Review for lunch on 1-11-13 Admittedly, I also can't boast about travels to NYC's five boroughs jumping from one pizza joint to the next for the best pizza in my life. However, this spot in Berkeley is a must try and it's located conveniently close to the downtown Berkeley Bart station. Countless times I would walk by without so much as batting an eye here. Well, not no more, Arinell is definitely on my radar now. Ordered a pepperoni pizza and a cheese pizza for my son and me at the front counter. The layout is small. Half the restaurant is sit down at tables, and the other half is stand up eat at the long counter. Pizza didn't take long (5 min) and we picked up our food at the counter. i also ordered a tango punch with our order and wow, was that surprisingly good. My little two year old was more worked up about the tango punch than the pizza. That being said, the pizza was a thin crispy crust, roll into a taco, one is not enough experience. Seriously, who can just have one pizza here? Can't wait to keep coming back :) (++) tango punch drink (++) great affordable prices (-) parking read more

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I left the pizza I've been here many times and had many different styles of pizza I haven't had a bad slice of pizza at all it's always make fresh it's always made fresh that use fresh toppings and they're very nice read more

By all that is good and holy, Arinell is the only place in the Bay for true and living NYC thin slice pizza. Now down to just one location (RIP Arinell SF), the Arinell homies hold it down for Napolitan' and Sicilian' alike. Shout out to Scott, the realest in the pie game. Eat at Arinell, they got the love and the good grease. Fo sheez. read more

I absolutely love this pizza place! I'm pretty picky when it comes to pizza since I despise cheese with a passion. I will literally spend 5 minutes picking off the cheese off my pizza while everyone else is eating. Thankfully, this place doesn't add too much cheese to their pizzas. Since I haven't been to New York and will not visit anytime soon, this is the closest thing I will get to NY pizza. I knocked off a star because the customer service here is not so great. About two years ago, my friend and I decided to grab some pizza at night before heading to SF. It may have been New Year's Eve or some type of holiday. Anyway, while my friend and I were eating our pizzas, this lady comes in and asks us for some money. Because I was still battling some type of stomach virus, I ignored her and continued to eat my pizza. For whatever reason, the lady went off on us for not giving her money. After she left, I thought that was it. She comes back with money and buys pizza. Then, she curses at us again, and tells us that we are horrible people. Well, that pretty much ruined my night. Most of the time, workers will tell solicitors to beat it. With this store, customers have to fend for themselves. How sad... Random, but a few years ago, my friend passed by this place and saw that they were filming scenes for a porn video. Random, I know. read more

I am really surprised that I have yet to write a review of Arinell Pizza even though I have been here a handful of times already. Every time I come here, I wonder why I don't come here more often. They have great slices and fast service every time we have come. Regular slices taste amazing but the sicilian don't have a whole lot of flavor in spite of great texture. The last time we were here, we were served by an older gentlemen (probably the owner) who was very nice. As he was leaving, he stopped by to ask us if everything was good which was a nice touch. It's nice when people actually care about the customers. Overall, this is a very solid slice and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a hot, fast, and tasty slice in Berkeley. read more

As a New Yorker who now lives in the Bay Area (and has been for over 2 decades) I relish each slice I have had at this hole in the wall pizza joint. The pizza is truly New York style and worth every dollar spent. Best slice I have ever had outside the New York tri-state area. read more

This is what pizza is supposed to taste like. Good crispy crust through out. Good sauce, good toppings. No BS. No niches. read more

Arinell Pizza - Pepperoni pizza slice - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

Relatively quick but definitely not cheap - $5+ for a slice of pizza *served on a piece of wax paper* is crazy. The pizza itself is pretty good but somehow the terrible price/deal just takes away from how much I enjoy a slice. Arinell's is fine if it's all you have time for and you are exactly in that part of town - otherwise, I'd give it a pass. read more

*CASH ONLY* Go for the cheese neopolitan. The sicilian isn't as good. If you absolutely HAVE to try it, ask for a corner piece because the crust will be crispy. The sicilian is reminiscent of frozen pizza that you can get from the grocery store If you can, try not to come here between 11:45 and 12: 15. According to one of the workers, that's when the Berkeley High kids come in and pack the place for lunch. read more

