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A & A Pagliai's Pizza
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
55 reviews for A & A Pagliai's Pizza
Review Highlights
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"Thin crust, zesty sauce, fresh ingredients." In 13 reviews -
"Every time I make it home I make it a point to stop there..." In 4 reviews -
"After growing up in IC and attending U of I, I've lived in..." In 3 reviews
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55 reviews in English
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Review from Barney T.
Campbell, CA
2/25/2012
I am from Iowa City, so I am biased about Pagliai's. Since it is the greasebomb, moderately cheap pizza of my childhood, it is the holy grail to which all other cheap pizzas will be compared.
And it repeatedly kicks their collective doughy asses with extreme prejudice. The crust is thin and greasy. The toppings are fresh and greasy. The sauce is....well, not greasy per say, but damn tasty. Sure, this pizza isn't going to win a lot of awards, but it isn't cheap cardboard crap for $5 either. What you get is good toppings with tasty sauce in an old-timey set up. Their beer prices are also pretty good.
I limit myself to one Pags visit per trip home to save my waistline, but it is perhaps the food I most look forward to in town. -
Review from Ron T.
Cedar Falls, IA
2/25/2012
I have eaten many times at a Paglia's in Kirksville, MO and have visited this Iowa City restaurant as well.
Paglia's Iowa City is one of the very few places I actually enjoy eating pizza in the state of Iowa. Thin cracker crust, great cheese, good sausage makes this the pizza to beat in the whole state. Yummy!!!! The staff is excellent, the decor great and the pizza to fight for. You could ask no more of this establishment. "A+"
I just found out there is a Paglia's in Ankeny! I am off to try that next week and compare. I hope this restaurant is in line with the others so I have another haven to call my pizza heaven. -
Review from Amy S.
Bowling Green, KY
5/8/2012 1 photo
The quintessential pizza place in Iowa City. Thin crust pizza. Cheezy. Don't go fancy on the toppings because the veggies often come from cans. Go with pepperoni, cheese, or meats. That way you can't go wrong. We just love a large pepperoni. The service is fast and friendly. It's a great local spot, very simple decor. Short wait even on weekend nights, though the standing can get a bit squished in the very old little restaurant that hasn't been updated since probably the 70s. Go here if you visit Iowa City, it's iconic and it's great pizza. They also offer frozen pizzas, no preservatives that I can detect, that you can carry out without a fuss. They're good, too. But don't expect any extras: just pizza and drinks. No salads or sides or nothing.
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Review from Holly W.
Madison, WI
5/16/2012
Disappointed. We walked into Pagliai's at 10:40 on a Saturday night. We were asked how many in our party and then told they were closed. Hard to take when the sign said they are open til 11 pm and the restaurant is full of patrons enjoying pizza. If your hours are posted that you close at 11; you should serve until 11. An Iowa City tradition? Not for us. We will not be returning, any restaurant that can turn away business obviously doesn't need it.
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Review from Matt B.
North Liberty, IA
11/15/2011
I lived in Iowa City for about 6 years before making it to Pagliai's. I had always heard it was amazing, the best pizza in town, the world, etc. Although it is good, it might not even make it in to my top 5 pizza places in town, let alone of all time. It's reputation is definitely propped up on nostalgia and charm of their set up. There's nothing wrong with that, but I'd expect better pizza with their relatively high prices.
My go to order is the sausage and jalapeno, because they use fresh jalapeno's instead of canned/pickled. The fresh jalapenos make all the difference in the flavor department, and almost earns them a 4th star - but not quite. Consider this a 3.5 star review. -
Review from Suzanne H.
Escondido, CA
11/6/2011
Heard about this place from hubs who went to U of I in 60's. Have eaten pizza everywhere including Chicago and NYC. This place was GREAT. and, coming from someone who lives in CA, cheap. Hubs was surprised they have beer and wine now.
We had med pizza with sausage, shrooms, and olives. It was very very good. Glass of CA red blend 5.25. Total bill 32. Kidding me? Great pizza, OK wine and two beers for 32. Waited on line 10 minutes on friday before Michigan game. That's nothing.
Love this place. Will be back every time we come back for a game. -
Review from Chilly R.
Iowa City, IA
2/22/2011
So far since joining my fellow Iowa earthlings in this crazy little city I've had plenty of late night pizza. Lets just say I have certain "habits" that lead to the midnight munchies. If you won't tell, i won't tell. [winky wink]
In the last month I've had pizza from: falbos, wedge, sam's, p.o.d, and sanctuary. Mama mia, das alotta da pizza! Let me give you the dealio: Pagliai's is the best pizza in Iowa city, just like they say.
