Let’s talk pizza!! We are long overdue to cover this glorious food on our blog.
How about a food that is truly good for any occasion. Having a kid’s birthday party? Order a pizza. Watching sports? Get some pizza. Having a hot date over? Make some pizza to impress. Going out for a nice night out? Get some fancy pizza. Just finished a triumphant night of dancing and debauchery at your favorite dive (*cough* Missouri Lounge *cough*)? Treat yourself with some victorious 2am microwaved leftover pizza.
Yes, pizza is always a good choice, and the East Bay is a great place for it. You’ve got your hole in the walls like Arinell’s and Gioia’s in Berkeley. You’ve got your hoity-toity pizzas like at Chez Panisse. There’s the local chain, Extreme Pizza. You’ve got your deep dish commitments like Zachary’s and Little Star. You’ve got your classy night out pizza at Lucia’s. And you’ve got the institutions in Cheeseboard and Arizmendi.
So which is the best one? Well, as I’ve alluded to above, it depends on the occasion!
But.
If I had to pick an overall favorite out of this pack of fantastic options, there is one that comes to mind. Lanesplitters, with a location in Berkeley and another in Emeryville, brings something special to the table.
Here you will find quintessential pizza. Thin-crust, widely sliced and with fantastic toppings on a bed of just-the-right-amount of flavorful but not oily cheese layered over a delicious sauce.
Here is a pizza spot where you’ll find all the classic combinations that you would expect at a pizza joint, like the Hardtail (pepperoni and onion) and the Green Machine (green pesto, sausage, bell peppers), as well as creative offerings like the Chicane (fresh basil, sun-dried tomato, artichoke hearts) and the Baja (jalapeño, onion, sausage, bacon).
Crust talk: Lanesplitters has got their crust down to a beautiful, thin, ever-so-slightly char, giving diners a bready, crisp, easily-foldable crust. And the ends of each slice crest gently into a nice, compact roll that isn’t overly doughy and you’ll actually want to eat.
Now, let’s all agree that pizza is infinitely better when you get it hot right out of the oven, which means that you’ll be there enjoying it at the restaurant. So, what’s the scene there like?
At their original location – the Berkeley one – somehow Lanesplitters has managed to create a space that is at once delightfully grungy, with bizarre action figures lining the entrance, a cardboard motorcycle, and an array of racing paraphernalia, while still making the place – gasp – family friendly. There is a bar with lots of different on-tap brews and a TV that is just big enough to watch the game on. The rest of the dining area is spacious with high-ceilings and comforting brick walls. And what makes the Berkeley location truly a gem is its outdoor seating area. Graced with a redwood tree, this is the perfect place to enjoy a lazy late-summer lunch.
Give Lanesplitters a try but don’t sleep on all the great pizza options the Bay has to offer, either! Let us know what you think, and may the pizza be with you!
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