Sam&#x27;s Cafe

Best place to get Middle Eastern food in Carbondale. It just has pretty limited hours…read moreunfortunately. Aban Kitchen is pretty authentic. Prices are pretty good for the portions. They have the classic favorites like falafel and tabbouli. A small place that has a coziness. It's pretty limited as far as hours, with it only being open in the evenings. The menu features platters and sandwiches. Has most of the usual items. There's the classics like kabobs and shawarma. It's about $12 for an entree. We got a couple of the ones for vegetarians. I got the Falafel Entree. This came with a generous amount of falafel, along with hummus, pitas, a salad, and tahini. She got the falafel but in a pita. This looked like a pretty good sandwich. Good place except the hours. It's only open a few hours in the evenings, and it's closed on Mondays. There's meaty options, and plenty of things for vegans and vegetarians.

This was a great restaurant, but it's now permanently closed. there is nothing more to add, but I…read morehave to use more characters.

#Menu

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Lamb Mogulgul With Hummus

Egyptian Corner

5.0(1 review)

0.6 mi

Jumbo tenders were served hot and fresh. Jumbo definitely describes them-they were huge! Staff was…read morefriendly and helpful.

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Pita Alley

3.8(81 reviews)

1.3 mi

I love this place. Very casual atmosphere, but good food, and I'm grateful for the vegetarian…read moreoptions. Their falafel sandwich is good, and if you want low-carb or are gluten-free, they have a great kalaya plate which is hummus and roasted veggies. Very nice owners, and the service is usually quick and friendly.

First time trying this on my birth town the Gyro was delicious a large portion and very tasty my…read morefamily had the Greek Salad, the Salmon, yellow rice, Wings, pita bread & brown sauce (can't recall the dip) they all enjoyed everything. Service great Ambiance good.

Beef Pepperoni Pizza

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Sal’s Bistro

4.9(17 reviews)

0.0 mi

Sal's Bistro is located right on "the strip" in Carbondale, near Southern Illinois University…read more While out and about running errands today, we decided to stop in and try it out after hearing good things and reading a couple of good reviews online. There is plenty of seating in the dining area. Walk up and order at the counter. Everything was fresh and delicious. Made to order and you can modify any menu item to your liking. We ordered the combo so we could try a small sandwich and a small salad. The only issue is, there is nothing small about them! Both were delicious, but a meal within itself. I couldn't finish mine and ended up bringing half of each home! We tried the Triple Berry Salad, Greek salad, and the Chicken Bacon Ranch on ciabatta bread sandwiches. If you like fresh ingredients and healthier options, this is the place for you! We will definitely be back...

Excellent. The veggie sandwich is fantastic, but so is Sal's Special. Highly recommend.read more

On the strip

Chicken bacon ranch

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Inside

Jimmie James Blue Goose

4.7(80 reviews)

44.5 mi

Quiet and cozy with great food! Staff is all very friendly and the gyros are amazing!read more

These people are the sweetest people ever! We didn't get to sample all of their offerings because…read moreYelp reviews led us to believe they had stew and cornbread, which they have NOT had since 2020. (They sell gyros and Kalamata salad, just FYI.) Wanting to accommodate everyone in our party, we chose to move on, unfortunately. They were understanding and even recommended another place, and then when I tried to purchase their baklava, they insisted I take it for free!!! What genuinely hospitable people!! Love this place!! Will definitely stop in again if I'm ever here again.

Showing parallel parking street side.

The outside, but the shadows weren't cooperative.

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If you drive by, turn around!

Faye

4.4(38 reviews)

7.4 mi

Biscuits and gravy are fantastic. Very large fresh portions and seasoned just right. Nice clean…read morespaces. Make it a stop during your stay in Southern Illinois.

