Here is the pithy essence of what will be a detailed review: outrageous owner arrogance ruined what would have been a wonderful meal (and five-star review) at a restaurant my family has been patronizing since the 70s; it will rule out future visits unless there is new ownership. If you have not been here before, I sadly but strongly advise against going. My parents moved to Central NJ in the 70s and started going to Sammy's for all special occasions. It was always expensive but fun. They loved the speakeasy vibe, the cocktail lounge, and the food. My parents are now retired, and I no longer live in the area, so I wanted to treat them last night. We arrived and placed our usual order at the hostess station: vodka pasta and t-bone for 3. The imperiousness of the hostess and co-owner (I believe MaryAnn, who earned such descriptors as "nasty" and "rude" in previous reviews) was to be expected; after all, Sammy's doesn't even bother to have a sign outside. It's a snobby place that expects you to know what you want when you arrive, and if you don't directly ask to see the menu, you only see the food prices on the check. We knew the drill and ignored the background hauteur. I wanted my parents to enjoy themselves! In fact, we witnessed exactly that customer disdain during our meal. While we were savoring the delicious food and wine more slowly than the couple at the next table, we couldn't help but witness two experiences in particular. One: the man's lobster bib fell to the floor after he ate, and MaryAnn, who watches the dining room like a savage hawk, swept in, scowled, picked it up silently, and swooped away. The woman and I had a sardonic laugh about this. Two: when she went to pay the bill, her gold AmEx card was declined. She was stunned and uncomprehending; she questioned the young male server but then just rolled her eyes and gave a second card that worked. Her attitude was contemptuous but dismissive. (To me: "you have a $300 tab, and you deal with this?") Imagine my surprise and annoyance when the same thing happened to me. My card was declined, and I not only expressed surprise but asked the server to run it again. (NB: there's no issue with this card.) It was declined again, and I mentioned to the server that it also happened to the next table and surely to others as well. The second card was accepted. This was annoying, but I was also prepared to be contemptuous and dismissive like our table neighbors. However, before we could leave, MaryAnn came over to scold and "correct" me. She took issue with my suggestion that it happened to other customers that night. She told me: "it only happened to your tables." I could not believe she came over simply to be combative! I said it seems to be a problem with their machine. She argued with that, in fact telling me (and I'm paraphrasing here) that they had previously contacted the company, which informed them it was not their problem but the customers' banks. I said in this case it was two different banks (AmEx and Citibank), but she continued to argue until I thought: what's going on here? Indeed, I WAS extrapolating that other customers had had the same issue, and her argument proved me right. Nitpicking that it hadn't happened that particular night before our two tables seemed a foolish fight to start when our tab was over $400 for three. Why come over just to quarrel as I was about to leave the tip and be on our way? Alas, as I've read other reviews, I see many complaints about hostile encounters with this unpleasant woman, which understandably repel even affluent long-term local customers. As much as my parents and I enjoyed our meal, we all left angry. A terrible end to a special meal. If you must risk severe owner rudeness, at least bring cash. LOTS of it. We won't be back for another round with her. read more

Thank God their selling. This place is the worst. Tacky, tacky tacky. The steak was better at the now defunct Sizzlers; sadly, so is the ambience. When you walk in they take your order (reminiscent of Sizzlers) then they send you down stairs to the bar (Laura was the highlight as a bartender, sweet and attentive). Crack linoleum, stained drop ceiling....horrible. They call your name and you proceed back upstairs to the "dinning room", which reminded of a old college cafeteria, again horrible. The salad is served brown with a red vinegrette....pathetic. The Scampi is nothing special, I've whipped up better in 10 minutes at home. They call the strip steak "dry aged"....I seriously doubt it. I ate only a third of it, hoping to bring the rest home to my dogs. This was impossible because "John", our waiter, threw the bone, which had plenty of meat on it, in the garbage. We didn't bother with desert. $204. I have NO idea how this place has been in business for all these years. A horrible dinning experience. read more

