Came here after finding out Halal Guys is unfortunately closed, but Sam's Mediterranean did not disappoint! This place is super delicious, my partner and I shared the Shawarma over rice and for about $14-$16 the serving is amazing. I have nothing further to say but I hope this business keeps on going because they serve amazing food! Can't wait to be back!! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Shawarma over rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

I've been going to Sam's since my freshman year of college. It was the first restaurant I visited with my roommate and it has remained my favorite place to dine in Davis! The hospitality and friendliness of Sam and his staff always blows me away. And the food. My God. The food is just so flavorful. The meat is perfectly tender, the vegetables are tossed in a bright vinegarette, and the fries are always on point Doesn't matter if you get a pita, rice plate, or platter. Every dish is so very yummy! I also love the atmosphere inside. Feel very cozy, like you're dining at a friend's house. So yeah, if you haven't already, make sure you check out Sam's Mediterranean! There's a reason it's a local favorite. read more

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Super friendly service, reasonable pricing, and in the heart of downtown Davis! They close seating inside and reserve the space for those who come in to order, but there is plenty of seating outside on the porch. I ordered the falafel on pita and mixed chicken and beef shawarma on rice. The total was about $23 for both. The falafel on pita was tasty and I liked the flavor, but I was disappointed that the falafel wasn't crispy.. it crumbled while I was eating. You can imagine the mess. As for the other order, I was surprised that the shawarma was mixed in like a fried rice. The flavor was fine, but I wish I was able to enjoy and appreciate the shawarma. It felt like the meat was masked by the seasoning of the rice. I may or may not go back. I am curious how the kabobs are. read more

Sam's Cuisine - Mixed chicken and beef shawarma on rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

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Amazing food, ambience, & service! Can't wait to go back!! And their baklava was amazing

This is the kind of restaurant where you move away from Davis for 10 years and think about it every week. And then you move back to Davis after 10 years just to eat Sam's again. An absolute pillar of this city. Easily my favorite restaurant in town. One of the most gracious and hospitable family run businesses I've ever been to. Sam and his family are some of nicest people I know. The food is amazing. Over the course of 15 years, I've tried everything on the menu. Every items is a hit. You can never go wrong with the mix shawarma over rice / spicy sauce on the side. The restaurant has a great location with indoor and outdoor seating. Let me help you out. Stop your yelp food search right now and just go to Sam's. read more

Good lunch spot, quick, not so expensive, good value! Friendly service, plenty of tables inside and outside. Ordered the Shawarma on a Pita, mixed (4 stars $15 with tax). The bread was actually a flatbread, which is much better than a pita. Pitas never hold up, they always fall apart as you eat. Great choice on the bread. The veggies are fresh (lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, no onion). The meat was good, but next time I'll get just beef. The chicken was ok, but liked the beef better. If I had one compliant the meat was sliced to thin. They should make the slices much thicker. The yogurt Tahini sauce was good. Until next time read more

My husband & I came here last evening for an early dinner. We're originally from San Jose, and love The Falafel Drive In, so when I found this place on Yelp with such great reviews, I thought we should give them a try. You basically walk in the front door of what appears to be a house converted into a buisness. You order from the counter, then find a table, and they bring out your food. I ordered a Falafel on Pita $9.99, and my husband got the Spicy Falafel Salad $12.99. We also got an order of Hummus $7.99 but unfortunately they no longer serve it with Cucumber, so they charged us an additional .35 For some strange reason. They also don't offer cups of ice water, so I had to pay an additional $2.99 for bottled water. The food came out fairly fast. My Falafel Pita either didn't have any Tzatziki sauce, or just not very much. The falafel balls were quite large, but had a lot of sesame seeds which I wasn't fond of. My husband enjoyed his spicy falafel salad, but they give you way too many large tomato wedges. The hummus was good, plenty of Pita bread. read more

This is a great spot for lunch in downtown Davis. They offer street-style carved chicken, which is a great alternative to the lamb-beef carved gyro meat and you get so much food when you order the platter (usually I can only eat half). It doesn't come with pita, but then again you don't need it. The staff are super friendly and I'm always tempted by the fresh baklava in the display case near the cashier - I'll have to give it a try next time I come back! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Shawarma platter with chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Sometimes, it pays to stay on the beaten path. Sam's Mediterranean offers a short list of standard wraps and snacks. While you won't get much variety, you can be assured that your meal is delicious. The chicken shwarma in pita has been my consistent order over the last 5 years and I have never been disappointed. Sam's knows what makes this sort of food yummy and churns it out quickly. I usually take my food to go, but based on the brief but pleasant conversations I've had with the cashier, I imagine it's lovely to stay as well. read more

