For the second time in the last year, a small town Iowa pizza place is garnering national attention! Lincoln Winebar in Mount Vernon has just been recognized as one of the 50 best pizza restaurants across all 50 states!
50 Top Pizza
The website 50 Top Pizza is a guide dedicated to the “best pizzerias in the world,” and each year, they recognize the 50 best pizza places across the United States. You wouldn’t expect a small town restaurant in Iowa to rank among pizzerias in major cities like New York, Chicago, and San Francisco, yet, there it is! Lincoln Winebar in Mount Vernon is number 46 on the list for 2025, making it the first time an Iowa restaurant has EVER been recognized.
About Lincoln Winebar
Lincoln Winebar, located at 125 First Street W in Mount Vernon, is owned by Jesse Sauerbrei, who took over the business in 2016. Here’s what 50 Top Pizza’s website says about the restaurant:
“The style of pizza is inspired by Neapolitan pizza, with cooking strictly done in a wood-fired oven. On the menu, you will find some appetizers, including the inevitable and very good Meatballs, pizzas divided into classic and special, and tiramisu to finish off sweetly. Among the classic pizzas, the Smoked Margherita, with smoked provolone, was particularly enjoyable, and among the specials, the Carrot Top was particularly interesting. The beverage menu is top-notch, catering to all budgets. The service is very courteous.”
This isn’t the first time Lincoln Winebar has been mentioned on a prestigious list! Just last year, it was recognized by the New York Times in their article outlining the 22 best pizza restaurants in the nation.
The Menu
The Lincoln Winebar menu features a number of “Classic Pies,” like the Brie & Gorgonzola and Pepperoni, which are always available, but there are also some seasonal specials. The menu says that the “rotating pies [are] inspired by locally grown produce.” Current options include Mortadella, Smoked Salmon, and Local Heirloom TomToms.
When to Visit
Lincoln Winebar is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. To order take-out or make a reservation, you can call 319-895-9463.
Fancy’s Pizza
If you don’t feel like making a trip to Mount Vernon, the owner of Lincoln Winebar also operates a pizza pop-up here in Cedar Rapids called Fancy’s New York. The interesting thing about Fancy’s is that it’s not a restaurant that you can just walk in or call and order from. Everything is done via Instagram!…