Community First
Rooted in Iowa City since 1988, we're more than a pizza pub — we're a gathering place for neighbors, families, and friends who share a love of great food and good company.
Our Story
The Iowa City Wig & Pen is inspired by a London club of the same name whose members were either lawyers or journalists. The building is located at 230 The Strand, London and it survived both the Great Fire of London (1666) and the WWII blitz. Started in 1988 by attorney Tom Riley and purchased by Richard Querrey in 1993, the Wig & Pen Pizza Pub has been serving some of the area's best pizza, but don't take our word for it. Recently both Zagat.com and Thrillist.com have mentioned "The Wig" as the best pizza in the state of Iowa. We are also proud of the following accolades: Iowa City Press Citizen - Reader's Choice Best Pizza in Johnson County 2018; Locals Love Us - Best Pizza 2019 & Best Carryout 2019; Press Citizen Readers Choice Awards: BEST PIZZA 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 & 2025; Little Village Best of the Crandic: BEST PIZZA 2019, 2021. Floods in 1993 and 2008 couldn't knock us down, as the building was completely gutted and rebuilt both times. Today, we offer a family friendly dining experience as well as carryout of our full menu. Whether this is your first visit or you are a long time regular, all of us at the Wig want to express our gratitude for the opportunity to serve you. Welcome and thanks again! - W&P
Our Mission: To serve every guest — first-timer or long-time regular — with the same warmth, quality, and community spirit that has made The Wig an Iowa City institution for over three decades.
Award-Winning Quality
Named best pizza in Iowa by Zagat.com and Thrillist.com, and a multiple-year winner of the Press Citizen Readers Choice Best Pizza award. We let our food do the talking.
Resilience & Tradition
Floods in 1993 and 2008 couldn't keep us down. Like the historic London building that inspired us, The Wig endures — and comes back stronger every single time.
Genuine Gratitude
Every guest who walks through our doors gives us the opportunity to do what we love. We never take that for granted, and we make sure every visit reflects that appreciation.
Loved by Iowa, One Slice at a Time
Our Guests Are Saying
★★★★★
"The Wig has been my family's Friday night tradition for over a decade. There's no better pizza in Iowa — the awards speak for themselves."
— Karen B., Iowa City
★★★★★
"I moved away from Iowa City years ago, but every time I come back to visit, The Wig is always my first stop. It just feels like home."
— James T., Former Iowa City Resident
★★★★★
"The Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza is unreal. Combine that with the warm, welcoming atmosphere and you've got a place that's hard to beat anywhere in Iowa."
— Melissa H., North Liberty