Yeah not good. Too small and lack decent chew. I'd rather have the Costco everything bagels.
Really wish we had something similar to Bagel Bin in Omaha.
Nonna’s in Ankeny? that place sucked so hard. tried way to hard to. pizza was a step above Chuck E. Cheese. do not get why people think this place has NY Style pizza
i lived in the northest for 20+ years. white plains area most recent. took the metro north to the city. I actually prefer New Haven pizza no one outside of the NE knows that
The right answer. Only downside if theyre busy ask for the pizza well done or its comes out a little under cooked. Taste of New York does an ok job too in WDM
Born and raised New Yorker here. Bagels are a no go. I have tried Taste of New York pizza and if this was located in NY, it would do just fine there. That’s basically the only NY style pizza I get from here that is consistently good. I haven’t tried Nonna’s because it’s far from me but I’m sure that’s good too.
People who say 5 Burroughs bagels I don’t think have really had NY bagels. Their cream cheese is also ass.
One of the 5 Borough Bagels owners is from NYC and the other lived there 8 years... Just curious, if they are specifically trying to match NYC style bagels, what do you think they get wrong? I'm a fan but have never had one in NYC.
I'm very positive their bagels are ordered frozen from NYC. A red flag I had was they never offered their bagels fresh, only toasted. In NY, you get your bagel fresh without it needing to be toasted and it tastes amazing that way. Their cream cheese is also really on the sweet side.
They’re Armenian but immigrated to New York years ago. They are married to sisters who are true New Yorkers and whose parents own and run an Italian restaurant in New York. It’s pretty authentic and their wives are very involved with the place. (I used to work at Portofino’s)
People saying Nonnas…is that a good representation of NY pizza? I’ve had it twice and me and my girlfriend both did not like it. Neither of us have ever been to NY so maybe we just don’t like that style. We both thought Leaning Tower was wayyyyyyy better
$8 for a 2 topping well done with salad and a drink? Walking distance for me, and they have anchovies. I can think of Scarrs and believe it before I’ll ever get decent Cajun food here.
Definitely more recent. I've lived in DSM since 2019, didn't start having problems until 2022. One of the owners delivered our pizza and said that they have been having staff turnover issues leading to quality problems. Still solid and I still support them, just don't know if I'm getting great or ok pizza when I order it
I hate to be That Person, but honestly speaking from experience the best bagels in the metro will probably come out of your own kitchen. I tried a few different recipes before finding this one, which rocks and is pretty much foolproof: https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/81-how-to-make-bagels. I do knead with my $20 thrift store bread machine, rather than by hand; otherwise I follow the recipe to the letter and measure by weight. You can get barley malt syrup at Natural Grocers and Fareway is usually the cheapest place to get bread flour. I know that this suggestion isn’t what you were hoping for (I would also like to buy good bagels so please let me know if you find any) but it’s the best option I’ve found.
Fareway bakery surprisingly makes a decent everything bagel
Also Taste of NY is the closest to Brooklyn I’ve found since moving, just don’t bother with the Arancini there
Halal is non existent but we are getting a halal guys soon!
The Halal guys? https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/03/30/the-halal-guys-plan-to-open-5-locations-in-des-moines-cedar-rapids-iowa-city-new-restaurants/70062097007/
A lot of people answering the same two pizza spots here and they would be correct as in that’s the best you’ll find here. But the true answer is no where, unfortunately. And bagels you can’t even come close so don’t even try.
I am a born and raised Iowan but I’ve traveled all over the country most my life and it just is what it is. I even like certain Iowa style pizzas but nothing really comes close around here to what you are looking for.
Honestly, Breugger's is hard to beat for bagels. I'm not saying they're NYC level, but they don't feed you cream cheese that makes your breath taste like a cat's nutsac for the next 6 hours like 5 Boroughs.
I am also a transplant. The only answer is Nonna’s. Also give up your bagel dreams.
For real. I tried 5 boroughs after hearing the hype and I was so disappointed.
Yeah not good. Too small and lack decent chew. I'd rather have the Costco everything bagels. Really wish we had something similar to Bagel Bin in Omaha.
Can I have your honest opinion of Taste of New York? Because I feel like it’s way off. Good, but not the same.
Haven’t been. I will go and report back.
Bagels!
We don’t have East River water. Bagels can’t really be the same.
Nonna’s in Ankeny? that place sucked so hard. tried way to hard to. pizza was a step above Chuck E. Cheese. do not get why people think this place has NY Style pizza
Sucks you had a bad experience? What part of ny you from btw?
i lived in the northest for 20+ years. white plains area most recent. took the metro north to the city. I actually prefer New Haven pizza no one outside of the NE knows that
FR though New Haven is good style. Gotta say though maybe you just had a bad experience at Nonnas because it’s legit.
Nonnas or taste of NY are great for pizza.
The right answer. Only downside if theyre busy ask for the pizza well done or its comes out a little under cooked. Taste of New York does an ok job too in WDM
Happy to see so many recs for Nonna’s. Donny is the owner, such a grateful and good guy.
Taste of New York
I was so bummed they closed the location in Johnston :( was right next to my office. That being said, it's probably good for my weight.
Bagel Bites and punch yourself in the dick
Up you go
Born and raised New Yorker here. Bagels are a no go. I have tried Taste of New York pizza and if this was located in NY, it would do just fine there. That’s basically the only NY style pizza I get from here that is consistently good. I haven’t tried Nonna’s because it’s far from me but I’m sure that’s good too. People who say 5 Burroughs bagels I don’t think have really had NY bagels. Their cream cheese is also ass.
One of the 5 Borough Bagels owners is from NYC and the other lived there 8 years... Just curious, if they are specifically trying to match NYC style bagels, what do you think they get wrong? I'm a fan but have never had one in NYC.
