Their pizza is well-made. I especially love how the crust gives way for a perfect crunch.

Can't say enough good about this wonderful little place in Waterloo. The food is top notch. A small menu packed with great items...excellent pizzas, imaginative appetizers...try the charcuterie board...you will be delighted. The owners are present nearly every day and are wonderful people. It's our go-to weekend meal! Basal is such a positive and welcome addition to the downtown Waterloo food scene. Imaginative cuisine made with quality ingredients are the beginning. Personable staff and a fun decor add to the experience. We love chatting with the owners about the business and their broader food experiences. read more

Basal Pizza - Charcuterie Board - locally sourced meats and cheeses - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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Good selection of pizza options, beyond the traditional classics. Always friendly service.

Vegan option I lived in Waterloo for 3 years and am so sad I only learned about this place after moving!! We ordered 3 pizzas and they were ready in about 20 minutes. I ordered the marinara without cheese to make it vegan. The crust is vegan friendly. SO DELICIOUS. EVERY PART. The crust was decently thick and chewy - how I like it. The sauce was great and the fresh basil. OMG. Ill be back here whenever I am back in town!! read more

Basal Pizza - Marinara, no cheese - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

My parents have been raving about this place for awhile, but we finally all got down there about a year ago. It's now top of the list whenever we're in the area. Not only are the pizzas delicious, the service is unmatched! Especially in such a crazy time right now, my parents have been ordering at LEAST once a week! My personal favorite is the Street Taco, but my fam is into the Yukon. They typically add an egg (or two or three!) to the Yukon for a unique flavor. While of course my review is mainly regarding their perfect pizzas, I also have to give a quick shout out for putting me onto my favorite wine - 2 Copas. My dad originally had it here and quickly passed his obsession on to the rest of the family! I'm also really appreciative of how transparent and safe they are being during a pandemic. While I know it can't be easy, they sure fool me with their upbeat attitudes and smiling eyes each time we come for pickup. Thanks for your flexibility, Basal! read more

Updating from my previous 5 star. They added a Detroit style pizza about a year ago. Since then they have paired down the menu to provide a better feel to the restaurant. The wings are consistently great and the salads are always wonderful. Sit outside on the sidewalk some Saturday for a boozie day of people watching. read more

"An oasis of excellence" Probably not too much to add here. Pizza was terrific. Very straight-forward, reasonable prices. Got the magherita pizza and also something called the soppressatta pizza. next time i find myself in good old Waterloo, I will return. read more

What can I say. I have not been here fir years. They never disappoint. We had brushetti and the Fungo pizza. Done just right! read more

A nice surprise in downtown Waterloo... Some very interesting things on the menu and no one was disappointed with anything we'd ordered. From the El Capitan and Chicken Parm sandwiches to the various pizzas (The Fungo, Street Taco, and Hawkeye that our friends ordered. The appitzers were amazing as well... From the Charcuterie Board to the Cheese Bread and Wood Fried Shrimp... EXCELLENT CHOICES! read more

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All time favorite pizza place. Hands down. Since moving to CR I've missed this place SO MUCH. Used to eat here multiple times a week. Today I had the margherita pizza and was drooling over it as soon as it arrived. Cooked to perfection with fresh tomato sauce, tons of fresh mozzarella, basil and just the right amount of olive oil. My husband got the spinach pie (his go to) which was also cooked to perfection with chicken, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, spinach and parmesan (I don't remember what else). This normally comes with chilis on it as well but they're a little too much heat for him. This is a unique pizza and a goat cheese lover's dream! The pizzas are individually sized and always come out piping hot with their own pizza cutter (who needs to share?!). The crust is crispy and made in house everyday, the ingredient are locally sourced and always ridiculously fresh, the ambiance is always on point. One of my favorite things is it's downtown waterloo and they have a patio as long as they can! In the brisk spring or late chilly fall they have blankets and lanterns for use and in the warm summer and fall they have giant umbrellas, it fills up fast though so get there early! Also since they make their own dough for the crust and it has to ferment for so long, they some times run out and have to close early. They're really great about announcing it on all social media platforms if this happens. Last but not least, you're supporting s local family. You'll often see Tony making pizzas and Marisol waiting tables. It's worth every penny spent there! Check it out!! read more

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A work buddy and I happened on Basal pizza in our travels. We got a couple local draft beers. The bartender was super helpful. We got cheese bread which was great. Then our pizzas arrived. You can read about the cooking process but they only cook for like 90 seconds. Amazing!! The bartender suggested to my buddy getting an egg on his potato pizza, delicious! And my margarita pizza was arguably the best I've ever had. Who would have thought amazing pizza in Waterloo. Sorry friends from Waterloo. Definitely go. read more

Basal Pizza - Potato pizza with an egg. So good - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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The man running the restaurant with no wait staff was a bit harried. We ate at the bar Friday and our hostess was a very charming bartender. Saturday an early dinner found a harried host/waiter. The food didn't suffer. Both nights food was outstanding. Shrimp and bruschetta Friday. Pizza Saturday. Outstanding!!!!! read more

