Best Pizza in the State

[ISUonthemove]

Chuck E. Cheese's pepperoni with lots of parmesan cheese.

 

[urb1]

Have not seen it mentioned yet, but Something Italian in the Skywalk. Having a slice right now. And their breakfast pizza at the Farmers Market is incredible.

 

[Cyfan4good]

What do you think of Uno Pizza in Chicago? Best deep dish I've had anywhere.

Lou Malnati's is our favorite in Chicago. We've had Uno, Giordano's, and Chicago pizza and oven grinder but Lou's rules.

 

[Cyfan4good]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but the Harrington at Leaning Tower in Ankeny is one of our fav's. The Potter is good too if you like lots of stuff on your pizza.

 

[dafarmer]

BTW-If you like Chuck's pizza in Des Moines, they have a Groupon today. 15/30

Ames- Black Market

Counciltucky- Pizza King:swoon:

 

[Psyclone]

With all the food threads going around I thought i would ask where people think the best pizza in the state of Iowa is?

I love me some Old Chicago double deckeroni, but I think I might have to vote for Zoey's in Marion.

Zoey's was the first that came to mind for me, with honorable mention to Tomasos. Tomasos is less consistent, but they use fresh ingredients not frozen/processed. That really shows up with sausage. Freshly cooked is fantastic. Frozen is a lot like dogfood.

A number of years ago, we got a Chicago pizza from each place and had a face off. My conclusion was if you took the best of both, you would have the best pizza possible. But despite using inferior sausage, Zoeys is the overall winner. Nothing I've had in Ames comes close to either of these, although there are some really good places in Ames.

 

[1100011CS]

Fun fact: Iowa is the largest consumer of frozen pizza in the United States.

Link? Stupid myths like this float around all the time.

As for my vote: Baileys in State Center or Caseys. Zenos is overrated and expensive.

 

[Psyclone]

Sit down: Pizza King in Council Bluffs(great pizza plus full menu with awesome steaks)
Take out: Casey's for single topping or BREAKFAST PIZZA(!!!!) or Breadeaux for my favorite, Bacon Cheeseburger

Wow, Pizza King is still there? I'm pretty sure that was the place that was in the heart of downtown CB, then moved east near the hospitals. It's been 40 years, but I remember it as a square cut, very greasy pizza. Makes my mouth water thinking about it.

 

[acoustimac]

I've been somewhat of a pizza nut for decades. As i travel i always check out the local pizza joints. I'll uplift my answer by saying there isn't a chain out there that can complete with the mom and pop places. I agree this should be broken into categories.

Best chain: Paul Reveres ( I always eat in so it is fresh) something about their crust I really like.
Best mom and pop: lots of great options here. There were two places I loved when I lived in Cresco. Both were very good. Old George's (now closed) was the best in Ames (sorry, Great Plains...the pizza with hair in it was disqualified and isn't that great anyway). There is a great little place in Pleasantville that is worth stopping at. I do like RockPower in Des Moines.

Overall best? Mine! Lol

Started looking up names.
Cresco - Hawkeye Pizza and Mabes Pizza
Pleasantville - Checkerboard Pizza

 

[1100011CS]

my vote is for Zeno's in Marshalltown

Have to admit they make a good pie...kind of pricey though. Obviously the main negative with Zeno's is location.

Yeah, the parking sucks too.

 

[Psyclone]

My favorite chain place is Pizza Ranch. On a price/value scale, it's hard to beat.

I've had Zoey's once and it seemed expensive for what it was. I should probably give it another try sometime, though.

Tomaso's has good pizza. I haven't eaten there in a while, but I've liked what I've had there.

Leonardo's (SW CR) has some good pizza as well for a different flavor and atmosphere. We like to go on Monday or Tuesday: valpak.com always has a coupon for a 2-topping 16" plus a pitcher of pop for only $13 Mon/Tues from 5-8. I like their finely-ground sausage.

I've heard good things about Zeno's, but I've never eaten there.

Leonardo's combo is a great pizza. I wish they hadn't closed the other locations, as it is not very convinient. The 50's era decor is a bit weird too, considering it's that way because it's just that old of a place.

 

[DeereClone]

In Northeast Iowa a few places that are worth a shot:

Mabes in Cresco and Decorah
The Other Place (OP) in Waverly, Cedar Falls, or Clear Lake
Redheart Pizza in West Union

 

[CyPlainsDrifter]

East side of the state here so I have to go with Tomasos in Cedar Rapids and Zoeys in Marion.

Agree ... and IMO Tomasos > Zoeys

 

[Frak]

I don't think that any place in the state comes close to Great Plains. It kills everyplace I've been to with the exception of Uno and Giordono's in Chicago. If I were to have to pick one place in-state to eat, GP would surely beat out crapholes in Marshalltown and Marion. That said, you can only eat so much thick crust pizza. And I can't say much about the best thinner crust, although I thought Vesuvius was pretty good and so was Fongs.

I will say that Casey's bacon breakfast pizza is in a class of its own. It's not even fair to compare it to any other breakfast pizza.

 

[CloneFan319]

Caseys Breakfast Pizza
Jeff's Pizza

 

[cloneswereall]

Around here, it's either Mama Nick's, or The OP.

Ames is Great Plains, CR/Marion is Zoey's.

 

[CyBer]

Link? Stupid myths like this float around all the time.

As for my vote: Baileys in State Center or Caseys. Zenos is overrated and expensive.

You couldn't google?
They have Des Moines as in the state IO but other than that here is some proof.
http://www.fapc.okstate.edu/files/factsheets/fapc103.pdf

 

[AllIowaTeams]

This may have been asked already, but 14 pages is a lot to read through...does anyone know when The OP opens in West Des Moines? I just want to try it so that everyone I know who went to UNI can stop the incredulous looks when I tell them I've never eaten there.

 

[longtimeclone]

This may have been asked already, but 14 pages is a lot to read through...does anyone know when The OP opens in West Des Moines? I just want to try it so that everyone I know who went to UNI can stop the incredulous looks when I tell them I've never eaten there.

I thought it was opening soon but I think it might be a month or two yet. From the outside it still looks like they are still working on the inside.

 

[State43]

Living in Nebraska, i can't say for sure on best pizza in the state but in Omaha, it's a toss up between Dante's Pizza in west Omaha or Pitch in Dundee.