Susie and Sam's Steakhouse — Restaurant in Bainbridge

We had heard wonderful things about the owner’s mother’s restaurant that serves as the inspiration for Susie and Sam’s. Unfortunately, Marie Livingston’s closed some time ago, and we were excited to try this “Gen. 2” version. We made a reservation a week in advance and traveled an hour and a half across state lines mainly for this meal and to re-explore Bambridge’s charming tourist district. Upon arrival, we were immediately seated and overwhelmed with the customer service. For a step above “upper scale” chain restaurant steakhouse dinning, this $20 scale up proved impressive. My husband’s chair was a little wobbly and our attentive server noticed right away, bringing him a new one within minutes. The menu is varied for a steakhouse and offered the perfect amount of offerings for both appetizers, steak variations, and non-red meat options. The bar was speedy and tasty reaching that deadly combination of perfect blending that leaves you wondering, “Is there really alcohol in this lemon drop?” and coming to the confirmation twenty minutes later as you sip your second knowing it’s time to slow down. Now for the food but one caveat first. My dinning party has a reputation of needing a shirt size larger than most to accommodate our rather cumbersome back. The potato skins were a substantial offering with no restrictions on garnish. Think less TGIF’s and more literal loaded baked potato but in a strip. We didn’t even miss the salt it was seasoned so well. The crab claws were abundant and for the price, we felt very satisfied with splurging on them. As we waited for our entrees, the salad and bread course was brought out. The rolls are something my fellow “bread people” would happily be sent to an early grave for. Fluffy, buttery, wheaty, and devine. The honey butter was also an excellent attempt at converting this stanch plain butterer. The salad was a good attempt, but missed the mark with dated cabbage, warm leaves and a room temperature plate. The housemade ranch dressing and croutons were just enough to make the salad a worthy position in our shrinking stomach vacancy. One impressive quality of our meal was the speed. Had we wished, I’m certain delivery of the entire meal, appetizers, salads, entrees, and dessert could have been brought out in less than twenty minutes. Our sever was very attentive to spacing out our courses and we were able to enjoy at our leisure. Upon our entree arrivals, we were impressed with the sheer size of it. Remember, we’re in the next tax bracket with this one, but it still felt like a good value for the pricing. Plating for my husband’s chicken and shrimp Alfredo was beautiful, but the steak and accompanying cup of reserved sauce looked like they had been swung upside down in a wicker basket and plopped on the table. Upon further inspection, we realized the wicker basket was no enemy of ours. The steak was cooked to our preferences and tender. Was it the best steak I’ve ever had? No, of course not. This isn’t Salt Block in Marianna, FL, remember? But this was a notable steak and in my top five of small time steakhouses. The baked potatoes were divine and the pasta delicious. In short order we were ready for dessert and by “ready,” I mean we were chronologically ready for the room in our expanding backs was running low. We ordered the brownie and the key lime pie much to our delight. The brownie is warm and syrupy. The key lime crust formed to perfection. A wonderful way to end a begin a food coma. And that’s were I thought the story ended. A beautiful restaurant, lovely service and superb food. Unfortunately, my husband’s shrimp proved it died in vain. The smells of which I wish never to encounter again. While dining in the restaurant, he ate the scrumptious chicken and thought to save the shrimp for lunch tomorrow with the remaining pasta. Thank goddess he decided to wait or my next order of business would have been leaving a review for the funeral home across the street. Upon re-heating, only one novel came to mind, The Old Man...

First off reservations were at 6:30, got there at 6 waited till a little after 7 for a table. Finally seated soon as we sat down some of the saucers on the table were dirty with some type of sauce on it. NO STRAWS AT ALL THEY RAN OUT OF STRAWS. Nobody drinks from cups and glasses in a restaurant. Come back an hour later to take our order finally damn we were starving, then brought me a sprite out(first let me tell you about the lighting yea it was suppose to be elegant but if you have to take your phone out and look at a menu a black menu with gold writing really.) Everybody had there phone out looking at the menu because they couldn't see. Back to the sprite got ready to lift my to drink thank God I didn't and it had a whole pink lip stick print on it. I politely got up and took it to the front and told them ,they were okay with it. The lady that was on the website( I guess that's Susie]. And proceeded to say let me get you another one no apology at all. I ordered rice pilaf with my salmon never received the rice at this point damn I'm just ready to go. First and last time for me. Oh I volunteered to ask for a sprite it was 11 of us everyone was drinking water they never ask did they want a regular drink. The servers seem so moody and a tad rude. One bathroom for each gender. The restaurant would have been nice if they turned up the lighting, wasn't too crowded and having to stand in the doorway or outside in the cold waiting on a table. It almost look like the lighting was for bedroom pleasures we weren't gonna get it on we were trying to eat. Just extremely dark we don't know what else we missed on the dinnerware. Pretty much ruined a good celebration. Oh but the key lime pie was out standing but the service SUCKS. THANK YOU. SO...

From the moment we walked through the door at Susie and Sam’s, we were met with genuine Southern hospitality and an unforgettable dining experience. The professionalism and warmth of the staff were outstanding. Maddy our server was absolutely wonderful — attentive without being intrusive, and clearly passionate about making sure her guests were enjoying all aspects of their dining experience.

Our meals arrived quickly, served piping hot and bursting with flavor. The steaks were perfectly cooked, the shrimp tender and well-seasoned, and the yeast rolls—oh, those yeast rolls!—soft, warm, and made even better with their rich honey butter. Every bite felt like a comfort food hug.

And don’t even think about skipping dessert. The key lime pie was next level — tangy, creamy, and utterly refreshing.

What truly sets this place apart are the hearts behind it. Owners Susie and Sam personally stopped by our table, not just to ensure everything was perfect (which it was), but to share warm memories of Susie’s mother, Marie Livingston, whose legacy lives on through the incredible recipes still used today. That personal touch made the evening feel more like we had met up with old friends we had known for years while enjoying outstanding service and food.

If you’re celebrating something special — a birthday, anniversary, or just life — and Sam is in the house, prepare to be serenaded! His rich, resonant voice is as memorable as the food and will leave you smiling long after dessert.

Susie and Sam’s is more than a restaurant — it’s a heartfelt experience steeped in tradition, love, and exceptional flavor....