Buddy's, Pocatello

I wish the food here were as great as the ambiance, which is really nice, with cobblestones built into the walls, lots of tile and nice itallian touches with the art and woodwork. Very cozy and inviting. The Buddy's salad is a local legend, huge enough they have to put a second bowl on top to keep it all in, it's dark green leafy salad and crumbled cheese in a sortova' rich tangy caesar dressing that is really amazing. That said, their pasta has never been good--particularly the much oversold raviolli that they make fresh and warn you will involve a wait when you order it. Unfortunately it's sour-tasting grayish soggy stuff, not very appetizing at all. The lazagna is heavy and strangely spiced and really dense. It's the kind of place you just want to keep giving second chances to because you really want it to be good--but I always come away disappointed.

The people are great, courteous and prompt. I love their pizza but we go there for Buddy s signature salad!

Buddy's my brother and I go there at least once a week love the salad and sandwiches, it is small place but very good food and friendly service. When my wife and I go to lunch it is a pretty good chance that this where we will go. When our friends from Idaho Falls come down for whatever reason that is where they go. Good food and reasonably priced, recommend it to everyone.

I have lived in Pocatello for many years and have never understood what people see in this place. It is very dirty--Always. The salads are absolutely drenched in an oily mess and they have only the one dressing. Everything else is mediocre and not even close to authentic Italian. Service is bad and wine selection is even worse. I think people in Pocatello just go because there is no other place to go for Italian and not many options for other styles.

I lived in Pocatello for 28 years and loved going to Buddy's for the famous Buddy's Salad and Chicks Special Sandwich. Moved to Denver, CO in 1989 and we have yet to find a salad that compares to Buddy's. Buddy's salad is awesome! We buy a couple of quarts of dressing when we are back in Poky visiting family, however it doesn't compare to having the salad at Buddy's. Denver Colorado could definitely use a Buddy's. My daughter wanted to go to college at ISU so she could have Buddy's salad every day. That's how much we love it!

My wife and I had a break between our busy duties to share a quick lunch together. As Buddy's was the closest thing...and given that the locals all seem to rave about it...I said let's give it a try. Well, as soon as we stepped inside the dump, I knew we were in trouble. The floors weren't clean. There was food on the floors: it actually took us a a few minutes to find an available table that didn't have remains underneath it. After waiting several minutes, we finally had a rather surly waiter take our order. We were going to try that salad that everyone talks about...as well as some pasta. While waiting indefinitely for our sodas to finally arrive, I excused myself to the restroom. As mens-rooms go, it was one of the filthiest I have ever encountered. The interstate rest stops in Montana are far more clean. Clearly, no one in management ever goes in to see if the restrooms are fit for customers. I can only conclude that they just don't care. When our food finally arrived, I was shocked and disappointed. I know a good antipasto when I see it because my hometown back East has several highly regarded Italian restaurants. Not only was it not a true antipasto, it was not even an edible salad: they had drenched the wilted, brown lettuce with the greasiest, nastiest glop of I-don't-know-what that I have ever seen. I wouldn't even begin to characterize it as dressing. It had more of the consistency of grease. As to the pasta, the pasta itself was overcooked and gummy. The sauce was palatable but could have easily come out of a can. I will never in my life understand why all my coworkers rave and rave about this nasty place and their abysmal food. All I can say is that if you value your health, your money, your time, and even your personal standards of cuisine...then Buddy's is best avoided at all costs.

We travel to Buddy's once or twice per month to dine. The trip is about 100 miles total. I have tried about everything on the menu. I think it is all excellent. The salad can be an acquired taste but when acquired it hooks you. I have been going to Buddy's since my ISU days, (located blocks away) class of 1993 and will continue as long as I and they are around. Make sure to try the Carmelo dessert! yummmmmm just got the craving.

Quantity is not the same as quality ... The salad dressing, while good, soaks the salad greens making them limp. The entree's are large, but the flavor is nothing to write home about. Do yourself a favor and spend your money at the Continental Bistro instead.