I didn't get to grab a good photo of the food so it doesn't do it justice but please just do yourself a favor and come check this place out, at least once. I ordered the beef shawarma platter and I want to say it was about $18 which yes, is pricey, but during these unforgiving times, it's a given. Plus it was made with so much love, my belly was absolutely happy. The lamb meat they use is perfectly seasoned, not too salty, and they don't skimp out on the meat. I forgot what kind of sauce they drizzle on top (I believe it was greek yogurt mixed with something else) but it went well with both the lamb and the pita bread, it was soooo good. The inside is fairly small but is very homey, like others have said. It's Palestinian-owned and my partner and I enjoyed viewing the decor. The walls were hand-painted with grape motifs and they had Al-Aqsa on one of the walls. It was like a slice of Palestine right here in Davis, it's very wholesome. And everyone working there is so sweet and friendly. A+++ customer service. Will definitely be coming back here whenever we're in the area and craving Mediterranean. read more

Sam's Cuisine - beef shawarma platter - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Worth the trip. Pleasant, professional staff. Generous portions of quality food. Locally owned business- not a corporate restaurant. Decor and atmosphere is reflective of the Mediterranean region. Street parking only. read more

I visited Sam's on a warm Friday evening with two of my best friends. It was slightly busy, but people were mainly ordering for takeout. The cashier was friendly and we went to the outdoor patio, while waiting for our food to be ready. I really like their outdoor seating because it's nice and shaded. Although we were seated outdoors, I appreciate how a female server brought food to our table. My friend and I both ordered Beef Shawarma on a Pita individually. Meanwhile, my other friend ordered a Chicken Shawarma over rice. Once my Beef Pita arrived, it looked like a decent amount of meat and toppings. But, it wasn't until I unwrapped the pita from the foil when I discovered that it was fully loaded! Each bite I took from the pita was flavorful. The Beef Shawarma was tender and seasoned well. My friend enjoyed it, too. Friend #2 loved the Chicken Shawarma plate and was able to finish their food in one sitting. I'll definitely return here when visiting Davis and in the mood for Mediterranean-style Beef Shawarma pitas! I also might consider ordering the Mixed Meats option on my next visit. read more

Sam's Cuisine - Beef Shawarma on a Pita, unwrapped - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

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Words can't describe how amazing and authentic the service and food is at this unique Mediterranean Deli. The gentleman who owns the Deli is not only an amazing chef, but also displays the most outstanding customer service. Sam was friendly, funny, knowledgeable, generous and made mine and my girlfriends day. I have never had an experience at a restaurant like I did today at Sam's Mediterranean Café and Deli! The place is tucked away from all the commotion and it is easy to find. Extremely wholesome ambiance with delightful smells of authentic Mediterranean food. The best Mediterranean Cafe & Deli around. You would not want to miss this place! Thank you Sam and whenever we are back in Cali we will definitely be stopping by read more

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Omg omg omg They're BAAAAACK!!!! After a family tragedy and the pandemic, they've finally reopened--same family, same AMAZING food! I'm so happy! This place is in such a great location, right across from the farmers market. They have tons of outdoor seating and beautiful indoor seating as well. I've always loved this building, and would love to see a successful business thrive here. I had my usual-a falafel on pita and baklava (cuz, well, baklava..) and I realized just HOW MUCH I've missed their incredible FRESH food. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!!! read more

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The chicken/beef shawarma pitas was delicious, meaty and the vegetables was very fresh. read more

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If the amazing aroma doesn't coax you in, the fun décor and delicious sounding menu will! This is another great spot in Downtown Davis that offers super flavorful food with great portions at a super reasonable price. When I stopped in the staff was super friendly and quick. I ordered their daily special with lamb over rice with lettuce, tzatziki sauce and siracha for $9.99 with a drink. It was enough food for two meals and felt like a great deal for how tasty it was. They have some indoor seating as well as outdoor seating and it seems like a great place to meet up with a few friends or just grab takeout to go. We did both! I also was super tempted by their baklava and I'm kicking myself for not ordering some. It just gives me another reason to go back soon! read more

