In the frenzy over blistered Neapolitan pizzas made with tomatoes blessed by a Catholic priest and quadruple zero flour, the appreciation for a plain ole cheese slice is in threat of extinction. Not to mention, when the urge strikes for a slice of hot, greasy goodness, waiting for a table at Delfina Pizzeria just won't cut it. A slice has to be fast, cheap, and in our control. (And preferably near a good dive bar.)

So who's got the best? After tasting my way through the city, I picked Tony’s Napoletana. It satisfies all cheese pizza requirements: Oozy mozzarella, tangy tomato sauce, a flavorful, chewy crust and a forbidden—yet delicious—trickle of grease.Very close runner-up: Arinell’s. Classic fold-and-go slices that hit the spot every time. Plus, pizza just tastes better with punk rock.

TONY'S PIZZA NAPOLETANA/ITALIAN SLICE HOUSE(North Beach) (photo above)
1570 Stockton St.,
415-835-9888The most “gourmet” of the bunch, with a coal-fired oven cranking out New York, Sicilian, Detroit, and Romana-style slices.
Cheese to sauce ratio: Very saucy. Bright and fresh-tasting.
Grease factor
: High. This one’s a blotter.
Crust
: Soft in the middle (you’ll need two hands), with a pleasing note of smoke.

ARINELL PIZZA (Mission)
509 Valencia St., 415-255-1303

This hole-in-the wall serves up NY-style slices with plenty of attitude and a blaring soundtrack. Purely a to-go joint, there's no chairs or tables.
Cheese to sauce ratio
: Proportional. Just the right amount of both, and the sauce has a pleasant tang.
Grease factor
: Medium.
Crust
: Crispy and thin, yet durable enough to fold.

GOLDEN BOY (North Beach)
542 Green St., 415-982-9738

You can’t miss the line snaking out of this beloved late-night haunt, a favorite of North Beach bar-goers. Speaking to the shape of their slice, their motto is "It's Hip to be Square." Ask for a corner.
Cheese to sauce ratio
: Heavy on the cheese, but the seasoned sauce cuts through.
Grease factor
: Low.
Crust
: Sicilian-style and reminiscent of focaccia. Great crunch.

ZA GOURMET PIZZA(Russian Hill)
1919 Hyde St., 415-771-3100

A cozy neighborhood joint with a distinct Mom-and-Pop vibe. This is where you’d bring the kids. Gourmet in this case doesn't mean San Marzano tomatoes
C
heese to sauce ratio: Proportional.The sauce is tart but slightly sweet.
Grease factor
: Medium.
Crust
: Thin, crispy, and cornmeal-dusted.

NIZARIO'S(Castro)
4077 18th St., 415-487-0777

One of the many locations of this pizza joint, the nondescript space is quiet in the afternoon but bumping once the bars close. Bonus: They’re open til 2am.
Cheese to sauce ratio
: A load of cheese blankets this slice.
Grease factor
: High.
Crust
: Thick and crispy. Definitely the most dough-y.