The closest I've probably ever came to becoming Violently Ill in public from over-consumption. Absolutely demolished a shrimp scampi entree, a penne vodka entree, a sirloin burger, 2 orders of fries, and 2 desserts (cheesecake/mint chip ice cream and apple crumb/vanilla ice cream). Made a bet with my wife before the bill came and we were both off by 50% thinking it would be more. Phenomenal price for the quantity and quality! read more

See all

Overpriced overrated garbage. Locals eat this place up and I have no idea why. I could cook a better steak on a hot plate at home. Hopefully the new owners will get rid of the sewage smell too read more

Very tired and living on it's past reputation. The basement is reminiscent of an old fraternity bar basement in 1970 - although dirtier. Salad is less than one would expect in Friendly's. The bill total is one from a fine steakhouse - the food and experience is from McDonalds. read more

Terrible, terrible, terrible. The salad was brown lettuce. The steak ordered medium was well done. Service was eh. I would NEVER go back again. read more

Always a success!! The steak for two is delicious! The fries, amazing! The appetizers amazing! I mean you can't go wrong in this place. The bar downstairs along with the old time arcade adds to a nice feel of nostalgia and scenery. The service is quick, what is awesome, is there is no waiting for food, you order at the hostess stand, and then go downstairs to the bar and arcade, then you are called up when your food is ready! It is a great system! read more

I don't understand this place. The place is somewhat pricey but the cooking temperatures are inconsistent. If it's good it's good! But when it's not, well you know. You are paying steakhouse prices so I would expect a little bit more ambiance and consistency. The French fries are really good and it does feel like a locals kind of place. I would recommend checking it out to see for yourself. I don't think you will be severely disappointed or impressed but you never know!! read more

After reading an article titled "13 Lesser Known Restaurants in NJ That Serve Great Food" and seeing Sammy's listed as one of them, my wife and I decided to give it a try. In these days of limited capacity while we're trying to get through a pandemic, the restaurant is clearly different than what it's been and will be again. Normally, there's no reservations and the line is down the road. When you walk in, you go to the counter and order your dinner. In the past, you would then go downstairs to the bar and some video games. Now, you get seated immediately. Steaks are what Sammy's is known for and we each ordered 10oz filets. The meals come with a salad, fries, coffee and dessert. We started off with a mozzarella and red pepper appetizer with glasses of wine. All the food tasted fine and was enjoyable. Was it the best filet I've had? No, but it was good and the meal was fun. Sammy's opened in Mendham in 1933 and is a former speakeasy. Definitely worth a try for a unique dining experience! read more

See all

If your 50+ relative suggests this restaurant to you, politely decline then run the other way. Food, service and ambience are awful, and your relative is only remembering it as a nostalgic memory of years gone by. Just a few of the highlights from my first time there, based on a local's recommendation: "apple cider martini" was made with cider that had turned to vinegar. Unable to order any side dishes you want. The giant "salad" for the table was white old lettuce drenched in red wine vinegar... from yesterday? The underutilized waitstaff kept trying to take our plates while we were still eating! Tried to snatch away the salt when I was reaching for it. Salmon hard as a rock, same with lobster and everything so expensive. Do yourself a favor and go to a diner this place is the pits. Really. P.S. if you must go, just have a drink at the downstairs bar and don't eat! The bartender is a gem. read more

What a waste of time and money. Went there with family and had to order at front entrance while standing, no menu to look over while seated. Then we're sent downstairs to wait for a long time in a so called speak easy that was just a basement bar and a cheap amusement game. Was pressured to buy overpriced drinks but we stood our ground. Then it got worse......Fries were cold and soaking in grease, broccoli was COLD and mostly stem, meals were awful, and only decent thing was Luke warm coffee. The bill was expensive, and I FELT BAD FOR BASICALLY RUINING MY FAMILYS EVENING. read more

