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Cute, small Peruvian spot tucked on a side street off Main Street in Hackensack. It has a cozy vibe with a few tables inside and charming decor. Service was warm and attentive. The owner/chef even came out to greet guests, which was a really nice touch. Food highlights: the chicha morada was refreshing, the lomo de pollo was flavorful, and the seafood rice was absolutely divine--similar to paella and packed with flavor. The lucuma cheesecake was a standout dessert, and the croquettes were fantastic. It's a bit pricier than you might expect for the size of the place, but the quality, presentation, and service make it worth it. BYOB!
First time here and it was great overall. Arrived for an early dinner so only a couple of other people in the restaurant, no wait, got a table quickly. Staff were pleasant and attentive. The ambiance was nice - modern style. As for the food, delicious- very flavorful. There were two of us. We started off with ceviche mixto (White fish, octopus, shrimp, clams yellow chilly pepper, tiger milk, corn, sweet potato and cancha), followed by the Chaufa Mixto (Fried rice, filet mignon sauteed and chicken, scrambled eggs, soy sauce, chopped scallions, dash of ginger and a touch of sesame oil) and the Pescado A Lo Macho (Tender fresh breaded fish, gently bathed in a creamy Peruvian yellow pepper sauce complemented by fresh seafood and peruvian rice). For dessert Tres Leches cake and Chicha Morada Cheesecake. The price for everything was very reasonable, about $120 without tip. Definitely will be coming back here again!
Was running some errands in the area when I remembered I had this place bookmarked, so I ordered online for pickup. We ordered a few items to share: -Tallarines Verdes (fettucine, Peruvian-style pesto sauce, parmesan cheese, marinated skirt steak, and potato huancaina sauce) - this was the best dish. It was nice and flavorful and the pasta was cooked perfectly. I did ask for medium rare on the steak though, and it was more of a medium -Chaufa de Mariscos (sautéed seafood mix, scrambled eggs, soy sauce, chopped scallions, dash of ginger and a touch of sesame oil) - pretty salty but at least they don't skimp on the seafood -Jalea (breaded seafood dish of calamari, shrimp, mussels, crab leg, fish and yuca lightly battered and fried served with sarza criolla) - I really only like the calamari, fish, and yuca. There was very little shrimp, only one mussel, which I ate and it did not taste fresh. The hot sauce was really good though There are some other dishes I'd like to try, like the ceviche so I might be back for that. I also saw they have a good lunch special deal Mondays through Fridays, so maybe I'll pick one of those days. Next time, I'd ask for less salt on the food. Note - there's a service fee if you order online but then there's also a 5% discount for first time orders, so it cancels out.
An exceptional culinary experience in Hackensack. Llama Sam captures the true essence of Peruvian gastronomy with a modern and sophisticated twist. Each dish - from ceviche to Chifa flavors - reflects an impeccable dedication to quality and detail. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service outstanding. An absolute must for lovers of good food!"
We checked out Llama Sam in Hackensack and had such a great experience. The restaurant is new, inviting, and easy to access with street parking available. The food was fresh and absolutely delicious. The yellow sauce is unreal. It is rich, creamy, and the kind of sauce you want to put on everything. Every dish we tried tasted thoughtfully made and full of flavor. The service truly made the night special. Nikki was warm, attentive, and brought such a positive energy to the table. The chef even came out to greet us and talk about the restaurant, which made the experience feel personal and welcoming. It felt less like dining out and more like being hosted by someone who genuinely cares. Amazing food, kind people, and a great atmosphere. I will definitely be returning. Highly recommend
I went to Llama Sam with my husband and his family. It is a small, unassuming restaurant from the outside. However, once you walk in you see a super cute restaurant, nothing too fancy but with lots of beautiful little details. The staff were very accommodating of our 6 person table and they were super helpful and welcoming. The food is excellent! We had some chicken croquettes which we were so excited about I forgot to take a picture and then we each got an entree. I had the tallarines saltados which were delicious. I love Peruvian food and I was not disappointed with the food at Llama Sam.
Llama Sam in Hackensack did not disappoint The food was SO good--full of flavor, fresh, and honestly hit the spot. Everything tasted like it was made with care and the vibe was super chill. What really stood out though--the owner came over to greet us, was so nice, and made sure to ask how everything was. That kind of service just makes the whole experience even better Definitely one of those places you go once and already know you're coming back. 10/10 recommend if you're in the area
Excellent Peruvian food! Today I had the Chaufa de mariscos, Jalea, and Maduros. The fried rice was loaded with seafood, and the crispy topping was excellent. The red onion salad paired with the Jalea was a perfect match. The maduros had perfect caramelization--I hadn't had one this good in a long time. The service was great and very attentive. Definitely worth a visit.
