A New Year at Hugo’s: Looking Ahead to 2026
As we step into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and say thank you.
2025 was a year of growth for Hugo’s Wood-Fired Kitchen — not just in numbers, but in people, moments, and lessons learned. Like any small, independent restaurant, we experienced incredible highs alongside real challenges, and we’re better for having lived through both.
This past year, we expanded our space, adding additional seating inside and on the patio, creating more room for friends to gather, linger, and celebrate around the table. We served over 13,500 wood-fired pizzas, each one stretched, fired, and served with care. That number still amazes me — because behind every pizza was a guest who chose to spend time with us.
We also navigated the reality of restaurant life: staffing changes, long days, tough decisions, and moments of uncertainty. There were times that tested us, but they also reminded us why we do this work. Because when the dining room fills, the oven glows, and conversations hum around shared plates — it’s worth it.
What I’m most proud of in 2025 is the sense of community that continues to grow around Hugo’s. We’re honored to be part of the Drake neighborhood, to share a building with WesleyLife and the Prairie Meadows Hydroponic Farm, and to welcome guests who have become regulars — and regulars who have become friends.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re energized and excited. We’re dreaming up new dishes, refining what we do best, investing in our team, and continuing to make Hugo’s a place that feels warm, welcoming, and worth returning to. There’s more to come — more flavor, more stories, and more reasons to gather.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Whether you joined us once this year or dozens of times, we’re grateful you chose Hugo’s.
Here’s to a new year, new memories, and many more meals shared together.
— Colby
One last fun note: before the year wrapped up, I asked our team to guess how many wood-fired pizzas we served in 2025. The answers were all over the place — wildly optimistic, hilariously conservative, and everything in between.
The final number? 13,910 wood-fired pizzas.
Every single one made by hand, fired with care, and shared with someone who chose to spend time with us. That number means more to us than we can put into words.
Staff guesses before we revealed the final pizza count for 2025.