Wig & Pen Pizza Pub
2005 S Ankeny Blvd, Ankeny, IA, 50023
Wig & Pen Pizza Pub Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Ankeny for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Ankeny for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2005 S Ankeny Blvd
Ankeny, IA, 50023 - Phone (515) 963-9777
- Website https://www.wigandpenpizza.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Coat Check : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Thao P.
Wig and Pin is an awesome pizza eatery. It's a nice local pub. My family and I were craving Chicago style pizza so came here to try it out. We got the wings and garlic cheese bread as the appetizer. The garlic cheese bread was delicious. The wings were very crispy and good but it was bit too much on the salty side. We got the Big Tomato Style Pizza which I felt like was the in-between of Regular Pan Style Pizza and Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. When it got to our table, the service was great where the waitress served all the first slices to us individually. The pizza was amazing! Lots fresh mozzarella and the crust has to be my favorite part. It's crispy and cooked just right. The ratio of cheese and sauce tasted just right with the dough. Along with the items I tried, they have a handful of other American appetizers and entrees. Next time, I want to try their actual Chicago Stuffed Pizza and perhaps the Pork Tenderloin. I'd recommend it!
(5)Patrick T.
I got to admit I want PIZZA from here! Ok I have been here twice now and have yet to get to try the Pizza, my wife had pizza earlier in the day so we decided to get Veggie Burgers instead of the Pizza which just looks absolutely amazing! Our friends sitting with us got a Pizza and yes I was extreamly jealous how good it looked and smelled! But have no fear if you are ordering the veggie burger on the pretzel bun, it's pretty darn good as well! If you are vegan make sure you order it without the sauce. As far as the decour of the place think British pub feel, in a strip mall! Seriously great beer selections and nice staff. Maybe not the place to eat if you are in a hurry cause the pizza's do take a good amount of time to make but that cause they have the perfect look to them brown crust, a little brown on top, man I want some PIE from here, if it's as good as it looks, it definitely incredible! I will be back stay tuned! Note: I spoke here once for a Jaycees meeting and they have a great little party room, for events. I think it's free to use as well!
(4)Amanda M.
Terrible TERRIBLE management. We came in at 6:00pm and ordered by 6:20pm. We finally left at 7:40pm because our pizza was STILL NOT SERVED! Other customers came and went during our wait.
(1)Nick H.
I'm never been one to rave about a certain type of pizza or style to me they are all good however just had wig & pens flying tomato for the first time this week and I have to say best pizza ever. Nothing else will ever compare I even made a special 40 minute trip just to get pizza picked up yesterday only request I have is open up another location on the west side of Des Moines
(5)Aaron S.
Really awesome Ruben sandwich... in fact close to perfect. Service was awesome (I sat at the bar). I'll definitely be back...
(4)Genevieve W.
Came here right as they opened with a group of my classmates and we were seated right away. Staff was super friendly! We ordered a basket of amazing super thin and crispy onion rings to share! They came out quickly. They needed a bit of salt but that is an easy fix! I love that they are not thick cut rings. The reason I had to take a star away is that it took 45 minutes to get our pizza. During which time our waitress didn't really even come by and let us know that our food was on its way. The carnivore pizza served flying tomato style (a nice crispy higher crust with thick tomatoes). Was great. It had Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage. Delicious sauce and amazing crust! The twickenham had olives, feta cheese, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes. Also served flying tomato style! Overall great food! Great service! But slow food coming to the table so therefore I had to take away 1 star! But a great local place!
(4)Bill L.
This is another local place in Ankeny I kept hearing good things about so I decided to give it a shot for lunch today. Parking was easy, lots of spaces open in the lot. Upon entering we were quickly greeted and seated. Our waitress took our drink order quickly and we knew immediately she was going to be excellent just based on her tone. We ordered our food and then took a look at the decor. They tried to go with an English pub appearance and I have been to a real pub before, but I feel they did a good job. The atmosphere was nice, there was sports on their big tvs, but the restaurant goers including staff were very casual. It definitely feels like a family restaurant to me compared to a sports pub, but I'm not sure if that changes at night when things get different. We got the Wings for the appetizer, she got the meatball sub with a side of salad and I got the small sized The Union Jack - Flying Tomato Style pizza. Just a heads up, expect to wait about 25 minutes if you order a pizza. First the wings, OH MY, probably top 3 on my list of best wings in the Greater Des Moines area! They were very crispy on the outside and crazy juicy and tender on the inside. The blue cheese dip that comes with it was made with real blue cheese, awesome touch. The salad was not bad, nothing special. Now for the main course, the meatball sub was good, but not much different than meatball subs I've had in other places. The highlight of the meal and their restaurant is their pizza. It was super fresh and the flavors were phenomenal! The crust was perfect, the cheese was perfect, the presentation was perfect, it is probably now my favorite local pizza place. Oh and the small size, it is enough for one hungry man to feel like they are going to explode after eating it all, it is a very good size . It is enough for 2 people to feel satisfied, but not full. I am so excited that I came here, the service was awesome and the food even better. I will definitely be returning!
(5)Craig Z.
All I've had here is the pizza. I had them flying tomato, and they were awesome!!! I can't wait to return.
(5)Gary H.
This was a nice corner pub atmosphere. Service was very prompt and friendly. Food was pretty darn good. Mac & Cheese with a salad was more food than I could eat. The bartender needs to make sure to remember that when people get good drinks, they'll eat more and come back more often. Drinks were very weak. Overall, have to say I would return. But stop for drinks elsewhere first.
