Sam’s Pizza & Pub

Over the years I’ve heard positive stuff about Sam’s Pizza, from both locals and non-​locals. I finally went there last year, and have been there a couple other times for their lunch buffet. As much as I hate to say it, their pizza does not impress me.
I’ll explain the pizza: it may seem like St. Louis-​style but its not. It is not cracker-​crust with provolone. Instead, it is like something you find in the frozen foods section in the supermarket (not DiGiornio, but like Totino’s and Red Baron). I don’t know the best way to explain the crust, but more like chewy/​crunchy. Next time you’re in there see for yourself. Take the cheese, sauce and the toppings off and you’ll see what I mean. Its like the place doesn’t even make their own crust. I respect places that have their own recipe. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe they do make their own crust, but I have yet to be convinced.
On the other hand, some positives: the service was great, and the restaurant takes pride in the Highland community, as shown all over the place. The place has so much potential, I wish the pizza could live up to it. Apparently this place is hopping on the weekends with the drinking crowd of all ages.

Sam’s Pizza is a welcoming, fun, family friendly, pizza restaurant in Highland, Illinois. Their pizza is excellent and delicious. The salad is fresh and cold. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The apps are fast, hot and tasty! Always a great experience!!!

SAMs pizza is a place that competes with the best pizza joints around. Great staff, and outstanding food. This could be a bar for a night out with the guys or a place to bring the whole family. I love it here.

Excellent as always. Friendly staff, good food, great company. Tvs and good conversation. Treated me to a free drink for my birthday. Try the mushroom pepperoni and bacon St. Louis style pizza. It’s the bomb diggity .com÷

I’ve had Sams once and I don’t think I will go back. It was very expensive and the crust tasted like cardboard. Overpriced for the quality. I was really disappointed too because everyone said it was so good.

Really love the pizza and the the staff. Plenty of room for dining, however get there early! Wonderful draft selection and interesting take on sides. Would recommend. Better than any of the other pizza places in town.

Great pizza place to bring the kids! Plenty of games for them and tvs for the adults. Food is great too. Recommend the St Louis style pizza. It’s great!

One of my favorite places to hang out. Pizza is the best thing on the menu. The chicken parmesian sandwich with fries is a close second. The service and bartenders and even owners are very attentive and genuinely friendly. I have never seen this place empty — it is worth a visit if you are in town.

Wood floors make this place exceptionally loud. You can not hear your self think.
The service is lackadaisical.
Many little towns have small pizza joints in Southern Illinois. This is one of those. Most of the the pizza is solidly average. The bacon was terribly salty. The sausage mushroom pizza was really pretty good.
The salad was amazingly fresh and although the salad dressing offered was ranch. It tasted homemade or of very good quality if bought.
The cheese sticks were really good as was the t ravs. The wings were also tasty but only mild. If they can bring the heat they may have some good wings?
All in all probably a 2.5, I do not know that the food will bring me back to deal with the service.

Delicious, fresh pizza. Try the jalapeño garlic cheese bread. It’s awesome! They also have a nice selection of beer.

Sams Pizza and Pub is a great place to take the family for an excellent meal, and a great place to go for any other occasion, including a business meal or first date. Their food is excellent, with a wide variety to choose from, for people who might not enjoy just pizza… although their pizza is AMAZING. They recently added St Louis style pizza to the menu, which is mouth-​watering, and since it comes in only a 14′ crust, it’s easy to eat the whole thing all by myself. (And I’m a girl). They are also open for lunch and have a wide variety of salad bar choices, and they will make your «buffet» pizza to your request if you ask. (Most of the time they will ask you what type of pizza you want, but just ask them if they don’t). They also have 20 beers on tap, with many locally brewery choices to choose from. They also have Fitz’s root beer on tap which is absolutely yummy. Try their jalepeno garlic bread and their ninja tenders if you like some spice in your life! Definitely the place to be for any sporting event as well, with 8 televisions to choose from for all your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Excellent pizza. It is uniquie and not like any other style. Atmosphere is perfect for families and if you just want a beer, the craft selection is fantastic on draft. This is a must do in Highland, IL.

Sam’s Pizza is a Highland Legend. Not St. Louis style!!! Many different varieties, good appetizers, wide selection of beer and liquor. This business keeps growing with the addition of the «back room» (party room) 2 years ago. Good idea to call ahead if you’re going to be having a large party (over 8), especially on the weekends, and during the week!

First off, this is not St Louis style pizza. St Louis style is very thin crust with provel cheese. However, this pizza is a Highland icon. I think it is good. The cheese sticks are really good, with their marinara sauce. The BBQ chicken tenders with ranch on the side are really good. We like the cheese sticks and BBQ chicken tenders better than their pizza. Yum! I love to eat here with my family.

Absolutely amazing pizza. Love this place!!! One of my childhood favorites. I live in San Diego now, and when I go home to visit it is on my top 3 «must have» list.

If you like the St Louis style of pizza it’s a great place to enjoy some. I prefer it to Imo’s. The pub aspect draws quite the crowd at night and can get hectic.

I’m from Jersey. We have a lot of Italians. And therefore, I was a little disappointed with Sam’s and the St. Louis style of pizza. It tasted okay but it had a really thin crust. The pieces were cut in a fun and wacky way.
Also, I was mad at the bf for ordering a salad just for him, but the salad wasn’t really my type, not quite healthy.

Decent Pizza but I’ve had much better. Service is TERRIBLE and the place looks dirty. Disorganized slow service and very little parking.