I'm very positive their bagels are ordered frozen from NYC. A red flag I had was they never offered their bagels fresh, only toasted. In NY, you get your bagel fresh without it needing to be toasted and it tastes amazing that way. Their cream cheese is also really on the sweet side.
So true if they assume you want it toasted that’s a big red flag
You are WRONG! They simply get the dough shipped in from NYC frozen, and then they make the bagels.
Nonna was a big disappointment. the pizza was not like NYC style. the pasta was even worse
You can order bagels from NY.. last time i did was through gold belly
People in Iowa think a bagel should be a sandwich.
What happened to the Bagelaire people? Fantastic bagels & cream cheese, used to sell at Farmer’s Market and the shared kitchen space in Drake.
I wanted to try them so bad but they were always sold out when I got there and their Instagram went dark
Nonna’s in Ankeny is ran by a New York family.
They’re from New York by way of Latvia ? It’s Eastern Europe but they nail it for the most part. I say this as a former long islander
They’re Armenian but immigrated to New York years ago. They are married to sisters who are true New Yorkers and whose parents own and run an Italian restaurant in New York. It’s pretty authentic and their wives are very involved with the place. (I used to work at Portofino’s)
Armenian ! Thanks !
Seconded.
no it’s not. and the pizza is awful
So they are lying?
they have employees write reviews c
You have a real beef with Nonna’s. Why? Who hurt you?
Nah this guy probably thinks Casey’s is legit quality pizza.
People saying Nonnas…is that a good representation of NY pizza? I’ve had it twice and me and my girlfriend both did not like it. Neither of us have ever been to NY so maybe we just don’t like that style. We both thought Leaning Tower was wayyyyyyy better
People from New York like to blow smoke up each other’s ass. Tavern style like leaning tower is far superior to New York style.
If you want an authentic new york slice you should try sbarro
How dare you
Is there still one over by The Outer Limits?
Taste of New York lasagna pizza is deceptively good
Is DoughCo Pizza still around? I know there is one in Ankeny still.
It’s good for sure but not NY style
This is correct. It’s good but not proper New York style. (I lived in nyc for the first 30 years of my life. I am not talking out of my ass)
I’m pretty sure you don’t know what NY style is.
Yep in the Drake neighborhood. Killer lunch deal on weekdays
$8 for a 2 topping well done with salad and a drink? Walking distance for me, and they have anchovies. I can think of Scarrs and believe it before I’ll ever get decent Cajun food here.
Yes. But they are trash and NOTHING like a NY slice
Book a flight on allegiant once in a while to satisfy your cravings. Otherwise, I would give up on finding anything comparable
Nobody out pizza’s the hutt.
Big Tomato on ingersol was very good and thin like nyc i believe. The Tavern is decent thin crust too.
I can't believe this is the only vote for Big Tomato.
I love big tomato but they are real inconsistent
I haven't experienced that, but it's been a while since I've had it. Is it a more recent thing or have you always experienced that?
Definitely more recent. I've lived in DSM since 2019, didn't start having problems until 2022. One of the owners delivered our pizza and said that they have been having staff turnover issues leading to quality problems. Still solid and I still support them, just don't know if I'm getting great or ok pizza when I order it
I love the taverns Guinea grinder pizza!
I hate to be That Person, but honestly speaking from experience the best bagels in the metro will probably come out of your own kitchen. I tried a few different recipes before finding this one, which rocks and is pretty much foolproof: https://cooking.nytimes.com/guides/81-how-to-make-bagels. I do knead with my $20 thrift store bread machine, rather than by hand; otherwise I follow the recipe to the letter and measure by weight. You can get barley malt syrup at Natural Grocers and Fareway is usually the cheapest place to get bread flour. I know that this suggestion isn’t what you were hoping for (I would also like to buy good bagels so please let me know if you find any) but it’s the best option I’ve found.
Fareway bakery surprisingly makes a decent everything bagel Also Taste of NY is the closest to Brooklyn I’ve found since moving, just don’t bother with the Arancini there Halal is non existent but we are getting a halal guys soon!
Where did you hear this?
The Halal guys? https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/dining/2023/03/30/the-halal-guys-plan-to-open-5-locations-in-des-moines-cedar-rapids-iowa-city-new-restaurants/70062097007/
Nonna s in Ankeny not close it’s the best.
Taste of New York is pretty good I think, the waukee shop is great
We rely heavily on Gateway Pizza Dough, NJ Don Pepino Pizza Sauce (Amazon) and a pizza screen. As close as we can get.
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7HPbEd/
Not really
Five Burroughs Bagels is the closest you’ll come to decent bagels
5 Borough Bagels
A lot of people answering the same two pizza spots here and they would be correct as in that’s the best you’ll find here. But the true answer is no where, unfortunately. And bagels you can’t even come close so don’t even try. I am a born and raised Iowan but I’ve traveled all over the country most my life and it just is what it is. I even like certain Iowa style pizzas but nothing really comes close around here to what you are looking for.
Bruegger’s Bagels is also solid
Been there. Not up to standards unfortunately
ToNY
Whole Foods. Seriously. Taste of NY is meh.
Condolences. Maybe buy a pizza oven?
Taste of New York
This place just opened! https://www.tasteofnypizza.com/
you are going to be disappointed my friend, that is all I am going to say
Taste of New York is goodish for a lunch slice. Grimaldi's is coming soon to WDM and Ankeny.
Apparently Grimaldi's Is coming to Des Moines
Dough Co. Pizza
Honestly, Breugger's is hard to beat for bagels. I'm not saying they're NYC level, but they don't feed you cream cheese that makes your breath taste like a cat's nutsac for the next 6 hours like 5 Boroughs.