Sam's Grill & Seafood Restaurant — Restaurant in San Francisco

I have been dining at Sam's since the late 1980's. I was very disappointed to learn that it had closed a few years ago and delighted when it re-opened. I have had many enjoyable meals there during business trips in the past four years. However, my most recent experience was far less than enjoyable. After a couple of cocktails and a positive experience at the outdoor area for happy hour I went inside for dinner. As usual, I took a seat at the small bar at the front of the restaurant. The bartender seemed put out by my attempting to order dinner and said that " the waiter will take your order," with a negative attitude. My meal was subsequently served and was as good as expected, although I think the amount on the plate was less than previous. After the meal, I observed the waiter drop my bill off at the bar and make a comment that the wine order needed sorting out. After several minutes of no action I asked the bar tender what was happening with the bill. Again appearing put out, the bartender managed to find the piece of paper left by the server and proceeded to close out my tab, appearing to be annoyed by the required effort. After many very positive experiences at this restaurant, including being served by the very sane staff members, I was shocked by the lack of attention to customer needs. I have marked with pleasure the return of busy conditions here but now believe that the management and staff are unprepared to take care of their customers when...

I recently dined at Sam’s Grill and had a delightful experience. The highlight of my meal was the Mixed Grill, which was cooked to absolute perfection. Each component of the dish—from the succulent salmon, scallops and petrale sole to the perfectly seasoned vegetables—was flavorful and well-prepared.

For dessert, I opted for the Hot Fudge Sundae, which turned out to be a fantastic choice for sharing. The rich, velvety fudge paired perfectly with the creamy ice cream, making it a decadent and satisfying end to the meal. It’s definitely a dessert meant to be shared and enjoyed with a companion.

The ambiance of Sam’s Grill is classic and inviting, with a charming, old-world feel that adds to the dining experience. The staff were friendly and attentive, ensuring we had everything we needed throughout our meal.

However, the only downside was the noticeable abundance of waitstaff who didn’t appear to be busy. This was somewhat surprising, especially on a Wednesday evening, and it gave the restaurant a slightly overstaffed feel.

Despite this minor issue, the overall experience at Sam’s Grill was wonderful. The quality of the food and the pleasant atmosphere make it a great choice for anyone looking to enjoy a fine meal in...

Stopped by Sam's the other night because it's an SF institution and seems like one of those places you have to go at least once... you know, places like Tadich Grill and House of Prime Rib. Unfortunately, after eating here, I realized this was a place you could definitely skip.

There just wasn't anything good about our experience. Ok I lied, we were seated right away. That was good. But things went downhill from there. The place was mostly empty, yet our service was slow and not friendly. We had to ask multiple times for water, which we received along with an eyeroll. The food was overly salty, which didn't help with the water situation, and my friend's medium rare steak was definitely served medium. The food was boring, mostly bland, and nothing to write home about. For 5 of us to each have an entree and a drink, plus we shared a caesar salad and a side of onion rings, the check came to $60/each (after tax and tip).

Short story: there are better SF institutions with more character, yummier food, and better service. Spend your time and money...