Bud & Alley's Pizza Bar Changes It Up

In case you haven't been lately, go check out the changes at Bud & Alley's Pizza Bar. If you've never been, plan to get there as soon as you can. Owner Dave Rauschkolb doesn't sit still. He's always looking to improve. I think it's his surfer dude nature. Always looking for the perfect ride. The perfect wave. And thankfully for us, the perfect pizzeria.

Dave's quest for perfection led him to hire chef Phil McDonald, who has taken the place to another level. The wood-fired, brick-oven pizzas are even better. They were very good. But now they are over-the-top delicious. And Phil has added some creative new dishes and specials.   

The heavy lifters added another oven and doubled the prep space, installing a walk-up takeout window to handle all the to-go pizza orders. Now Chef Phil can concentrate on serving the sit-down guests. The to-go orders had the team overwhelmed at times.

 
The outdoor seating area has been transformed with new tables and booths. The long family style tables have been replaced with more intimate setups.

Dave's longtime graphic designer, David DeGregorio of CIA, is about to finalize a new logo for the restaurant. I like the current one David did a few years ago but I'm sure the new one will be even better. He's the best in town.    

 
In case you need a reminder, the back terrace is one of the best spots to hang in SoWal. It's a work of art. The result of an Italian adventure "research" trip by Dave and wife Carol, and pals Leo and Tara Casas. Years ago they set out on a mission to find the perfect pizza and gather ideas before designing the restaurant.
 
They found plenty of pizza and a wide variety of pizzerias, but they also found the perfect terrace overlooking a mountain on an Italian island. So of course, Dave and Leo's firm, Casa Architects, directed Jodi Joodi of Arkon Group to recreate it in Seaside, overlooking the Gulf instead of a mountain.
 
Although great anytime of year, it's magnificent when the crowds and humidity are thinner.  Check out the new dishes as soon as you can. Bud & Alley's Pizza Bar is open from lunch until well after dark with a full bar.