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Bud's Buffet
Category: Restaurants Sandwiches Sandwiches [Edit]
1016 10th StSacramento, CA 95814
Neighborhood: Downtown
(916) 443-6905
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
148 reviews for Bud's Buffet
Review Highlights
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"I would highly recommend the roast beef or the pastrami." In 51 reviews -
"I had a French dip and mashed potatoes." In 20 reviews -
"Roast Beerf and Pastrami are wonderful." In 52 reviews
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148 reviews in English
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Review from A S.
Sacramento, CA
5/3/2012
Why are you only open until 3 and not open on the weekends?! Huh, huh, huh.......Love the pastrami (diablo of course) and the roast beef and the pastrami and the roast beef and and and......
Please stay open later and/or deliver. -
Review from Timothy W.
Sacramento, CA
5/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
This place is boppin' at lunch. If you want to be around men, and I mean real men, want meat and potatoes only, and don't have cash to blow, this is the place to be. The portions are huge, you can buy beer, and for Christ's sake you can LIVE for once in your life.
This is definitely a dude's hangout. I don't really see women that often. About 20% of these dudes are cops. They do not discriminate against people without souls, so if you do not have one, do not worry. You will be good.
The place could use some art. Maybe dogs playing poker? It also could use a shorter line at 12:15.
I will return and I will live. If you are not a person who wants to live, do not go. Do me the courtesy. -
Review from A C.
Sacramento, CA
4/3/2012
Like stepping back in time to the era when these "hof brau" style places, specializing in MEAT, were more common....
My recent visit with a family member from out of town was a perfect experience. My relative is well over 6 feet tall (yes, he plays college basketball) and pretty much eats only meat and potatoes. Green things are rarely in his diet. Anyway, he got some kind of enormous double meat special at Buds and was in heaven, downing the whole thing. Frankly it would have fed me for at least three meals, maybe four.
I split a corned beef & swiss sandwich with my wife, which was just perfect for the two of us. I especially like the fact that the meat was run through the slicer and the sandwich was prepared to order right in front of me - none of this pre-sliced meat trucked in from a far-away factory.
The food was tasty and the staff were eager to please, so we had a great time. On my previous visit, the line went all the way to the door, but it was well worth the wait. If you are in a hurry, go a little before or a little bit after the regular weekday lunch hour.
Don't tell your cardiologist, just enjoy the good food. -
Review from Carmen V.
Sacramento, CA
5/21/2012
I love this place!! Great sandwiches, great food. I was turned on to Bud's Buffet by a co-worker 20 yrs. ago. Ever since then, I've been coming here for lunch every now and then. I've recomended this place to other co-workers. Bud's doesn't discrimminate on their portions either. I love the roast beef sandwich (my favorite) and their side orders are good. Bud's get my FIVE STARS!!!
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Review from Richard M.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 5/10/2012
I've been eating at Bud's for 25 years and have never been disappointed.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/21/2011
I've been eating at Bud's for 25 years now - in fact, it was the first "lunch out with the boss"… Read more »
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Review from Kristina C.
Citrus Heights, CA
5/1/2012
You can't go wrong eating at Bud's. Everything is amazing. I can't get enough of the pastrami ruben!! This place reminds me of the BBQ joints in KC where you walk in, grab a tray, they load you up with a pile of meat and whatever sides you want, and you sit down and stuff your face. It's simple, it's delicious, and it's worth the $10 for lunch!
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Review from Jowin C.
3/11/2012 1 photo
I got a roast beef sandwich, which consist of a few thin slices of roast beef, a hill of shredded iceberg lettuce, and tomato. There was so much lettuce, it felt like it was the main event.
I also got their onion rings. I was told their onion rings are good here. So I tried these onion rings, and perhaps I went on the wrong day. The onion rings that I bought were not crispy, and it tasted like fish--probably it was the taste of old oil.
Yup, if I am getting some gut-buster food...I prefer it to be executed perfectly. You know, crispy onion rings... good portions of meat.
If I do come back, I will get their mash potatoes surrounded by a good amount of gravy. -
Review from fran t.
Sacramento, CA
3/5/2012
I would have to agree with Alex G, it's not about the decor, it's about the "meat" and the special of the day. If you're like me, you'll always need a box to bring back the other half a sammy to enjoy later. Ah sweet, smoky pastrami...nom, nom, nom.
Is it lunch time yet??
:) -
Review from Terryann T.
Sacramento, CA
4/15/2012
I have actually never been to Bud's so I can't vouch for the service or the location. My family does love this place so they often pick up food and bring it home for me. I always order the same thing- the roast beef plate, just roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. Huge portions so it's good for lunch and dinner!