(3)Daniel L.
I've driven by this pizza pub countless times and have never seen anyone coming in and out of the restaurant. I finally decided to give them a call when my group of twenty-five was looking for a place to grab dinner. Once inside, the warm and dark wood décor was clean, spacious and filled with booths and tables spread across the floor. This place appeared to be a popular local hangout. There were a good number of groups and families on hand to check out the game on TV. The restaurant was very kind to host us in the backroom for as long as we wanted. Our round of appetizers included Cheese Balls, Onion Rings, and Chips and Salsa. I particularly liked the soft spongy Cheese Balls that came with nicely battered loaded with white cheddar cheese at the center. They were served with marinara and ranch dips, were gone once it made its round at the table. We quickly ordered seconds once we noticed how good these were. I also enjoyed the Onion Rings that were prepared into very fine stringy pieces and fried to golden. They were quite addictive and fun to pull them apart. The only item that I wouldn't recommend was the Chips and Salsa. I don't think it was made in-house and the taste was simply too ordinary for me to order it again. For pizza, they have three different crusts to choose from: thin, pan-style, and deep-dish. I wanted to order the deep-dish pizza, but was pleased to go with the server's recommendation instead. The large pan-style pizza wasn't watery like those reviewers who had ordered the deep-dish. Instead, the crust had a nice flavor, thin crispy texture, and did a good job at holding together the heavy toppings. Our veggie side of the pizza was loaded with mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onion, sweet Italian pepper, and covered with lots and lots of cheese and tomato slices. The cheese was fantastic: thick, stringy, plentiful, and delicious. The veggies provided great texture, and added sweet elements to the delicious pizza here and there. Our other half of the pizza came with Italian sausage, ground beef, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, and lots and lots and thick gooey cheeses. The combination was savory, with the cheese that gave lifts to the meaty flavors. For a pub, they did an outstanding job on their pizza. Our server was very friendly, accommodating, patient, and attentive. She provided extra plates and utensils for the dessert that I brought from outside, and allowed us to stay as long as we wanted past closing time. Good for groups. I would definitely come back to try their pizza again.
(4)Jacob B.
Love Love Love their pizza, and don't forget their boneless wing zings! Always great service, Always great food and atmosphere. Whether you have a group or the kids this is a perfect spot to eat! Family favorite, can't wait to go back! Highly recommend!!
(5)Heidi M.
Fine pizza, but certainly not the best the state of Iowa has to offer, regardless of what you may have read.
(3)Liz H.
The best deep dish I've found this far from Chicago. Very pleased to have a place to get some good pizza in Des Moines.
(4)Eric J.
The food was very good. Not sure why there was such a long wait on our food or why we had to pay $.50 for a side of ranch dressing? Over all good food but many more places to try before we would think about coming back.
(3)Nathan B.
I'll admit, I had different expectations when I came here. We went here last night for my cousin's birthday gathering, and I was expecting the cuisine to be British inspired dishes. It felt like the menu was something that was from Old Chicago. It mostly featured pasta and American themed appetizers. My partner chose the "Wigatoni" which was a combination of rigatoni and penne pasta in a marinara sauce. I had the sausage lasagna, which was the perfect portion size. Others in my party ordered mostly Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizzas, which looked very authentic, but did not try them (I had pizza for lunch, and it would seem overkill to have pizza for dinner). The Onion Rings ordered for appetizers were decent. The decor interior was nice, featuring many British accents. The food was great tasting, but again, I was hoping for more of a British-themed menu, not a Chicago Italian menu. This would not be a place I would go to on my own, but I would visit here again if someone asked.
(3)Tom B.
Messed up our order. By the time we got our correct order, the Chicago deep dish, an hour and a half had passed. We took the pizza to go and discovered it was undercooked when we got home.
(1)Mr Z.
This is the best pizza in the Des Moines area. Just be prepared to shell out $25 for a pizza.
(5)Carol H.
Thank you Wig and Pen for bringing my husband, who has sworn off pizza, back to his senses. He read about you somewhere so while visiting family in Des Moines we decided to give you a try. We had a Chicago style Union Jack and a thin crust sausage and mushroom. My only regret is trying the deep dish first. It was so good, can you say umami? I seriously thought I was in heaven and everyone at the table was right there with me, even the pizza hater! The crust on both pizzas was outstanding. I can't even describe it, just yummy and flaky and quite unlike any pizza crust I have ever eaten. I loved the sausage, it was quite tasty and just the right amount. The thin crust pizza was also good, great even, but after the deep dish it seemed tame. Its a 3 plus hour drive but we will be back!
(5)Jay C.
Didn't understand all the hype especially after waiting almost an hour to be seated and another 45 minutes for our food to arrive after ordering. Can taste the wood fire in the pizza crust but it is wasted on the lack of toppings and the overall blandness of the pie. I tried the burger also and had to resort to slathering anything within reach on it so it would not get lodged in my esophagus due to lack of any moisture whatsoever. The onion rings were served with ranch, but after trying to dip these tiny french's type reconstituted rings into it, I believe I would have been better served just pouring it on top and using a fork. Probably should have rated one star but I did finish most of my food due to starvation. One last note, extremely overpriced. Tab was over $50 for family of three with no drinks. Overrated bar food:/
(2)Scott C.
