SFReview
photo credit: Erin Ng
Golden Boy Pizza
Included In
Even on gloomy evenings when the fog transforms your outer layers into soggy rags, you’ll find a line at Golden Boy Pizza. That’s partly because a single slice at this North Beach spot will fill you up and costs $4.50 or less. But mostly because the pizza is perfect. So when the sturdy square slice of pepperoni or clam and garlic lands in your hands, it'll probably be gone in under a minute flat.
The crust at this old-school spot (it opened in 1978) is essentially focaccia with a very crispy bottom, and there’s a lot of cheese. So much, that needing a fork and knife is a real possibility. There are also only five types of pies on the menu, available by the slice or sheet, including cheese, pesto vegetable, and a combo with sausage. Inside, punk music blares, the walls are covered with stickers, and there are a bunch of beers on tap (for now, Golden Boy is takeout-only). Misty evening or not, make your way to this slice shop. The oversized red neon finger above the storefront points the way.
photo credit: Erin Ng
Food Rundown
Pepperoni
Cheese, tomato sauce, and pepperoni cups—that’s all this pizza is topped with and that’s all it needs. We like all the pizzas here, but somehow, we always eat the pepperoni the fastest. And that’s a good sign.
Clam & Garlic
This pie tastes like ocean water and a garlic patch. Do not overlook this seafood pizza.
Combo
Sausage, pepperoni, olives, onion, mushrooms, and tomatoes make up this Golden Boy combo. After the pepperoni pizza, this one is tied with the clam and garlic for second best.
