Michael's Pizza — Restaurant in Des Moines

Poor Michaels pizza was an iconic pizza place attached to Michael’s restaurant. Located at 4044 Urbandale Ave. They did carry out only and they always have a fresh slice for the driver to eat on their way home. Their pizza was absolutely perfect every time.

The owners decided to retire, and actually sold their recipe to a new restaurant opening up around the corner as “Michaels”. We have tried the pizza 3 times over the years. The first time we figured they hadn’t gotten it down right. Several months later the same result. So it’s been years. We decided to try it last Saturday night. The four of us arrived around 6pm. The place was empty and the employees were in the back so we weren’t sure it was open. One pick up order came in the entire time we were there.They still do the driver slice.

The service was fine, but the pizza was not. It managed to be both burnt and uncooked at the same time. The sausage looked gray and the cheese was sparse. It looked nothing like the photos I saw posted here. The parmesan cheese on the table had mold in it. We brought this to the attention of our server who was a nice young kid and brought us a fresh shaker, but the “manager” never appeared.

When the server brought the bill, and asked about the food, my husband had to comment that it was probably the worst pizza he had ever had. Our friends silently gave their opinion by not eating more than one slice.

I don’t know what happened to Poor Michaels recipe. but I wish they would resurrect it. Beaverdale is a great area and they need some...

Tried this after a suggestion from a friend. Probably the worst pizza I've had in awhile. Dry and burnt. Almost seemed like the alfredo sauce was missing altogether from the chicken alfredo pizza. Cheeseburger pizza was slightly more flavorful but overall really disappointed. Will not buy again.

Update 10/24/18: Called to speak with John (sp?) as requested. Very friendly and apologetic about our experience. Requested I remove my rating in exchange for 2 free large pizzas of my choosing. My fiance and I declined this offer because my review was an accurate depiction of our experience the day it was written. Would be happy to write a new review if a subsequent experience was different, but I felt it would be dishonest of me to delete a review based on...

what a joke of a "restaurant"! if you have a large family, dont bother coming here, they'll charge you extra because you're a "party"! $50 for any group over 8. went down the street and had Good Sons pizza, was WAY better anyways. would give less that 1 star if i could, but the 1 star i did give is cause they sent us away to a better place anyways... I'm of the opinion that of you are a paying customer and are willing to take all of your tables, I'd be okay with that, but Michael's would rather gouge customers and see how much they can take. loved their pizza on delivery, but wont EVER he back or order again. ...