I've heard great things about this place... However, I made a mistake when visiting. No one in our group ordered pizza! The non-pizza options were just OK. Service was good, prices reasonable... I'll visit again, as it seems to be a popular place, and try the pizza. I'll adjust my review if need be. ... Been back twice. Awesome pizza!!
(5)Char D.
I tasted rosemary spice which I hate in the crust. was not impressed at all with the pizza.
(1)Marilyn P.
The food was fine, neither exceptionally good or particularly bad. Husband didn't like their fries. What really cheesed me off about this place is that we were charged extra for adding cheese AND mayo to the grilled chicken sandwich. Who charges for mayonnaise? Seriously? The sandwich did not come with condiments included in the price? Apparently, people shouldn't expect condiments on a sandwich. Even more, the waitress came back after we put in our order to ask specifically "Did you want cheese or mayo on that?" without mentioning one word about either being an extra charge. I don't care that we're out the money. What I care about is the lack of consideration for customers and sheer deviousness of the wait staff. If you have to nickel and dime your customers to run your business then you're doing it wrong.
(2)Megan B.
I had driven by Wig & Pen several times and finally took the leap to go when family was in town for lunch. The food was very good and our waitress was amazing. They were very accommodating when it came to my 18 month old son and went out of their way to talk to him. I tried one of their vegetarian pizzas while other members of my party had the pork tenderloin and chicken salad. Both really enjoyed but my grandmother loved the homemade chips. My son gives two messy thumbs up to the chicken strips. My only complain was that there was another male employee who walked around looking as though he was pissed at the world. He ran into me and did not apologize. He simply gave me a dirty look and continued to clean off his table.
(4)Amy K.
I know a lot of people love this place, but I don't. The service is inconsistent and all types of pizzas take too long. The thin crust is bland and everything is overpriced.
(1)Alex H.
Ordered carryout from here a week ago. They said it would be 35 minutes, but it wound up taking 50 minutes. In the end the food was not a disappointment. My fiancé and I moved to Ankeny last weekend and wanted to try out a local pizza place. I would most definitely go back again, but I think we will dine in and give that a try. We ordered a thin crust sausage pizza and a Chicago styled "The Union Jack." Mmm.
(4)Andrea B.
Best pizza! Great onion rings too!
(5)Megan H.
Perhaps I am not rabidly devoted to it because I didn't go to college in Iowa City, but I think Wig and Pen is PRETTY good, and that's about it. I'm hoping I just hit an off day at the restaurant, but I don't think the Chicago-style pizza is all that great here. Ours was watery and undercooked - it completely fell apart when we tried to slice through the center. The sauce was delicious, I'll give it that, and I'm all for the Bloody Mary specials on Sundays. I've had good lasagna here, and tried a friend's thin-crust pizza that was pretty great. However, I had higher hopes for the fish & chips (nothing special, a little soggy) and was especially disappointed in the Chicago-style pizza. I'll definitely come back - Lord knows we need more restaurants in Ankeny that aren't national chains. All I'm saying is that I was hoping for a little more.
(3)Phillip Y.
Wow, we came here for drinks after our first soccer game win in Ankeny. The pizza here was phenomenal. The best pizza since I moved here to Des Moines. I had a local beer on tap called Smitty's or something like that. Great atmosphere with a old style red telephone box outside. Inside there are nice props for the UK. A bit further out from the busy intersection around Ankeny on Ankeny Blvd. A nice place to chill with friends. Oh yeah, the pizza takes time (felt like 30 minutes) but totally worth it especially the big thick crispy crust.
(5)Erin F.
The best Chicago style deep dish pizza in the DSM metro! Be prepared for a long wait but it's totally worth it.
(4)Matt E.
I visited the Wig & Pen on a Friday night and from the looks of the parking lot, this was the place to eat in Ankeny. It was bustling with customers. I must state up front that I did not have pizza which has a strong reputation with my friends who recommended this establishment to me. I had the Italian Beef sandwich which was somewhat of a disappointment. I've been blessed by enjoying several of them over the past month during my adventures through the Midwest and this was hands down the biggest bummer. It was small, with sliced roast beef akin to Arbys with a sprinkling of green pepers and diced onions (the variety you would find atop a White Castle hamburger) and au jus. The good news is that it was very reasonable in price and came with some really good fries, which leads me to give it a C+. It was inexpensive and satiating. The service was very good, and the Wig & Pen has done a very nice job of updating the interior of their business from the former restaurant that occupied this location. Clean with ample seating, and a lot of neat UK themed adornments.
(3)Ann K.
Pizza takeout for lunch from Wig & Pen was ok but definitely not anything to write home about as far as pizza goes. We had the "thin crust" which was, by my Northeast standards, pretty thick. The tomato sauce was tasty but the pizza as a whole was not very inspiring. Since all the rave reviews here are for the Chicago style, perhaps we just made a bad choice. Definitely not the best pizza I've ever had but it wasn't the worst either and I'd pick it over a chain pizza place any day.
(3)Kristin B.
I am a Chicago-style pizza fan and in the Des Moines area I only have about 3 places where I can get it. So I've been to Wig and Pen twice now and each time I've ordered the "Union Jack" (Chicago-style of course). The pizza has a great flavor and the crust is just right-crispy and buttery. My problem with this pizza-both times- has been the cheese; it's mushy and plasticky. It totally ruins what would have otherwise been an amazing pizza! It is not gooey and stringy at all--it just tastes like cheap cheese. It reminds me of the non-fat shredded cheese that doesn't melt. Unless they change the cheese, I won't be back a 3rd time :( I 'm gonna stick with Felix & Oscar's.