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Review from Jacalyn D.
Sacramento, CA
2/25/2012
It's a meatatorium, your arteries begin to cringe the moment you open the door and step inside.
I've never even tried the pasta, I get a half plate of meat with mash and gravy, it comes with a roll. I take half the meat and toss it into the roll and set it aside for another meal some other time. The gravy is usually a bit too salty, but the whole place, the cafeteria tables, the meat and potatoes, the wilty green salad swimming in a light italian dressing, has a kind of comfort food appeal that I come back for at regular intervals.
The portion sizes here make it possible to incur a food injury, and sincerely regret your mouth and teeth. If you're worried about this, ask for a to go container when you pay for your meal, and put half the food into it before you begin to eat. -
Review from Pag W.
Sacramento, CA
11/22/2011
Bud's buffet is absolutely delicious but its not for everyone. It is a straight up cafeteria inside which means it has long tables that you share with strangers. Don't be frightened, its totally worth it! I've had their roast beef sandwich about 4 times and its really tasty and fresh. Its also not fatty, which I appreciate tremendously. I've learned that a half of a roast beef sandwich will keep me satisfied from lunch through the afternoon. Try the side of mashed potatoes or the potato salad, it you won't be disappointed.
Be advised its really busy from 11:45- 12:15. Anytime after that seems to be ok. Also, they are only open until 3pm or something like that and are closed on the weekends and holidays so you'll have to find a weekday afternoon to come downtown if you want to try it. -
Review from Steve K.
Sacramento, CA
10/18/2011
I have always loved this place. Been going here for years. Seriously, years. I'm talking many years, like 15. This is hands down one of my favorite places in all of the world.
Roast Beef Plate - awesome.
Pastrami sandwich - awesome.
Roast Beef sandwich - awesome.
Soup - awesome.
Mashed potatoes - awesome.
Open faced BBQ Beef sandwich - awesome.
Every time I go I only have one wish. That wish is that my stomach were bigger and I could consume more! -
Review from Clay W.
From the looks of the outside, I wasn't surprised when I walked in and suddenly felt like I was in a scene from Napoleon Dynamite. Totally outdated, stained carpet floors, these things mattered not....I was in flavor country.
I approached the cafeteria-style buffet line just as the potbellied man with a mustache was slamming a fresh out of the oven hunk of roast beef onto the slicer. Oh my.....
Time and space suddenly came to a crawl as my tunnel vision focused on the meat mountain before me. The slicer man looked at me, looking at it. Then he looks at it. Then he looks at me again, my lip is shaking.
"Give it to me"
So I got the salad.......
Yeah right! Do they even serve salad there? Hmm.
Anyways, it ended up being another situation where I stood up and howled like a wolf with my mouth full of meat and my fists clinched so tightly that they turned white.
See, that's how every lunch hour should end. -
Review from Jumping J.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 11/22/2011
Today was the 3rd time I went to Bud's. I've liked it less every time I have gone.
The au jus is inconsistent. Some days it's real thick, some water, more greasy, less grease, more salt, less.
That cole slaw is weak. So watery and not enough mustard.
My pastrami was very dry.
It's right by where I live. It was so good the first time too. I want to like this place. I will give it one or two more chances and try something besides the pastrami and roast beef sandwiches.
After that, no more.
I paid about 12 dollars for my bad sandwich and bad cole slaw.
For 12 dollars @ Buckhorn Grill about a mile down the road.... I got a delicious tri tip sandwich, roadhouse onion rings, and a drink.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/28/2011
Went there again with a normal appetite, and it was lackluster. Go figure. Read more »
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Review from Alex G.
Sacramento, CA
12/31/2011
Certainly the decor isn't what you come to Bud's for. But if you want the best roast beef sandwich in town, look no further. Get there a little before noon, or you'll be in a line out the door.
I wish I had the metabolism to go here more than a couple of times a year. -
Review from Jarrett N.
Sacramento, CA
10/18/2011 23 Check-ins Here
First off, if any of you are from Fairfield and have been to Joe's Buffet, its like that ...
Bud's is a fantastic place to get hot a sandwich for lunch. The first thing you see is a guy with a giant fork, parked next to a meat slicer, set to deli thin, that never turns off. This professor of meatly madness is constantly switching between different hunks of meat and piling it on to the waiting bread. The gravy is delicious, mashed potatoes were tasty and I left wondering how much the added weight of the sandwich in my belly was going to effect the walk back to work.
