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Specials
Follow us on our social channels or sign up for texts to be notified of our next limited time pizza special. Or stop by Tuesdays for $8.95 spaghetti and Wednesdays for $13.95 medium 2-topping pizzas and $4 glasses of wine!
Catering
Our kitchen is open even when our dining area is not. Contact us to reserve our dining room or place an order and we'll bring the goods to you! With a minimum order of $100, we'll cover your next office luncheon, celebration or any event!
Become a Pag's Pal!
Join us in the yum zone! When you sign up your child (12 and under) to become a Pag's Pal, they receive a free t-shirt and one free sandwich, pizza, or pasta, plus a free drink. Simply complete the form below – even if you're dining in right now! – and we'll hook you up with the good stuff.
Our Story
In 1914 John and Katrina (mama and papa) Pagliai left their native home in Northern Italy to seek a better life in the New World. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean settling in the small mining town of Zookspur, Iowa. Their new life in the U.S. held much promise, however cravings for the crisp crust of their “tomato tarts”, savory sauces and homemade sausages weren’t left behind.
In 1953, son Sam served the first Pagliai family recipe pizzas to the crowd at his neighborhood bar in Ames, Iowa. Gradually, the buzz throughout Ames brought increasing crowds and the bar soon gained restaurant status. Local appetites for pizza were growing, so in 1957, Sam and his brother, Armond opened the first official Pagliai’s Restaurant in Ames’ Campus town, originally called, "The Pizza House."
Today, grandson Joey Pagliai and wife, Haylee, continue the tradition of serving authentic, generations-old Italian family recipes straight from their stone hearth ovens. Their daughter, Paisley, makes her TikTok appearances to promote specials and pitch in as a guest host while twin brothers, Camden and Greyson, mainly enjoy eating the pizza and posing for Pag's Pals photo ops.
Together, the Pagliai's Grinnell family is a staple in the community and region, and takes pride in serving up the flavors you savor since 1957.