(3)Justin B.
Wig and Pen is by far the best Pizza I have ever had. I do admit this is most certainly not a 5 star restaurant, but this is "As good as it gets" for traditional American Pizza. Wig and Pen serves Chicago style Pizza and they serve it well. Where most Pizza places fail, making zesty tasty sauce, Wig and Pen soars. In addition the crust is perfect being slightly chewy on top and crispy on the bottom! We had the vegetable version of the pizza and couldn't be happier. Service was fantastic, I wish I could remember the name of our server! A warning: Chicago style Pizza takes about 50 minutes to prepare. This is common.
(5)Y M.
Went there for lunch with co-workers, and was able to secure their private room in the back. Pizza was OK (as a group, we ordered 5 different types), but not exceptional just like what everyone else raved about. Service was OK. I wouldn't go there for pleasure.
(3)Sean M.
I've had the Chicago style and thought it was excellent. Then I tried the "flying tomato," this is a cheese lover's dream come true! The sauce was zesty and the pie is topped thick cut slices of tomatos. The onion rings that we had for appetizers were thin and crispy, which is just the way I love them. The service has been top notch in my experiences here so far! ***As another reviewer pointed out, deep dish pizza takes longer to prep and cook then almost every other type of pizza out there so allow a few extra minutes****
(5)Dustin B.
Went back last night, and they still get four stars. Tried the onion rings this time. They were decent, but didn't wow. The menu states that they make them fresh each time, but I didn't get the impression that they were straight from the fryer. But the pizza (oh...the pizza....pizza....pi...). It's just terrific. I'll leave it at that.
(4)Kari P.
Stopped by the Wig and Pen after my daughter's softball game at Prairie Ridge. We tried the "flying tomato" style pizza and it was excellent. The crust was great, the sauce gave it great flavor and the toppings were fresh...liked the slices of tomato on top. My parents ordered the chicago style pizza, and it had a thinner crust and less cheese...it, too, was very good. My daughters ordered a hamburger and grilled cheese with fries (both teenaged girls, so eat a good amount after a ball game) and said the meal was fine...they said it wasn't 5 star, but weren't rating the pizza, either. I would definitely order the PIZZA if you get a chance to stop. We will certainly go back if we play ball in the area again. Gave the place 5 stars as the pizza they make isn't your ordinary pizza, and is a nice change from the regular food chains.
(5)Jackie G.
Was just there tonight for Wig & Pen's 3 year anniversary in Ankeny! I've enjoyed the pizza on several previous visits but ventured to new territory tonight. I had the italian grinder and, in short, it was killer!! The toasted bun was key to bringing it over the top, but the high quality sausage and nice spice with the right amount of cheese and mmmmmmmm-good! Served by a very friendly waitress and now that i think about it, friendly hostess as well! Will always go back when in Ankeny.
(5)Karen S.
I discovered W&P late into my 8 years in Iowa City. After leaving school, one of the restaurants I missed the most was W&P. Fast forward about 5 years, visiting my BF's family in Ankeny. The local paper has a blurb about how W&P is opening shop just down the street from practically MIL's house! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to head down 35 for a visit to my practically in-laws, but the Ankeny dining scene leaves something to be desired, unless you like chain restaurants. Nowadays, I LOVE going to visit, so long as we can trek down the road for some flying tomato pizza. Ankeny is not a bustling hub of activity (despite what the Super Wal Mart parking lot looks like on a Saturday), so please support this place and don't let it close down!
(5)Mark M.
We went to the Wig & Pen based off of the reviews for their Chicago Style Pizza. Having lived in Chicago, and eaten more than my fair share of their storied Pizza, I was excited as true Chicago Style Pizza is hard to find. The restaurant was easy to see from the street, and there was ample parking. The hostess was very friendly and we were seated immediately. They have Honkers Ale from Goose Island Brewing Company (one of my favs) plus a good selection of draft and bottled beer. We ordered a Large Chicago Style pizza. The alarm bells should have went off when our pizza arrived ~ 20 minutes after ordering; true Chicago style Pizza takes a while,,,, like 40 minutes or more in the oven. To our approving eyes, the Pizza looked like it was built right; Crust first, A healthy layer of cheese, toppings, and a nice chunky red sauce on top. Now, for the eating. After cutting off a chunk and picking it up with my fork, I could see that the crust didn't look quite right. It was not a medium thick crunchy crust. It was pretty thin, and appeared to be a slightly thicker version of regular pizza dough crust. The first bite,,,,,,,,, not very hot, actually just warm (see earlier comment on the 20 minute pizza). The cheese was melted, and the crust did not seem all doughy, but still, did not seem fully cooked. As fore the taste, it was very good. I say with the exception for the crust, they nailed the flavor profile. The topping were good, but maybe a little skimpy (compared to what you would find in Chicago). If you order a sausage pizza in Chicago, prepare yourself for a solid layer of sausage, here there were little chunks of sausage here and there. Over all it was a good pie; just needed a little more time in the oven. A more traditional crust wouldn't hurt. The rest: The non-pizza part of the menu had a good variety. Looked like a great place to watch the game, have a group of people for a party etc.. There looked to be plenty of families there with kids of all ages (this was a Sunday afternoon ~ 5:30 pm).
(3)Ted N.
Best pizza in Ankeny. Go with the flying tomato - will put you in a cheese coma.