The wood fire pizza here is some of the best that I have had! They have such great and unique flavor options. The shop was very nicely decorated. I really enjoyed the whole vibe of the restaurant! I tried the Yukon and Street Corn pizzas and the Yukon was a five-star winner in my book. I'm not from the area, but if I'm back in Waterloo I will be back to try more things from their menu! read more

Basal Pizza - Yukon and Street Corn Pizzas - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

Very, very good pizzas (and drinks). Only been once but I will be going back! Last I knew they were closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Love the pizza from Basal. My favorite is the margherita. They also have a great craft beer selection. Must check out when in downtown Waterloo read more

We finally made our way over to try out Basal Pizza. Seriously, this place has been on our list for a long time. And now I'm kicking myself and wondering why we took so long! Service: Impeccable Food: Amazing Atmosphere: 4.5/5 We were greeted immediately and seated. There were nine or so beers on tap (gotta have beers with pizza), and our beers were brought to us immediately. I ordered the #6 Proscuitto Arugula Bianco and my husband ordered the #7 Stevie Nicks with added housemade sausage. It didn't take terribly long until our pizzas arrived. We exclaimed over them and our waitress explained how to eat: Cut the pizzas into either four or six pieces. Then you kind of fold them in half since the middle is soft and loaded with toppings. We happily obliged! Tastebud explosion! Mine had more of a fresh taste to it with the whipped cheese and arugula, while my husband's was more of a savory type of pizza. My only misgivings about the place was the overpowering smell of shrimp that hits you when you walk in the door. I'm not a big seafood fan. I know it's from the wood fired shrimp on their menu. I'd rather smell pizza! But it gradually went away while we sat. Will I be back? You bet! Should you try it? You bet your buttons! read more

Started with a Bourbon Old Fashioned. Pretty good but I loved the giant sphere ice cube. We had a Korean lettuce wrap with kimchi and pork belly that was off the charts. Not on the menu it was the special. For dinner we got the Stevie Nicks pizza with sausage. Really really good. Awesome service too, our waiter / bartender was fantastic! read more

One of our favorite restaurants in Waterloo/CF. Excellent atmosphere and pizza. Small but varied craft beer selection. I would definitely recommend this restaurant for a special function as well. read more

This is my absolutely favorite place for pizza in the cedar valley. The ingredients are fresh and the pizza reminds me of what I had in Italy. We also enjoy the starters, especially the wood fire shrimp. The apple berry salad is amazing. They have a limited beer and wine list but it's high quality selections. The service is excellent too! read more

If you like brick-oven pizza, do not miss coming here. These guys know what they're doing, and every bite is as good as the next. Fresh ingredients, unique recipes, friendly staff all elevate this restaurant. Though I haven't tried anything but the pies, I've seen their apps, sandwiches and salads, and they looked/smelled very good. Everything is reasonably priced too, so coming here doesn't have to be a special occasion...even though it'll be a special occasion for your taste buds. Dad jokes aside, awesome place that I'll never not visit while in town. read more

Basal Pizza - Fantastic pizza, fresh ingredients, very authentic. - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

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Friendly, boho restaurant. Great food. Awesome service! We had the Fungo Pizza and it was amazing! We also had the Apple & Feta Salad...it was delicious! And, we tried the Basil Mojito...superb! I can't recommend this restaurant enough. It was a cool little treat. read more

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One of the best little pizza joints in the Midwest in my humble opinion. Excellent menu with weekly specials that will blow your mind.

Neapolitan pizza done right. The crust has a healthy thickness, one of my main complaints about most similar joints. The combinations are imaginative with the #9 having house made sausage and salsa verde and plenty of cheese. My girlfriend got the fungo which is different mushrooms locally sourced. Delicious! read more

Basal Pizza - Salsiccia verde - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

I frequent Waterloo on business and after reading so many raving reviews I had expectations. Oh, boy were they dashed. To each their own when it comes to pizza but just don't get this place. Perhaps it's trendy and hip and I'm just not. This is the type of place that has "fungo" listed on the menu rather than "mushrooms." Ok, yeah..I get it..you're cultured. I suppose if you like thin crust, burnt-edge, small, expensive pizza then this place is for you. It's just not my sort of gig. On the good side, the menu is small so the ingredients are fresh...pretentious but fresh. I'm still looking for the best pizza in the Cedar Valley...it certainly isn't here for me. To each their own. read more

Tried this place last night. I'm always looking for good pizza joints. It was my first time in Waterloo. What a great choice. I loved it! And they should have been closing when I walked in, but they took one look at my disappointed face. . and said. . come on in, have a seat, we got you. Can't wait to go back and try some other things from their awesome menu read more

We were in Waterloo on a road trip and picked Basal's for a family meal that would be agreeable to all. The staff was friendly and the pizzas were excellent! We each ordered a different pizza and shared. They were all very good. Our favorite was the Fungo - great caramelized onions. They had some fun games to play while we waited and we played giant Uno. A fun experience. read more

Basal Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

One of our favorite local restaurants. Great pizzas, nice craft beer menu, and fun atmosphere.

