Bar in Des Moines, United States
Fong's Pizza
100Pearl PointsPizza-bar hybrid that earns its food order.
About Fong's Pizza
Fong's Pizza makes the case for bar food worth taking seriously in Des Moines. The Chinese-American pizza concept at 317 E Court Ave is the draw, not just the drinks. Walk-in friendly and well-suited to casual dates or small celebrations, it punches above the typical bar-kitchen standard for the East Village neighbourhood.
Verdict: The Pizza-Bar Hybrid Des Moines Actually Needed
If you're deciding between a direct slice spot and a bar that takes its food seriously, Fong's Pizza at 317 E Court Ave sits in a category of its own in Des Moines. Most bar-adjacent pizza places in the city treat food as an afterthought. Fong's inverts that: the pizza is the reason to go, and the bar wraps around it. For a casual date night or a low-stakes celebration that doesn't require a reservation three weeks out, this is a strong call in the East Village neighbourhood.
The Food Case: Is It Worth Ordering Seriously?
The core question for any bar-food venue is whether you'd order the food even if the drinks were mediocre. At Fong's, the answer is yes. The kitchen builds on a Chinese-American pizza concept, layering flavours you won't find at a conventional pizzeria. This isn't novelty for novelty's sake: the combination works because the base construction is solid. Think well-sauced pies with toppings that skew toward bolder, umami-forward profiles rather than the predictable margherita territory. For Des Moines, where most bar food tops out at wings and nachos, this is a meaningful step up.
The format suits groups of two to four well. Sharing a pie between two people keeps the cost reasonable and the variety manageable. Larger parties can mix and match styles without the kitchen losing pace. It's a practical setup for a date where you want something to talk about beyond the drinks list, or for a birthday dinner that doesn't require dress-code anxiety.
Booking and Timing
Fong's is walk-in friendly by Des Moines standards. Booking difficulty is low, and you don't need to plan weeks ahead the way you might at a destination-tier restaurant. That said, weekend evenings in the East Village fill up, so arriving before 7 PM on a Friday or Saturday gives you more options without a wait. If you're planning a small celebration, a weeknight visit keeps the room quieter and the pace more relaxed. Check current hours directly before you go, as seasonal adjustments are common for East Village venues.
Des Moines Bar Alternatives Worth Considering
Fong's earns its place in the Des Moines bar scene, but it's not the only option worth your time. For a fuller picture of where to drink and eat in the city, see our full Des Moines bars guide, our full Des Moines restaurants guide, and our full Des Moines experiences guide. If you're also looking at where to stay, the full Des Moines hotels guide covers the city's leading options by neighbourhood. For wine-focused evenings, the full Des Moines wineries guide is worth a look before you commit to a bar-centric night out.
If you're curious how Des Moines bar food stacks up nationally, venues like Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston set a useful benchmark for what serious bar programs with food credentials look like at the top end of the category.
The Bottom Line
Book Fong's if you want a Des Moines bar night where the food is genuinely worth ordering, the vibe suits a date or small group celebration, and you don't want to fight for a table. Skip it if you need a formal dining experience or a deep cocktail programme. For the East Village, it delivers on the thing that matters most: you leave full and glad you didn't just eat bar nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the crowd like at Fong's Pizza?
Expect a mixed bar crowd skewing younger, with a relaxed energy that suits both post-work groups and casual date nights. The Court Ave address puts it in the middle of Des Moines' main bar corridor, so Friday and Saturday nights get busy. It's not a quiet dinner spot, but it's far from a chaos-level dive.
What's the signature drink at Fong's Pizza?
Specific cocktail menu details aren't documented in our current data for Fong's, but the venue is bar-forward enough that the drinks are a reason to visit, not just an afterthought. If you're going primarily to drink, check their current menu on arrival — the food is good enough that you won't regret ordering both.
Is the food good at Fong's Pizza?
Yes, and that's the deciding factor for whether Fong's clears the bar-food bar. The kitchen holds up well enough that you'd order the pizza even if the drinks weren't the draw. For Des Moines, that puts it ahead of most bar-adjacent pizza options where food is clearly secondary.
Does Fong's Pizza have happy hour deals?
Happy hour specifics aren't confirmed in our current data. Given the Court Ave location and bar-forward format, it's worth calling ahead or checking their social channels before a weekday visit if pricing is a factor in your decision.
Is Fong's Pizza good for a date?
Yes, for a casual first or second date where you want low-stakes energy and food that doesn't embarrass you. It's a better call than a loud sports bar and less formal than Centro if you're not ready for a full sit-down dinner. Small groups work well here too.
Do I need a reservation at Fong's Pizza?
No. Fong's is walk-in friendly by Des Moines standards — booking difficulty is low and you don't need to plan days ahead. Weekend evenings on Court Ave fill up, so arriving before 7pm gives you the best shot at a comfortable seat without any planning required.
Location
317 E Court Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
Des Moines, United States
Compare Fong's Pizza
| Venue | Booking Difficulty |
|---|---|
| Fong's Pizza | Easy |
| Akebono 515 | Unknown |
| Captain Roy's | Unknown |
| Centro | Unknown |
| Clyde's Fine Diner | Unknown |
| F&O's / Felix and Oscars | Unknown |
How Fong's Pizza stacks up against the competition.
Also Consider
- Akebono 515, Notable alternative
- Captain Roy's, Notable alternative
- Centro, Notable alternative
- Clyde's Fine Diner, Notable alternative
- F&O's / Felix and Oscars, Notable alternative
How Fong's Pizza Compares to Other Des Moines Bars
Fong's sits in a practical middle ground that most of its East Village peers don't occupy. Akebono 515 is the stronger call if cocktail craft is your priority: the drinks programme there is more considered, and if you're planning a date centred on what's in the glass, Akebono edges Fong's for that purpose. Fong's wins when you want the food to carry equal weight alongside the drinks, which Akebono's kitchen doesn't match.
Captain Roy's and F&O;'s / Felix and Oscars both skew more traditional bar territory. If you want a relaxed, no-concept night out with standard bar food, either works fine and may feel less effort than Fong's concept-led menu. But if you're deciding based on whether the food is worth ordering seriously, Fong's has a clear advantage over both. Centro is the better pick for a business dinner or occasion that needs a more polished setting: it carries more formality and a fuller menu, though it's a different category of night out than Fong's casual room.
Clyde's Fine Diner is the closest competitor on the food-forward bar positioning. Both venues treat the kitchen as a reason to visit, not just a support act. The choice between them comes down to format: Clyde's leans diner, Fong's leans pizza-bar. For a date or small group where sharing a pie is the plan, Fong's is the more natural fit. For solo dining at the bar or a two-person meal where you want plate-and-fork food, Clyde's is the stronger option.
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