Do Not Eat at Sam's Grill
Food was poor but even worse was the blond hostess/cashier. She made us wait while she was on the phone talking about another customer. She is rude and annoying.    [07 Mar 2003 14:00:10]

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Recommended Dishes:

     ­ali   

Where Else Can I Order Myself?
I got a great sandwich called the Adam, since it bears my own name. I wouldn't have picked chicken salad if left to my own devices, but it's probably the best of its kind I've ever had! The appetizers and desserts are a bit pricey but I was a stickler for the smashed potatoes.    [02 Jun 2003 23:39:03]

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Recommended Dishes: The Adam

     ­Adam   adam at initiael dot com

Service Sucks/Food Good
The service is some of the worst that I'd ever experienced but the food's not bad. Prices are too high!    [22 Feb 2004 18:45:40]

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     ­Anonymous   

Best Food Around
Sam's grill is an awesome place built on the cornerstone of GREAT food. It is small and I feel like all the customers know each other, it's like a Cheers! The 'blond hostess/cashier' someone else wrote about was wonderful to us both times I've been there, she's part of what I think makes the place unique. I loved everything, from the great servers to the cooks who seem to enjoy looking out on the dining room while they're hard at work. The burgers may be the best and when I went back, the short rib special and the fishcakes (which my girlfriend got) were to die for. I'd give the food and the service the highest marks and can't wait to go back.    [05 Mar 2004 23:09:51]

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Recommended Dishes: burgers, ribs, specials

     ­Eric   

A Great Place
My husband and I went here before our son was born to enjoy a nice but casual meal. Now we go with our son, and they are always accomodating! The food is several notches above the usual diner fare. Hubby loves the Andrew sandwich. I love their burgers, which are big and juicy and on a good roll. Our little one enjoys the fries and chicken fingers. The service has always been quick and friendly when we've gone. And the place is as neat as a pin. The prices are a little higher than usual, but we think it's worth it!    [27 Apr 2004 16:40:11]

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Recommended Dishes: Burgers, fries, hot sandwiches

     ­A frequent visitor   

Almost once a week for 4 years
Clearly there are some mixed reviews, but my wife and I have enjoyed Sam's as an afterwork dinner spot since we moved to Ardmore 4 years ago. Yes, the service can be somewhat inattentive and the hostess has quite the personality - but it's the personality that keeps us coming back. The food is everything that I like in a diner - basic, varied, quick - but better tasting with better ingredients. The specials are pretty much the same by day of the week with several highlights including the turkey meatloaf.

One of my favorites is the burger with bacon and bleu cheese. The bleu cheese makes all the difference on a large bun. The fries are always good - thin - and enough to easily feed two people. As mentioned, the Adam, is a very good, basic chicken salad.

As mentioned above, many of the customers are repeats. We certainly see the same faces over and over.

Also, the people watching is fantastic.    [04 May 2004 09:14:21]

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Recommended Dishes: Burgers, ribs, The Adam, Salads, Bleu Bacon Burger, Fries

     ­JWo   

Don't change a winning horse...
I had been going to Sam's Grill since my sister moved to Havertown in 1996 until I left Philly for good this past summer. My father misses the BBQ salmon with Broccoli and Mashed sweet potatoes; my wife misses the Spinach SAlad with Bacon vinaigrette; and I truly miss my all time favorite: walnut-crusted chicken fingers with tangy orange sauce and cajun spiced French fries!!!    [08 Oct 2004 23:01:59]

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     ­Carlos.   

Good but service is terrible
The individual waitresses are nice, but the policies of the restaurant are draconian. They charge for every modification and are extremely rigid about most things. The owner is rude, at best, and prices are too high for the type of restaurant and the food served.

The food is quite good, though, and that's what keeps me coming back, though not nearly as often as I would if it were better about customer service and prices were more reasonable. Sam's would have all my brunch and lunch business if it were more reasonably priced and the service weren't so abominable and rigid. As it stands, I tend to go to Ardmore Station Cafe and Cavistons at least as often as Sam's.    [21 Feb 2005 10:05:20]

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Recommended Dishes: Andrew sandwich, fries, roast chicken dishes, bread pudding

     ­Diner in Wynnewood   

Will Never order there again
The food has been yummy, but the service (at least for pickup orders) has always been horrendous. On several separate occasions, coworkers and I have tried ordering lunch from Sam's and ALWAYS have to stand at the counter while people who came up to the counter after us were seated or paid their bills before we were given any attention. Too bad, we've given up on this place. Especially since it's also really expensive.    [08 Apr 2005 13:25:25]

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     ­Queen of Narberth   

One of the best places around
The food is extremely good here. My wife is very, very picky and I can always get her to go out at Sam's. Their pancakes are heads and shoulders above anything I have eaten anywhere else. The Ribs are fall off the bone.

As for the service, I find it pretty good. I feel for the reveiwer above that commented on the Blonde that was rudely talking on the phone. I usuually get very aggravated about things like that. The Blonde haired woman that I am familiar with, though, on Sunday mornings, is bright and cheery, and always manages to come by our table and smile and chat with my five year old daughter (who only knows the waitress from the restaurant but adores her). Also, I just called up to see what the dinner specials will be tonight, and I got a very pleasant and patient response. When I asked about something in particular that I like, she went to ask the cook and came back with a yes. Thats a check for good service for me.

As for the decor, it is bright and colorful and you can see the kitchen through the window. But still very modern looking and I think attractive. If you are expecting white tablecloth, however, you should reset those expectations.

Overall, one of my favorites, and I am not too generous about the other places around here.    [30 Dec 2005 15:14:43]

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Recommended Dishes: Pancakes for breakfast!!!

     ­John