HUGO's Wood Fired Kitchen

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!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Great atmosphere, food was excellent. Cannot wait to come during nicer weather to sit on the patio!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Candice you are so kind and hospitable! Thank you for a wonderful meal, the baklava cheesecake was delicious, and you sure have a way of making people wanna come back. Hugo's is lucky to have you! An absolute pleasure meeting you! I am looking forward to my next trip to Des Moines

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Amazing food very fresh! I recommend dining in for the amazing wood fire smell!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

Came on Wednesday so it was not too busy (about half full). Great service (prompt, polite, knowledgeable). We shared the large beet salad and Hugo's pizza. All was fresh and excellent. Bonus was 1/2 price wine so we had to get a bottle. We will be back to try another pizza or entree and enjoy this neighborhood gem!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

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.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

A welcoming environment- cosy, but quiet enough to have a conversation with your party. Good food. Great service. A nice gem!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The drinks. The wood fire pizza. The cookies. 10/10.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

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.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Just not good.

Pizza was so so. Food took quite a while to get out.

All the flavors were quite dull.

Sadly I had high expectations based on the reviews…. But it’s just another Midwest dinner with nice surroundings and flavor that is subpar.

Jada is a fabulous server, the food is great, the atmosphere is warm and stylish. Excellent!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Yummy pizza in many varieties.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Hugo’s is a lovely addition to the neighborhood (in a stretch that badly needed a gathering spot). The dining room is cozy, the bar is large and adjacent but a bit separate from the dining space, and the covered patio looks like it will be a fantastic spot to hang in the warmer months. The appetizer selection is varied and interesting (we did the goat cheese spread and lamb meatballs, all delicious), the salads come in two sizes which I love and wish more places did, and the wood fired pizzas were delightful — fun, inspired flavor combinations (this isn’t your mother’s pizza joint). We didn’t have room for dessert — but the seasonal cocktails were a fun way to start our meal. Definitely will be back when we’re in town again.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5