(5)Matthew A.
Best pizza in Ankeny for sure. It may be the best in DM area. Wish it had better wine selection.
(4)Char D.
I tasted rosemary spice which I hate in the crust. was not impressed at all with the pizza.
(1)Marilyn P.
The food was fine, neither exceptionally good or particularly bad. Husband didn't like their fries. What really cheesed me off about this place is that we were charged extra for adding cheese AND mayo to the grilled chicken sandwich. Who charges for mayonnaise? Seriously? The sandwich did not come with condiments included in the price? Apparently, people shouldn't expect condiments on a sandwich. Even more, the waitress came back after we put in our order to ask specifically "Did you want cheese or mayo on that?" without mentioning one word about either being an extra charge. I don't care that we're out the money. What I care about is the lack of consideration for customers and sheer deviousness of the wait staff. If you have to nickel and dime your customers to run your business then you're doing it wrong.
(2)Megan B.
I had driven by Wig & Pen several times and finally took the leap to go when family was in town for lunch. The food was very good and our waitress was amazing. They were very accommodating when it came to my 18 month old son and went out of their way to talk to him. I tried one of their vegetarian pizzas while other members of my party had the pork tenderloin and chicken salad. Both really enjoyed but my grandmother loved the homemade chips. My son gives two messy thumbs up to the chicken strips. My only complain was that there was another male employee who walked around looking as though he was pissed at the world. He ran into me and did not apologize. He simply gave me a dirty look and continued to clean off his table.
(4)Amy K.
I know a lot of people love this place, but I don't. The service is inconsistent and all types of pizzas take too long. The thin crust is bland and everything is overpriced.
(1)Alex H.
Ordered carryout from here a week ago. They said it would be 35 minutes, but it wound up taking 50 minutes. In the end the food was not a disappointment. My fiancé and I moved to Ankeny last weekend and wanted to try out a local pizza place. I would most definitely go back again, but I think we will dine in and give that a try. We ordered a thin crust sausage pizza and a Chicago styled "The Union Jack." Mmm.
(4)Andrea B.
Best pizza! Great onion rings too!
(5)Daniel L.
I've driven by this pizza pub countless times and have never seen anyone coming in and out of the restaurant. I finally decided to give them a call when my group of twenty-five was looking for a place to grab dinner. Once inside, the warm and dark wood décor was clean, spacious and filled with booths and tables spread across the floor. This place appeared to be a popular local hangout. There were a good number of groups and families on hand to check out the game on TV. The restaurant was very kind to host us in the backroom for as long as we wanted. Our round of appetizers included Cheese Balls, Onion Rings, and Chips and Salsa. I particularly liked the soft spongy Cheese Balls that came with nicely battered loaded with white cheddar cheese at the center. They were served with marinara and ranch dips, were gone once it made its round at the table. We quickly ordered seconds once we noticed how good these were. I also enjoyed the Onion Rings that were prepared into very fine stringy pieces and fried to golden. They were quite addictive and fun to pull them apart. The only item that I wouldn't recommend was the Chips and Salsa. I don't think it was made in-house and the taste was simply too ordinary for me to order it again. For pizza, they have three different crusts to choose from: thin, pan-style, and deep-dish. I wanted to order the deep-dish pizza, but was pleased to go with the server's recommendation instead. The large pan-style pizza wasn't watery like those reviewers who had ordered the deep-dish. Instead, the crust had a nice flavor, thin crispy texture, and did a good job at holding together the heavy toppings. Our veggie side of the pizza was loaded with mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, onion, sweet Italian pepper, and covered with lots and lots of cheese and tomato slices. The cheese was fantastic: thick, stringy, plentiful, and delicious. The veggies provided great texture, and added sweet elements to the delicious pizza here and there. Our other half of the pizza came with Italian sausage, ground beef, Canadian bacon, pepperoni, and lots and lots and thick gooey cheeses. The combination was savory, with the cheese that gave lifts to the meaty flavors. For a pub, they did an outstanding job on their pizza. Our server was very friendly, accommodating, patient, and attentive. She provided extra plates and utensils for the dessert that I brought from outside, and allowed us to stay as long as we wanted past closing time. Good for groups. I would definitely come back to try their pizza again.
(4)Jacob B.
Love Love Love their pizza, and don't forget their boneless wing zings! Always great service, Always great food and atmosphere. Whether you have a group or the kids this is a perfect spot to eat! Family favorite, can't wait to go back! Highly recommend!!
(5)Heidi M.
Fine pizza, but certainly not the best the state of Iowa has to offer, regardless of what you may have read.
(3)Liz H.
The best deep dish I've found this far from Chicago. Very pleased to have a place to get some good pizza in Des Moines.
(4)Eric J.
The food was very good. Not sure why there was such a long wait on our food or why we had to pay $.50 for a side of ranch dressing? Over all good food but many more places to try before we would think about coming back.
(3)Megan H.
Perhaps I am not rabidly devoted to it because I didn't go to college in Iowa City, but I think Wig and Pen is PRETTY good, and that's about it. I'm hoping I just hit an off day at the restaurant, but I don't think the Chicago-style pizza is all that great here. Ours was watery and undercooked - it completely fell apart when we tried to slice through the center. The sauce was delicious, I'll give it that, and I'm all for the Bloody Mary specials on Sundays. I've had good lasagna here, and tried a friend's thin-crust pizza that was pretty great. However, I had higher hopes for the fish & chips (nothing special, a little soggy) and was especially disappointed in the Chicago-style pizza. I'll definitely come back - Lord knows we need more restaurants in Ankeny that aren't national chains. All I'm saying is that I was hoping for a little more.