Arinell Pizza - Sicilian - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's 1974 and I'm trotting along with my mother to her doctor's appointment. Like any 11 year old, I would rather be anywhere else on a summer day. Then I find out something about my mother. She loves pizza! She says let's go to lunch near the bus stop. I am introduced to Arinell Pizza. Thin slice, little or no toppings, warmed up just for me. Before Kevin McAllister, I was the kid who liked plain pizza and never got it. Fast forward to 2019 and this place is still a fave for me. My sons grew up on Arinell Pizza and love it also. Now, it aint fancy. The staff can be surly at times, but a simple slice, thin, no frills...nice treat before heading to the bus stop. Thanks mom. read more

Not good! Was just burned beyond worth!!! Covered in cheese and melted... Ridiculous it, it smelled up the car of burnt carbon read more

Arinell Pizza - A slice of Sicilian burned then covered with cheese and melted.... WHAT THE HELL ???? - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Been coming to this location since 1998. Never had an issue with customer service, I'm always friendly to service people because the work they do is highly under appreciated. People think it's easy work, but dealing with customers, standing all day, and also cooking is not easy. Ordered a full pie from two younger dudes working behind the counter.. friendly, polite no issues at all. Pie tasted awesome and brings back so many memories from high school/younger days.. Tipped $10 bucks and they both said thank you. Out the door with a hot fresh pie! Hell yeah! Rock on Arinell's! read more

What Pizza joint closes at 7:30pm in a college town? This place can afford to close early cuz they charge twice as much as as an actual NY pizza place and they're the only pizza around. Sad really. read more

This is a hidden gem, if you like pizza by the slice. I have never been to NY for an individual slice, but this pizza if its what NY style is I gotta say, . I will definitely be coming back! read more

Came to order pizza with my family around 4:30 and was overwhelmed by the smell of weed. We were ignored for a few mins before a employee noticed us. Instead of greeting and helping us he dogded behind the oven and shouted we were closed all while the employee chose to continue smoking his weed. read more

Wouldn't let me have a fresh slice of pizza right out the oven and insisted I have one that was clearly older. Older guy literally stopped the cashier from slicing it for me to tell me no. When I said I wouldn't be eating lunch there, he said "if you want to be stubborn about it." If it's so fresh why are you worried about selling it later? Won't be eating here again. read more

Y'know, I didn't really love the pizza when I lived in NJ, but after I moved to CA, I lamented the lack of "real" pizza. A friend told me about this place, and it is the closest I've had to New York pizza (way closer than the supposedly New York pizza places). They have both regular and Sicilian, which I also miss about NJ. It's probably 4.5 stars, because the seating is minimal and uncomfortable, and it's a pain to get to unless you're taking BART or walking (don't even try to find parking near here). I was excited to take my young son here for pizza one day when we were in downtown Berkeley, and the staff was nice and cut his piece in half to make it more manageable. We came at an off time, so we sat at a table, but there are only a few so don't plan on it if it's a meal time. read more

Best pizza in the bay. Amazing thin crust. Consistently the right ratios of ingredients and great flavor- it's all about good dough and sauce. read more

First off- pizza in New York is not that good. It's greasy and very few are cooked in coal ovens. I never had a bad a bad pizza from South Jersey. New York pizza stinks. This pizza is best ordered with simple toppings. It's good and filling.Best with a cold beer or a soda. It's pizza, not a cure for cancer. Just enjoy. read more

My friend just recommended we eat here tonight. He said he's been eating there since he was ten years old and said it's the best pizza place in the Bay. He calls up, they tell him to wait a minute before saying he can order to go, my friend asks how much a medium pizza is, he said so, and without a pause rudely says "I'm busy right now call back when you're actually ready." They've always been so so on customer service apparently and this ruined it for him. We're going Chinese. read more

Best vegan pizza in the Bay Area. And I have high standards --I'm a New Yorker and usually dissatisfied with vegan pizza. Very casual atmosphere. Big slices. Like a real pizza place. And you can get vegan by the slice--you don't have to order a whole pie. read more

