Small Business Spotlight: Jeff’s Pizza

August 10, 2026 - 09:06

Lincoln Way is packed with spots that college students love, but few have built the kind of following that Jeff's Pizza has. It is not just about the food, though the food is a big part of it. The place has become a gathering point, a late-night beacon, and a local tradition all rolled into one.

The famous 30-inch challenge draws in the bold and the hungry. It is a massive pie that looks more like a tabletop than a dinner, and finishing it is a badge of honor for many. But for most people, the real draw is the late-night slice. When the bars let out and the sidewalks fill up, the line at Jeff's is a familiar sight. The staff moves fast, the cheese is hot, and the price is right for a student budget.

The story started in 2008, when the first location opened its doors. A year later, in 2009, they expanded, and that growth has never stopped. What began as a simple pizza shop has turned into a staple of the Ames community. It is the kind of place where you see the same faces week after week, where the counter staff knows the regulars by order, and where a random Tuesday night can feel like a small celebration.

There is something about the smell of the crust baking and the sound of the soda machine hissing that makes it feel like home. It is not fancy, and it does not try to be. It is just good pizza, served with a side of consistency. For a town that revolves around the university calendar, Jeff's has become one of those constants that makes Ames feel like more than just a stop on the way to somewhere else.