(3)Phillip Y.
Wow, we came here for drinks after our first soccer game win in Ankeny. The pizza here was phenomenal. The best pizza since I moved here to Des Moines. I had a local beer on tap called Smitty's or something like that. Great atmosphere with a old style red telephone box outside. Inside there are nice props for the UK. A bit further out from the busy intersection around Ankeny on Ankeny Blvd. A nice place to chill with friends. Oh yeah, the pizza takes time (felt like 30 minutes) but totally worth it especially the big thick crispy crust.
(5)Erin F.
The best Chicago style deep dish pizza in the DSM metro! Be prepared for a long wait but it's totally worth it.
(4)Matt E.
I visited the Wig & Pen on a Friday night and from the looks of the parking lot, this was the place to eat in Ankeny. It was bustling with customers. I must state up front that I did not have pizza which has a strong reputation with my friends who recommended this establishment to me. I had the Italian Beef sandwich which was somewhat of a disappointment. I've been blessed by enjoying several of them over the past month during my adventures through the Midwest and this was hands down the biggest bummer. It was small, with sliced roast beef akin to Arbys with a sprinkling of green pepers and diced onions (the variety you would find atop a White Castle hamburger) and au jus. The good news is that it was very reasonable in price and came with some really good fries, which leads me to give it a C+. It was inexpensive and satiating. The service was very good, and the Wig & Pen has done a very nice job of updating the interior of their business from the former restaurant that occupied this location. Clean with ample seating, and a lot of neat UK themed adornments.
(3)Ann K.
Pizza takeout for lunch from Wig & Pen was ok but definitely not anything to write home about as far as pizza goes. We had the "thin crust" which was, by my Northeast standards, pretty thick. The tomato sauce was tasty but the pizza as a whole was not very inspiring. Since all the rave reviews here are for the Chicago style, perhaps we just made a bad choice. Definitely not the best pizza I've ever had but it wasn't the worst either and I'd pick it over a chain pizza place any day.
(3)Kristin B.
I am a Chicago-style pizza fan and in the Des Moines area I only have about 3 places where I can get it. So I've been to Wig and Pen twice now and each time I've ordered the "Union Jack" (Chicago-style of course). The pizza has a great flavor and the crust is just right-crispy and buttery. My problem with this pizza-both times- has been the cheese; it's mushy and plasticky. It totally ruins what would have otherwise been an amazing pizza! It is not gooey and stringy at all--it just tastes like cheap cheese. It reminds me of the non-fat shredded cheese that doesn't melt. Unless they change the cheese, I won't be back a 3rd time :( I 'm gonna stick with Felix & Oscar's.
(3)Justin B.
Wig and Pen is by far the best Pizza I have ever had. I do admit this is most certainly not a 5 star restaurant, but this is "As good as it gets" for traditional American Pizza. Wig and Pen serves Chicago style Pizza and they serve it well. Where most Pizza places fail, making zesty tasty sauce, Wig and Pen soars. In addition the crust is perfect being slightly chewy on top and crispy on the bottom! We had the vegetable version of the pizza and couldn't be happier. Service was fantastic, I wish I could remember the name of our server! A warning: Chicago style Pizza takes about 50 minutes to prepare. This is common.
(5)Y M.
Went there for lunch with co-workers, and was able to secure their private room in the back. Pizza was OK (as a group, we ordered 5 different types), but not exceptional just like what everyone else raved about. Service was OK. I wouldn't go there for pleasure.
(3)Sean M.
I've had the Chicago style and thought it was excellent. Then I tried the "flying tomato," this is a cheese lover's dream come true! The sauce was zesty and the pie is topped thick cut slices of tomatos. The onion rings that we had for appetizers were thin and crispy, which is just the way I love them. The service has been top notch in my experiences here so far! ***As another reviewer pointed out, deep dish pizza takes longer to prep and cook then almost every other type of pizza out there so allow a few extra minutes****
(5)Dustin B.
Went back last night, and they still get four stars. Tried the onion rings this time. They were decent, but didn't wow. The menu states that they make them fresh each time, but I didn't get the impression that they were straight from the fryer. But the pizza (oh...the pizza....pizza....pi...). It's just terrific. I'll leave it at that.
(4)Kari P.
Stopped by the Wig and Pen after my daughter's softball game at Prairie Ridge. We tried the "flying tomato" style pizza and it was excellent. The crust was great, the sauce gave it great flavor and the toppings were fresh...liked the slices of tomato on top. My parents ordered the chicago style pizza, and it had a thinner crust and less cheese...it, too, was very good. My daughters ordered a hamburger and grilled cheese with fries (both teenaged girls, so eat a good amount after a ball game) and said the meal was fine...they said it wasn't 5 star, but weren't rating the pizza, either. I would definitely order the PIZZA if you get a chance to stop. We will certainly go back if we play ball in the area again. Gave the place 5 stars as the pizza they make isn't your ordinary pizza, and is a nice change from the regular food chains.
(5)Karen S.