This is my favorite pizza of all time. Fresh ingredients, great flavors and unique toppings. Lovely staff. They also have a nice rotating list of beer and wine. Especially love it when they have a dessert special: it is always unique and always delicious. Highly recommend. read more

Pros: Best crust in town. Hands down! Nice beer and wine selection Peanut butter jealy pizza sandwiches! Cons: Location - I feel uncomfortable parking and walking here with my 5 year old after dark. No vegan cheese Would be 5 stars, but the cons are such that we almost always go to Your Pie instead. read more

Bazal has great pizza and friendly owners. Definitely a great addition to the Waterloo downtown.

Big, BIG pizza fan here. I have a few rules with my taste in pizza. 1. If I fold the crust, the pizza should stay up right. 2. When I bite into the pizza, all the toppings shouldn't come off with the bite. 3. Not greasy. Well this pizza only met number 3. It was NOT greasy. However, the pizza was extremely thin and wet and I had to hold everything together as one soggy bundle because the pizza sauce was so runny. Now is that the Neapolitan style? Yes and no. It's not supposed to look like I'm eating rice and gravy. The thinness, yes, but I couldn't even finish it because it was so watery and messy. The taste was great! You can tell they use fresh ingredients and their meats are not just from a store bought package. Great tastes all around. So on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being highest, the taste was a 4. Structure of the pizza though, a 1. So I averaged it to a 3. Also great environment. Had a great mojito and the staff was very nice and friendly and very accommodating. Nothing but good things to say about the service we were provided. I had the Margarita pizza and the Nutella pizza. read more

Great hole in the wall artistic pizza restaurant. The homemade salad dressing was outstanding and I actually almost ordered another salad. Pizza was delicious wish they did have other toppings. Great atmosphere and staff read more

First time in Waterloo and I have to say that this is the best pizza I have ever eaten! I cannot even begin to imagine how I will go back to Wisconsin without having access to this incredible pizza. I had the Fungo And my husband had the regular add sausage and pepperoni. I will say that my pizza was not entirely hot in the middle but I seriously do not feel that that deserves to lower the star rating. Even though the bottom pizza is called a regular, I have never had a regular pizza as good as this! The flavor was incredible, the crust was better than I've ever had! And how can I not mention the service! Wow! Our server knew so much about the science of making pizza. She offer d to remake my pizza even tho I had eaten half! I refused. You must come here! read more

Basal Pizza - Top is Fungo, bottom is regular add sausage and pepperoni. - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

Best pizza I have had in Iowa. I live in Des Moines, but think about this place all the time.

We came to order a couple pizzas to eat outside and catch up with some friends. It was super quick from when we ordered to when the pizza was ready. And oh my gosh they were sooooo good! I would definitely recommend their pizza, and it's reasonably priced, too! Yummy! read more

On our road trip thru Iowa we happened upon this gem of a place! Glad we did!!! Delicious different pizza and salads...the wine was wonderful too! Our server Steven was a doll and couldn't do enough for us to ensure we had a great time! We were a group of 8 and everyone Loved it!!!! Bravo! Glad we stopped!!!! read more

Another excellent meal at Basal. The grilled shrimp with pesto app is a mouth watering meal in itself. The salad with the black beans, corn and chicken was perfectly dressed and the spinach feta pizza was my favorite. Don't forget the house special Old Fashion with top shelf bourbon. Good job you guys!!! Oh! I almost forgot the dessert pizza with Nutella, fresh strawberries and powdered sugar. I was glad we ordered it. read more

BEST PIZZA IN TOWN! From the friendliest staff you will ever meet to such neat atmosphere, and then pizza...the pizza is amazing! This isn't your ordinary pizza joint, Basal serves quality pizzas as if you were in Italy!! My favorite is the spinach pie it has a little spice to it and some goat cheese...the best! Our kids absolutely love their kids cheese pizza and Margherita! It's my picky eaters favorite spot! Quality service and food...you will truly enjoy! read more

Plane had a mechanical so had to stay overnight. This place really lifted my spirits. Matt was friendly and patient when describing the many varieties of craft brews. The salad was fresh and cold. I asked for blue cheese dressing, which they did not have, but added some crumbled BC on top with a homemade citrus dressing. Surprise! Really good! The bruschetta was fabulous with mouth watering chunks of tomatoes. Cant beat a wood fired pizza, fantastic. Will definitely be back when in town again. Oh yeah, music was their own personal mix which was clean and alternative. You guys are doing it right and keep it all fresh. A+ read more

Basal Pizza - Pizza Near Me - Waterloo, Iowa

We have eaten here for years, both for the food and the friendly service. When we wanted to hold a retirement party we thought that those attributes, along with the layout of having two side-by-side connected restaurants, would meet our needs. We were completely satisfied. We rented one side and entertained about 50 people for two hours at a very reasonable price. Some of us stayed beyond the two hours and things just transitioned to a comfortable after-party. We can't say enough about the friendly staff, pleasant atmosphere and great food. read more