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Hugo’s is a Mediterranean inspired Wood-Fired Kitchen in Des Moines, owned by Chef/Proprietor Lynn Pritchard of Table 128. Our menu features handcrafted pizzas, fresh salads, shareable appetizers, and seasonal entrées inspired by the flavors of Italy, Lebanon, Turkey, and beyond. Join us for lunch, dinner, or one of Des Moines’ best happy hours. Enjoy a cozy atmosphere inside or relax on our spacious patio. Located on University Ave., just walking distance from Drake University, we offer a full bar, craft cocktails, and a curated wine list. Reservations available; walk-ins welcome. Order online for delivery or pickup.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 3206 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311
Phone: (515) 674-2960
Website: https://www.hugosdsm.com/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
Amy Hart
Food was really good. My daughter had the Margherita pizza. She thought it was pretty good. I ordered the shishito peppers for an appetizer. They were very good and unique. I also ordered the cauliflower steak. While it wasn’t really a cauliflower steak, it was delicious wood fired veggies on top of a wonderful roasted red pepper sauce. Service was fast and friendly.
… moreAnn Ashton
Hugo’s Wood Fired Kitchen was a fantastic experience from start to finish. The service (Jada was the best) was absolutely perfect—attentive without being overbearing. We started with the baked feta, which was incredibly flavorful and baked just right. The butternut squash soup was rich, creamy, and delicious.
The cocktails were outstanding—easily some of the best we’ve had in a while, and hands down the best holiday cocktails we’ve tried this season. For our main, we shared the vodka cheese pizza with a perfectly crispy crust and plenty of cheese.
Overall, a wonderful dinner and a great experience. We’ll definitely be back.
… moreThe cocktails were outstanding—easily some of the best we’ve had in a while, and hands down the best holiday cocktails we’ve tried this season. For our main, we shared the vodka cheese pizza with a perfectly crispy crust and plenty of cheese.
Overall, a wonderful dinner and a great experience. We’ll definitely be back.
Shell
EDIT: This restaurant has serious cleanliness AND communication issues that make it impossible to recommend. While setting tables, I witnessed the hostess handling clean glassware with her fingers *inside* the glasses, which is an obvious sanitation red flag. When I mentioned this in my review below, the restaurant publicly claimed they had refunded my meal ‘in good faith,’ but when I emailed to ask how that worked, they backtracked and said they’d made a mistake. They then edited their comment, which is hardly reassuring.
ORIGINAL REVIEW: We recently dined at this restaurant expecting a refined, high-end experience. Unfortunately, several concerning hygiene practices overshadowed the evening. I observed the older blonde hostess setting tables with her fingers inside the drinking glasses, which is both unsanitary and inconsistent with standard food-service protocol. I also noticed her wiping down chairs (specifically the seating surfaces) and then using the same cloth on the tabletops.
For an establishment positioned at this price point, I expect staff to be trained thoroughly in proper sanitation procedures. These practices raise legitimate concerns about cross-contamination and may explain why I became ill the following day. While I can’t confirm a direct connection, the lack of basic hygiene precautions did not inspire confidence.
The service and food was mediocre, which only highlighted the contrast between the restaurant’s upscale branding and the actual experience. I hope management addresses these hygiene issues promptly, as they are foundational to guest safety and to maintaining the level of quality the restaurant markets itself as offering.
… moreORIGINAL REVIEW: We recently dined at this restaurant expecting a refined, high-end experience. Unfortunately, several concerning hygiene practices overshadowed the evening. I observed the older blonde hostess setting tables with her fingers inside the drinking glasses, which is both unsanitary and inconsistent with standard food-service protocol. I also noticed her wiping down chairs (specifically the seating surfaces) and then using the same cloth on the tabletops.
For an establishment positioned at this price point, I expect staff to be trained thoroughly in proper sanitation procedures. These practices raise legitimate concerns about cross-contamination and may explain why I became ill the following day. While I can’t confirm a direct connection, the lack of basic hygiene precautions did not inspire confidence.
The service and food was mediocre, which only highlighted the contrast between the restaurant’s upscale branding and the actual experience. I hope management addresses these hygiene issues promptly, as they are foundational to guest safety and to maintaining the level of quality the restaurant markets itself as offering.
Eli Holt
Five stars all the way for Hugo in Des Moines!
