Sports Fans Pizza, a fixture in downtown Bettendorf since 1988, has developed a loyal fan base of its own with a winning formula that includes great pizza among many other menu items, more than 40 televisions, and a warm and welcoming vibe that appeals to all.

The restaurant at 1723 Grant St., is a popular spot with everyone from families celebrating special times to friends who gather for a few beers to catch their favorite teams in action.
Matt Trumbo, general manager and part owner, says Sports Fans has a “very friendly, hometown feel to it.” “We offer a unique dining experience,” he said.

The bar is situated somewhat apart from dining tables, contributing to the family-friendly environment. Sports memorabilia items line the walls, and a separate game room is a hit with youngsters. “You have to balance your atmosphere,” Trumbo said. The son of founders Steve and Debbie Trumbo, Matt sees people who ate at the restaurant as kids now bringing their own families in.

“We’re considered a downtown staple,” he said, “and we do take pride in that.”

Steve and Debbie Trumbo had been associated with the restaurant business for a while before the opportunity came to open their own establishment in downtown Bettendorf.
“This location opened up and the rest is history,” Matt Trumbo says. “We were kind of on the ground floor with having so many TVs,” he says. “My dad’s concept was that you want to be able to sit anywhere in here and see multiple sports going on at a time.” The restaurant bills itself as a “sports junkie’s paradise” on its Facebook page.

Now, about that pizza.

“Obviously, we are considered a Quad City-style pizza, with the way we cut the pizza, in strips, putting the pepperoni under the cheese, and the ground-up sausage,” he said.
But Matt, a self-proclaimed pizza lover, says the Sports Fans crust “definitely has a lighter flavor. I have tweaked the dough recipe a little bit” from what his father was doing. Pickup and delivery, to select locations in Bettendorf, is available as well.

While pizza is king, accounting for 40 to 45 percent of sales, Matt says, there are a number of other menu items that keep patrons coming back. “We have a lot of appetizers, and we are known for our cheese fries,” he said. An extensive list of deli sandwiches and salads provides many other options. “We have several salad options that sell really well,” he said, including the Crispy Chicken and Plantation Salad. And the Chicken Monteray Deluxe sandwich featuring Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato is a customer favorite, too. You can check out the menu at Sports Fans on its website at www.sportsfanspizza.com or go to the restaurant’s Facebook page, where food and drink specials are advertised daily, along with reminders of what’s happening in the sports world.

There’s a definite University of Iowa vibe at Sports Fans, as Matt and his family are big fans of the Hawkeyes. “We have a lot of Hawkeyes signage on the walls,” he said. “We like to make it an experience.” Bringing that experience to a new level over the past few years has been the excitement surrounding Caitlin Clark, who brought worldwide attention to Iowa women’s basketball. Clark’s legion of fans has grown with her success on the WNBA’s Indiana Fever. Matt says any game with Clark is “must-watch TV” and he’s noticed families coming in to watch the Fever games.
“It’s crazy what this one girl has done,” he said.

So, as Sports Fans Pizza gears up for football season, check out the website at www.sportsfans.com and the Facebook page for daily specials. The phone number for delivery is 563-359-5555. Better yet, stop in to check out downtown Bettendorf’s premier place for sports fans of all ages and interests! Hours are Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.