Sam’s Cafe

Came out to Phoenix for an interview and they brought us HERE for lunch… omg *drool*
The chips were amazing, especially the ones that were seasoned with pepper and other deliciousness. I had the salmon and a bite of the steak. SOSOSOSOSO good. Ahhh I want their chips now.
Also. The chocolate tamales were a sweet fare-​thee-​well. Yum.

A friend of mine is in town and staying at the Ritz Carlton on Camelback. In meeting up, we ventured across the street and found Sam’s Café. The menu was big and many things looked good. I was busy looking at the spacious dining area and the food options when the waitress arrived. My friend went with the raspberry margarita while I had ½ coke, ½ diet coke.
The waitress was very attentive and dropped by many times to make sure we were fine. The chips and salsa were amazing! I saw some Unilocal reviews on my phone that talked about the chips. I thought really? They are chips! Can they really be that exciting? Damn skippy! In fact, most of the time I didn’t even put them in salsa– they were so good just by themselves.
My friend ordered the Red Rock Meatloaf served with peppers, bacon and onions, mashed potatoes and she swapped spinach in place of the corn on the cob. I went with the Applewood Smoked Pecan Salmon. Damn! It was salmon with pecans, there was a side spinach and the salmon was served on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes and a red papaya and serrano chile sauce. I detected something else that seemed like slightly spicy apple sauce, but I don’t know what it was.
An excellent meal, nice atmosphere, descent area and above average service. Each entrée was about $ 17 and the margarita was $ 6.50. No room for dessert — with the exception of the white chocolate tamale brought out with the bill, but the tray showed several items. Maybe next time?

What a pleasant surprise! I went here for a friends birthday dinner and were greeted with a friendly smile and «hello.» Chips and salsa lined the table and were a mix or corn and blue corn, and i think some of them had been rolled in cinnamon and pepper. I had to force myself to stop eating them.
A friend and I ordered chicken fajitas and we wanted to split the entrée and the server brought us out two plates with the guac., sour cream, etc on both plates. That was nice. The beans and rice were delicious, the server had a pleasant attitude (and I could tell she had a lot going on) and she kept my water full.
She brought out a dessert tray and told us about each item. THEN after she brought the check she came back with little white chocolate tamales for everyone! (White chocolate in a corn husk.) Holy cow! How awesome is that!

Okay, so i had a friend in from CO and she wanted Southwestern cuisine so I suggested Sam’s even though I hadn’t been there in 10 years. First they serve you with their version of chips and salsa and I don’t think I will ever settle for regular chips and salsa ever again after this. There were 4 different chips.2 had various spices, one had the taste of powdered sugar and the last were sweet potato. Each combined with the salsa was a bite of culinary delight. I ordered the Ahi tuna sandwich and was satisfied with my selection. However my friend ordered the black and blue quesadilla and it was beyond fantastic! Defintiely recommend even if just for cocktails and their chips. Oh I almost forgot. you get a stick of white chocolate wrapped in a husk with your check! So either way you WILL be having dessert. ;)

My recent, but admittedly brief, experience was terrific! The service was fast and friendly, the price was good, and the food was really, really good.
A friend and I stopped for a brief appetizer and margarita before heading to the Lyle Lovett concert. Margaritas for $ 3.00 until 7 PM… YUM! I loved the chips and salsa. The chips are a mixed style and the salsa had an unusual, homemade flavor. We shared an order of chicken nachos and OMG… were they good. Whatever creamy sauce was added was a wonderful addition.
The atmosphere was nice and open; the more modern Southwest style was a refreshing change. And like I said above, the service was friendly and quick.

