was going up against 5 other pizza places that day. If you like NY style pizza, I think Arinell is the best in the bay area but prepare to battle it out with the parking
 


Reviewer: Terry
Total Reviews: 730
Reviewed: 8/19/2004
Rating: 9.5
My photo gallery 		WOW!
I must preface this by saying I am a fan of NY slice.

I had a little trouble finding parking at lunchtime when I arrived. I eventually found a spot on a sidestreet and made the short trek to Arinells. In the future I would recommend calling for a pie ahead of time and taking a friend with you to jump out and pick it up and you drive around the block and pick him up when he's got the goods.

Anyway, I walk into the cramped place and I'm immediately feeling like I'm back in NYC. This is how pizza should be served. Maybe seating for 8 people in there, otherwise you're toting your slice elsewhere. 2 pies are waiting behind glass at the counter to be pieces out and served, both cheese. ALRIGHT. This is how it should be done. You throw the other toppings (as if anyone really needs that crap anyway) afterwards in the re-heat!!

I order my slice for $2.25 and the guy heats it up for me. After a short wait, it arrives and just by the look of things I know its at least a 9. The temp was just right, not scalding and burnt. The cheese is 100% authentic. This is the real deal folks. The sauce is pretty close to authentic. I was pleased enough with it. Tangy enough to let you know its there, but not overly runny to become a nuisance. The crust was its only failing point with me. It was a little too thin to be legit. It snapped too much. I like a little play in my crust and this didn't quite have that. If it was maybe another 1-8th inch thicker, we'd be talking 10 here. No kidding.

I have no need for additional (non cheese) toppings, no need for foo-foo ingredients, no need for fancy establishments, no need for a large menu. Just offer one thing for me to be happy: a good slice of Neopolitan pizza, lightning quick, and something I can lean against to eat it just as quick. Arinell Pizza delivers on this promise almost completely. If only we could rate a place a 9.75....
 
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jbc ate...

Cheese Slice

“Just OK, probably a 7. Certainly not worth the reputation. Granted I am a transplanted NY'er + east coaster, but I would not return to Arinell, and NY style pizza is my favorite food. ”

7/20/2007 12:43:44 AM

capnhank ate...

Cheese slice

“Ever since I was a kid in Berkeley, Arinell has served up the closest thing to a NY slice in the Bay Area. Kudos and accolades!”

10/6/2006 4:04:27 PM