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The food here is still so good after all these years. The chicken kabob on pita is delicious and filling. They use chicken breast so sometimes it can be a little dry, but I don't mind too much. It's a generous portion of chicken and fresh veggies too. The creamy tahini sauce is wonderful on a fluffy pita. The mix shawarma (beef and chicken) over rice is a huge portion good for two meals. I love the lake of tzatziki sauce given, which is perfectly tangy and great with the rice and meat. Really good flavors. The red onion adds a nice burst as well. I think I prefer the beef over the chicken. Both meats are very tender though. I find the flavor of the rice is even tastier on day two lol. The side of greek salad is nice and refreshing. The fries are crinkle cut and seasoned with an array of spices, so good and fragrant. The slightest bit of heat (probably paprika?); it's addicting for me. I think there is some oregano as well. Anyway I like the fries- they're crisp, fluffy, and taste great. The baklava is so good. Not overly sweet, lots of nuts. The crunch from the phyllo is so satisfying. The syrup has very faint floral notes. It's beautiful tbh. The service is nice and friendly; Sam's family is cool. They have great interior design and music playing. Vibes. read more

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Vegetarian review - the ambiance was great and the service was good. Choices the day we went were extremely limited for vegetarians. But the taste of what we ate was amazing which is the reason for the positive review. If you don't care about having variety, but want taste, definitely recommend! read more

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I love Sam's for their falafel items; you can get the falafels in a pita or on a salad, either way is absolutely delicious! The falafel is a softer texture than falafel I've had elsewhere and in combination with the other ingredients, it is just so good! I'm likely missing an item or two, but the falafel comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and Tzatziki sauce. Many of the items in the pita are also served with the salad. The olives in the falafel salad are quite salty (just a friendly warning and also my own personal opinion), but they are still great addition to the meal! They were closed for a while, and I was happy to discover they were back open on a trip home from the bay. The customer service is always so welcoming and friendly, it really could not be any better. I can't wait until my next visit; I never get tired of eating at Sam's. read more

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So so happy they are open again! It's always nice to come in and get that homey feel, as staff is especially friendly and so helpful with recommendations. Depending on when you come in, they might be out of salad or rice. Their pita is so bomb though, so I can't complain. Their mixed shawarma is definitely the way to go, although the falafel is bomb too! I was surprised at how good the fries were too. Everything is affordable and delicious. There's currently no indoor seating, only outdoor. We ended up taking our food home to eat and it was still hot. Can't wait to come back for more! read more

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I went yesterday with my family and it was AMAZING!! portions are really huge and affordable! Everyone was super nice, especially Sam! So great to have an amazing and halal restaurant near campus! read more

A Downtown Davis staple. Delicious well-spiced Mediterranean food served with generous portions. The staff is friendly and gets the food our very quickly. The indoor tables are very close together and it can feel very packed during peak hours but that is part of the charm. A great stop after a walk downtown. Reasonably priced delicious food in a great location. What's not to love? read more

Sam's Cuisine - Combo plate, dolmas and fries - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Healthy and beautiful food! I love the falafel, salads and especially the Baklava!! The best Mediterranean food you can find!

Good amount of chicken in the gyro. Staff was friendly and didn't take long to get the food. Went on a late Saturday afternoon and wasn't crowded. read more

Sam's Cuisine - Chicken shawarma gyro - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Sam's is one of my favorite places to eat in Davis and the story behind the restaurant is so touching. Whenever I come, the people working there are more than just polite. They're welcoming, kind, and always love to have a small conversation! I always order the mix shawarma platter with the mild flavor (They also have spicy). Their portions are really big and so worth it for the price. Most importantly, the food is delicious. The mix of a salad, rice, and a meat choice makes the perfect combination for a meal. If you're ever in Davis or haven't tried Sam's yet, you must! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Mixed shawarma plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Delicious food at an affordable price! Sam's is my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. Service is always great; the employees and owner are always very friendly. I always order the falafel on pita for only $8. It comes with falafels, lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers wrapped in pita. The falafels are cooked perfectly and not burnt or dry like many other restaurants. I occasionally come from Sacramento just to eat here since it is the best Mediterranean restaurant in the area. read more

The falafel sandwich is pretty good. I'd hope for something better than iceberg lettuce in a N. CA town in the heart of ag country. We couldn't eat the dolmas: they tasted straight out of a can. The physical space felt like it hasn't had love or a deep cleaning for at least 10 years. The service was OK. read more

I am from the East Coast, and used to Mediterranean cuisine that is good, bad... and otherwise. I went to Sam's with my senior parents. The staff was attentive and helpful -- even with a big crowd -- Prices were quite reasonable and the food was brought out quickly. The dishes were all quite good... I got the shwarma pita sandwich, and they both got chicken kabob salads. Thank you for a wonderful experience!! read more