Now the malo news: there's a woman in the Miss Ugly Monster pageant who is the knockout fox of the group. You get my drifto, amigo? Just because you ran the marathon on one leg faster than the other gimps doesn't mean you can be mentioned with the two-leggers, dr. half-step.
So, yeah, Pags is the best one legged sprinter in town. But if you really have the need for two-legged speed, you're out of luck. -
Review from Charlie O.
Modesto, CA
8/30/2010
I used to frequent this place when I was in college in the late 50's. Was in Iowa City in July and was very happy to see that Pag's was still there. The pizza was as good as I remembered it to be. I have never had pizza that good anywhere else and don't forsee anyone making it as good in the near or far future.
Three thumbs up, or, is it two hands up as they toss the dough into the air repeatedly.Listed in: My Favorite Places
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Review from KELLIE K.
4/4/2008
Growing up around Iowa City meant that you were likely raised on Pagliai's. Even though I now live in a great pizza city, I often miss the smell and taste of Pagliai's the way some people miss their grandmother's Sunday dinner. The crust is thin with a perfect balance of chewy and crisp, and the sauce is never too much with just the right blend of herbs, spices, and a touch of sweet.
The next time you're in Iowa City, stop by and watch the cooks in action through the front window. The smell alone will likely lure you inside and you'll find yourself pouring over the menu, trying to decide what to try. Dining-in heightens the experience, though you can always grab a pizza from their freezer, usually the standard cheese, sausage, pepperoni fare, or get a fresh pie to go. If you want to sound like you're a seasoned veteran, order the Pagliai's Special. It's one of the few things that has changed over the years and is no longer listed on the menu. Some of the newbie waitstaff may ask, "Palace Special?" Firmly say, "Pagliai's Special." What is it, you wonder? Pagliai's holy trinity: sausage, green pepper, and onion. Heaven on a pizza crust.Listed in: Places I Miss in Iowa
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Review from Larry H.
Palo Alto, CA
11/15/2009
I keep reading how this is the #1 place to go in Iowa city. I am happy that it lived up to its reputation. I can't honestly say that its my favorite place in IC, but its pretty darn good.
Note that this is not your Chicago deep dish or fancy NYC brick oven pizza served with zesty tomatoes. They take regular ingredients and make it into something pretty good tasting.
I do have to say that you are paying $18 for a medium-large pie, so its not the best bang for the buck deal in town, but its pretty good.
Also, be ready to wait for your food, there's usually a line out the door. -
Review from Robert C.
4/1/2009
You bet--#1 in IC...This is where the locals go for real ZA. A family staple that has stores from the small town of Grinnell, Iowa to as far as Kentucky. This sauce and cheese are the finest quality and the crust is thin and flavorful. Always a young and friendly staff employed. I remember coming here after junior high football games. I think it is still a Regina tradition.
Only con is that they do not deliver, so when you're craving a stay in type of night, you still gotta pick it up!Listed in: Iowa City
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Review from Doug W.
Iowa City, IA
11/7/2009
I was a little underwhelmed by Pagliai's. Maybe I was a little spoiled from living in Brooklyn.
My GF and I split a 14" pizza and had drinks. Service was quick. The crust was nice and thin, but wasn't too crispy. OK I guess if you like the "cracker" style crust. But its not like it is brick-oven pizza or anything, so there is no extra flavor from blackening or charring. Sauce wasn't particularly zesty. The cheese and toppings were perfectly fine. Just OK, not anything I would seek out again. -
Review from Scott S.
West Branch, IA
12/22/2009 7 Check-ins Here
Pagliai's is to Iowa City Natives what Harris Pizza is to those from the Quad Cities, an institution one grows up with which is much loved and sometimes inexplicable to those who didn't grow up with it.
Sure, Pagliai's is my favorite pizza. But one should understand it is in the mid 20th-century, American style, a crisp crust, crust, whole milk cheese. Very different from real Italian pizza, it should be understood as an American variation. Those into deep-dish or Chicago styles will be disappointed.
By the way, there are a series of these, I think all distantly related, one near Des Moines, one in Grinnell, a couple in Missouri.
Two complaints, for which I'm not going to detract a star for though: It is somewhat expensive, getting a large combination pizza is around twenty bucks. Also, they don't have good beer. Killian's Red? Really?
Also, note that they have frozen medium size pizzas for sale if you want to cook one at home. -
Review from Matt A.
Iowa City, IA
8/7/2009
They do one thing and they do it very well. Thin crust pizza with great ingredients.
