About Hugo’s Wood-Fired Kitchen
Mediterranean Flavors, Iowa Roots
Hugo’s is where the comfort of the Midwest meets the boldness of the Mediterranean. Set in the heart of Des Moines’ Drake neighborhood, Hugo’s was created by Chef and Owner Lynn Pritchard, whose culinary career in Des Moines includes more than a decade at the helm of Table 128.
Hugo’s reflects another side of his culinary voice—Mediterranean cooking inspired by Italy’s wood-fired kitchens, Lebanon’s spice markets, Turkey’s coastlines, and the rustic charm of the Balkans. It’s a concept built around fire, flavor, gathering, and a more relaxed approach to the kind of thoughtful cooking that has defined Lynn’s career.
Our goal is simple: to share food that feels warm, welcoming, and alive with flavor. Everything we do, from the first stretch of dough to the last sprinkle of herbs, is rooted in this idea.
What’s in a Name?
Hugo’s is named in honor of two very important Hughs in Lynn’s life—his young son, Hugh, and his late father, Hugh. “Hugo’s had a catchier ring to it,” Lynn admits with a smile, but it’s a name built on family, legacy, and love—exactly the qualities we hope you feel when you dine with us.
Our Story & Timeline
May 2013 – July 2021: Chef Lynn establishes Table 128 in Clive, introducing inventive yet approachable cooking that quickly becomes a local favorite.
2022–2023: Inspired by travels, ingredients, and a love of the Mediterranean, Lynn begins dreaming up a new concept—one centered around fire, flavor, and gathering.
May 1, 2024: Table 128 reopens at its new home in Gray’s Landing in downtown Des Moines, continuing a culinary story that began more than a decade earlier.
May 29, 2024: Hugo’s Wood-Fired Kitchen opens its doors, bringing Mediterranean-inspired flavors and wood-fired cooking to the Drake neighborhood.
July 29, 2026: After more than a decade of cooking, hospitality, and countless shared experiences, Table 128 serves its final guests. With the closing of one chapter, the team comes together under one roof at Hugo’s.
Today: Hugo’s continues to evolve—bringing together years of experience, new ideas, and the people who have shaped our story along the way. What began as a new concept has become our home for what comes next.
The Kitchen at the Heart
Step inside Hugo’s and you’ll notice it immediately—the oven. Our custom Marra Forni wood-fired oven is the centerpiece of the kitchen and the soul of our menu.
Dough is stretched by hand and baked to blistered perfection.
Vegetables roast until sweet and smoky.
Seafood and meats take on just the right kiss of flame.
The result is food that’s alive with flavor—wood-fired pizzas layered with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients, shareable plates, seasonal entrées, and dishes that let simple ingredients shine. From familiar favorites to ever-changing seasonal features, fire is the thread that brings it all together.
Meet the Team
At Hugo’s, our small but mighty team of chefs, servers, bartenders, and hosts share one mission: to make you feel welcome. Hospitality here is personal and attentive, whether you’re on the patio, at the bar, or in the dining room.
Chef Lynn Pritchard leads the culinary vision, bringing decades of experience, creativity, and a thoughtful approach to the food at Hugo’s. General Manager Colby Brackett, Lynn’s partner in life and business, leads the guest experience and day-to-day operations. Together, they work alongside a talented team—including Sous Chef Owen Schulte—to continue evolving Hugo’s while staying rooted in the food, hospitality, and sense of community that have shaped its story from the beginning.
"Food has always been my way of connecting. Hugo’s is a reflection of what I love most—simple ingredients, bold flavors, and a table full of people. The wood-fired oven allows us to take familiar dishes and give them a new spark. Whether it’s a quiet Tuesday lunch or a bustling Friday night, my hope is that every guest feels they belong here."
— Chef Lynn Pritchard
Part of a Bigger Picture
