Orlondo's

If you've read Iowa Foodie for very long, you know I'm a pizza freak. I could seriously have pizza once a week at least, but since Grant is not as excited about pizza as I am, when he agrees to go out for a pie, I go for it! One of my favorite pizza places in Des Moines (and Grant really likes it, too!) is Orlondo's - located right off the Great Western Trail at 4337 Park Avenue, this place has been a Des Moines standout for years.

It's not too fancy on the inside, but the people always make you feel welcome. Lots of tables, some bar spots if that trips your trigger, and they do have a patio for the warmer months. Orlondo's has a great selection of beer (domestic and imports), wine, and cocktails - service is fast and friendly, too.

The menu features a wide variety of appetizers, including Des Moines' favorites like Toasted Ravioli, a couple of choices in nachos, wings, and garlic bread. There are also several sandwiches - Italian Grinders, Meatball sandwiches, Heros, Italian sausage, and more - plus burgers and chicken sandwiches. You'll find Cavatelli and Manicotti for dinner-style entrees, if you're looking for a nice Italian meal.

But, of course, I've never tried any of those things because the true star of Orlondo's is the PIZZA! We ordered up a couple of Miller Lite Tall Boys and tried to decide what would be our perfect pizza.

We started out with an order of onion rings. Grant likes to try onion rings wherever we go, and these were quite tasty. Crunchy and hot, sprinkled with a bit of parmesan, they hit the spot.

Do yourself a favor and definitely order the House Salad - loaded with mozzarella cheese, croutons, and peppercini - their house Creamy Italian dressing is so awesome. We ordered a large to share and this photo is so deceiving - it is huge and only $5.50! They also sell their wonderful dressing in several local grocery stores - so you can have it in your fridge, just like me.

What can I say about Orlondo's pizza - it is truly one of the best pizzas in Des Moines. Crisp, light crust, covered with a very flavorful sauce, tons of toppings, and they definitely don't skimp on the cheese. Orlondo's offers 3 specialty pizzas, and, of course, you can create your own in 3 different sizes. On Tuesday's, you'll get a 16" Large One Topping for only $11.00. They also have pizza by the slice for just $3.00, and the kitchen is open until 1:30am!

We decided on the Orlondo's Combo - Sausage, Pepperoni, Mushroom, Onion, and Sweet Roasted Peppers - I love that they cut their pizzas into squares. More crunchy crust pieces for me! Just look at this beauty!

Really, I can't rave enough about Orlondo's pizza - we've never gotten anything less than great quality, the ingredients are fresh and flavorful, and you get a ton of them. They are always cooked perfectly, none of that 'done on the outside, doughy on the inside' deal here. I so appreciate the love they put into their craft - it's just great pizza.

Try as we might, we couldn't finish the whole thing, but our server, Megan, was quick to bring a take-out container and we were happy to bring the rest home for another taste of Orlondo's another day!

We sure hope you decide to check out Orlondo's if you've never been there, it really is an excellent Des Moines favorite - or, if you're an Orlondo's regular, what should we order the next time we're there? We are definitely open to suggestions as we'll be there again shortly!

Orlondo's

4337 Park Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50321

515.244.3037

For more information, menus, and more, check out their website at www.orlondos.com, and they are on Facebook here.