Checked out Llama Sam for lunch and really enjoyed it. It's a smaller spot but they had available seating when I went. They offer rotating lunch specials, which is a nice touch. I had the sopa de trigo with salchipapas, followed by the beef ribs with rice and salad. The lunch special also comes with a drink. Overall, the food was great, and the waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Definitely planning to come back have lots of other options on the menu I want to try.
We had an amazing dinner at Llama Sam. The ambience of the restaurant is very welcoming and our waitress, Nicky, was super attentive and friendly. I upgraded my classic ceviche to the house recipe (Ceviche Llama Sam), per her recommendation and I'm so glad I did. As an avid ceviche lover, this is one of the best I've had. We also ordered the lomo saltado, which was super delicious. And for dessert the arroz con leche which was the sweetest way to finish the meal. For drinks, of course we ordered Peruvian classics Chicha morada and passion fruit juices, which paired nicely with our meals. Bergen county has been lacking with Peruvian restaurants, and Llama Sam is an excellent addition.
We happened up Llama Sam for a late lunch while in Hackensack. Delicious!! Great service and wonderful food! We will be back.
If I was able to give Llama Sam 1000 stars, I would. Each dish from the Valentine's Day special menu was made with such thought and care - beautiful and delicious! The service was wonderful as well - my girlfriend and I felt like family pretty instantly! The chef, Moises, came over to introduce himself and ensure we had a great experience. Highly highly recommend!! We'll bring the husbands with us next time! :)
30 days ago
New Peruvian spot in Hackensack, and they definitely didn't disappoint! Their menu felt bigger than we anticipated! They also provide an iPad with pictures of every dish, which makes ordering so much easier! Pulpo Anticuchero (5/5): The octopus was cooked just right, so juicy and the flavors were spot on. Def a highlight here Tallarines Verdes (5/5): The pesto pasta was incredible, and the steak was super flavorful. (tip: We ordered medium-rare, but it came out closer to rare. If you want true medium-rare, consider ordering medium!) Ceviche Clásico & Ceviche Llama Sam (4.5/5): You honestly can't go wrong with the ceviche here, super fresh. Crispy Croquettes (4.25/5): Very meaty, and definitely worth trying. Llama Grill (4/5): Generous meat portion! The flavor was good, though it could've been slightly more tender Calamari (3.5/5): Just okay, the batter could have used a bit more crunch Fried Rice here was mediocre and had more of a hibachi-style flavor profile. I'd skip this here read more
2 months ago
Llama Sam is definitely worth trying if you're looking for Peruvian food in Hackensack. It was a quiet experience as it was just another table at us eating during lunch on a Saturday. We ordered the Tallarines Verdes with Lomo Saltado, Arroz con Mariscos, and Pescado a lo Macho, plus calamari for apps and the berry cheesecake for dessert. The Tallarines Verdes with Lomo Saltado ended up being the favorite dish at the table. The steak was well-seasoned and flavorful, although a bit chewy. The green pesto style pasta with the sauce was delicious and complemented the steak well. The Arroz con Mariscos had a rich, creamy flavor, but it wasn't as loaded with seafood as I expected. It came with about two shrimp and smaller pieces of squid, along with other seafood. The Pescado a lo Macho featured a nicely cooked piece of fish in a flavorful seafood sauce. Although I personally think it's a bit salty. The berry cheesecake was an excellent dessert. It was very light and almost mousse like texture. The only service issue was that they initially forgot to bring out the Tallarines Verdes with Lomo Saltado, so we had to remind our server. They apologized, and once it arrived, it ended up being the table favorite. My only other complaint was the calamari. It tasted good, but the portion was much smaller than expected for the price, so I didn't think it was a great value. I do think this is a good experience overall. read more
Really amazing and wonderfully food and service. Came a few months ago with our little one and was seated quickly. Not the biggest restaurant, but it's cute and enough seating for six to seven tables. Really enjoyed the octopus and lomo saltado. The seafood and creme sauce was good too, but I think the saltado would be what I get again. Very flavorful and colorful dishes. Their green hot salsa is really good if you're into spicy food. Loved it, will be back read more
2 days ago
5 months ago
Cute, small Peruvian spot tucked on a side street off Main Street in Hackensack. It has a cozy vibe with a few tables inside and charming decor. Service was warm and attentive. The owner/chef even came out to greet guests, which was a really nice touch. Food highlights: the chicha morada was refreshing, the lomo de pollo was flavorful, and the seafood rice was absolutely divine--similar to paella and packed with flavor. The lucuma cheesecake was a standout dessert, and the croquettes were fantastic. It's a bit pricier than you might expect for the size of the place, but the quality, presentation, and service make it worth it. BYOB! read more