This is my go to pizza place. Seriously won't get pizza anywhere else. If you like old school NY style pizza - this is your place. Occasionally it won't be as good as normal but no matter, there is always next time. Staff over the years has been consistently metal band fans, not my type of music, but hey at least they're having fun. I am not there for the atmosphere, I am there for the great pizza. I am so grateful for Arinell's for all the years of wonderful NY style, thin crust pizza, for sticking it out during the pandemic and staying true to their perfect recipe. read more

Pizza is meh. Used to be real good 10 years ago but went back recently and got stale pizza and ridiculous millennial attitude (I am also a millennial just not a bad one). Girl got my order wrong twice. Ok no problem stuff happens i just waited. She then dropped the pizza of a couple who'd been waiting for 15 mins already, then when I opened my box and found the order incorrect again I was told "yeah, you're asking for too much!". and these are the same people who demand 25$ an hour with full benefits. Total joke. I'm not a huge complainer. The SOLE reason I wrote any of this was because she had the nerve to tell me "you're asking for too much" after not receiving what I had already paid for. read more

Hands down the best slice in Berkeley. Coming from the East coast, I looked for many months trying Artichokes, Sliver, Abes, and Seniores, but they can't even close to the pizza here. Thin crust that's crispy on the bottom but chewy in the middle, and light layer of sauce, and melty cheese give this place 5 stars. It would be groundbreaking if they could open a location closer to campus (and possibly replace artichokes) read more

Berkeley High son was missing Arinell's so we ordered a pizza for him. Husband went in to pick it up and got to witness the pizza maker with a mask at half mast (only covering his mouth, but not his nose or most of his beard) yelling about the sh*tty f'ing customers and how they don't tip him so he makes them sh*tty pizzas and that he only makes good pizzas for his friends and everyone else gets sh*tty pizzas. Sure enough we got a sh*tty pizza. Sorry Arinell. Never again. read more

Arinell's pizza is only good if you are really, really hungry. I came in on convenience and because I was very hungry. I had a ten minute window of opportunity to grab a quick bite prior to my volunteer shift at the Berkeley Rep Theater two blocks away. The slices here are big though, and it's basically a heat-and-eat type of place. The cheese slices are all pre-made and if you want toppings they'll be added on before the reheating process. I had pepperoni added to my cheese slice, and the price wasn't too bad at $3.25. I added on a large soda for another $1.75, and five bucks and change later my stomach was no longer yelling out to be fed. Served simply on a sheet of white paper the pizza slice (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/lnZxgOcZQk807vzW8ViX7Q?select=f-vN-QC7QEQ4ywSFqC_ETA) was very greasy which is usually the norm with pepperoni. The thin but hard cracker crust was kind of bland as was the pizza sauce. The cheese was minimal at best, but it hit the spot. I'll accept mediocre pizza over embarrassing belly noises inside a quiet theater any night. The place can use a good wipe down too. All of the table and counter surfaces had Parmesan cheese and crust crumbs as well as grease all over them. It appears popular with high school-aged kids. I would have been happy giving these guys 3 stars, but the dude that helped me went to his nose and didn't wash his hands before helping the guy behind me. Thankfully, I already had my hot slice in my hand at the time. Yes, sometimes it's better not to know! read more

Arinell Pizza - pepperoni slice - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

I had the best slice of my life there two weeks ago. It blew me away. The crust was so crisp. Just enough sauce, and just enough cheese. And everything added to each other. I dust a little garlic onto the slice, a few pepper flakes, and enough shaky cheese to soak up the grease. The only problem was that I have been coming here for almost 10 years, and I had never had a slice that good. Some had been close. Others have been far off the mark. Far far far from the mark. Nothing ruins my day more than a bad slice of pizza from Arinell's. But pizza is made by hand. Not by machine. If one starts to look for consistency, you get dominoes. And I am not willing to make that compromise. I take the lows, so that I can get the highs. Yeah, it's dirty. Yeah, I wouldn't let anyone who works there near my kid. Or into my house (these days). If you are lucky, they will be playing some Motorhead, Ramones or Maiden. Not quite right for the digestion, but perfect. And if you are still reading this, and plan to go, for god's sake... do not get any toppings on this pizza. Just don't. Toppings belong on pizza at other places. Not here. Two reasons. 1) Slows down the line. A-hole. 2) Toppings added onto a pie then reheated are never going to be as good as toppings baked into a pie in the first place. read more

