12/31/2025
Noah’s Ark has been selling pizza since World War II. It is certainly the oldest restaurant in Iowa to sell them continuously and, arguably, the first to offer them.
“After serving in the army, Noah (Lacona) got a government contract to feed soldiers passing through Des Moines. To get it, he had to stay open 24 hours a day. That was rare in the 1940s, but train stations were open 24-7. G.I.s were issued coupons for meals, and pizza was the easiest way to deal with the unknown demand. He did it at Union Station Café downtown,” explained James Lacona, Noah’s grandson and the current owner of the restaurant.
So, how did the restaurant get its name?…