7 Stone Pizzeria — Restaurant in West Des Moines

Two stars only because they gave us a free pizza when they burnt our first pizza.

So, story time.

Several months ago (last spring) we ordered pizza and cheese bread online, after reading about the 40 minute waits online. We thought, "Hey, our pizza will be ready when we get there." (Why else order online?) We were excited to try wood fired pizza in Des Moines after having THE BEST wood fired pizza in Amana last winter at P.H.A.T. Daddies. I've been yearning to replicate that locally, and sadly 7 Stone did not even come close.

When we arrived, a blonde lady told us she'd bring our pizza right out. Okay, we said, and sat down. After almost an hour and watching others who came in after us receive their orders, we finally were able to get the staff's attention. I stood at the counter, waiting for someone to talk to me for a long time before actually getting someone's attention. One of the guys working at the establishment tried to find our pizza, while the lady who initially helped us stayed mute. After five or so minutes of him trying to find our pizza, she finally said, "I think I know what happened..." and they opened the oven to discover our BURNT pizza and cheesy bread. Apparently she had placed the pizza in the oven to warm it up, and "forgot" about it. We were starving at this point and my boyfriend, who's far more understanding than I am, agreed to wait for them to make us another pizza. We were still excited to try their pizza since we had been looking forward to it all day. And they gave us a free pizza for the hassle.

I probably wouldn't have gone back if we didn't have the gift card. Several months later, we decided to use the gift card. I can honestly say after our last experience that I will not be back. We didn't bother ordering ahead this time and waited maybe 20 minutes for our pizza, which they tried to give to another table because "they didn't see us" sitting there. We ordered a deep dish, which maybe was our mistake. I'm slightly curious if their thin crust is better, but I don't think it's worth the risk. The deep dish DOES NOT look like any deep dish I've seen before. It looks and tastes like a Pizza Hut pan pizza (I am not a Pizza Hut fan). The sausage also tasted off. I'm not a big fan of pepperoni, but my boyfriend was craving pepperoni so we got some on our pizza. It actually tasted okay, and it's so rare for me to like pepperoni better than sausage.

Personally, I would stay away from this place with plenty of better options in the metro area. I don't know if it used to be better, but I honestly have no idea how they are still in business from my personal...

Ever since this establishment opened in 2015 it has been my favorite pizza place. Tonight's visit has swayed that. The pizza is ok, the center of the pie was soggy and the more towards the outer crust it got crisper. Its the service that isn't the same, the staff isn't the same. Things look like they changed and not for the better. Tonight I got to the restaurant at 6, ordered a pizza for dine in at 6:03, my favorite artesian crust house7. The prices are higher than the last time I went. I don't remember the last time, but tonight was $36 without tip for a large and 2 fountain drinks. Sat and waited. 7 other people in the place dining in. At 6:43 I got up and asked how much longer since it was already 40 minutes, I was told about 5 minutes as my pizza just went in to cook as I stood there. This is a Thursday night, not a prime night for pizza and only 3 people working, 4 would have been better. I don't think I'd go on a Friday night, a prime night for pizza. I don't know if they put carry out orders ahead of dine in, but when my ticket was put in line there was only like 6 orders ahead of mine and there was at least a dozen or more take out orders picked up before I got my pizza. I would recommend carry out, but yet I heard 2 carry out customers that they were running about 10 minutes behind, so they had to take a seat and wait. Pizza was good, but...

I have tried almost all the local pies in the west part of Des Moines and would consider their thin crust my favorite. Personally I'm not a fan of their deep dish/stone crust. It's simply too much crust and the balance with the toppings and sauce is off.

There are a couple things that are frustrating: the online hours posted do not match their actual operating hours. I've communicated this to them but I don't think anyone cares. The length of wait if you're eating in. I'd say you should expect to wait 30mins for your pizza, even if it's a thin crust. It is a long time to sit around and wait, so be aware if you're planning your first visit. If you can time your visit I would recommend calling ahead and place your order.

Great thin crust. Below average deep dish. Long waits. So call ahead, even if you're eating in. All those things considered gives this place a really...