review

Buddy’s Pizza Detroit, MI

6/ 8
Slice Rating

Buddy’s Pizza Detroit, MI

Posted By: Pizza Expert
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Buddy's Pizza in Detroit has been ranked as one of the top pizza places in the country, even Worstpizza included it once in its top ten. During my last visit to Detroit I decided to check out a different Buddy's Pizza location and see if it still ranked high up there.

Buddy's Pizza serves what is known as Detroit Style Pizza. You can learn exactly what that means here. But in case you are too lazy to click through I will summarize it by saying it is in between a regular slice and a Sicilian slice. The crust of a Detroit-style pizza is different because in addition to sometimes being baked two times, it is usually cooked in a well-oiled pan to a chewy medium-well-done state that gives the bottom and edges of the crust a crunchy texture.

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Supposedly this Buddy's was their original location. I wasn't too impressed with the surrounding area we drove through to get there. From what I understand this area used to be filled with Italian and Polish Immigrants but as of late mostly Arab immigrants have taken over and started to change all the signs and overall feel of the area. The area just seemed so downtrodden and unflavorful. I expected to drive through an area like I did in Brooklyn when finding some of the best pizza places I have discovered. Oh well...

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We were seated immediately since on this frigid night, Buddy's didn't seem to have many people venturing out to enjoy their pizza. We ordered some garlic bread and a plain pie. I couldn't wait to try this pizza again, I mean I remember that Buddy's was easily one of the best and most unique pizza tastes I had previously had. Just loved the sauce and cheese they used, and the completely unique taste of the crust.

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When the pizza arrived I do not think I even waited for the server to put it on the table before grabbing a corner slice. I bit into the outer crust and waiting for the euphoria that I expected to come, but it wasn't there! So I took a bite into the other end that had sauce and it tasted a lot better, but still not as perfect as I recall my first experience. The crust was totally dry, without any oil saturation. It still tasted great on the bottom, but I expected that fruity fragrance to hit the upper roof of my mouth like it previously did. The sauce wasn't as sweet as it used to be, but the cheese was still perfect. Ohhh how the mighty have fallen.

Buddy's I do not know what to say. If I end up putting out a top ten pizza review out, I just cannot include you again with the pie I was served this night. Don't get me wrong, it was still good, and better than any other pizza I have had in Detroit, and many other parts of the country, but I was looking for great again. I was hoping to find that taste that would stay in my mind for another year until I make the journey up there. It just didn't happen this time. There are pizza places in Florida that make a better or comparable pie, and they aren't even from Detroit. Places like Augy's Pizza, Grande Pizza and Esposito's Pizza down here make a version of Detroit pizza and they taste just as good. Buddy's you cannot survive on reputation alone forever. Please don't slack on the TLC needed to make your pies.

Buddy's Pizza gets 6 out of 8 slices for this last visit.

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    (313) 892-9001

  • 17125 Conant Street Detroit, MI 48212‎

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