So my sister was in town for a visit. She and her hubby live in Monterey, CA, and she decided that she needed to THAW from 50 degree weather!
We were meeting our friend Kelly for dinner, and she suggested Sam’s Café. I’ve been to the one downtown, and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to checking out this location.
First of all, the chips and salsa ROCK. The chips are freshly made, and the salsa is this chunky, chipotle-​infused bowl of heaven.
I got the fish tacos — they were fantastic. A filet of blackened tilapia, slaw mix, pico, and this chipotle sauce. Would absolutely recommend this to anybody that likes fish tacos — sooooo good!
Kelly got the carnitas platter and my sister got the chopped salad. I didn’t try either of their dinner, but they both enjoyed theirs.
Our server was excellent — she was attentive, without being annoying, and kept our glasses of iced tea full — which was a good thing after being at the pool most of the day.
To sum it up – good food, good service, and reasonable prices.

Saturday is Happy Hour day at Sam’s Café.
Happy because we hadn’t been there in a while and happy because Sam’s has improved since the last time we were there:)
I say «judge slowly» and «give people a second chance» and «a stitch in time, saves nine» and all kinds of other inappropriate adages… but my point is that sometimes a second chance is in order.
Sam’s Café had been in the rotation for a few years and then we had a couple of poor experiences there, and just didn’t go back… you know how it is… there’s a lot of competition for the dining dollar (it used to be «dollars» but the recession/​depression has hit everyone!).
But, this isn’t about then… it’s about now, so let’s get up to date, shall we?
The Beautiful Carin and I headed for the club last Saturday to sweat off the weeks caloric build up and sweat it off we did! (you know, I think I sweat so much because I come from ice age survivor stock and here I am trying to live in the desert!).
Anyway, after we finished our extremely grueling, yet fulfilling programs of physical exercise, got ourselves all cleaned up, (lookin’ good and smellin’ sweet) we were talking between ourselves (as married people often do) and trying to figure how to reward ourselves for the excellent workouts we had just finished.
How about a nice big lunch?
Sam’s Café has Happy Hours on Saturday’s and Sunday’s that run from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Well, that’s just inspired!
We tottered in and sat at the bar (I think that’s going to be a defining happy hour «move» for us), and the barman greeted us with a warmth and enthusiasm normally reserved for long lost play cousins… a good start:)
We looked at the happy hour menu and they have some nice selections for really good prices.
We ordered roast pork sliders with a chipotle barbecue sauce, Carin’s «go-​to» selection… grilled chicken nacho’s and Sedona Spring Rolls (also served with the chipotle barbecue sauce and pico de gallo).
While were waiting for the food to arrive, Sam’s minions brought us more food… chips and salsa.
Now, I don’t want anyone to think Sam’s is mexcian food… it’s not. The whole place is more «southwest inspired» as opposed to «southwest», or «Mexican» or «authentic».
They have décor that looks sort of Fredrick Remington meets Javier Sordo Madaleno… nice, southwest-​ish/​modern. The chairs in the dining room are, frankly, less than comfortable but they fit the décor, so, OK. Just don’t complain to me when they make your butt sore after 20 minutes!
Back to the chips and salsa… I like the flour tortilla chips that Sam’s serves, as well as the blue corn and sweet potato chips and the salsa is decent as well… very tomatoey, but spicy and flavorful, but it’s not Mexican… not for everybody, but we were happy:)
The actual food portion of our lunch came before we became completely engorged with the chips portion. Everything was very tasty.
The pork roast sliders were truly delightful… moist, seasoned perfectly on soft warm rolls:) (BTW, I’m reasonably certain that you can’t get swine flu from eating pork roast, but I will say that the roast pork sliders «flew» off the plate:). The Sedona Spring Rolls have plenty of spice and heat, and are also very nice.
All in all, a very solid Happy Hour offering for $ 18 and change (before tip).
Go, sit at the bar (always better service and your butt will thank me), and enjoy Sam’s Happy Hour!

The food is consistent and pretty good. It will not satisfy any craving you have for Mexican food, but it may keep those cravings at bay for a while. I’m really only reviewing Sam’s to give them kudos for being «dog friendly.» At the Biltmore location at least they will allow you to have dogs outside on the patio. Even though I don’t have dogs, some of my friends do and I have been to Sam’s Café with them several times because it seemed like the only place we could eat without leaving the dogs in the car.