First & last time I will ever come to this place. My friend who lives in the area took us to this pizza spot for a quick bite. We wanted to order 2 slices of pizza each (there were 3 of us= 6 slices total). The rude tall guy/cashier/pizza maker told us we would have to wait and order a whole pizza .... ??? There were 2 HUGE pizzas behind him for people who came in and wanted a slice. I asked if we could pay separately so we could quickly get our slices rather than waiting 15 minutes for a whole pie. he said no. P.S. the customers behind us got 2 slices of pizza and he did not deny them. Ok, so we paid for the pizza and ignored the sass since we were starving. I sprinkled Parmesan cheese and oregano on my pizza .... when I noticed there was a bug, the size of the oregano, moving around and about the oregano bottle. Gross. I took it to the sassy pants, letting him know there was a bug inside and he responded with a "thanks." Overall the pizza was good. The crust was extremely hard so I had to throw it away. I love a simple, thin crust, cheese pizza. I would have given two stars if it wasn't for the bug. If you don't mind the rude customer service, check the place out. Beware and double check the cheese, oregano, and pepper bottles for critters. read more

Now I feel a little like crying. I had a slice at Arinell's the other day. I so heart Arinell's because it reminds me of home. There's a place that these slices bring me right back to, and I couldn't remember which corner it was on so thank you so much Google you rule the world I went to the Earth and looked. And that's when I went all misty. The place is Ben's Pizza, next to Bleeker Bob's, on the corner of Third and MacDougal, a block from the park. Street view brought me right back to where I spent many a night, so long ago it almost doesn't seem like my life (it seems like a movie). But in the pit of my stomach I remember. Not the hungry part, the part that misses stuff. Arinell's, like Ben's, drips orange grease onto the lightly waxed paper. Arinell's, like Ben's is thin and floppy. It's freakin' good. Nothing contrived, nothing trendy, nothing that people who groove on stuff like that latch onto. So none of them either. I'm ok with that. Five stars. read more

PLUS... Cheap eat... $2.75 MINUS... CASH only PLUS... Thin-crust pizza with tangy tomato sauce... chewy & airy crust! MINUS... Small resto, Tables & chairs not always the cleanest... will find random crumb or two. PLUS... FREE sample of vegan pizza. MINUS... Closes early. Unlike their SF location, which closes late. CONVENIENCE: *** [Located in DT Berkeley on Shattuck Ave., metered parking only.] AMBIANCE: *** [Small resto, a few tables & booth seating, or stand at bar to devour slice.] SERVICE: ***** [Fast, friendly, & efficient! Thanks for the FREE sample of vegan pizza.]] PRICE: $ [$2.75 is the cheapest, Neopolitan slice.] OVERALL: **** [4-stars... cuz it's not a gourmet pizza, but simply a cheap eat!] Nuff said. [#42 of 100 YELP CHALLENGE 2013] read more

Arinell Pizza - Looks so simple, yet tastes SO GOOD! - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

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What the f? Walking into this sliver of an oven and seeing that greasy teen twirling his dirty locks while handling cash and serving pizza might squelch the apetite of the weak, but I'm strong (lazy).. Good thing b/c Arinell's has some great freaking slices. Perfectly crisp crust, great sauce, just enough cheese... Just the perfect slice of pizza. Beware, never order whole pies. That kid's dirty paws adds special taste to the slices that don't make it to the whole pies. read more

It's mainly all crisp crust, y'all---- Just sayin' One slice of Neopolitan ordered (2.75, +tax). Bit in---crunchy and perfectly thin, end of the crust edge, wanted and hoped for some air. NAHHH.... Just not enough cheese and tomato, albeit was something filling, and was a large enough slice. Sadly, for this aficionado, just not enough topping for me. read more