I discovered W&P late into my 8 years in Iowa City. After leaving school, one of the restaurants I missed the most was W&P. Fast forward about 5 years, visiting my BF's family in Ankeny. The local paper has a blurb about how W&P is opening shop just down the street from practically MIL's house! Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to head down 35 for a visit to my practically in-laws, but the Ankeny dining scene leaves something to be desired, unless you like chain restaurants. Nowadays, I LOVE going to visit, so long as we can trek down the road for some flying tomato pizza. Ankeny is not a bustling hub of activity (despite what the Super Wal Mart parking lot looks like on a Saturday), so please support this place and don't let it close down!
(5)Mark M.
We went to the Wig & Pen based off of the reviews for their Chicago Style Pizza. Having lived in Chicago, and eaten more than my fair share of their storied Pizza, I was excited as true Chicago Style Pizza is hard to find. The restaurant was easy to see from the street, and there was ample parking. The hostess was very friendly and we were seated immediately. They have Honkers Ale from Goose Island Brewing Company (one of my favs) plus a good selection of draft and bottled beer. We ordered a Large Chicago Style pizza. The alarm bells should have went off when our pizza arrived ~ 20 minutes after ordering; true Chicago style Pizza takes a while,,,, like 40 minutes or more in the oven. To our approving eyes, the Pizza looked like it was built right; Crust first, A healthy layer of cheese, toppings, and a nice chunky red sauce on top. Now, for the eating. After cutting off a chunk and picking it up with my fork, I could see that the crust didn't look quite right. It was not a medium thick crunchy crust. It was pretty thin, and appeared to be a slightly thicker version of regular pizza dough crust. The first bite,,,,,,,,, not very hot, actually just warm (see earlier comment on the 20 minute pizza). The cheese was melted, and the crust did not seem all doughy, but still, did not seem fully cooked. As fore the taste, it was very good. I say with the exception for the crust, they nailed the flavor profile. The topping were good, but maybe a little skimpy (compared to what you would find in Chicago). If you order a sausage pizza in Chicago, prepare yourself for a solid layer of sausage, here there were little chunks of sausage here and there. Over all it was a good pie; just needed a little more time in the oven. A more traditional crust wouldn't hurt. The rest: The non-pizza part of the menu had a good variety. Looked like a great place to watch the game, have a group of people for a party etc.. There looked to be plenty of families there with kids of all ages (this was a Sunday afternoon ~ 5:30 pm).
(3)Ted N.
Best pizza in Ankeny. Go with the flying tomato - will put you in a cheese coma.
(5)Matthew A.
Best pizza in Ankeny for sure. It may be the best in DM area. Wish it had better wine selection.
(4)Jackie G.
Was just there tonight for Wig & Pen's 3 year anniversary in Ankeny! I've enjoyed the pizza on several previous visits but ventured to new territory tonight. I had the italian grinder and, in short, it was killer!! The toasted bun was key to bringing it over the top, but the high quality sausage and nice spice with the right amount of cheese and mmmmmmmm-good! Served by a very friendly waitress and now that i think about it, friendly hostess as well! Will always go back when in Ankeny.
(5)Nathan B.
I'll admit, I had different expectations when I came here. We went here last night for my cousin's birthday gathering, and I was expecting the cuisine to be British inspired dishes. It felt like the menu was something that was from Old Chicago. It mostly featured pasta and American themed appetizers. My partner chose the "Wigatoni" which was a combination of rigatoni and penne pasta in a marinara sauce. I had the sausage lasagna, which was the perfect portion size. Others in my party ordered mostly Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizzas, which looked very authentic, but did not try them (I had pizza for lunch, and it would seem overkill to have pizza for dinner). The Onion Rings ordered for appetizers were decent. The decor interior was nice, featuring many British accents. The food was great tasting, but again, I was hoping for more of a British-themed menu, not a Chicago Italian menu. This would not be a place I would go to on my own, but I would visit here again if someone asked.
(3)Tom B.
Messed up our order. By the time we got our correct order, the Chicago deep dish, an hour and a half had passed. We took the pizza to go and discovered it was undercooked when we got home.
(1)Mr Z.
This is the best pizza in the Des Moines area. Just be prepared to shell out $25 for a pizza.
(5)Carol H.
Thank you Wig and Pen for bringing my husband, who has sworn off pizza, back to his senses. He read about you somewhere so while visiting family in Des Moines we decided to give you a try. We had a Chicago style Union Jack and a thin crust sausage and mushroom. My only regret is trying the deep dish first. It was so good, can you say umami? I seriously thought I was in heaven and everyone at the table was right there with me, even the pizza hater! The crust on both pizzas was outstanding. I can't even describe it, just yummy and flaky and quite unlike any pizza crust I have ever eaten. I loved the sausage, it was quite tasty and just the right amount. The thin crust pizza was also good, great even, but after the deep dish it seemed tame. Its a 3 plus hour drive but we will be back!
(5)Jay C.
Didn't understand all the hype especially after waiting almost an hour to be seated and another 45 minutes for our food to arrive after ordering. Can taste the wood fire in the pizza crust but it is wasted on the lack of toppings and the overall blandness of the pie. I tried the burger also and had to resort to slathering anything within reach on it so it would not get lodged in my esophagus due to lack of any moisture whatsoever. The onion rings were served with ranch, but after trying to dip these tiny french's type reconstituted rings into it, I believe I would have been better served just pouring it on top and using a fork. Probably should have rated one star but I did finish most of my food due to starvation. One last note, extremely overpriced. Tab was over $50 for family of three with no drinks. Overrated bar food:/
(2)Scott C.
