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    Sam's Cuisine

    4.4 (1.4k reviews)
    ModerateMediterranean, Halal
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Sam's Cuisine Takeout or Delivery

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    SAM'S CUISINE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Sam's Cuisine

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    mixed shawarma over rice
    Amy T.

    Sam's has been around for a long time and you can definitely see why when you dine here! The food is delicious, we ordered a beef shawarma over rice and a mixed shawarma over rice. The portions were large, I ate half at the restaurant and brought the remainder with me to the airport. I successfully brought it through TSA and enjoyed it at my gate while everyone else ate bland, overpriced airport food. The service was excellent, after our meal we were given a complimentary baklava type dessert! There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and it's located right by Central Park for prime people watching.

    beef shawarma platter and dolma side
    Ester L.

    Lots of shawarma, salad/pita/rice were great, super nice host service, interior is clean and homely, dolma is not for me but everything was not too expensive overall!

    Michelle L.

    Sam's shawarma shall always have a special spot in my heart. I've been a patron ever since undergrad when they were at their original location before moving to their current spot (#ciocolat). I got to spend almost 12 years in Davis for either school or work. I know during or around Covid they were closed for awhile, but I'm so glad they are open again and the food is still fire! Most recent visit I got a mixed (beef and chicken) shawarma on pita, and a side of falafels was plenty! Make sure to get both sauces (tahini and yogurt) and hot sauce if you want. The meat is so tender and tasty. I didn't see if they still offer lamb though. It maintains its homey feel/charm, order at the counter and your food is brought out to you. Indoor and outdoor seating, otherwise take it to go and enjoy it at Central Park. Can't wait for an excuse to come back soon.

    Second bowl - looked good until we dug in and tasted it. Weird mystery meats sold as "mixed" plate on salad. Ugh
    Alan C.

    Meh. Seriously surprised at all the high reviews for this place. We were en route back from Sacramento to the Sonoma coast and we wanted a fast casual meal. Saw the high ratings and stopped by. My wife and I ordered two mixed plates in lettuce and it was supposed to include lamb/beef and chicken shawarma and when the lovely young lady working the counter asked if we wanted it "hot and spicy" we said yes for both. What arrived was a big salad but oddly a weirdly mushy and oddly colored precut and highly processed looking mystery type protein. Both the two colors of band aide size pieces of "meat" were buried underneath what was a passable salad lacking any suggestion of this being shawarma or gyro or even anything of middle eastern origin. We picked around the mystery mushy meats and did our best to make a meal out of what was essentially a below average salad in a plastic bowl and drenched in what seemed like Italian dressing ?! Nothing hot or spicy and not even any hummus or any salads you'd expect on a middle eastern style bowl ? WTF ? Odd, awful texturally and taste wise and for $20X 2 =$40.00 for the two of us just for those mystery meat salads a big bowl of disappointment. Nice folks working at the counter and seemingly a lovely family run business in what looks to be an older home converted into a restaurant - not a meal or place we could recommend to anyone. Seriously. This place sucked. Are there no other options in town for this place to appear to have so many high ratings ? What gives ?! I can't imagine that there aren't plenty of better salads in town if that's what you're looking for. Meh. Really really awful meals x2 We won't be back. Wish the YELP reviews hadn't steered us here. Bad food featuring overly processed mystery meat. Bleech !! Hard pass.

    Thamara N.

    Friendly staff! It feels very homey inside the restaurant. Got the beef shawarma and chicken. Both were good. Appears to be a local favorite.

    Cyndy And Randy R.

    Still so amazing. We ordered the same things we ordered last time. Corina was with us this time and she ordered the mixed shawarma and loved it! We also ordered a side of hummus and a side of tzatziki and delicious! Great customer service, too.

    Mix Shawarma Over Rice ($14.99)
    Rachel L.

    This shawarma plate here was nothing like I've ever had before! They mix the meat with the rice, and this honestly makes a lot of sense. Everything is mixed together and the flavors mend together perfectly. The shawarma is seasoned so well! I absolutely loved the onions they give on top, and we asked for our plates spicy which I highly recommend. The salad on the side was fresh and the tomatoes were so sweet & juicy! I'm only not giving 5 stars because on our visit, they were out of the shawarma platter (one of their main dishes) and it was only around 5PM. My card also got charged double for my order but they were quick to refund me in cash. We walked in and all the workers where sitting down; looked like they were in break. We were helped at the register promptly. The restaurant is really small. Looks like the downstairs floor of a house! Waters are self serve & food is served in takeout containers.

    Baklava
    Ss S.

    The service was quick! Jenna at the front took our order and she was friendly and welcomed our family with warmth. While our family was eating, one of the cooks in the back asked how the food was and we told him it was all delicious. This is a Palestinian family-owned restaurant & I will support this spot over and over again. The mixed meat shawarma was delightful! So savory, meat was tender and there were no chewy parts. The sauce was perfect and the baklava... delicious! It was chill and relaxed inside.

