Sam's Pizza — Restaurant in Iowa City

We, along with some of my relatives, were in town from out of state as my sister was in the hospital. When returning to my sister's house after being at the hospital all day, we needed some carryout food for dinner. I had found Sam's via a google search for pizza and the reviews looked good, so my SIL, wife, and myself ran over to Sam's and placed a carryout order. The restaurant/bar was clean and welcoming, a bit old school, which was good. We had a drink or two while waiting for the pizzas. The pizzas we ordered were a thin-crust Special, and a half and half Canadian bacon/sausage and onion. Our waitress (sorry, didn't catch her name) was very accommodating and attentive. The pizzas were quite good, and fed 7 of us! I wouldn't describe them as overloaded, per some of the previous comments, but toppings were very appropriate. I thought the pricing was fair and would highly recommend this place. We were pleased, and this experience was positive. I will order from here (or come in) again...

Visited on a Thursday evening in March 2023. Brought two kids under the age of 7.

Environment: The place was somewhat busy due to the basketball game. What bewildered me was that there was cigarette smoke in the air and no one smoking outside the building at all. Parking was behind the building.

Food: The pizza was ok. I was told 45 minutes to an hour wait for the Chicago stuffed pizza (didn't order it). Crust on the thin crust was crispy, not fluffy if you're into that. The Samuel's nachos were the worst nachos I've ever had (maybe if you ask to hold the black bean mush, it would be better). It was a glob of mushed black beans mixed with ground beef with tomato, onion, and jalapeno and cheddar cheese melted on top. Burnt tortilla chips. Kids gobbled up their kids' pizza though!

Activities: The candy game claw machine was a hit for the kids. Pool table was there, but the felt was sliced up and coming off the table. Would not go there again,...

The food, the atmosphere, the drinks, and the workers are all amazing. This place.hineatly.feela like the all around bar that isn't loud like ones downtown, but is able to provide some A class drinkage and foodage. I grew up in Edison Park in Chicago and love my Chicago pizza and Sam's is legitimately the only pizza place in town that even comes close to being what I call Chicago pizza. Yes they do have deep dish and it is A++ on point, but the Chicago style I am referring to is the thin crust (who actually orders deep dish Everytime in Chicago? No one. It's a actually a rarity). The toppings and cheese are on point and I would call it a dead ringer for an exact.carbon copy of the Chicago thin crust but sadly the crust is a little too crispy and "aired up", the crust needs to be a little more doughy and have this kind-of sogginess that you get from the sauce toppings and grease from the cheese, but overall...