Des Moines' Best Pizza: Jersey Guys Pizza

For all but the die- hard Area 51 believers, flying saucers are figments of science fiction novels and “Men in Black” remakes. Flying tomatoes, however, are grounded in reality, or should I say cheese, at Wig and Pen in Ankeny.

With badminton rackets, plaid and various other British and Irish memorabilia dotting the walls, it’s a crime not to order a Guinness to go with the restaurant’s famed Union Jack pizza in the flying tomato style.

Diners can order pizzas in the real Italian style (thin crust), as Chicago-style stuffed or in aforementioned flying tomato style, a happy medium between the two. Guests can choose from 23 other ingredients if none of the seven featured pizzas are their cup of tea.

The Union Jack comes with sweet peppers, mushrooms, onion and sausage blanketed under cheese that stretches for miles, at least that’s what it feels like when cutting a slice. Six slices of tomato sat atop the cheese.

Its reception in Ankeny has been warm, as if the Queen herself was serving up the slices. It doesn’t hurt that owner Brooke Ireland chats and checks in with her guests throughout the night.

—Emily Genco