This place is awful. The bartender in the basement waiting area is the only good thing about it. I have lived in the area for 60 years and always heard the "legend" of Sammy's: the old school Italian vibe, speakeasy legacy, great steaks, etc. It's all a scam. The ordering "protocol" is rude and foolish, and if you don't already know what it is you get attitude. As another reviewer noted, throughout the meal the staff kept trying to remove things before we were finished. One of our party actually had to say "I'm eating that!" and slap the waiter's hand away. This is not being "attentive", it's just petty and rude. The food is barely one step above a diner. I'd be surprised if it didn't all come off a Sysco truck once a week. With all the local farm to table providers in the area, this is just ridiculous and disgraceful. Choices are few and if you question them you get attitude. Everything but the entrees and apps is "shared" by the table. The "salad" was old and disgusting, brown and bathed in vinegar. The shrimp was cold and mushy. One vegetable (barely cooked broccoli) for the whole table. What if someone was allergic? And french fries. One plate for the table. No matter what you order you get french fries. I ordered pasta. Why do I want french fries with that? Bread? butter? barely. Want/ need more? No, sorry... Maybe in some distant past this place was something. Now it's just a money sink that should be ashamed of itself. Go to the Black Horse, go to the Old Mill Inn. Heck, if you want a decent meal go the Chester Diner. It'll be better and 1/4 the price. I had always wanted to go here and\ talked my friends into going here based on the legend. They knew better and warned me. Now I apologize to them (again) for the colossal waste of time and money. read more

I wish I could express how much I genuinely enjoyed this place and the experience. You order as soon as you walk in and the hostess realized we weren't regulars and took a few extra minutes to guide us through the whole experience. We placed our order and headed to the bar in the basement, where we played arcade games and had a drink. Once we were called back up, we were greeted with a yummy salad, followed by our app of penne a la vodka. It was WONDERFUL. I mean we destroyed that plate it was so good. For entrees I had the shrimp scampi and my boyfriend had the strip. Both were cooked to perfection. Prices were more reasonable than a normal steakhouse and we both walked out fully satisfied. read more

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill - Shrimp scampi - Steakhouses Near Me - Mendham, New Jersey

Solid local spot!! Was so glad to attend a birthday party here, I find the ambience to be no frills and the food quality excellent !! We started with famous shrimp scampi- a must order! The penne vodka, also delicious and each ordered our own main. I had the filet cooked MR- perfect and asked for a side of carmelozaed onions. For the table we got steamed broccoli and French fries. The rice pudding was also delicious. I do like this spot- it's a classic for those of us who grew up in town. read more

See all

The food is sub-par. The service is spotty. The prices are high. I just went for the first time in years and now I remember why I waited so long. It will be decades before I go back. Charm? No. You order at a counter and then wait in a dingy noisy basement bar until called. The house chooses your salad and vegetable. Hand written illegible bill when you finish your meal. Framed reviews on the walls are are 25 years old. I ordered a filet medium well. It was red inside - not even close to pink. I sent it back and expected a correctly cooked replaced steak. No; I think they took a flame thrower to the filet I sent back and it came back extremely hot and dry. Sammy's has coasted on their reputation for a long time. You deserve better than this old dump. read more

Read an article about this place and wanted to try it. You order upon walking in, then you go downstairs to what feels like a church basement they turned into a bar and decked out with 80s/90s arcade games. Wait was really long but drinks downstairs were good and strong. Filet mignon was perfect, as were the salads and small apps. Only downsides were the wait and that one of the steaks came out a bit too well done (ordered it mid-rare), but it was a fun and idiosyncratic place I'd return to again. Servers were friendly. read more

See all

Came here last night and it was a wonderful experience as always. Down stairs is closed currently but they do seat a few tables down there. Came with a party of 4, I opted for double cut pork chops, 2 others got the filet mignon and one got the shrimp scampi. Vegetable for the night was broccoli and they also had a mozzarella and peppers appetizer. Incredible portions, perfectly cooked meat and delicious desserts. All waiters and staff wearing their mask properly, tables generously spaced out. read more

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill - Double cut pork - Steakhouses Near Me - Mendham, New Jersey

Food was awful. 2nd time I have been here and won't waste my money here. Steak was tough and tasteless.