Love it! This Pagliai's is one the things I was really looking forward to when we returned to Iowa City. -
Review from Eric B.
6/27/2008
An Iowa City and University of Iowa Classic that has stayed close to its roots. It's kind of an old fashioned family and student place rolled into one. And it is fun to watch them work through the big window.
The Pizza itself is thin, very tasty, and cut into small squares. I have always enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and service and it's certainly worth a return trip no matter how long you have been gone.Listed in: Road Food!, Iowa City
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Review from Chaos M.
Iowa City, IA
8/17/2011
I didn't feel anything special of this pizza. I don't know why too many people eat here.
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Review from Heather J.
Cincinnati, OH
8/28/2008
The best pizza ever - we used to run after the homecoming parade just to get there and stand in line for an hour...
Oh how I miss it!
It is hot though - damn! -
Review from Karrey S.
Iowa City, IA
5/15/2008 1 photo
Back when ICON, the independent newspaper that was here before the Little Village, was still going, it would hold annual "best of" contests for businesses around town. I think they made up a special category specifically for Pagliai's to win every year: "Best pizza that'll burn the roof of your mouth everytime". Even though ICON is gone, Pagliai's is still here, and still burning the roof of my mouth. Good service, great food, nice atmosphere, and an Iowa City institution with the food quality to back it up. I recommend getting your pizza with double crust.
Also, here's a tip: cut your first piece of pizza up and blow on the pieces before eating them. By the time you get to the crust, it's cool enough to pick up and eat, and the rest of the pizza is cool enough not to have to cut up. -
Review from Karlton K.
Iowa City, IA
1/31/2011
Mama's dough and Papa's sausage. Yes it's the old family recipe.
Pagliai's has the best pizza in Iowa City. The place is an institution that has remained true to it's roots.
Here's 5 tips I can give to the newbs that will help you maximize your Pagliai's experience.
1. ORDER THE SAUSAGE ... Pagliai's makes their own sausage and it is the best! Rumors were that old man Pagliai used to kick everyone out of the back kitchen when he was making his sausage ... to protect the secret recipe. In my opinion you MUST be willing to try the sausage pizza before you can make any sort of judgement about Pagliai's. If you don't like sausage pizza it's probably because you have never tried the sausage pizza at Pagliai's and have no idea what you are missing. Seriously, I too would be wary to order sausage pizza from any other place, since Pagliai's has ruined all other sausage for me ... nothing compares.
2. YOU MUST DINE IN. The reason for this is that the pizza will arrive at your table at it's zenith. Crisp on the bottom and melty on top ... time is of the essence because as the pizza cools it's just going to get rubbery. It's still going to taste great, but the texture takes a hit. Take out is only acceptable in the event of not finding a babysitter. No other excuses are acceptable. If kids are in tow and you need to make haste try calling ahead and placing your order to dine in. If there's no line they'll usually accommodate you.
3. LIFT THE CHEESE! Don't burn your mouth. The sauce is hot. You cannot waste time waiting for it to cool. My family has a tip that has been passed down for three generations: LIFT THE CHEESE with a fork! Blow on the sauce. Let the cheese down and take a bite. Repeat until your first slice is done. Now the rest of your pizza pie has cooled sufficiently enough for you to dive in with abandon.
4. DON'T TALK! Seriously, now is not the time to make idle chatter or talk just to hear yourself speak. You're in the middle of an intense love-making session with a sausage pizza from Pagliai's. You instead will want to focus on every sausagey bite, savoring the flavor, and enjoying it while the crust remains crisp and the cheese hot. Save the chatter for when they bring the after dinner mint.
5. TIP WELL. Pagliai's offers top notch service and they run a tight ship. The staff works harder than any other place in town. They are there late at night, long after you are in bed, pulling every table out of it's booth to clean up after you. They are the reason Pagliai's runs the cleanest joint in town.
Bonus Pagliai trivia: No parmesian cheese. Old man Pagliai refused to offer it because it would get ground into the carpeting. So don't bother asking for it.
My fave: My fave used to be the Pagliai Special (sausage, green pepper, onion) but they've taken that off the menu long ago. You can still request it. Lately I've been ordering sausage with green pepper and mushrooms. It's a flavor explosion!
I love you, Pagliai's. -
Review from Kevvy K.
Menlo Park, CA
12/11/2009
Meh, this place is all right. I think if you lived here for years and knew no better, you'd grow to love it out of isolation. (This happened to me and Bay Area pizza recently, so I speak out of firsthand experience! But this would be another step down....)
The inside is real nice for a Friday night dinner, casual style, though.