Go early, the line does build up, and get a side of gravy to go with your sandwich. It tastes good and I'm convinced, with absolutely no scientific data whatsoever, that the added liquid facilitates the digestion process. -
Review from Eduardo C.
Sacramento, CA
8/22/2011
Buds is a mecca of meat. A deli offering half sandwiches? That means you can order half a roast beef sandwich and half a pastrami sandwich for a full sandwich of deliciousness. But wait, there's more! You can order a side of sauerkraut.
I came to Buds with some coworkers. We arrived expecting to smell like meat. We left with packs of wild dogs following us. We hurried back to work. -
Review from Stephanie D.
Sacramento, CA
9/20/2011
This place is awesome for grabbing lunch on your work break in midtown. I was working at one of the government buildings this past summer and my favorite place to head for lunch was Bud's. It's straight forward meat based sandwich deliciousness. Always got the french dip or roast beef or tri-tip (don't remember which) and it was amazing. Good prices too for how much food they give you!
A side note-It's kind of a sausage fest. I was one of only two women in the entire place.
Also, this really is a businessman place for lunch. Most people are there on break from work. -
Review from Wonder M.
Sacramento, CA
11/30/2011
One of my quickest reviews, but still justifies EVERY star I give to Bud's Buffet.
*Plethora of Meat on Sandwiches (they don't skimp here)
*Hearty sandwich and soup selections
*Dirt cheap prices in a cafeteria setting that brings you back to the 90's.
** $7-$10 damage for a whop load of food.
Make sure you wear your Michael Jackson's jean jackets and bell bottoms to look super legit at Bud's Buffet. I'll bet you get all the ladies too. Just saying. -
Review from grendel k.
Sacramento, CA
9/11/2011
This place is a cultural icon in downtown Sacramento. It's hard to describe if you just talk about the wood-paneled walls and the peeling paint. It reminds me of the kinds of unconsciously dive-y places that you would find in rural east coast America - unconsciously so because they resemble just about every tavern and restaurant in rural east coast America. It reminds me of the sort of place that Jimmy Stewart 's characters would have gone with a bunch of other 50's-era, mid-level office men for lunch away from the office to discuss their work. And the hum that they would have produced would not be different from the constant energy of noise - since it is always filled with workers at lunch - today.
Unfortunately, as other reviewers have indicated, it is a limited place for vegetarians. I have gone here twice, always with coworkers, and always for the view and for the experience (the nostalgia; it is exactly the sort of place I grew up around, the kind of place my grandfather loved), rather than for the food. Once I ate spaghetti so limp that it fell apart in my fork, and an iceberg lettuce salad, and another time I had a cheese sandwich - with about 14 pieces of American cheese stacked in the middle. I had to take more than half of it out for it to be remotely palatable.
Every meat-etarian loves it, though, and the sandwiches here are caricatures of other meaty sandwiches, making them look limp and scant in comparison.
Bud's is a legend - but as with many legendary dining establishments of old, vegetarians need not apply. -
Review from Jason G.
8/10/2011
If you are into diners and hole in the walls that serve ridiculous food, this is the place. If you are into really nice restaurants that serve you, this is not the place.
This place reminds me of places i went to in NYC all the time. It is good hearty food. Food coma type of lunch. French dip, pastrami, potato salads.... you get the idea. Oh, yeah, if you are on a diet, I would recommend to go somewhere else. You will probably get your weekly calories here in one meal.
Dont come expecting really high-end food for a decent price. It is hearty food at a good price.
If you come for lunch, come early or you will be getting some fresh air in line. -
Review from Anthony Z.
Sacramento, CA
1/28/2012
Work about two blocks from Bud's so convenience is definitely not an issue. When you leave this place...you smell like meat! The sandwiches are amazing! Whether it's a pastrami, a french dip, a reuben, or a diablo sandwich, they pile on the meat!!! Great place to quench anyone's hunger. The mash potatoes are good too! Highly recommended!!!
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Review from Stacci R.
Sacramento, CA
1/19/2012
Bud's Buffet is the best deli in the valley. The have the best meat for sandwiches. Their lasagna is the best in town. There are no small portions here! Bud's is the only deli I go out of my way to patronize. Oh, and as Wonder M. indicated, their prices are dirt cheap.
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Review from Karen F.
Sacramento, CA
9/8/2011 1 photo
Buds is the place to go if you want to feel like you've just eaten WAY more than you should have and you aren't the least bit sorry for it. In fact, you are eyeing your lunch buddies lasy couple of bites with envy. I love thier pastrami, but today needed a mash potato fix so I got the 1/2 2-meat plate. So much food for $6.99! Glad I didn't order the full size, although it sure would have made good leftovers.
