Amazing Takeaway Pizza in San Francisco at Tony’s Slice House

It was noon in San Francisco, and I was already rather drunk.

The best way for any story to start, right?

The day before, we’d arrived in the City by the Bay after almost two weeks of camping out, exploring deserts and national parks and cities on our TrekAmerica tour. I’d sunk into my glorious, comfortable bed at the Galleria Park Hotel; we’d taken a night tour to Alcatraz; and I’d demolished the world’s most enormous cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. It was the final day of our trip, and we’d decided to head out early…to watch an Arsenal game.

When we weren’t able to squeeze in to one of the few HEAVING Arsenal pubs in the city; we found a backup plan, and slid onto the bar stools of Tupelo. The guys at the bar put the game on for us, plied us to try the most weird and wonderful of craft beers (one of which tasted a bit like toothpaste), let me write the bar sign for the bands playing later, and undercharged us significantly on our tab. I pretty much found a (boozy) home away from home there.

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana had been recommended to us by a few people as pizza we just HAD to try in San Francisco. And if there’s pizza I have to try, you better believe this girl’s trying it.

The problem was, shortly after opening, the wait for a table was pretty ridiculous – there were piers to be explored and sea lions to watch, you see. Thankfully, there’s a counter joint takeaway version next door – Tony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Slice House offers the same tasty Tony’s goodness, without the need to wait for a table.

We emerged on wobbly legs with an armful of pizza boxes, plonking our pizza haul onto a nearby outside table.

I pulled out a huge slice of Pepperoni ($5.25 per slice), bigger than my head, and sunk my teeth in. Then swore a bit because it was *really* hot. Then revelled in the perfect thin base, covered in oozing cheese and just-the-right-side-of-greasy pepperoni. The cheese slice was equally wonderful ($5 per slice), and the chewy crusts were ideal for dipping in the tomato sauce that we ordered on the side.

We also grabbed a couple of the mini calzones, sprinkled with garlic and pepperoni in a soft dough that gave way to more stringy cheese and…yet more pepperoni. We’re simple creatures, really.

Perfectly filling and with pretty quick service, Tony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Slice House offers a great alternative if you’re not willing to wait for a table at the original Tony’s next door. Expect good flavours, a dreamy thin base, and an authentic Italian taste with an American twist.

(And it’s *really* good drunk food too…)