Sam The Clam Pub & Grub — Restaurant in Southington

We arrived around 7:30pm for dinner. We have been at Sam The Clams many times over the years. Each time we go, we always say we will never go back. But because the place is close by and very casual we decided to go again after working in the yard all day. You can go there very casually dressed and we love seafood. That was the only reason we went. We regretted it again. We were lucky enough to get a table since it was a nice day, the place was full of people hoping to enjoy a nice dinner inside or out on the deck. Spring fever! We both ordered soup to start; clam chowder and french onion. Both soups were good. Although we had to ask for set ups and napkins since we were never given one. It took a while flagging down a waitress, so we ended getting up and going to the bar for the napkins. When the waitress came by with our meal, we still hadn't gotten our utensils to eat with and there was no tarter sauce or anything to eat with our seafood platter which came with 4 fried shrimp, 5 scallops, 1 piece of very dry fish, and approximately 6 whole belly clams. The dish was hot, but the food on the plate was room temperature and very dark and over fried. We paid 26.00 for that plate which to me was overpriced because there really was much on the plate. Although, they give you plenty of french fries; which came a while after our meal arrived, but I didn't eat them and there was no substitution available if I wanted it according to the waitress. We asked for coleslaw because we thought the menu said it came with the meal, but the waitress said it does not come with any coleslaw. She brought it to us anyways because she felt bad that we had to wait for our meal to be reheated in the kitchen since it was cold and we waited so long. She seemed nice, but she never once stopped at our table to ask us how things were or if we needed anything. She would speak to us as she was passing our table and we needed to be lucky enough to hear what she was saying because it was very loud in there with all the people sitting at the bar which is across from many booths where people sit and eat. It became very stressful for the two of us to enjoy our meals. Each time we go we say "maybe it will be better this time". But it never is. It is actually worse. Which is almost impossible. We finally decided to ask her for the bill so we can pay and get out of there. We waited a long time and almost walked out, but decided to go up to the bar area and find her or our bill. We got the bill and while my husband was paying it the bartender asked me how everything was. She seemed very nice and genuinely concerned. I told her the truth. She went on to explain that she was the only bartender and there were only three waitresses to handle the entire restaurant and deck area. Very understaffed. What a shame. But honestly, I have been there before and it is always that way. So I guess they are routinely understaffed. And what about the over fried seafood which was cold. That is the cooks fault, not the waitress. Years ago we started going to Sam The Clams with my extended family. It was always good back then. I guess I am trying to relive those good old days by continuing to keep going. It really is all just a memory now. Those days are gone. I hope Sam The Clams reads this review and fixes the problem soon. But the impression I get is that they really just don't...

I have no idea why I have heard people rave over this place for lobster roles. Mine was bland and chewey. When asked if I wanted curly fries or regular fries, I asked for regular because I don't like that extra breading or frying or whatever it is on curly fries. So guess what, "regular fries" are actually done the same way, the only difference is the shape. My beer was served in a warm glass. I wasn't looking for a frosted glass, just a regular, room temperature glass. This must have just come out of the washer or kept by something running hot. Whatever the cause, there is no way that that the bartender couldn't have noticed that the glass was warm. The staff was friendly enough but not very attentive at any point. There were at least 3 people serving from behind the bar and I sat down with an extra open seat to start and three open seats next to me within minutes. It was post dinner rush and not exceptionally busy. I waited to get a menu, waited for someone to take my beer and food order and then waited a long time for my lobster roll. I even had to keep trying to track down somebody to close my tab (remember, all while sitting at a half full bar with three people working the bar).

Now, let's get to the prices. That beer in the warm glass was $8 and not some high end craft beer, just a Samuel Adams. But the worst was the roll itself, served with fries and a little container cole slaw. As often happens, the roll was listed as MP. I had been watching the price of lobster at the store and it was definitely cheaper than earlier in the year or even the past two years. So when asked if I wanted a 4oz role or an 8oz role, I went for the 8oz. When the bill came, that 8oz lobster roll cost $52! My bill was $73 and after tip (which I really should have cut in half) was just shy of $90 for a bland, chewy, 8 oz lobster roll and two Sam Adams! "MP" obviously has nothing to do with the market price but based on what they think that they can get away with, before a customer starts looking for a fight over the bill. In my younger years, I would have just put three $20s on the bar and left. So far this year, a lobster roll and fries of the same size and much more delicious has averaged $23. So theirs was considerably more than double what you can get it for at regular lobster places. This was like fancy restaurant in Manhattan pricing, not casual bar in...

Came here with a few friends, during the weekend, on a beautiful covid day. The patios were more full than inside. Upon arriving, it wasn't clear where to stand to get seated so we stood in the vicinity of another waiting patron, near the door, & had to make room for couples also coming in. There was about a 15-20min wait before the hostess came to greet everyone waiting & take us to our seat, that was directly under a big flat screen TV. While I didn't mind the brightness, it was a little uncomfortable seeing people staring in our direction lol. The waitress arrived to take our drink orders & you could tell she was extremely busy, by the short responses & eagerness to take the orders & move on to service another table. I guess the restaurant is understaffed, like many other businesses. The drinks took around 20mins to show up. Mine was made incorrectly & tasted more like juice. I drank it & stuck with water the rest of the time. We put in a few app orders. Which were pretty tasty. The food was hot & came out at the same time. I purchased the lobster stuffed mushrooms. I wasn't disappointed, I could taste the lobster here & there. We also had the seafood nachos, which were amazing. There was an abundance of seafood & cheese throughout. The salmon patties weren't all that exciting. However, the sauce did compliment very well. As for the main dish, I tried the whole belly clam roll...As far as taste, I wouldn't get it again. However, the amount of clams is above generous. It was mountain of fried clams! At times, I was simply eating it out the bread. Although, without tarter or cocktail sauce, the roll is ridiculously dry. I think I ate more fries than clams. But I could just be a fries finatic. I can't comment on my friend's entrees, but they both seemed pleased & we all had leftovers. I absolutely love seafood & I'm not in a rush to return here, but I will visit this restaurant again to try some other plates. I'd definitely try to come during off peak hours, if that's possible. This place seems pretty popular. As far as cleanliness, I didn't visit the restroom. The efforts I saw were to space people out, have dividers at the bar & booths, wipe the tables & have sanitizer on...