24 days ago
First time here and it was great overall. Arrived for an early dinner so only a couple of other people in the restaurant, no wait, got a table quickly. Staff were pleasant and attentive. The ambiance was nice - modern style. As for the food, delicious- very flavorful. There were two of us. We started off with ceviche mixto (White fish, octopus, shrimp, clams yellow chilly pepper, tiger milk, corn, sweet potato and cancha), followed by the Chaufa Mixto (Fried rice, filet mignon sauteed and chicken, scrambled eggs, soy sauce, chopped scallions, dash of ginger and a touch of sesame oil) and the Pescado A Lo Macho (Tender fresh breaded fish, gently bathed in a creamy Peruvian yellow pepper sauce complemented by fresh seafood and peruvian rice). For dessert Tres Leches cake and Chicha Morada Cheesecake. The price for everything was very reasonable, about $120 without tip. Definitely will be coming back here again! read more
Was running some errands in the area when I remembered I had this place bookmarked, so I ordered online for pickup. We ordered a few items to share: -Tallarines Verdes (fettucine, Peruvian-style pesto sauce, parmesan cheese, marinated skirt steak, and potato huancaina sauce) - this was the best dish. It was nice and flavorful and the pasta was cooked perfectly. I did ask for medium rare on the steak though, and it was more of a medium -Chaufa de Mariscos (sautéed seafood mix, scrambled eggs, soy sauce, chopped scallions, dash of ginger and a touch of sesame oil) - pretty salty but at least they don't skimp on the seafood -Jalea (breaded seafood dish of calamari, shrimp, mussels, crab leg, fish and yuca lightly battered and fried served with sarza criolla) - I really only like the calamari, fish, and yuca. There was very little shrimp, only one mussel, which I ate and it did not taste fresh. The hot sauce was really good though There are some other dishes I'd like to try, like the ceviche so I might be back for that. I also saw they have a good lunch special deal Mondays through Fridays, so maybe I'll pick one of those days. Next time, I'd ask for less salt on the food. Note - there's a service fee if you order online but then there's also a 5% discount for first time orders, so it cancels out. read more
6 days ago
An exceptional culinary experience in Hackensack. Llama Sam captures the true essence of Peruvian gastronomy with a modern and sophisticated twist. Each dish - from ceviche to Chifa flavors - reflects an impeccable dedication to quality and detail. The atmosphere is welcoming and the service outstanding. An absolute must for lovers of good food!" read more
We checked out Llama Sam in Hackensack and had such a great experience. The restaurant is new, inviting, and easy to access with street parking available. The food was fresh and absolutely delicious. The yellow sauce is unreal. It is rich, creamy, and the kind of sauce you want to put on everything. Every dish we tried tasted thoughtfully made and full of flavor. The service truly made the night special. Nikki was warm, attentive, and brought such a positive energy to the table. The chef even came out to greet us and talk about the restaurant, which made the experience feel personal and welcoming. It felt less like dining out and more like being hosted by someone who genuinely cares. Amazing food, kind people, and a great atmosphere. I will definitely be returning. Highly recommend read more
I went to Llama Sam with my husband and his family. It is a small, unassuming restaurant from the outside. However, once you walk in you see a super cute restaurant, nothing too fancy but with lots of beautiful little details. The staff were very accommodating of our 6 person table and they were super helpful and welcoming. The food is excellent! We had some chicken croquettes which we were so excited about I forgot to take a picture and then we each got an entree. I had the tallarines saltados which were delicious. I love Peruvian food and I was not disappointed with the food at Llama Sam. read more
18 days ago
6 months ago
Llama Sam in Hackensack did not disappoint The food was SO good--full of flavor, fresh, and honestly hit the spot. Everything tasted like it was made with care and the vibe was super chill. What really stood out though--the owner came over to greet us, was so nice, and made sure to ask how everything was. That kind of service just makes the whole experience even better Definitely one of those places you go once and already know you're coming back. 10/10 recommend if you're in the area read more
9 days ago
9 months ago
Excellent Peruvian food! Today I had the Chaufa de mariscos, Jalea, and Maduros. The fried rice was loaded with seafood, and the crispy topping was excellent. The red onion salad paired with the Jalea was a perfect match. The maduros had perfect caramelization--I hadn't had one this good in a long time. The service was great and very attentive. Definitely worth a visit. read more