    Chicken shawarma plate
    Stephanie A.

    This is a great place to eat delicious food and be left alone to contemplate life. There are tables indoors amid a muraled dining room and then tables on the porch. The chicken shawarma plate came with chicken, delicious rice, a salad and pita. All yummy.

    Chicken Shawarma on salad
    Jeff B.

    We spied Sam's while visiting UC-Davis, and had lunch. The large volume of the servings was as expected for a restaurant targeting college students, and was a good value. The quality of the food and service was better than we expected; we had a Chicken Shawarma on Salad, and Hummus on Pita. Indoor and outdoor seating available. (Cool decor in the single restroom.)

    Mixed plate !
    Celia Z.

    One of my favorites during my Davis day and got to take my family back this trip! Still just as delicious as I remember. Still great value. Love the larger space. Service was quick and friendly.

    Spicy mixed over rice

    8 years later, this is still my version of Disney Land. Truly a magical place. Sam is the most genuine and lovely person who is absolutely a pillar of the community. Any chance I have to go back to Davis, I make it a priority to visit and get a spicy mixed over rice. 10000000000000000000000/10, my number one recommendation anywhere.

    Chicken Shawarma rice plate
    Kathy T.

    Been wanting to try this place since I came to Davis two years ago and thought now is a better time than ever. I dropped by early evening for a take out order of chicken shawarma over rice. The women at the register was super nice and quickly took my order and after a short wait in their seating area, I got my piping hot order of food and thanked them before heading out. Back at home, I opened the box and was surprised by the amount of food! Given the portion, I do think it's worth the price especially if you're a college student wanting a quick meal. By itself, I think the rice with the chicken was alright but with the addition of the sauce they included, it definitely gave it more flavor and a nice slight tang. I appreciated the freshness of the veggies and it had a nice dressing that was both sweet and tart. If I were to go back, I'd probably ask if they had something spicy to add in addition to the creamy, tangy sauce because as someone who enjoys spice, I think some additional heat would've really elevated the meal! Nonetheless, I think the food was filling and maybe not my favorite but I would considering trying their other menu items! Would recommend if you're in the area and are craving Mediterranean.

    Lamb platter and a side salad.

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    3 months ago

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    3 months ago

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    Samir A.

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    5 months ago

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    Samir A.

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    2 months ago

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    Samir A.

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    13 days ago

    Hella good amazing service and spicy shawarma was super super tasty totally recommend

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    Samir A.

    Most appreciated, can’t thank you enough.

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    4 months ago

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    Samir A.

    So happy that you enjoyed your experience at Sam’s, most appreciated.

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    11 months ago

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    11 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    Samir A.

    Most appreciated, Sam

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    20 days ago

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    4 months ago

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    Samir A.

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    2 years ago

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    Samir A.

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    Samir A.

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    2 months ago

    Great food and great service. The best shawarmas ever. It doesn't get any better than Sam's!

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    10 months ago

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    9 months ago

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    5 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Sam's is a Davis gem. Some of the best food in town. Supporting this local family run business is fun and delicious. Highly recommended!

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    Samir A.

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    1 year ago

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    Samir A.

    I feel speechless for your kind words. Most appreciated, Sam

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    10 months ago

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    10 months ago

    The food was amazing. The food tasted home made with fresh ingredients, and the owner Sam was very kind!

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    2 years ago

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    Page 1 of 36

    Ask the Community - Sam's Cuisine

    How can I place a large Togo order for Saturday 12/10/22?

    Call today, don't wait! I have all the faith in Sams Mediterranean that they will do right by you.

    Any update on when the restaurant might open back up again?

    We will be open as of Thursday July twenty second 2021!!

    Does anyone know when Sam's might reopen again? Its been too many months without being able to eat some good Mediterranean food. 💔

    He's been closed for the pandemic but has also been caring for his wife, who unfortunately passed away. The landlord is trying to kick him out too, it seems. :(

    Does anyone know what's happening with Sams since quarantine began?

    Hey! I just found out about this but the owner temporarily closed the restaurant because he has been caring for his wife who had leukemia and she has recently passed away😔 the link to the gofundme is:… Read more

    Last time they said their credit card machine is broken. Is it working now?

    Yes.

    View All 9 Questions

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    Ali Baba - Breakfast Burrito

    Ali Baba

    3.7(492 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $

    A trip back to Davis isn't complete without hitting up the old college haunts, and this spot still…read moreholds up. This weekend was a nostalgic return to my go-to for breakfast burritos, and despite the inevitable price hike since my college days, the flavors were exactly as I remembered. The Legend: This isn't your average breakfast wrap; it's a heavy-hitter loaded with a unique mix of ingredients that shouldn't work as well as they do. The Build: Two scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and savory gyro meat. The Crunch: They pack it with french fries for that perfect starchy texture. The Kick & Sweet: What makes this special is the combo of honey and Tapatío, it gives you that sweet-and-spicy profile that keeps you coming back for every bite. The Experience: I was so excited to dive in that I actually started eating before I could even snap a photo for the review. It's the ultimate comfort food and the perfect way to fuel up while visiting town. The Verdict: If you're a UC Davis alum or just passing through, this burrito is a mandatory stop. It's a bit pricier now, but for a nostalgic meal that satisfies every craving at once, it is worth every penny. It was everything I remembered and more!