The gravy they smother the entire plate in is a little on the salty side, so next time I order this I'll request a light gravy or maybe just see if they will put it on the side. -
Review from Mia D.
8/2/2011
Mmm...meat (in my best Homer Simpson voice). As you wait in line to order your food, you already feel the food coma coming on and you haven't even consumed your meal yet...Yes! It's that good.
The menu is on the wall so choose what you want but I'm sure you will change your mind as you see what everyone else before you is ordering. It didn't happen to me but it did happen to a few folks behind me. So be forewarned that what you think you may want may not be what you really want after seeing the freshly cooked meats carved and served on a platter. The meat is so juicy and tender that you might just want to go up to the counter and ask them for their recipe. Sometimes I secretly want to go up there and say, "may I have some more please," with my cutest little voice and my eyes gazing at them, just to see if they'd give me some because they felt bad for me. No such luck yet but maybe I'll have some courage to do it another time. We'll see. I'll let you know.
This place is for sure heaven for my arteries. It's a place to get your meat and potatoes fix and you won't be disappointed. As you eat your hearty meal, you will day dream of your soft bed and fluffy pillow, that is until you finish your meal and have to walk back to work to work off all the calories you consumed.
But for the love of eating of all that is great tasting but bad for you, come and check this place out. Be sure to come early because this place really does get busy and there aren't too many places to sit unless you want to just take your food to go.
The only con (hence the minus 1 star) that I can think of is the fact that they are a bit slow and I'm not sure if that's just the workers or the people changing their mind. Otherwise, this place makes my tummy jump for joy and them some. At least one of us is doing exercise prior to stuffing myself. haha
Enjoy and good night. lol -
Review from Adonis V.
4/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Don't deviate from the norm, that's what I told a friend when we had lunch at this place. I told him this is a Meat and Potatoes restaurant so don't order anything different and out of the ordinary...of course the stubborn man had to digress and now his opinion of this place is bad...(he ordered some bbq beef - sloppy joe's and hated it)
This place is great great for Pastrami, mashed, and Roast Beef. Always packed at lunch time so be here at 11am, any later good luck finding a seat. The "Buffet" is a misnomer, it's not a buffet in the sense of all you can eat...it's more in the veins of a cafeteria or hof brauf. Really....don't deviate, go there for meat and potatoes and you won't be disappointed. -
Review from Paulina V.
Galt, CA
9/22/2011
Best place for a hot lunch in Downtown Sacramento!! The guys who work here are SUPER friendly and will suggest something good off the menu if you can't make up your mind. Can't wait til the cold weather comes around because one of the guys working described their stew to me and it sounds amazing!!!
BIG portions -- half a sandwich can easily be a whole meal for an average adult. Their roast beef is the best I've ever had and the gravy is just as good. (And YES, they will put it on the side if you ask =)... that's how I get mine!)
I've gone more than a few times between 11am and 2pm and, even though they are steadily busy, there's never really a line. -
Review from Amy J.
Updated - 3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Dining lesson of the day:
When a place is known for doing something well, don't assume they do EVERYTHING well.
Only taking one star away because really, I should have known better. Bud's spaghetti and meatballs is terrible. Stick to the sandwiches.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/5/2010
Love that they offer 1/2 sandwiches as these suckers are huge!! Corned beef & pastrami were… Read more »
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Review from F K.
Sacramento, CA
Updated - 12/22/2011
I came back just to give Buds 5 stars. Since my review years ago, I have become a regular and Buds is always amazing every time. I love this place. This is a piece of heaven on earth.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2007
To preface, this is the polar opposite of a fru fru restaurant. To sum it up, the portions are huge,… Read more »
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Review from Hillery G.
Sacramento, CA
1/7/2012 1 Check-in Here
Roast beef dip was more like gravy and so good on the sandwich.
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Review from Serious C.
Sacramento, CA
Monday-Friday, 11am-3pm.
Cafeteria style.
Get there when they open or you'll probably be in line..
There's a menu posted on the wall.. Maybe a Special written on a dry erase stand.. Grab a tray, move it down the line and order..
Sandwiches, sides, hot foods, chips, Pepsi fountain machine but.. if you're not a Pepsi person, They have a bottled beverage fridge with yes-- Coke, etc.
You make your way to the cashier and pay. Plastic utensils and condiments are next to the cashier. Find a place to sit and enjoy.
So simple. So great. -
Review from Marie N.
