Classic Iowa-Style Pizza Is Ranked As One of The Worst in Nation

If there's one thing people in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa can agree on, it's pizza! It's the perfect universal meal.

Styles of pizza have changed over the years. But one style of pizza that comes from the state of Iowa has recently been named one of the worst pizzas in the country.

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A new article from Taste Atlas identifies the 17 Worst Rated North American Pizzas. One of these beloved pizza styles they mention is Iowa's favorite: The iconic Quad City-Style Pizza. It ranks at #5 of the worst North American pizzas. Ilinois residents also enjoy a slice of Quad City-style pie.

So what makes the Quad City-Style Pizza so awful? Honestly...this pizza sounds great to me! Here's the description of this popular Iowa pizza from Taste Atlas:

This unique pizza style originates from the Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois and is characterized by an unusual strip cut and a slightly spicy sauce. The crust has a nutty taste due to a generous amount of malt syrup, and the sauce contains chili and cayenne pepper flakes. The pork sausage used for the topping should be cooked and allowed to rest in its juices for several hours before being spread over the entire pizza.

Zeno's (via Facebook)

Like any delicious pizza, this meal is best with a cold beer!

Taste Atlas also claims that Chicago-style deep dish pizza and Chicago thin crust aren't that great either. What do they know!? I bet they have never tried Midwest pizzas. They're missing out!

Take a look at 10 of the Best Iowa pizzas you can find. They're worth the trip!

The Very Best Iowa Pizza

Dives Worth a Drive in South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota

Almost every small South Dakota town has a watering hole. It’s where the locals go to kick back a few brews and engage in conversation.

Some of these establishments are located in buildings almost as old as the town itself. There might be a fresh coat of paint on the walls or new vinyl on the booth seats, but the ambiance is still reminiscent of a good ol’ dive.

If you think a "dive" is all about the sketchy clientele, the smell of the Devil’s lettuce, and stale Grain Belt, you’d be wrong. Not every dive has a bad reputation.

What makes a dive, a dive?

A dive has character. Neon beer signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.

You might find a pool table, dart board, and a few video lottery machines.

The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you drink.

Some dives don't even serve food except for bags of chips and pickled eggs that sit in a jar of brine on the bar.

Dives aren't fancy. You might see 70's-style wood panels on the walls and wobbly tables leveled with a folded napkin.

Finally, the bathrooms. The bathrooms in dives are in a class by themselves and could be a whole topic on its own.

There are several small-town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with a burn, and even really good food! We use the term "dive" in the most affectionate way.

Here are some of the best and why you should go there.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown