This article was inspired by Des Moines Register
Introduction
When you think “Tiki bar meets Chinese takeout meets pizza,” you might assume you’ve wandered into a fever dream. But in Des Moines, that’s just a normal night at Fong’s Pizza, a quirky Midwestern pizza institution known for its crab rangoon pies and playful spin on fusion cuisine.
After a temporary closure of its flagship East Village location due to water damage in 2023, Fong’s Pizza is reopening its doors on April 1 and the city’s pizza scene (and late-night party crowd) couldn’t be more ready.
The Power of Pizza Personality
At its heart, Fong’s isn’t just about unique toppings. It’s about experience. It’s a place where you’re handed a Chinese takeout box for your slice, and the menu reads like a greatest-hits mashup of Asian-American comfort food and New York–style pizza.
“People come here because they want pizza, but they stay because they want something they can’t get anywhere else,” says Gwen Page, a hypothetical Fong’s ‘Pizza Pro’ we’d love to interview. “It’s about the story. It’s about the vibe.”
If you’re a pizza shop owner, there’s a clear lesson here: your brand is more than your crust. What unique spin can you offer? Even a simple theme or signature topping can make your shop unforgettable. Want to jazz up your menu? Explore a pizza menu design software to bring your wildest ideas to life and keep your branding consistent across locations.
Tips for Enthusiasts: Bring Fong’s Fusion Home
While Fong’s keeps some secrets close, any adventurous pizza lover can take inspiration from their creative combos. Crab rangoon pizza? Try topping a crispy thin crust with a sweet chili sauce base, cream cheese dollops, shredded crab (or imitation crab sticks it works!), green onions, and a sprinkle of wonton strips for crunch.
To pull off these unusual pies at home, invest in a reliable home pizza oven that can handle thin and crispy styles. And stock up on specialty Asian pantry staples from hoisin to sriracha to sesame oil so you can remix toppings anytime the mood strikes.
What Suppliers Can Learn from Fong’s
Suppliers, take note: when a pizza joint dares to cross culinary genres, it relies heavily on consistent, high-quality specialty ingredients. If you supply Asian-inspired sauces, fusion toppings, or unique spice blends, there’s a clear opportunity to partner with pizza shops looking to stand out.
Also, don’t overlook kitchen equipment upgrades. Fong’s unique concept demands versatile ovens, fryers, and storage solutions that can handle unconventional toppings and prep styles. If you sell multi-function commercial pizza ovens , or offer bulk specialty ingredients, now’s the time to get them on the radar of hybrid pizzerias.
Staying Resilient: A Lesson for Shop Owners
The East Village closure could have ended Fong’s flagship story but instead, they pivoted. They kept the brand alive through their Southside and Ankeny locations, and now they’re using the relaunch to reignite customer excitement.
A pizza pro tip for shop owners: unexpected challenges are inevitable. But a strong brand and a loyal fanbase can carry you through. Consider investing in restaurant insurance plans that cover sudden disasters like water damage. And build a solid customer contact list so even if your doors close temporarily, your connection to your pizza people stays strong.
Pizza Is What You Make It
Whether you’re a local Des Moines pizza lover ready to line up at Fong’s on April 1, a supplier seeing fresh demand for fusion ingredients, or a pizza shop owner dreaming up your own “crab rangoon” moment, the lesson is the same: innovation keeps the oven hot.
So next time you’re testing a new recipe, think like Fong’s: unexpected combos, an unforgettable vibe, and a slice that tells a story.
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