    I was looking for places that served breakfast and came across Ali Baba. I would rate this place…read more3.5 stars. It's located right at the edge of campus so it's a popular spot with the students. Parking is tricky since it's close to campus, Maoist of the street parking nearby is in the residential neighborhood, during the week, only those with permits are allowed to park in the neighborhood. When we arrived around 1 PM, there was a good amount of people there already. You order at the kiosks and wait for your name to be called. Food is already packaged to go. Plenty of seating is available. Pros: food came out fast and the staff are friendly. I saw a lot of good reviews about their breakfast burrito so I ordered that and a lamb gyro. Portions and prices are decent. The food is nothing to write home about. Cons: parking isn't easy to find

    Photos
    Ali Baba - Ambiance

    Ambiance

    Ali Baba - The veggie breakfast burrito without fries. AMAZING.

    The veggie breakfast burrito without fries. AMAZING.

    Ali Baba - Inside with tables and bar tables

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    Inside with tables and bar tables

    Falafel Corner - Badmash Burger

    Falafel Corner

    4.4(89 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Stop by for lunch today with the family. We got the falafel platter and the gyro platter so that we…read morecould share. With the student discount and a drink our total came out to about $30, which I think is a pretty good deal. I have to agree with a lot of the comments here in saying that the falafel is really good. The falafel was nice and moist, not dry at all and that perfect balance of like crumbly, but still able to maintain it shape. It appeared really well with the rice and the sauce. Speaking of which, sauces. They do not skip. My only complaint about the platter is that there aren't a ton of veggies/salad, but that's really not that big of a deal. The veggies are pretty good though, they've got a sauce and seasoned well. The gyro platter itself was pretty good, I actually really liked that the meat isn't shaved, rather it's cubed. It makes the meat feel and taste a lot more tender and juicy, as I find the shaved meat can run a little dry. Not much to say about service or ambience, as I wasn't really there for that or really paying attention. The person that was running the register was kind enough. I totally forgot until after we had ordered that they are known for their burgers. Will stop by at a later date to give that a try and update the review.

    Tried to go at 3:30 pm on a Tuesday and it was closed but they claim to be open until 9:00 pm…read more Hours inaccurate. Also, their phone line is out of service.

    Photos
    Falafel Corner
    Falafel Corner - Gyro platter ($15.49 menu price)

    Gyro platter ($15.49 menu price)

    Falafel Corner - Combo Platter (falafel and chicken)

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    Combo Platter (falafel and chicken)

    Halal Bros - Lamb Gyro.  Score 84%

    Halal Bros

    4.4(185 reviews)
    10.9 mi
    $$

    Popped in here for dinner and was pleasantly surprised by how tasty the food was! My family ordered…read morethe steak kabob meal, the chicken and falafel combo and a gyro and everything was tasty. My kids even liked it and they can be hard to please. We all agreed- we really enjoyed our meal! Great sauces too. I would recommend grabbing the food to go. The indoor ambience was mediocre and the bathrooms were really dirty.

    The Halal Bros has been on the must try list for my West Sacramento jaunts…read more It was pouring outside, so of course it was the perfect opportunity to grab food. Originally the plan was to order to go, but we decided to dine in. The dining area is pretty small and they have about a half a dozen booths. It looks like most of their business is to go. The staff is super friendly, which I always helps with a new experience! Being totally undecided, and wanting to try a couple different things, we ordered a side of onion rings, a veggie Samosa, one kebab plate, and a Shawarma pita. The veggie Samosa: it's what was recommended to us instead of the beef or the chicken. The outside of the Samosa wasn't very crisp and was pretty bland tasting. The veggie part was OK but wasn't very flavorful either. It's not something that I would order again. Pretty underwhelming. The onion rings: they were OK. I was glad that they weren't greasy, but again they were missing an actual flavor to them. The chicken pita: it was OK. Nothing that I'd go back and order again. The chicken was seasoned but very lightly and I think I was expecting some deeper flavors. I did ask to skip the onions because my past experience at other places is that they will add in a huge amount and it's pretty much an onion Sando, and I absolutely do not want that. The kebab plate: this was sort of a mixed bag. The chicken was super flavorful, but also really dry on the inside. The beef, was chewy and underwhelming. Not a good combo. The salad was basically lettuce on the plate. Not worth spending the money on a plate. The rest of it was mostly rice with one little quarter piece of pita. It's not enough pita and there's very little tzatziki sauce. I just felt like a very overpriced plate of rice. The restaurant is clean, and there's plenty of free parking.

    Photos
    Halal Bros
    Halal Bros - Chicken Platter

    Chicken Platter

    Halal Bros

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    Sam's Cuisine - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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