Posted in Iowa Food & Dining, Iconic Foods July 20, 2022 by Raymond Goldfield

The Oldest Restaurant In Iowa’s Little Italy Is A Culinary Masterpiece

Des Moines, Iowa has a lot of great Italian restaurants – so many that people often call the area where they’re most commonly found the Hawkeye State’s Little Italy. You can find all the classics – chicken parmesan, lasagna, and of course pizza. But to find the best pizza in Iowa, you’ll want to go to a place that’s been dishing them out since 1945. Chuck Celsi’s Tavern Restaurant, often just called The Tavern, is the oldest still-operating Italian restaurant in Des Moines, beating out Noah’s Ark by only a year. It’s undergone a lot of changes in those almost eighty years, but what hasn’t changed is that the food is still the best around.

The humble storefront at Chuck Celsi's Tavern Restaurant gives away that this is a neighborhood standard that's been doing what it does best for a very long time.

The casual but comfortable interior was remodeled in 2021, but it still feels timeless - like the quintessential neighborhood pizzeria and diner.

The food maintains that timeless vibe as well. You can start your meal with flavorful pepperoni rolls just like people have for decades.

Chili at a pizzeria? The one at Chuck Celsi's is busting with flavor and topped with the tavern's house-made onion rings.

The overstuffed Tavern Burgers are among the city's best and make a good case for straying away from the Italian standards.

So does the broasted chicken, cooked to order and boasting an amazingly crisp crust.

The rich Italian specialties are not to be missed, including this baked spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread.

The restaurant's chicken parmesan is an impressive beast, coming on top of a heap of pasta.

Of course, you're here for pizza and you'll have a delicious meal if you stick to the tried-and-true sausage...

...or if you go with a wilder option like the restaurant's topping-heavy back cheeseburger pizza.

The restaurant even serves up an Iowa original - taco pizza, topped with crumbled crispy nacho chips.

It's not a meal at Chuck Celsi's Tavern if you don't end it with a Treats - a giant chocolate chip cookie topped with Sundae fixings!

Have you dined at Chuck Celsi’s Tavern Restaurant? What’s your pick for the best pizza in Iowa? Let us know in the comments section. If you’re planning a visit, make sure to check out the restaurant’s website and Facebook page so you know all about their latest menu additions!

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Address: Chuck Celsi's Tavern Restaurant, 205 5th St, West Des Moines, IA 50265, USA

The Oldest Restaurant In Iowa’s Little Italy Is A Culinary Masterpiece

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