Hate all you want, though, this is the place for pizza in Iowa city and maybe all Iowa! (Until the dude I met at Hertz's Des Moines airport location, yeah man, you! opens up a spot in Des Moines. I'm waiting for it on my next trip out there!) -
Review from Jessica N.
Ames, IA
3/14/2011
I heard this place has the BEST pizza in town so of course I had to try it. My boyfriend and I went on a Friday night. There was a bit of a wait for a table (to be expected of course), but it was only about 15 minutes or so. I enjoyed watching all the young pizza makers at the front of the restaurant...very entertaining. We ordered a pizza with a few toppings and a couple of drinks. Service was good and the food came quickly. I wasn't too impressed with the taste of the pizza- The sauce and cheese were pretty bland. Pagliai's pizza has very little oil and not a lot of sauce or cheese- I would describe it as a "healthy" version of the type of pizza I like. Overall this was not the worst pizza i've ever had, but nowhere near the best either. I probably won't be back again.
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Review from SJ F.
6/10/2007
Pagliai's has worked hard to keep their original look. As you approach the door, you feel as though you've stepped back in time. Through the window on your left, you'll see a group of cooks wearing old fashioned white paper hats and white aprons busily preparing food.
The food here tastes better than it looks. Which sounds a bit harsh, but isn't meant to at all. It's a thin crust pizza that has none of the look of the thick juicy meaty things we see advertised for the average chain pizza place on television. It's hard to get overly excited about it until you've had a bite. The crust, sauce, and toppings are perfectly proportionate, and are of a high quality. The result is delicious. Pagliai's clearly knows what it's doing. It's an Iowa City tradition that shouldn't be missed. -
Review from Mia C.
Coralville, IA
2/22/2011
After reading all the reviews for this place I figured I would be crazy not to try it. We ordered a large pizza to go, 1/2 sausage and mushroom, 1/2 supreme, it cost almost $20. When we got home to eat it I was so excited and quickly disappointed. The crust was meh ok, the sauce seriously tasted like something out of a can, I hate to say it but it tasted cheap, the cheese was alright, but the ingredients were very fresh tasting. I have the feeling this place gets a good rep around here because its like "an iowa city tradition" it doesn't taste great but people associate good memories with it maybe. I would suggest to someone craving pizza, and a good pizza at that go to Falbo, hey even Pizza Hut anything is better than this place, I will never go back considering my other options.
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Review from Heidi S.
Washington, DC
9/6/2008
This place has pretty tasty thin crust pizza. This is as close as the University of Iowa campus gets to having an iconic pizza place that everyone on campus knows, like most other Big Ten schools have... but it narrowly misses the mark.
Pizza is good, sadly no delivery. It has the feel of a cozy old diner, but it does get hot. Carryout is available, which is what we prefer. -
Review from j c.
Iowa City, IA
9/16/2009
They do one thing and one thing only...heavenly thin-crust pizza. If you are looking for a doughy or Chicago style pizza, look elsewhere. You want delivery? Then order from Domino's or other numerous mediocre pizza places.
Only items on the menu are pizza and drinks. Not even salad! That's why the pizzas are fantastic. It hardly matters what kind of pizza you order. The meat toppings are seasoned just right, not too salty. All the usuaul toppings are available including pineapple and anchovies.
There is often a long wait on most nights. So I go either early or later. Another advantage of going there a little later is that you can order on your way and they will have the pizza ready when you get there. Sit down, order some drinks and bite into the slice of heaven... -
Review from A.C. H.
Iowa City, IA
2/18/2011
Pagliai's is the Iowa City pizza spot. If you're reading this, you certainly already know this. If you've just moved to the city, go so that you can say you went. Now, there is a lot of chatter about this place being awesome or the best in the world. Is it? No. Is it the best in Iowa City? No.
Two reasons. The first is that pizza itself is not as awesome as everyone would make you think. It's good, but definitely not the best in this city. Secondly, it's pretty expensive considering what you get. Single topping pizzas are a robbery, so it's better to get the specials. Also, as a personal problem, I think I missed the pitchers of beer, which would be an excellent treat with a pie sometimes.
While I really want to support the old-school aesthetics of the restaurant and the dudes working in the window, the product doesn't really do enough for me. -
Review from Jeremy K.
Los Angeles, CA
2/18/2008
I've been eating at Pagliai's my entire life. Every time I make it home I make it a point to stop there for pizza. The food is excellent, the atmosphere is just right, and it's easy to get to.
I only wish they would move out to LA so I could have them more often! -
Review from Remzi A.
Madison, WI
2/20/2011
Simple and delicious pizza (thin) and beer (bud). Well worth the wait.