2 months ago
Their Ceviche Llama Sam is the best! I also enjoy the lomo saltado. Overall very clean and friendly establishment read more
5 months ago
Checked out Llama Sam for lunch and really enjoyed it. It's a smaller spot but they had available seating when I went. They offer rotating lunch specials, which is a nice touch. I had the sopa de trigo with salchipapas, followed by the beef ribs with rice and salad. The lunch special also comes with a drink. Overall, the food was great, and the waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. Definitely planning to come back have lots of other options on the menu I want to try. read more
9 months ago
9 months ago
We had an amazing dinner at Llama Sam. The ambience of the restaurant is very welcoming and our waitress, Nicky, was super attentive and friendly. I upgraded my classic ceviche to the house recipe (Ceviche Llama Sam), per her recommendation and I'm so glad I did. As an avid ceviche lover, this is one of the best I've had. We also ordered the lomo saltado, which was super delicious. And for dessert the arroz con leche which was the sweetest way to finish the meal. For drinks, of course we ordered Peruvian classics Chicha morada and passion fruit juices, which paired nicely with our meals. Bergen county has been lacking with Peruvian restaurants, and Llama Sam is an excellent addition. read more
9 months ago
We happened up Llama Sam for a late lunch while in Hackensack. Delicious!! Great service and wonderful food! We will be back. read more
8 months ago
If I was able to give Llama Sam 1000 stars, I would. Each dish from the Valentine's Day special menu was made with such thought and care - beautiful and delicious! The service was wonderful as well - my girlfriend and I felt like family pretty instantly! The chef, Moises, came over to introduce himself and ensure we had a great experience. Highly highly recommend!! We'll bring the husbands with us next time! :) read more
I decided to bring my sis and my granddaughter here for dinner after seeing TikTok video Food is Pricey so I expect Amazing food but my pasta was cold and everything was just ok !! I rather go to my Peruvian spots in the hood half the price double the portions and seasoned !! My sister food came out like 15 mins after mine why I don't know cause we were the only table what made me say im never coming back here is the fact that they added $21.32 gratuity tip on 2 adults and 1 child but then at bottom of receipt made a suggestion how much more I should tip and then when the waitress who was very nice brings me the tablet for my payment she had it pulled up to the tip portion and was asking for a tip !! I said didn't you add it already and you could feel the energy instantly!! Man times are hard out here I tried to represent the place but too sneaky and greedy !!! I will not go back!!! She would have got a bigger tip than $21.32 but yall wanna try to be slick read more
9 months ago
New spot in Hackensack with very high quality Peruvian food. I was on my own so I only got to sample two items, but they were both very good to great. Chicharron are Peruvian style (no breading), but very well seasoned and so tasty. The sweet potato chips and classic Peruvian onion and tomato salad on that plate were also both excellent. Lomo Saltado was delicious - some of the best I've had in NJ. Meat was cooked to temperature (medium rare), sauce was spot on and the rice came topped with a yummy handful of choclo (Peruvian giant corn). Nice space, very good food and prompt, friendly service. Will definitely be back here to sample more menu items. read more
5 months ago
Amazing, amazing food!!! Every dish has its own personal flavor and it was well proportioned. Each of the dishes didn't disappoint at all. The presentation was just as impressive as the taste, making the whole experience even better. You can tell a lot of care and attention went into every detail. I'd definitely come back again and recommend it to anyone looking to try Peruvian cuisine!!! read more
8 months ago
The food was very good overall. The octopus and ceviche were delicious -- and I'm not usually a ceviche fan. The octopus was especially outstanding. Tallarín saltado and tallarines verdes with skirt steak were both excellent, with great flavor and tender meat. The lomo saltado and shrimp anticuchos didn't impress us as much. The lucuma cheesecake was beautiful and not overly sweet. The place is small, clean, and modern, and we loved that we didn't leave smelling like food. Service was exceptional -- Nicky was attentive and friendly. Definitely a place we would return to. read more
3 months ago
9 months ago
We came during their soft opening before the winter storm. What a great find! Service was friendly and attentive. The food came out quickly and was so delicious and flavorful ! Portions were good and we enjoyed our meal immensely. We were not rushed and would recommend this restaurant without reservation. Nice addition to the restaurant scene in Hackensack read more
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