Outta Sight Pizza

The best things in life are uncomplicated. A capsule closet. Slip-on sneakers. The chords to “I’m Yours.” And, of course, Outta Sight Pizza. This slice shop in the Tenderloin is as casual as it gets. Walk up, order a slice, eat it, and leave. At some point in this process, you’ll realize that you’re in the presence of a San Francisco pizza great. Outta Sight’s New York-ish slices will send you into an out-of-body state. It’s that simple.

The counter-service spot has just a few big round tables and standing room at a bar in front of the windows facing Larkin St. And even though the studio apartment-sized place is pretty bare-bones, it overflows with Bay Area charm. Rotating artwork, like paintings of persimmons and a portrait of Mos Def, hang on the wall next to potted plants, an E-40 bobblehead, and a Giants foam finger. A silent TV loops through crowd-pleasers like The Simpsons and Iron Man. And as a little IYKYK nod to the city’s area code, cheese slices are $4.15. Workers on a midday break share tables with students in UC Hastings sweatshirts fueling up between classes. This spot is unfussy, like a slice shop should be.

As for the pizza itself, Outta Sight nails every necessary element to the perfect slice. The thin crust strikes the ideal balance. It’s charred, crisp, and chewy at once, easily foldable without getting soggy. Satisfying trickles of bright orange grease drip out of the creases. The toppings are packed with flavor, like the smoky pepperoni cups, slightly sweet vodka sauce, and well-spiced sausage. For extra oomph, each one is dusted with fresh parmesan and basil once it comes out of the oven and plopped onto paper plates and plastic trays. Once in your hands, you’ll marvel at the face-sized stunner for a brief moment, and slip into a sauce-and-crust-induced trance. The entire slice will be gone before you know it.

Ordering whole pies is also an option, which is great for when you’re in the market for a night spent at home melting into the couch. The slices, however, are the main attraction. So swing by for an easy lunch, an after-work snack, or the next time you find a $10 bill in your jeans and feel like some pizza and beer. Coming here takes less effort than putting together an outfit from that bespoke capsule closet. And the slices speak for themselves.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Carly Hackbarth

Pepperoni, Fully Dressed

In Outta Sight land, asking for a slice “fully dressed” translates to zig-zagging drizzles of pickled pepper honey, olive oil, and ranch, plus fresh basil and grated dry jack. The add-on topping ($1) works especially well on the pepperoni—the blend of salty, sweet, and kind of spicy flavors will make it impossible for you to eat pizza any other way.

photo credit: Carly Hackbarth

Lunch Lady

There are a limited number of these square-cut, thicker slices available every day. So if you see the Lunch Lady behind the glass case, get it. Slightly sweet vodka sauce and globs of gooey mozzarella come together to make one of the best slices on the menu.

photo credit: Carly Hackbarth

Pesto

Not the most exciting pie here, but still an excellent option if you want something meatless and/or on the lighter side.