Lanesplitter, 4799 Telegraph Ave.

I don't really like pizza; PIC loves pizza. Occasionally, I will acquiesce to eating Zachary's... but when I can help it I don't eat pizza.

Lanesplitter changed all that. I love this pizza. And I don't really know why, exactly.

The crusts are super thin and a wonderful blend of crisp and chewy, and they don't go overboard on the cheese. So there's two reasons. Good microbrews on tap are another reason to enjoy eating there, as are the art installations and laid-back vibe. Oh, and fresh basil is always nice to find.

Lanesplitter is kind of the Zeitgeist crowd. If that crowd traded the black clothing for vintage plaid or whatever thrift-store-chic item is less San Francisco tragic hipster. The Oakland brand of hipster is just slightly less self-conscious (and aggrandizing) about it...wait, I just had a vision of Mama Buzz and realized that this may not be entirely true... hmm.

What we've ordered (we'll combine both trips): Thin and thick crusts, olive and mushroom (a fave), herbivore, garbage - between the 2 of us, much pizza has been consumed here.
Service: friendly, sometimes. forgetful, sometimes. vaguely disinterested, hurried and occasionally surly when doing takeout. Overall we've had positive experiences with service here when sitting.
Atmo: Groovy loft-like warehouse meets bike garage
Crowd: Hipster 'hood dwellers, bike messengers, the occasional family
Spent: we generally spend around $25 what with the beers and all
Overall rating: 4.5 sporks

This is great pizza if you obey some simple tips:

1) Eat in and do a 7/10 split if you'd like some beer. It's cheaper and 2 pieces of pizza are filling enough for most people - they're big, if thin.
2) Don't get extra sauce. It makes the crust a bit soggy.
3) Takeout can take forever, and whoever answers the phone needs some Valium. If you want takeout in a hurry from someone who actually wants to take your order, you might want to call elsewhere.
4) Be wary of ordering too many extra veggies for the same reason as #2, and because they really add up in price.
5) Bring your vegan friends and be amazed as they can actually eat "Notta Ricotta" and get something besides bread with tomato sauce at a pizza joint.
6) Be prepared to wait on a weekend night at dinner time.
7) Don't order the thick crust. If you want thick crust, go to Zachary's.
8) Don't wear a tuxedo. Do wear an ironic and authentic vintage tuxedo t-shirt.

In short: Good pizza is indeed had to find, and Lanesplitter definitely fits the bill.