Tastebuds PizzaTastebuds is what a "pizza parlor" used to be - independently owned and operated by a guy who loves pizza. The pizzas may not be "gourmet" but they are made with care and the best quality ingredients. It's a neighborhood place that has been around a long time, so long in fact, that people have begun to take it for granted. That, my friends, is a shame. Why? because Tastebuds makes some of the best pizza in the quad -cities area. I decided on where to have lunch by default - I was driving by when I saw the sign and, on a whim, I pulled into the lot on the south side of the antique rock building that houses this 
old time pizza parlor.The digs aren't fancy, but they serve their purpose. There are a few tables inside that provide a place to have a casual lunch or just a place to sit down while you listen to the proprietor, Buddy Valela, expound on the virtues of fresh toppings, the best cheese and pizza dough made the way it was made 30 years ago - with care. Make no mistake - Buddy is a character - and certainly not one to miss an opportunity to talk about the business he has been in for 28 years. Pizza, subs, wings, garlic bread and salads are all that this local pizzeria does and, in my opinion, that's enough. The pizza is hand tossed ( if you happen to prefer a thin crust - they do that too), the crust is chewy, but not doughy, the toppings and cheese are fresh and generously applied. The sauce has a nice richness to it without being overly sweet. Menus these days tend to try to be all things to all people - and don't do any of them well. Buddy does everything on his menu well - it's nice to see a little focus. Anyway, I decided on a pesto, chicken and spinich pizza 
and placed the order while I chatted with Emory - a nice
young lady who was enjoying a SLICE for lunch. Why the emphasis on a
slice? - because at Tastebuds a slice is HUGE, includes a soda and
costs only $3.75 - with any topping you want. Prices in general are very reasonable - a 12" plain cheese pizza runs $9.95. The 12" Michelangelo Masterpiece with 9 toppings is $14.95. The 16" runs from $13.50 to $19.95. My pizza was ready in a jiffy - the crust was bubbly & beautiful - this is the way a pizza should look! But what about the taste? Very good - Buddy makes one of the best pizzas around . Need it delivered? Delivery is free and fast. Expend a little effort - pick up the phone and call Tastebuds, or drop in and pick up a pie and some wings - you will be rewarded.
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