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Review from Tim S.
Golden, CO
12/13/2010
Hands down the best pizza on the planet! I live in Colorado now, and every time I'm home, I make a visit to Pagliai's. It's nice that you can take home frozen pies too. I think I'm going to put a few in a cooler with some dry ice next time I'm in Iowa. I came here when I was a kid and remember being fascinated watching the pizza being made. Oh, and the smell when you walk in is intoxicating! Can't wait to visit again! Wish they would put one in Cedar Rapids tho.
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Review from Janine M.
Iowa City, IA
4/10/2010
Are you Kraft Singles or Aged Extra Sharp Cheddar?
Being from the Chicagoland area I really enjoy a good slice of pizza. I love flavorful crusts and hearty sauces and rich ingredients. This is not what you'll find at A&A Pagliai's Pizza. The crust is bland and somewhere inbetween chewy and crispy. The sauce is very bland (mostly tomato paste) and forgetable. The toppings are fresh but don't make up for what is lacking. It's a family friendly casual atmosphere is simple but not too drab. Though it is not to my taste, those that like this very americanized sort of pizza may find they like it. -
Review from Andrew S.
Iowa City, IA
1/16/2011
This place takes me back to my childhood. Their pizza reminds me of this little italian-owned pizza shop(take-out only) in my neighborhood when I was growing up. Thin crust, zesty sauce, fresh ingredients. Perfection. And have you ever looked at the floor when they are making pizzas? You could eat off that floor!
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Review from chad a.
Chicago, IL
2/20/2009
Our second time here was even better than the first, which we thought would have been hard to accomplish. Our server was a gem on top of her game without too many table visits to interrupt our tomfoolery. Their squat pilsner glasses remind me of the 80's, the cooks' paper hats are a hoot, the décor is reminiscent to a 1970's mobster store front and the pizza is the BEST in town (so simple that it is perfect). You are able to eat way more than you would think due to the extremely thin crust, making the topping the star of the show.
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Review from Diana C.
Chicago, IL
12/26/2008
I'm from New York and now call Chicago home, so I am already in love with two types of pizza; yet when I visit my husband's family in Iowa, there's a third kind of pizza I love, and that is Pagliai's. Thin crust, plentiful toppings, great sauce, fast service. A required stop anytime I'm in Iowa City.
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Review from Luke S.
Everett, WA
6/23/2009
Thin crust pizza at it's best. The secret is the sauce....superlative!
I currently live in Seattle. Every time I go back to visit family and friends, we make a trip to Pagliai's Pizza to reminisce.
Atmosphere is cozy and casual. I look forward to my next visit :) -
Review from Joe J.
Iowa City, IA
1/30/2011
It is a nice family joint. The pizza is great for someone that really likes plain jane pizza.
After I ate a slice I realized I needed some flavor so I asked the waitress for some ranch. She basically said that they don't have ranch because their pizza is so good they don't need it. -
Review from Susie F.
Coralville, IA
7/13/2008
Tip: It's pronounced "polly-eyes".
Another tip: Don't come here if you want anything besides pizza, soda, beer or wine. There are no salads, no sandwiches, no starters -- nothing but delicious pizza, all hot and crispy as the dickens.
I recommend sitting in the front section, where you can watch the guys in paper hats make the pizzas. -
Review from Natalie D.
Manhattan, NY
12/4/2009
I wish I liked Pagliai's more. It's local, family-owned, an area classic, etc. And I've already gotten some flack from my Iowa City friends (natives, that is) who insist that Pagliai's is an institution, not just pizza.
That may be the case -- but it's no excuse for not paying for attention to the pizza. The TASTE. The toppings are fresh and high quality, but they're chucked on so, so heavily. The sauce doesn't get any breathing room, and the crust certainly doesn't bubble up like proper thin crusts do.
Sure, the best pizza in town. Obviously, of course, worlds better than Dominos or Pizza Hut. But it could be so much better.
[Read more at iowasthinking.wordpress.com] -
Review from Kevin S.
Mt Prospect, IL
5/26/2008
This place has nice simple pizza that is delicious. I like the simple menu as well, it's a relief from some of those huge menus out there.
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Review from Franklin W.
Albany, CA
8/5/2010
We walked around the area close to University of Iowa one evening, during our recent trip there, and found this busy pizza place. Their thin-crust pizza is right on!
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Review from Jennifer T.
Iowa City, IA
2/6/2009
While I love the pizza here, I've never managed to get good service. It has been enough of a problem here that it leaves me a bit disappointed when I leave. But, the pizza is definitely worth a try.
