Zeno’s Pizza

Marshalltown, United States

4.4

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 641-752-1245
Address:
109 E Main St, Marshalltown, IA, 50158
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.5 miMarshalltown Freight Yard
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
Yes
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
Yes

Today

Today 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Open now
Local time (Marshalltown) 16:09 Friday, 27 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Sunday 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Marshalltown’s made-​from-​scratch pizza since 1952

History

Established in 1952.

Pizza hit the town in ‘52

Pizza was first introduced to Marshalltown residents by two men from Chicago, Cosmos Nigrelli and Joe Liberio, originally called Joe’s Pizza. In 1955, Rocky Lavalle and Elmer Zeno Kluck purchased the restaurant and changed the name to Rocky’s Pizza. This partnership lasted until 1959, when Elmer purchased Rocky’s share, thus becoming the sole owner. At that time, the name was changed to Zeno’s Pizza.

In 1970 Terry and Jan Kluck purchased the business from their father, Elmer’s trust. In 1972, the entire restaurant was remodeled inside and out to its present look. Terry and Jan continued to serve the best pizza around until the business was sold in 2013.

Today Zeno’s Pizza is still a family business. Aaron and Michele Buzbee are current owners, continuing the legacy with the same recipe and methods Marshalltown knows and loves.

Meet the Business Owner

Aaron and Michele B.

Business Owner

After over a decade in the bar and restaurant industry, Aaron & Michele Buzbee opened Fiddle & Whistle Irish Pub in Marshalltown, Iowa. Providing craft beers, wines and spirits in a cozy atmosphere. We love the bar industry, but in our minds, we knew pizza was our passion.

Aaron & Michele Buzbee purchased Marshalltown’s best pizza restaurant in 2013, from Terry & Jan Kluck. Working alongside the experts, we learned the methods to make this amazing made-​from-​scratch pizza. Our goal is to serve the same pizza Marshalltown has enjoyed for the last 5 decades.