My husband and I stopped at Faye on the way through to the Giant City / Makanda area…read more We were welcomed upon entering, but didn't order immediately. We took a look at the photo display set up in the front. We ordered at the counter and I asked for advice. The staff member offered helpful input. I ordered the healthiest most delicious porridge. My husband ordered the avocado toast with bacon and an egg. He really enjoyed the chili crunch oil. We ordered a cardamom latte with cold foam and a salted caramel. We added on a biscuit with bourbon butter to go! The arrangement of the floor was spacious. The bathrooms were family and seemed sufficient for wheelchair users.

The adorable welcome to Faye. The lobby also contained a small local goods shop and a local photo show.

Biscuit Sandwich

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Panera Bread

2.6(38 reviews)

1.0 mi

Order got screw up and fixed immediately... high praise... th quickly helped and made sure I got my…read moreorder

Mess up on order time and again. Upsetting when you have a) no meat on your cobb salad or b) they…read moreinclude the wrong ingredients. Sad, but Im done with this location.

Hearty Fireside Chili & Rustic Baked Potato Soup

Kickin' Grilled Cheese & Creamy Tomato Soup Value Duet

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New Sandwiches

Balkan Treat Box

4.7(726 reviews)

85.6 mi

THE BEST...this won't disappoint.....Everything on the menu is fantastic, generous portions, can be…read moremessy, can be sooooo good.... I am craving it as I write this...

Went during Friday lunch rush so there was a little of a line to order. Super cute decor. Small…read morepatio outside to eat, that was good for a pleasant afternoon. Food was fantastic!!! Would come back again

Inside the restaurant

Lahmacun spicy beef

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Cool vibe

West Bank Street Eats

4.4(72 reviews)

72.2 mi

Wow wow wow. West Bank Streets Eats was *chefs kiss*. The…read morerestaurant lives up to its name with a small menu of classic Middle Eastern street food. Everything we tried with freshly prepared, had perfect texture (oh so crispy falafels and melt in your mouth chicken and beef), and complex flavor. The staff was so welcoming, and it was apparent they take great pride in their food. West Bank is such a welcome addition to the O'Fallon community. I love to see more locally owned businesses popping up!

Absolutely incredible food and service! I got the beef kabob rice bowl with Arabic pickled cukes…read moreand mixed pickled veggies; it was very flavorful! The falafel is also very good! The lemonana is very sour and delicious! Do yourself a favor and check this place out!

Beef shawerma sandwich

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Gyro

Troy Mediterranean Cuisine

4.3(205 reviews)

90.7 mi

My mom and I were trying to find a place to grab a quick bite that was also at least somewhat…read morehealthy. Yelp led us to Troy and we were pleasantly surprised! The interior is adorable. The chicken gyro meat is quite tasty and they certainly don't skimp!! We didn't try the desserts, but must say the baklava and other sweets looked tempting!

We took our order to go, and I will say that it was my fault to pick it up about 40 minutes late…read more However, we were not impressed with our dinner. My daughter had a gyro sandwich combo, for which she did not get her drink that was supposed to be included in it, and I got the liver kebab since it was a Sunday night and I wanted to try a specialty. Off the bat, the food was mediocre. The rice that came with my liver, which was way overdone, even though it was ordered medium rare, was extremely dry, and tasteless. The pieces of liver were hard to chew.. There was no sauce, and all in all, after two bites, I discarded my dinner. The lentil soup that I ordered, was thin and underwhelming. My daughter's Gyro sandwich was filled with only the stems of lettuce instead of lettuce leaves. The meat that came with it was rubbery and underseasoned. I will try to give this place another chance at some point, but not now. I will plan to dine there in person, to see if there would be any improvement in our meal. One of the improvements I plan to see is not being served only lettuce stems in any kind of Gyro that's ordered.

Main dining room

Pilav

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Spinach quesadillas

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Kelly H.

