Heh.
When it opened on the corner of Cedar and Shattuck? Long before Saul's and Poulet. But a baby compared to Virginia Bakery. Grew up in Berkeley at the same time and tend to agree with your position.
Here is a question, I note you live in Brooklyn. How does Arinell's compare to the great stuff out there?
Mike
I remember Virginia Bakery. I believe it closed down, no?
Pizza is a very regional and perhaps even personal item.
First, there is a lot of horrendous pizza in NY. Most slices joints here are simply disgusting. But there are a few really outstanding examples of what is known as NY pizza (DiFara's, Totonno's, Pala, and then a step down Grimaldi's, Lombardi's and even John's).
IMHO Arinell's does not compare, but then again I think it is fair to say it is a slightly different idea of pizza, even if it bills itself as NY pizza.
My favorite pizza in the United States is New Haven pizza, especially the incomparable Pepe's.
My favorite pizza in Berkeley is at the Cheese Board, although what I really love there is their incredibly unique baguette with some great cheese...