About TasteBuds

The story behind our community.

Friends dining together

TasteBuds started with a simple idea between four friends. We loved exploring Sacramento's food scene, from hidden hole-in-the-wall spots to the most talked-about new restaurants. Every week, we'd get together, try something new, and share our discoveries.

But we noticed a problem. As we ventured out, we found ourselves drowning in a sea of unreliable online reviews. Was that one-star review from a genuinely bad experience, or just a disgruntled customer having a bad day? Was that five-star review real, or was it paid for? It was impossible to tell who to trust. The noise was overwhelming.

We longed for a place where recommendations felt personal and came from people who were just as passionate about food as we were. We didn't want algorithms or sponsored posts; we wanted a real, community-driven guide to the best eats in town.

So, we decided to build it ourselves.

That's how TasteBuds was born. It’s a platform built on the belief that the best recommendations come from a trusted community, not a faceless algorithm. We designed it from the ground up to be a high-signal, curated space where every restaurant and every dish has been vetted by people who care. With features like user submissions, a dedicated moderation team, and trusted contributor badges, we're building a community you can rely on.

Our mission is simple: to help you discover your next favorite meal, recommended by a friend you just haven't met yet. Welcome to the community.