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20 reviews of Zeno’s Pizza

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Place rating: 2
Ankeny, IA
I am not from Mtown so maybe I am a harsher critic of this place than some. It is good pizza but it is overpriced and not THAT good. I have had it several times since family and friends rave rave rave about it. Clearly some people love the pizza here.
Place rating: 4
Onawa, IA
The pizza is good but pretty greasy. If you don’t handle that sort of thing you should stay clear but it’s undeniable that this place is a Marshalltown icon, so if you’re okay with it you should check bit out.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Great pizza! Lots of cheese, which is great for me, but maybe not for all. We had them deliver, but they’re like 15 minutes away from the hotel where I was staying. They happily came and were RIGHT on time! The driver smiled big and was a friendly guy. Gave him a nice tip and off he went. Really enjoyed this experience. Thanks Zenos!
Place rating: 5
Madison, WI
Best pizza (thin crust) I’ve ever had. Great waitstaff. Family friendly atmosphere. And even when the ownership changed, they stayed true to their original recipes. You can’t go wrong with anything here. Personally, I love the Hawaiian or sausage.
Place rating: 5
La Porte City, IA
Some of the best pizza I have had anywhere.
Nice locally owned business with its own unique atmosphere.
You can’t go wrong
Place rating: 5
Toledo, IA
Love this place. Changed from Zenos to Mike’s but same family owned, fresh ingredients, and great service. Try the taco turnover.
Place rating: 5
Chicago, IL
Whoa. Just whoa. This pizza is so good.
Zeno’s has been around as a family business for over 50 years. It was taken over by a new Marshalltown family within the last several years. They’ve totally kept all that was awesome about it, but are starting to make improvements (like new paint inside and an affordable beer/​wine list).
But let’s get to the gold here, the pizza. So good! As a former Chicagoan, I’m judgey about my pizza… but this place is awesome. It is a little bit greasy, but that’s because they use a high quality cheese. I’m a vegetarian and my boyfriend is a meateater and there are totally enough options to satisfy both of us.
I. Love. Zeno’s.
Place rating: 4
Lawrence, KS
A Marshalltown icon. The pizza is very good. My only complaint is that it is a touch on the greasy side. You cannot go wrong with any of the options but the Taco pizza is by far a step above the rest.
The service was very good, and atmosphere is casual. Décor is a touch lacking. The owners seem to care a lot about the community and were very engaged with many of the customers as they came and went. Nice to see a local business do well and thrive in small town.
Place rating: 5
Marshalltown, IA
Delicious. Addictive. And definitely the best pizza in town. Plus you can order one to go and eat it at the Fiddle and Whistle Irish Pub down the street!
Place rating: 5
Marshalltown, IA
Great pizza! Loving the updated wine and beer selections.
Place rating: 5
Marshalltown, IA
I love this pizza! The Zeno’s special is the best!
Place rating: 5
Marshalltown, IA
Love this pizza! Only change I’ve had to make all these years is lighter on the onions but still have to order the special.
Place rating: 5
Iowa City, IA
I’m pretty sure this pizza changes lives. The bacon cheeseburger pizza with pickles is the best I’ve ever had (Ask for light or no onions if you’re not a fan, though). One of my favorite restaurants of all time.
Place rating: 4
Norwalk, IA
This is a Marshalltown institution and should not be passed up if coming to town and looking for food. Zeno’s is situated in an old downtown building that has been there for ages. The interior is rustic and probably hasn’t been changed since the 1960s.
The do not have a full bar but they do have beer on tap. Drinks aren’t what you come here for however, you come for the pizza, and this is some of the best around. For those who haven’t had it before, Zeno’s pizza tends to be a little greasier than most pizzas, so if you’re a health nut, you may want to keep moving on. It’s this slightly greasier pizza that makes Zeno’s so outstanding. I personally love the canadian bacon/​pineapple pizza however their supreme is also excellent. In all honesty you probably won’t go wrong with any toppings you get.
Be prepared to pay for this pizza however. I recently ordered for take out a large pineapple/​canadian bacon and a side order of cheese bread and the bill was over $ 30.
So, in closing, great pizza that can’t be missed, but a little on the pricey side. That pretty much sums it up.
Place rating: 5
Des Moines, IA
At recommendation from a local, I tried this place for dinner one evening. Dining alone, it was not the most economical option ($ 14 for a small pizza, and I had no place to store leftovers), but the Mexican pizza I had was one of the best pizzas I have ever had. It reminded me of the traditional thin crust pizzas like they used to have at Shakees Pizza Parlor in Houston.
Service was fine, and décor was interesting. There seems to be much history at this location, and you can tell it has been around awhile.
Zeno’s is certainly worth checking out, though not the cheapest bet if dining solo.
Place rating: 2
Palatine, IL
Their pizza is good if you are one of those people that confuses DiGiorno’s for delivery. Good crust and cheese. No anchovies available here.
Place rating: 3
Oakland, CA
I love pizza, of all varieties, and Zeno’s makes a classic, greasy, crispy thin style pizza. Definitely one of my favorite types, but requires the toppings to be in a perfect balance so as to not overpower the dough (in weight and flavor). Zeno’s wasn’t the best of this type of pizza for a couple reasons.
Zeno’s did the one thing that really bothers me and my Dad: they put the cheese on top of the toppings. Perhaps it’s an old school thing, but the cheese is the glue that you put toppings onto, just like glitter on a school project. With that said, the pizza was delicious. The toppings were all high quality, and besides having too much cheese, were in decent harmony.
Overall, a pretty good pizza that hasn’t changed much from how it was made in the 50’s (according to my Dad). If you’re ever in Marshalltown, IA I’d check it out. Oh and side note, the building is gorgeous, and the staff was incredibly friendly.
Place rating: 4
Pompano Beach, FL
Not your typical NY style pizza.
It is as unique as it’s square cut slices. But if you really enjoy a thin and crispy pizza, this is for you. Thankfully they have real Canadian Bacon which you can’t get a lot of places.
Don’t miss this one.
Place rating: 5
Purcellville, VA
Best pizza I have ever eaten. Period. I love pizza and try to get some hometown pie in every different town I stop in. Have found some good pizzas out there but nothing as good as Zenos. I grew up around Marshalltown and have been eating here all my life. I live in Va now but NEVER miss Zenos when I am back. In case you are thinking it’s just a case of hometown nostalgia consider this… Everyone I have introduced to Zenos has been amazed to find such out of this world pizza in the middle of Iowa. Heck, even my wife agrees this is the best pizza ever. THAT says it all. Don’t miss this place.
Place rating: 5
Prague, Czech Republic
Hands-​down the best pizza place I’ve ever been to. Ever.
It was opened in the early 50’s and is still family-​owned (in fact, the owner greeted us at the door last Saturday night!). The place has a great atmosphere that remains unchanged from when it first opened but is still wonderfully maintained and clean. The service was super friendly and attentive (no empty sodas here!) and the pizza itself was just perfect. Zeno’s only serves pizza, cheese bread (also fantastic!) and dinner/​side salads and they definitely know what they’re doing. I had to laugh when my bf’s mom, a Marshalltown native and current resident said candidly, «it’s the only thing in Marshalltown worth talking about».