I've heard great things about this place... However, I made a mistake when visiting. No one in our group ordered pizza! The non-pizza options were just OK. Service was good, prices reasonable... I'll visit again, as it seems to be a popular place, and try the pizza. I'll adjust my review if need be. ... Been back twice. Awesome pizza!!
(5)Thao P.
Wig and Pin is an awesome pizza eatery. It's a nice local pub. My family and I were craving Chicago style pizza so came here to try it out. We got the wings and garlic cheese bread as the appetizer. The garlic cheese bread was delicious. The wings were very crispy and good but it was bit too much on the salty side. We got the Big Tomato Style Pizza which I felt like was the in-between of Regular Pan Style Pizza and Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. When it got to our table, the service was great where the waitress served all the first slices to us individually. The pizza was amazing! Lots fresh mozzarella and the crust has to be my favorite part. It's crispy and cooked just right. The ratio of cheese and sauce tasted just right with the dough. Along with the items I tried, they have a handful of other American appetizers and entrees. Next time, I want to try their actual Chicago Stuffed Pizza and perhaps the Pork Tenderloin. I'd recommend it!
(5)Patrick T.
I got to admit I want PIZZA from here! Ok I have been here twice now and have yet to get to try the Pizza, my wife had pizza earlier in the day so we decided to get Veggie Burgers instead of the Pizza which just looks absolutely amazing! Our friends sitting with us got a Pizza and yes I was extreamly jealous how good it looked and smelled! But have no fear if you are ordering the veggie burger on the pretzel bun, it's pretty darn good as well! If you are vegan make sure you order it without the sauce. As far as the decour of the place think British pub feel, in a strip mall! Seriously great beer selections and nice staff. Maybe not the place to eat if you are in a hurry cause the pizza's do take a good amount of time to make but that cause they have the perfect look to them brown crust, a little brown on top, man I want some PIE from here, if it's as good as it looks, it definitely incredible! I will be back stay tuned! Note: I spoke here once for a Jaycees meeting and they have a great little party room, for events. I think it's free to use as well!
(4)Amanda M.
Terrible TERRIBLE management. We came in at 6:00pm and ordered by 6:20pm. We finally left at 7:40pm because our pizza was STILL NOT SERVED! Other customers came and went during our wait.
(1)Nick H.
I'm never been one to rave about a certain type of pizza or style to me they are all good however just had wig & pens flying tomato for the first time this week and I have to say best pizza ever. Nothing else will ever compare I even made a special 40 minute trip just to get pizza picked up yesterday only request I have is open up another location on the west side of Des Moines
(5)Aaron S.
Really awesome Ruben sandwich... in fact close to perfect. Service was awesome (I sat at the bar). I'll definitely be back...
(4)Genevieve W.
Came here right as they opened with a group of my classmates and we were seated right away. Staff was super friendly! We ordered a basket of amazing super thin and crispy onion rings to share! They came out quickly. They needed a bit of salt but that is an easy fix! I love that they are not thick cut rings. The reason I had to take a star away is that it took 45 minutes to get our pizza. During which time our waitress didn't really even come by and let us know that our food was on its way. The carnivore pizza served flying tomato style (a nice crispy higher crust with thick tomatoes). Was great. It had Canadian bacon, pepperoni, sausage. Delicious sauce and amazing crust! The twickenham had olives, feta cheese, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes. Also served flying tomato style! Overall great food! Great service! But slow food coming to the table so therefore I had to take away 1 star! But a great local place!
(4)Bill L.
This is another local place in Ankeny I kept hearing good things about so I decided to give it a shot for lunch today. Parking was easy, lots of spaces open in the lot. Upon entering we were quickly greeted and seated. Our waitress took our drink order quickly and we knew immediately she was going to be excellent just based on her tone. We ordered our food and then took a look at the decor. They tried to go with an English pub appearance and I have been to a real pub before, but I feel they did a good job. The atmosphere was nice, there was sports on their big tvs, but the restaurant goers including staff were very casual. It definitely feels like a family restaurant to me compared to a sports pub, but I'm not sure if that changes at night when things get different. We got the Wings for the appetizer, she got the meatball sub with a side of salad and I got the small sized The Union Jack - Flying Tomato Style pizza. Just a heads up, expect to wait about 25 minutes if you order a pizza. First the wings, OH MY, probably top 3 on my list of best wings in the Greater Des Moines area! They were very crispy on the outside and crazy juicy and tender on the inside. The blue cheese dip that comes with it was made with real blue cheese, awesome touch. The salad was not bad, nothing special. Now for the main course, the meatball sub was good, but not much different than meatball subs I've had in other places. The highlight of the meal and their restaurant is their pizza. It was super fresh and the flavors were phenomenal! The crust was perfect, the cheese was perfect, the presentation was perfect, it is probably now my favorite local pizza place. Oh and the small size, it is enough for one hungry man to feel like they are going to explode after eating it all, it is a very good size . It is enough for 2 people to feel satisfied, but not full. I am so excited that I came here, the service was awesome and the food even better. I will definitely be returning!
(5)Craig Z.
All I've had here is the pizza. I had them flying tomato, and they were awesome!!! I can't wait to return.
(5)Gary H.
This was a nice corner pub atmosphere. Service was very prompt and friendly. Food was pretty darn good. Mac & Cheese with a salad was more food than I could eat. The bartender needs to make sure to remember that when people get good drinks, they'll eat more and come back more often. Drinks were very weak. Overall, have to say I would return. But stop for drinks elsewhere first.
(3)