The food was fine, but not outstanding. There’s outdoor seating, but it’s along the mall’s 2^nd-​story walkway.
One standout:
The individual tamale-​style chocolates are a definite upgrade from most restaurants’ «here’s your check» treat.

Interior: 8/​10, Food: 8/​10, Service: ⁸⁄₁₀.
I used to take out-​of-​towners here all the time.
Now that I moved away, I had to visit Sam’s. I love the bread sticks and the smear that comes with it.
The food wasn’t as great as I remembered, but it’s still pretty good.

Their fresh and warm chips and salsa were good. Ordered a margarita and immediately understood why they limit you to only 2. Woo hoo! I was feeling good. I had one of their specials which consisted of salmon and mango salsa and it was delicious. My boyfriend had the chicken fajitas and said those were good too.
The white chocolate tamales as an after dinner snack (small dessert) was nice, but we still ordered cheesecake for dessert. I love cheesecake and have yet to try a bad piece.
I’m not a big fan of Tex-​Mex, but I’d come here again.

I think I had chicken enchiladas (my boyfriend ate most of it). My boyfriend wanted to go to Phoenix/​Scottsdale for Southwestern food while my friend was in town for agency visits. She got the waiter to take a photograph of us and when she spilled her margarita, they replaced it. We chose this because we wanted a casual restaurant with salmon or shrimp. We didn’t know any better if this stuff is just fake Tex-​Mex.

Ok… so Sam’s Café is probably one of my favorite lunch places to go in Phoenix, I would go alone just for the fresh made chips and salsa they bring to your table, the menu items here are quite unique and to say the least are good for the most part.
Every time I have been to this place they have never been that busy, but I will say there service is lacking, it seems that when ever I go there I get the dyslexic high school waiter who can’t remember to bring me my refills I ask for or I get the recovering meth addict that hates life.
I usually end up getting the mushroom and spinach casadia which never disappoints, I like this places ambiance, the only reason it does not get 5 stars is because the service always seems to blow.

This is the place that we always seem to end up at when people come in to town for business. It’s one of those places that’s relatively convenient, has decent parking, and can handle larger crowds since they don’t ever seem to be even remotely busy.
I will agree that when I have been there with small, personal groups, service has been unbearably slow. They would definitely earn one more star if there were even a whiff of concern… but when the group is larger, we have always received exemplary service — dare I say size does matter?
The food is actually above standard, for its kind. I love the Santa Fe Stuffed Chicken Breast (it has lots of goat cheese inside and is covered in their red pepper cream sauce — which honestly I think would be good spread over an old leather sneaker). I could eat the Adovo Chicken Pasta twice a week and never get tired of it (same reference to red pepper cream sauce). My ex swore that the Meatloaf was the best (but really, what can’t be improved by a generous portion of bacon?!!). And my all time favorite has to be Chile Rubbed Sirloin — it’s flavorful, without being overpowering, always cooked exactly as requested, and generally requires the threat of forking when others realize that «it looks better than mine.»
If you like Margaritas. You should be happy with what Sam’s has to offer. The Orange Beso makes my toes tingle. Fortunately, they limit those to two servings — otherwise I might find myself behaving badly. They have several «house margaritas» all of which I’ve enjoyed (really it’s not my fault, I work with a lot of social alcoholics… it’s the only way to deal with the stress).
My final offering is that this particular location (I haven’t ever tried at the others, so they might be accommodating as well), is great for private functions. They will basically close down whatever portion of the restaurant you might need, either feed you buffet style or from the menu, work with you on drink coupons, let you hang corporate flair, etc. If you are in a pinch for a business gathering in a relaxed environment give it a try.

Supposedly this place was going to close down beacuse of the new condos going in. Thankfully they got an extension on their lease. The condos aren’t going in just yet.
The food here is consistently good. The service was average. I really like the Sonoran meatloaf. It’s a great location and you’ll have a good meal here. The menu is pseudo tex-​mex. It’s a good place to go on a date, an office lunch, take family, or out of towners over the age of 40. Not a drinking place… at all. I would not recommend the place for large groups or meeting friends. It doesn’t have that kind of vibe.