My wife and I had an incredible meal here. We started with the baked feta appetizer, which was fantastic, but the wood-fired pizzas were the real stars—absolutely mind-blowing.
A huge shoutout to Kandice, who was one of the best servers we’ve ever had. She made the entire experience even better. If you’re looking for top-tier food and service in DM, this is the spot.
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… moreMy wife and I had an incredible meal here. We started with the baked feta appetizer, which was fantastic, but the wood-fired pizzas were the real stars—absolutely mind-blowing.
A huge shoutout to Kandice, who was one of the best servers we’ve ever had. She made the entire experience even better. If you’re looking for top-tier food and service in DM, this is the spot.
Would you like me to help you find the direct link to their Google Maps page so you can paste this in?
Tina Armes
This was our first experience at Hugo‘s, and it was absolutely amazing! The staff and food are great! We got a surprise when our bill came and it was happy hour and we didn’t even know it! Definitely will be coming back before during or after happy hour, it doesn’t matter! Well, worth the trip
… moreRobyn Wingerter
I loved the ambience of this restaurant! We were able to sit on the patio and it was lovely. My friends had pizza and they said it was good. I chose to try something different; the spanakopita fritters and the chicken soup. Sadly, the fritters were tasteless and dry and if they hadn’t come with dipping sauce, I wouldn’t have been able to eat them. The dipping sauce was fabulous! When that ran out (quickly) I resorted to dipping the fritters in the chicken soup. The soup was delicious.
I’ll definitely go back because of the ambience, and the service was on point. I’ll try the pizza next time
… moreI’ll definitely go back because of the ambience, and the service was on point. I’ll try the pizza next time
Lisa Shipley
The atmosphere was quaint (looks like the max capacity is 84) and our server (Carrie) was amazing. My wood-fired pork and apple pizza was phenomenal! The crust was light and crisp, while the toppings were flavorful and well paired.
This is a perfect location for a date night or a layed back meet-up with friends. Happy Hour includes not only great drink specials but also $10 wood-fired pizzas. Hugo’s is definitely a location I’ll revisit.
… moreThis is a perfect location for a date night or a layed back meet-up with friends. Happy Hour includes not only great drink specials but also $10 wood-fired pizzas. Hugo’s is definitely a location I’ll revisit.
Misty Fontanini
My husband and I ate at Hugo’s on University Avenue tonight. $99 for two of us. Two drinks each, an appetizer pizza and two entree salads. A little pricey but very very good.
Everything was delicious, with the exception of the Horchata Old Fashioned. Our server evened warned us it was a hit or miss cocktail.
Description of all items on images. We will definitely be back. Pizza was
Small dining area with open kitchen and a nice patio.
Server/service from all staff was great.
… moreEverything was delicious, with the exception of the Horchata Old Fashioned. Our server evened warned us it was a hit or miss cocktail.
Description of all items on images. We will definitely be back. Pizza was
Small dining area with open kitchen and a nice patio.
Server/service from all staff was great.
Thomas Doggett
Our second time at Hugo’s and another amazing evening. We love the atmosphere, we love that you can be classy or casual and the staff treats you very well. Drinks are always fun and pizza was earthy and tasty. We can’t wait until the patio opens. We’ll be back for sure!
… moreMike Muratorri
The food was okay. The exception was the lamb meatball appetizer, that was exceptional. However, the rest was a let down.
I have been to many Mediterranean restaurants and this one would rank dead last. The lamb shank was okay, but entirely under seasoned.
Chopped potatoes, peas and carrots for sides is ridiculous for the price of the meal.
I had to ask for refills and luckily my son asked for a soda, so I was able to drink his water when mine sat empty for 10 minutes.
I expected a lot more because I enjoy Mediterranean style restaurants and left. Completely dissatisfied.
This will be a hard pass in the future.
… moreI have been to many Mediterranean restaurants and this one would rank dead last. The lamb shank was okay, but entirely under seasoned.
Chopped potatoes, peas and carrots for sides is ridiculous for the price of the meal.
I had to ask for refills and luckily my son asked for a soda, so I was able to drink his water when mine sat empty for 10 minutes.
I expected a lot more because I enjoy Mediterranean style restaurants and left. Completely dissatisfied.
This will be a hard pass in the future.