Ames is far from offering the infamous Brooklyn-, New York- or Chicago-style pizzas. But although Ames may be in the middle of the Midwest, many restaurants try to cater to students’ needs by offering a large variety of pizza options. This week, AMUSE has found a few places that offer something different than the typical “chain” pizza.

Great Plains Sauce and Dough Company

129 Main St. #101

Established in 1979, Great Plains is “top quality pizza offered at affordable prices,” according to its homepage. This restaurant makes fresh dough every day and is made of whole wheat. Great Plains features six distinct pizza styles, including thin, oat and potato-style crusts; the most popular is the “Denver.” They also have house specials, such as “Herbivore’s Delight” and “The Buffalo.”

Pizza Pit

207 1/2 Welch Ave.

Pizza Pit is a small group of restaurants across the United States that delivers pizza to college campuses. Their pizzas range from 12 to 16 inches and are offered in regular or “heavyweight” styles, which has more cheese and toppings. Some of Pizza Pit’s specialties include the Four Alarm Special and the Sausage Mushroom Melt.

Jeff’s Pizza

2402 Lincoln Way

Only recently opened, Jeff’s Pizza has already become a Campustown staple. Jeff’s caters to every desire: from smotherella sticks to strombolis to calzones and, of course, pizza. Their pizzas range from 12 inches to a whopping 20 inches. Jeff’s’ specialty pizzas include unique names, such as the Farmer Frank, for meat lovers, Philly Steak Supreme, Gyro Guy and Spuds Supreme, an ode to a baked potato. Open late, they even offer pizza by the slice.

Lucullans

400 Main St.

Lucullans is an Italian restaurant that has been in business for 28 years. Although its specialty is pasta, Lucullans makes a “crock” pizza. This pizza is made with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce and a triple-risen crust; the pizza is then baked upside down. The pizza starts at $8.50 and toppings begin at 95 cents.

Old George’s Pizza

421 S. Duff Ave.

When many people think of pizza, they think of thick crust pizza. However, Old George’s offers something different. This hometown pizzeria is known for its thin crust pizza and also makes its own sausage.

Ge-Angelo’s

823 Wheeler St. #9

Ge-Angelo’s asks you to “please be patient” while eating at the restaurant because they “hand stretch and prepare pizzas individually,” according to their Web site. Ge-Angelo’s uses 100 percent mozzarella on their pizzas, and a small one-topping pizza starts at $12.95. One pizza to try is the Ge-Angelo Classic, which is made with olive oil and garlic and topped with anchovies and mozzarella.