2/4/2011
Oh god I love meat. All kinds. (giggity)
Pastrami with everything. Extra napkins. Food coma. Do it. -
Review from Natalie H.
Sacramento, CA
12/18/2011
Praise Bud, Praise pastrami and Praise Yelp for telling me about it! OMG! Went here with my mama after looking for yummy place to eat on yelp......SO GOOD! I've never had pastrami before (I know, I know...SMH) and man oh man, am I on the band wagon of cholesterol and salt! Huge portion and it came with fries! If you don't care about your waistline or your arteries (and really, who cares?) head over to Buds and chow down!
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Review from Jason C.
Elk Grove, CA
4/2/2011
Buds is cafeteria style goodness. Excellent Roast Beef Dip. Old school style carved sandwiches. with no processed deli meat to be found.
Pros:
Home roasted meats carved to order. Good flavors
Great prices
Cafeteria style ordering so u can get in and out quick
Cons:
Tables could have been bussed a little faster
and the biggest problem with this place is that it just is open long enough. I would love to be able to get dinner here or even pop in on the weekend -
Review from Merisa M.
5/16/2011
OMG! YUMMMMM!!! My co-workers and I always stop for Bud's whenever we have celebrations at work. Their Roast Beef French Dip is to die for!!!!
Eat in or order pick up, the food is always hot, flavorful, mouth watering, and scrumptious! All their ingredients are fresh, the meat is tender, the bread is light, and the dipping sauce is perfect.
I always order the Roast Beef French Dip with everything on it except onion and I always eat it in one sitting. Right after, I go into some serious food coma!
Recommend this place? ABSOLUTELY! -
Review from Phil P.
Claremont, CA
10/18/2011
Vegeterians must wake up at night with cold sweats thinking about the amount of luscious meats that is served here. What seperates this sandwich spot from any other sandwich spot in Sac is the home cooked taste of the meats and it's authenticity, slap a side of mash potatoes and gravy and clear your calender for the rest of the day because you will be face down in your cubicle with the itis.
Listed in: Cheap Eats, Downtown Lunchtime, Carnavore's Paradise
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Review from Bill C.
Shingle Springs, CA
6/4/2011
Bud's Buffet (which isn't really a buffet is it?) offers huge portions of juicy meat piled high.
I find the best bet at Bud's is to order whatever is the special of the day- I've never gone wrong yet. The portions are big and tasty and there are plenty of sides to choose from.
I've never had a bad meal here. The ambiance leaves a lot to be desire- it's like cafeteria eating at it's best and at lunch times it will be completely packed.
If you are in the mood for a big meaty lunch fix Bud's is your place. Vegetarians need not apply. -
Review from Heather S.
Clackamas, OR
12/19/2011
You need to go here if you love meaty sandwiches! The hot Pastrami is among the best I have EVER had... Expect a bit of a line at lunch time, but definitely worth the wait(which goes pretty fast)when I'm in town I have to go here..
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Review from Vicky B.
Sacramento, CA
There usually is a line, but service is prompt and the sandwiches are HUGE. They do offer half-sandwich orders for $4.29 or so. These sandwiches are packed with meat and a side of their dip is a must!
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Review from Vanessa S.
Sacramento, CA
2/18/2011
This place is every vegetarian's nightmare. But luckily for me, this is my heaven. Picture pastrami in one hand, & roast beef in the other. Now put your hands together and what do you get? Big Bud.
My Dad, Uncle and cousins talk about this place all the time. So on my lunch break during Jury Duty, I eventually made my way over there with the rest of the state workers. Just looking at the mountain of meat made me smile (hehe, that's what she said). I ate half of the sandwich not because I didn't want to finish the whole thing in one sitting... but because of the fact that I probably would've cried after taking my last bite.
After deliberating in a cramped room for hours after my first encounter with Big Bud, I accidentally left my sandwich in the deliberation room! I ran back into the courthouse, went through security, ran up the stairs (ok, I lied, I took the elevator), stood in an awkward silence in the elevator with the defense lawyer and her client (whose fate was in mine & 11 other people's hands), knocked on department 20 frantically looking for the bailiff... BUT THE DOOR WAS LOCKED!
Saddened, I turned around and there was our bailiff, walking down the hall. I swear, I saw a halo around her head.
I told her that I had left my lunch behind & I couldn't leave without it.
I explained to her that it was a special sandwich and she just said.. "Okay." Then I proceeded to tell her that the sandwich was from Bud's and she instantly stood up and said "OMG, let's go!"
Now, if that isn't enough validation of how good their sandwiches are... then I don't know what is.