Stepped into this spot with high hopes, only to meet a New York strip steak that must've been auditioning for a role as a bouncy ball - tough, rubbery, and not at all what I ordered. The fries were like little icicles, chilly and uninviting. And the flavor? Missing in action. I'd say the prices are more gourmet than the grub. First impressions are everything, and this place left me with raised eyebrows and a deflated appetite. Servers seemed to be practicing their statue impressions, and the cozy seating had me closer to my neighbor's conversation than I ever intended to be. It's a no from me, folks. If you're looking for a culinary adventure, this might just be a detour you'd want to skip! read more

Went Friday night with some friends and it was amazing as always. They really have it figured out for Covid, the tables are spaced very far apart and all precautions were made to ensure a safe experience. For appetizers the oil and garlic spaghetti is my favorite. I also had the 2 double cut pork chop with vinegar potatoes and peppers it was excellent. Everyone was amazing including Woody the bartender he made an amazing drink I believe it was drunken apple pie Yum! The owners even came over to make sure everything was perfect. Cant wait to come back. read more

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill - Steakhouses Near Me - Mendham, New Jersey

I hate this restaurant. I loathe this restaurant. I have no idea why people dine in this restaurant. My husbands family insists on coming here for special occasions from time to time, which baffles me because both the food and ambiance are reminiscent of a cafeteria. They do not season anything here. Meat, veggies, nada. Last time I was here I asked if they could season my steak before they cooked it. The woman looked at me like I had 10 heads. I said you know... salt and pepper... she agreed, though seemingly very confused. When the steak was served they asked who had the filet "blackened". LMAO. Steaks are served burnt on the outside and undercooked inside, as other reviewers have mentioned. Oh and it's PRICEY. Save your hard earned dollars and dine elsewhere. read more

ALWAYS CALL BEFORE COMING!!! Drove 30 minutes on a gorgeous Friday night. Every web page said open till 10PM.. When I arrived at 8:20pm, on Friday. I was told " We closed the kitchen early. Sorry, you should've called before coming." Food is great and people are also great. From past experiences. Again.. ALWAYS CALL... After this " almost dining experience ". Might be several weeks before I try coming back again as it is 1/2 hour drive. They only got 3 stars cause last I was here food was great, so those are carryover stars... read more

Save yourself the time of going. So disappointing. I thought the concept would be cool. You order first at the register, then go downstairs to their bar, get a drink and play some games, they call you back upstairs when your food is ready. We ordered a T-Bone Steak and it came with a side salad, fries, and creamed corn. The red wine salad dressing was stale/oxidized and the salad was drowned in it. As for the rest of the food, nothing was seasoned. i.e no salt and pepper. So everything is just meh, bland, and boring. The steak was properly medium-rare; it just didn't taste good. The service is also just lackluster. A lot of people just standing around. When it came time for dessert, the server couldn't even give us a recommendation. We got an apple crisp. It came out as a sad pile of mush, with cinnamon caked on so thick that it was gritty and mouth-numbing. All and all, for $120 we were disappointed and wished we had gone to our favorite place, Arthur's in Morris Plains for the same kind of old-school, no frills atmosphere with fantastic food and service. read more

Just a fabulous experience as always. To those that don't know you order your food upstairs and then you're sent to the basement to wait to be called once your dinner is ready. The basement is so fun, bar and arcade games (I miss the mini pool table). For dinner I had the petite filet mignon ( $44)perfectly cooked! Food is served family style, the night we went the veggie was creamed corn and it always comes with fries, salad in red wine vinaigrette, and dessert. Love the murals throughout the restaurant, really takes you back in time. read more

See all

read about this joint in more than a few places, my wife and I were driving though town and decided to try it, We should have kept driving. Overpriced wine - over cooked steaks . it was just terrible.. the two stars are for the service alone. very nice wait staff very helpful to two newcomers. read more

Are you kidding me? This is a child care center with high priced food and booze... Yeah yeah yeah, I know about the history but it's BS... Steak for 2 was average Drinks were average Ambiance was below average unless your into Chuck E. Cheese ,.. Service was below average. I get the allure BUT it's not for me... read more

The last time I was at Sammy's was 20+ years ago and the decor hasn't changed one bit. The ordering process is still the same -- you order upon entering and then move to the bar downstairs and wait to be called. The menu has expanded, but I decided on the 16 oz. bone-in NY Strip. It was not as good as I remember. Definitely not Prime beef and a little tough. The Shrimp Scampi appetizer was good and a big portion. If I go back I will try a different menu item. The service was acceptable but nothing; overall a little disappointing. read more