102

9 years ago

The most piece of shit human works here who would rather tow anyone who parks in front of their shit hole diner, leaving them stranded, than be a decent person and simply inform people (specifically out of towners in my case) about parking during events or what seemed to be equivalent to a local rule of thumb. This shit head walked right by when I got out of my car and didn't say a damn thing to me about his made the fuck up tow zone simply because he was "tired of telling people not to park there because they put out a sign". IF there ever was a sign it was not properly placed for drivers to see. Sign or no sign BE A DECENT HUMAN BEING and do your fucking job if you're trying to keep people out of the spot. TELL THEM as you walk by them and make full eye contact as you walk to your piece of shit car parked RIGHT IN FRONT OF MINE. Don't waste your money at this place. It's a fucking shit hole and the humans their are equally as shitty and inconsiderate. read more

Bruce M.

7 years ago

This place is the most unforgettable resturant in the southern Illinois area. Heart attack fries and heart attack burger are my go to things here. Huge portions, cheap prices, amazing food! Heart attack fries are steak fries covered in cheese, bacon, and piled high with gyro meat. Heart attack burger is 2 patties, cheese, bacon, gyro meat and all the fixings... you will not forget this place once you go, dont let the menu fool you, this guy can cook and cares about what you like!! read more

Taylor C.

3 years ago

The owner cussed me out calling me "retar*ed" and a "stupid f-ing bi***" because I asked to place an order for pick up and he carried on with this behavior for several minutes. Online, grub hub, yelp, the site for the restaurant says that you can order for pick up. A simple, "we don't do call in orders" would have 100% sufficed and I would have came in person to order. This guy is a lunatic and clearly unstable and tbh I wouldn't wanna eat food coming from someone this unhinged. read more

James J.

10 years ago

I noticed when I search for SAMs cafe in Carbondale someone reported them permanently closed. That is not true. They are opened and have great food. Out of all of the restaurants I have been to in Carbondale. I think they have the nicest people. I really want to thank Sam the guy who works on the weekend. Every time I go in to order he is so nice. PERMANENTLY OPENED Thanks Jackson read more

Stephanie G.

7 years ago

So first off the food was great. My Mozzarella sticks and gyro were amazing and delicious and the service was great. Here's where things get better. I left my bag at the cafe and the staff hung on to it for me and I got all my things back safely. I'm so appreciative of this business and how they treat their customers! read more

Kelli S.

7 years ago

This place is phenomenal! We walked in with 10 people and they had our food out in a couple minutes flat! It's small but the food is mighty. I had a cheeseburger and it reminds me of the little cafe in my hometown when u was growing up! Absolutely recommend this place! read more

Cole C.

7 years ago

"For you my friend, heart attack burger and fries. 13 dollar. no tax." Best words to hear drunk and on the verge of blacking out. Goes down great but better watch who you're around for the next two days... Should be a war crime with the gasses you pass. read more

Carol G.

7 years ago

Just had one of the best gyro and shawarma! If only I live close this will be my go to restaurant. Been craving for some shawarma for a long time and finally sams cafe has it, 10/10 would recommend and will go back. read more

Brit A.

7 years ago

Ok -- the general clientele that go here are people on a night out. However, the food on a night out or a night in is actually really good! The gyro cheese fries, gyros, "mots" sticks, and burgers are a go to. read more

Alex S.

5 years ago

The owner told me to cuss out grub hub because he didn't have a driver. He is a maniac. Do not order from this restaurant. Probably not upholding sanitary standards. read more

Faysal I.

149

8 years ago

Best Philly Cheese steaks in Carbondale. Steak or chicken is amazing. Best thing I love about this place is that it's all made to order.

Eric Y.

10 years ago

Bomb. Great customer service and great greasy food. Gyro cheese fries. Mozzarella sticks. Heart attack. Shawarma all delicious.

James M.

8 years ago

There's never a problem here. You order, they give you what you want plus more. If you want fast, wonderful food, come here.

Anna L.

8 years ago

First time ordering from here. Yum Bang on the combo pita and lightening fast delivery!

Tristan T.

14 years ago

Great gyros. Only problem they are not open for lunch :(

Angel062003 ..

9 years ago

Really great with fast delivery..

Sam's Cafe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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