Sam's Fine Food & Egg Rolls — Restaurant in Des Moines

The food was fine. I'm leaving a review to state my disappointment in how a forgotten item from my order was handled.

I ordered extra spicy Hunan Beef with fried rice, egg drop soup, and two chicken egg rolls. When I specified fried rice instead of steamed white rice, I was told that it would be $1 extra and asked if that was okay. I confirmed that it was.

I picked up my order, but when I arrived home, I noticed that I did not receive any rice whatsoever. They offered to let me come back by and pick up the forgotten item. I indicated that I did not want to drive back and asked whether they could refund me the cost of the rice to my card. The call then dropped. I called back and explained my situation again to a different person. They knew who I was (referred to me by name without me telling it to them). They let me know that I was charged an extra dollar for the dish being made extra spicy and that rice comes with the dish. It was at this point that I decided it wasn't worth it to keep pressing (after all, I was unwilling to drive back; plus I suspected that I was just lied to).

Even if they couldn't refund my card the difference, I was prepared to let this entire thing drop. Then, it appears that I was lied to. The extra $1 seems to be for the fried rice (not the extra spicy). Online ordering through Postmates confirms this (extra $1 on fried rice option; no extra charge for any spice level). I cannot find an official menu from Sam's that confirms this (or any extra $1 charge), so I am prepared to be incorrect, but I don't think that I am.

The food was fine, and I encourage you to give Sam's try if you are looking for Chinese food of this style, but I will likely never purchase anything from them again.

I realize that this could come off as petty, but I really, really don't like...

Sam’s got absolutely swamped a couple Saturdays ago and had to close briefly to restock as they went into the evening hours. Not knowing about that, I put in an order online around 6:45pm and drove over from my Ingersoll hood. I arrived for my to go order shortly after they had reopened and had gotten back into a groove, and Sam and his wife were smiling and laughing, sharing the story with customers of their crazy day. Sam was working that wok like a madman and was shouting hilarious one-liners, and his wife was masterfully handling the lobby, online, and phone orders, all while talking with us and communicating with Sam to make sure they were catching everything. They are so gracious and friendly there, asking everyone in the lobby how they’re doing and connecting with their customers. The lobby was a nonstop flow of happy and patient neighbors and food delivery people. Sam and his wife handled it like the champs that they are!

I had had a tough work week and walked in exhausted. As soon as I said who I was, was told it would be a few more minutes, then sat down took my phone out to scroll, the lobby started filling up and conversations began. I put my phone in my coat and took part. I was really glad that I “had to” wait a little longer for the next rice cooker to finish. I got to connect with Sam and his wife more, as well as some south side neighbors I’d never met before. As I walked out with our food, I was was still chuckling in my car at Sam and his wife shouting salutations over the noise of the kitchen fans to everyone entering and leaving. I am always reminded why I keep driving to Sam’s when we want Chinese food (we also got drive-through during COVID months numerous times to help them stay in business). It’s a super happy, and...

Wow! I was beyond impressed with this place. First off, it's off the beaten path, in this unassuming little strip mall. The place itself is TINY (I'm talking 5, maybe 6 tables, tops). The owner and his brother both have great personalities, while cooking and serving, they were joking around with the customers. I've never laughed so hard at a restaraunt before. Very friendly! The food. Oh my god the food. I LOVE chinese food. We had the angry shrimp, beef pad thai, chicken egg rolls, pork and bacon egg rolls, and crab Rangoon. The portions were huge. The Angry shrimp was incredibly spicy, the beef pad Thai was absolutely delicious, and the egg rolls were the best I have ever had, anywhere, hands down. The food was hot and fresh, the egg rolls were crisp and homemade.

Every year growing up, for Christmas Eve, my dad would make Cabbage Casserole. It was something I looked forward to all year long. It was cabbage and carrots, bacon, cheese, all baked together. Why am I telliing you this? The park and bacon egg rolls were like that casserole, rolled into an egg roll and deep fried. You only get one, but it's the size of two normal ones combined.

I will DEFINITELY return. Thanks Sam, for the amazing food and...