Celebrate Deep Dish Pizza With the Best in Iowa—A Must-Try Hotspot for Pizza Lovers

When you think of Iowa food, your mind probably jumps to loose meat sandwiches and sweet corn: maybe washed down with a cold root beer at a place like Taylor’s Maid-Rite in Marshalltown. You know, the kind of meal that says, “Yep, Iowans know comfort food.” But when pizza pops into your brain, especially the glorious, cheesy, sauce-laden brick that is deep dish, Iowa’s not usually the first state on your mental map. You’re probably thinking Chicago. Maybe Detroit, if you’ve been watching a lot of food shows.

Well, allow me to introduce you to a Des Moines gem that flips that pizza script: Felix and Oscar’s, affectionately known as F&O’s. Nestled in the Merle Hay neighborhood, this local joint is where deep dish dreams go to live their best lives. It’s got the heart of the Midwest and the soul of a pizza purist, all wrapped up in golden, flaky crust.

Let’s get to the reason we’re all here: the pizza. And not just any pizza, deep dish is where F&O’s truly earns its (pepperoni-laden) crown. Their Authentic Deep Pan Cheese Pizza comes in sizes from a humble 7-inch personal pie all the way up to a 14-inch beast that can feed an entire hockey team… or one very determined individual with no regrets. You can build your own masterpiece starting with classics like mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers, or get adventurous with Graziano’s spicy Italian sausage and shrimp. Yes, shrimp on deep dish. And then there are the wild card toppings like broccoli or, hold onto your pepperoni, sauerkraut. On a pizza? Yes. And you know what? It works.

But maybe building your own is too much pressure. You’ve been making decisions all week. Take a load off. F&O’s has you covered with house specialties that are as bold as they are delicious. Consider the Grinder Deep Dish Pizza: their scratch-made sauce, Graziano sausage, and mozzarella cheese, basically their famous grinder sandwich in pizza form, only with more glorious cheese. Or maybe the Taco Deep Dish Pizza is calling your name, topped with seasoned ground beef, crunchy chips, lettuce, cheddar, and tomatoes. It’s like Taco Tuesday and Pizza Friday ran off and eloped.

And for a slice of edible history, try the Western Deep Dish Pizza: the first ever BBQ sauce pizza served in Iowa, born right here in 1978. Ham and pepperoni start the party, and if you're feeling fancy (or slightly unhinged), throw on some pineapple or green olives like the regulars do.

Now, if you're not team deep dish, don’t panic. F&O’s isn’t about exclusion... they’ve got thin crust too, and it’s no slouch. The Bacon Chicken Ranch Thin Crust Pizza features crispy chicken, smoky bacon, and ranch dressing, basically a Midwest love letter written in melted cheese. Or for a cheese avalanche, go for the Cheese Topper Pizza, where layers of mozzarella, cheddar, and romano create the ultimate ooey-gooey experience. My choice? The Bacon Cheeseburger Cheese Topper Pizza—complete with ground beef, bacon, cheddar, mozzarella, and yes, dill pickles. It’s like a backyard grill-out snuck into a pizza oven and came out victorious.

Got dietary needs? F&O’s has gluten-free pizza covered, and you can customize nearly any standard option. Spicy types, check out the “Nasty” Grinder Gluten-Free Pizza, same deal as the original but cranked up with jalapeños, crushed red peppers, and pepper sauce. It’s not playing around.

And if you’re not in a pizza mood (first of all, are you okay?), they’ve got salads like the Buffalo Chicken Salad with zesty breaded chicken and pepper jack cheese, signature sandwiches like the Graziano sausage sub with marinara and mozzarella, hearty pasta dinners, a kid’s menu, and desserts like the Flourless Chocolate Torte that’s so rich, it might have its own private jet.

Also: appetizers. This place doesn’t skimp. From Felix Fries to Nasty Fries (yes, that’s a real thing), there’s a fry for every mood. Me? I’m going for the pretzel balls with homemade cheese sauce, because if you’re not dipping something into cheese, are you even living?

So here’s your move: make Des Moines your next food destination and head straight to Felix and Oscar’s. You’ll find flavor, fun, and a local crowd that’s in on the secret. Before or after your pizza pilgrimage, swing by the Science Center of Iowa or the Des Moines Art Center for a little culture with your carbs. And if you fall in love with deep dish (you will), consider recreating the magic at home. I love this indoor pizza oven that gets you pretty close. But let’s be honest… you’ll be back. Because there’s just something about Felix and Oscar’s. They’ve bottled up some pizza magic in Iowa, and lucky for us, they’re happy to share.