Seafood Fajitas… very good…
they also have one of my favortie Pinot Noir’s La Crema!
they used to have this great little southwesten… Chocolate thing they gave you after the meall … so missed that…

Looks like I’m on a roll with getting horrible service at what are usually pretty decent restaurants lately! I went to Sam’s Café last night with two of my girlfriends and based on my previous experience at the downtown location, I figured we’d get a pretty decent meal. Not the case!
Carter, our server, was awful. I hate to be so hard on him but as soon as he took our drink order and we didn’t order any alcoholic beverages, he went downhill from there. My friend Allyson ordered the rotisserie chicken special and I ordered the applewood smoked pecan salmon. DeDe had a few question before she decided and Carter not only had no clear answers for her, he didn’t bother to try to get the answers. Unacceptable! (Just to clarify, these were basic questions such as ‘what kind of vegetables come on the fire grilled vegetable tacos?’ and ‘What is the marinade for the chicken fajitas?’)
The next thing we know, we are given their special chips and salsa… I love how they combine sweet and salty in a colorful arrangement! Those were delicious. However, it was a good ten minutes until we saw our water and when you are eating salty chips and salsa, it’s nice to have something to wash it down with! Minus star #2.
So, our food comes and DeDe’s fajitas are totally different than what Carter explained. She isn’t bitchy about sending them back but kindly asks for just the chicken and vegetables on a plate since that is what she was expecting. This is where the 3^rd missing star comes in — I am not kidding when I tell you that DeDe did not get her food until after both Allyson and I were done eating ours (and we were eating really slow)! It was not right… and Carter was not very apologetic. He came over to offer us a free dessert but being that we are all in healthy eating mode, we declined. They did take the fajitas off the bill in the end, but it was expected at this point.
So, I know it was just one bad experience, but if I feel like Sam’s Café again, I will probably head to the downtown location or just have lower expectations in the future.
Bottom line: decent meal + bad service = 2 stars!

Great ambience and absolutely adorable bar tender. And the second bar tender was really nice, too. We didn’t want to wait 45 minutes (though our bar neighbors were seated within 10 minutes of the 45 min wait), so we elected to eat at the bar. Got the top shelf margs and a chef’s sampler. Never got around to ordering a main course: we were stuffed. After 2 margaritas each, we headed back to the hotel…

Like most restaurants at the Biltmore Fashion Park (and malls in general), Sam’s Café feels very corporate (and it is part of the Canyon Café chain), but don’t let that hold you back here. While there are better Southwestern places around, Sam’s does a decent job with everything.
I’ve done dinner and drinks a few times before, but most recently had happy hour stuff at the bar — with reasonably priced margaritas, and friendly bartenders too. Decent, but so-​so chicken tortilla soup and quesadillas.
Jake is right. This can be a pretty good date place, when you go with a pretty good date. My last dinner here was an awful date gone awry, but thankfully the food was the saving grace here (or maybe it was by default). Let’s just say that my date almost got a swift kick in the ass on the way out and my delicious chile-​rubbed steak almost got thrown as a weapon Napoleon Dynamite style. But I digress, back to the dinner. The steak was cooked as I asked (medium), and had a great marinade with a flavorful spiced rub, but the chile mashed potatoes were OK, and thought it lacked that chile punch that I was hoping for. While the food quality is OK here, it’s just that — average.

I like how they do things at Sam’s. It’s upstairs in the Biltmore Mall but they manage to be the most laid back of all the bar/​restaurants in the area. They convincingly do mexican food in a southwestern style with all sorts of interesting twists and spins on dishes that I haven’t seen before. The chicken enchiladas are dee-​lish and the margaritas are some of the best I’ve had.
Service is touch and go when they’re busy but for the most part I’ve always been content with their staff. It’s a pretty good date spot and the prices are reasonable, especially considering the caliber of the food they serve.