Since 1978, Golden Boy Pizza in North Beach has been serving up its thick crust, focaccia-bread pizza by the sheet and by the slice. It’s become a regional success with locations in Berkeley and San Ramon, but the Green Street location is the original. 

There isn’t anything fancy about this small, old-school pizza joint — it’s cash-only, just a few tables, and nothing except pizza on the menu — but locals say what brings them back again and again is the simple quality of the pies. The pizza comes in just a handful of varieties: plain cheese, pepperoni, sausage, veggie pesto, combo, and the restaurant’s signature clam and garlic. There’s also a selection of draft beers available by the pint or the pitcher.  Keep in mind that this place is popular and so there’s often be a line, but the staff has a handle on how to keep things moving, so you won’t need to wait too long.