This has been my favorite restaurant for the last 50 years. Old school ambiance with a very cool bar downstairs. The food is spectacular. Maryanne and bartender Woody have been there forever. They are the greatest. I strongly recommend this establishment. read more

Food was delicious! Staff was wonderful and explained the menu ... Very cool place after you place your order you go downstairs to the basement and have a drink at the bar and they call you up when your dinner is ready read more

I can't wait to go here once I leave my apartment again. This has been my family's go-to for special occasions. I suppose if you're not used to it, the process and family-style meals may be an acquired taste: you wait on line, order, then go downstairs to drink and play arcade games. (I've gotten very good at Ms. Pac-Man.) And it's pricey. BUT the service is friendly, familial, and impeccable, the fries are to die for, the arcade games are fun, and the steaks are delicious. I also went through a vegetarian phase as a teenager and was always happy with the oil and garlic pasta. Plus, you can't beat the beautiful woodsy atmosphere and the palpable history. Post-COVID, I can't wait to have those fries. read more

Really has gone down hill. Steaks were tougher than normal and as expected overpriced. They are living in the past. Servers were nice but I will never go back. Not even in the same league as Roots or Smith and Wollensky's....even Arthur's is better. Go somewhere else!!!! read more

Best scampi and penne vodka I've ever had. Love the casual environment and the basement bar/arcade. My holiday staple read more

See all

Fun experience and good service, but expect mediocre food.

Great food, great service. One of our favorite places for special occasions. And the downstairs speakeasy is a bonus! read more

Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill - Filet - Steakhouses Near Me - Mendham, New Jersey

See all

4 stars just for the penne vodka. The shrimp scampi is also worth a try. I don't love the weird ordering system or schlep to the basement, but that vodka sauce... read more

Although we have been eating at Sammy's for decades I will not be back again. The ribeye steaks were tough an gristly. The fries were delicious as always. The prices were comparable to NYC but the quality was one-star. I should have complained to the chef but we were dining with friends and I didn't want to embarrass them. The atmosphere has always been spartan but it used to be offset by the quality of the meat. No longer. read more

I have been wanting to go to this place for years and at least I know that I don't need to ever go there again after one visit. We waited 45 minutes to be called back upstairs to a salad that was so drenched in vinegar that it was inedible. I got the shrimp scampi which didn't taste like anything but was floating in a pool of butter (no pasta to absorb it), my husband got a strip steak that was dry and hard to cut. They forgot to bring our table fries entirely, although I will say the waitstaff was definitely a highlight and were otherwise great. The only thing that tasted good was my daughter's penne vodka - but then I found out that they added $12 to the price of it as a service charge because it was an "appetizer."You read that right. When I told them that she did not get any of the things that would come with a dinner (soggy corn, salad, the fries that never came at all and the dessert on a plate that was so tiny that it fell all over the table) the woman who bragged she was the owner argued with me about it and then put the price back to what it actually said on the menu, muttering all kinds of snark. No interest in ever revisiting this experience. read more

DO NOT GO HERE!!!! Not worth the money at all. Incredibly expensive for what you get. Would recommend Black Horse Tavern just up the road. Much better food and better priced. The restaurant charged us $20 for our kids to have a few bites off of our plates. For that $20, we could have actually gotten more food and ordered kids meals. This upcharge was not explained to us when we ordered, and there was confusion when the check was paid. When we said that this wasn't explained, the woman at the front (maybe the owner) was incredibly rude and did not apologize for the misunderstanding. Any normal business owner would have absorbed this charge. But they did not!!! DO NOT GO HERE!!! There are much better restaurants a few minutes away. The Black Horse has a 10 oz prime rib on the kids' menu that they let adults order for maybe $15!!! And they let you share for no extra money. read more

The salad was a bit brown and saturated in dressing. The fries tasted like they sat in fat drippings, I could only eat two bites of the steak and creamed corn...enough said. The shrimp scampi was good but super heavy. Cool setting for a family dinner but for $250 for two who can afford to bring kids. read more

No frills place for great steak and sides. The prices are very reasonable for a steak joint in 2022.