The staff closed a full 30 mins early and were smoking in the kitchen, absurd -- go anywhere else

Most reminds me of New York style pizza of all Berkeley's great pizza places - both the Neapolitan Slice and the look and feel of the place. I'd give it most-like-New York pizza ... but Gioia's is my favorite in Berkeley. read more

Arinell Pizza - Best Pizza neon for New Yorkers - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

I didn't realize I did not let the Yelp world know how much I love this place. Well, I do, whether for a slice or a whole, I love the dough crust the cheese the oil the thinness!! read more

Again, another hard cracker pizza, and the totally slurring speech "manager," Dan (he claims his name was), tells me when I say the pizza was very overdone and hard like a cracker, again slurring his speech, "maybe you want to eat it with some spinach dip or queso." I reminded him that this is why he is in his 30s and mismanaging Arinells. What a tool. And slurring his speech all the while. His mother should be proud. For the absent owner, this happened January 3rd at 3:04p. Talented, with it crew you got there. read more

Arinell sells 2 kinds of pizza by the slice, deep dish(3) and neopolitan-thin crusted (2.75) adding toppings is nominally more $$.. eats: neopolitan cheese slice(2.75) -cheesey, a bit salty, nice crispy crust. initally satisfying but gets boring before the slice is over. i -almost greaseless (except for the cheese) -probably 4 stars for most people. -just not my kind of pizza anymores. crumbs: -quick, polite service: warm pizza slice and serve -aka. new york pizza. -probably cheese isn't exciting. read more

Arinell Pizza in Downtown Berkeley. Another pizzeria in my her-story. Long before artesian pizza places like Cheeseboard Pizzeria, PIQ, and Sliver, there was Arinell Pizza. This was the pizza place to go to during my angst-filled teen years with my friends after classes when we would venture into Berkeley. Or we would go here before or after the cinema. This was another place we would spend the parental units' money--munching pizza at Arinell Pizza! Arinell Pizza is all about classic pizza, not artesian pizza. For me nowadays, ever since I had genuine pizza in Italy and New York, along with artesian pizzas, Arinell Pizza is a go-to if I am really, really hungry. Arinell Pizza is like NY pizza. If there is time before hopping the bus, I get a slice to munch on. I recommend their cheese pizza. Toppings cost extra if you are willing to splurge for two or more toppings. I will order mushrooms on my pizza. I wish they would use fresh cremini mushrooms, they use canned mushrooms. Ay, oy! The staff there is all right, I have not had any problems getting along with them. I just order my pizza slice and that's that. Yeah, some of them are scary but don't let that stop you from partaking a slice and munching in at either the counter with mirrors or the seated tables. I agree, they could improve on take-away containers for pizza slices, not just for a whole pizza. I am not too crazy about bags and food sheets either for slices of pizza. There will be a next time for Arinell Pizza for me, I just do not know when. Fresh Review #51 of 100 Yelps! for 2013 read more

Arinell Pizza - Mushroom and Cheese pizza for lunch today. - Pizza Near Me - Berkeley, California

I don't get the issue. It's as close to a dirty NY slice you can get around here. The only thing more legit was Anthony's in SF. Taking cues from Bay area folks, I've tried Rotten City... Yeah I've eaten it, and it has the shape and look, but it's too CA fancy. Don't listen to West coast reviews for east coast food. Don't worry, I also don't take advice for sushi when I go back east. read more

You'd think I would have tried Arinell Pizza in the 20th century, but somehow I missed out on this gem while at Cal and always put off trying it on my various Berkeley Food Tours. Well, I finally tried it, and all I can say is better late than never! The cheese slice was just what I imagine an authentic New York slice should be; thin, greasy, and cheesy. It's the perfect folding pizza, it's fresh, and it tastes great (less filling?). The only ding was the cheese tasted slightly off, like it was a tad too salty. A nice cold Pepsi would have remedied the situation, but this is a Coke establishment. In any case, it was good enough to earn entry into the Berkeley Food Tour rotation. Next time, I'll bring my own Pepsi! read more