Amazing! The food here is great. It is definitely not just pre frozen BS like those chain restaurants. The service is also just as amazing. The most kind family runs this place. Stop by! read more

The food is tasty but just an FYI that it's not truly a "shawarma" wrap or plate. It's beef / chicken gyro meat- so if you're in the mood for traditional shawarma then this is not that. Overall, good food and good service! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Mix Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

the owner sam is always in a joyful mood and happy singing dancing while cooking his staff is always very kind and helpful. i use ti come in everyday almost in high school for lunch after 5 year i stopped in and had a delicious platter and it brought me back to the days where we would come in with 12 people and recieve amazing service like we were grown ups. came in as an adult and same respect and cheer. last week my brother brought it home for me and man it was delicious even 2 hiurs after being cooked and brough home highly recommend read more

Came here because of the good reviews, which never fails until now. It's a first after years of relying on yelp to pick places with high ratings and number of reviews. This was the worst chicken shawarma plate I've ever had. I'm not sure what substance was being passed off as chicken, but the best way to describe it is really cheap lunch meat, with lots of filler , what was purported to be chicken almost looked and tasted like rubbery tortillas. This rubbery substance was warmed up, perhaps in a microwave - no char whatsoever. There were customers in there and the lady helping us was nice. Perhaps the other dishes are good, which accounts for the positive reviews, but for chicken Shawarma, I'd avoid until they decide to get real with the shawarma meat. The rice and side salad were fine. read more

This place has the most authentic foods I have ever tried at a reasonable price. This place was nice and cosy with the best customer service. read more

Excellent food, gone back multiple times. Chicken and beef are very well-marinated and cooked. Cozy seating, clean on the inside. Some seating outside too. Staff is always very friendly and service is good. Highly recommend! read more

Hands down one of the best Mediterranean spots I've ever had. I cannot think of a place that serves better shawarma over rice than this. Many places just use basic white rice or yellow rice without any flavoring, this brown rice they use is full of flavor! They are very generous with the amount of meat and they meat is extremely tender and flavorful. I always ask for a combo shawarma over rice and ask for it spicy. A lot of places will just give you red sauce on the side or drizzle it on top, this place actually cooks your food and serves it with a kick so you're not reliant on any dipping sauces etc. I highly recommend you give them a try. The owner is a really nice man that has a great relationship with customers that frequent the location and his kids that are helping run the location have amazing attention to detail and brilliant customer service. They accept cash, Zelle, or Apple Cash. I always look forward to being in the area and ordering their food and am already counting down the days til I get to try this again! So glad they are back open and please show your support! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Combo Shawarma over Rice (spicy) - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

I have been going to Sam's since I was in college. It was my go to spot for Mediterranean food when I lived in Davis. I recently visited Sam's and ordered the mixed shawarma over rice. Just as delicious as I remember! The plate was $14.99 and the portions were huge and generous. I loved how the meat was chopped into the rice & the veggies were soo tasty! Along with the delicious food, the workers were so kind and friendly. So happy to see Sam's is still thriving and serving delicious food after all these years. read more

Sam's Cuisine - Mixed Shwarma over rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Budget friendly spot! Generous portion and size. Good ratio of meat vegetables and rice! I wish the Tzatzki sauce was little more garlicky. It was close to mild sour cream but not bad! Since being so close to UC Davis i can see how this place could be a savior for hungry students who is looking for healthy, satisfying, and delicious meal. Service was transparent! My friends and I were all ordering separately and the server quickly realized we were together so gave us one number to make sure we all got our food together. Small gesture and accommodation like this goes a long way. I would come back if we're in town to feed my big appetite! read more

Sam's Cuisine - Shawarma combo plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

Came on a Monday around 3pm. I ordered a beef shawarma on pita, some fries, and falafels on the side. The beef shawarma was good. It was seasoned nicely and was very soft. The condiments are very simple - shredded lettuce, tomatoes, tahini, cucumbers, etc. I wish that they put pickled onions or pickled cabbage in it. Probably should have gotten a plate instead, so I could get the onions. Fries were okay - seasoned, but dry. Falafels were a bit on the saltier side, but other than that they were good. The staff were really friendly. The price wasn't bad. They have a fee for credit cards, so I would bring cash. read more

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Huge delicious portions. Really flavorful and tasty! Pretty affordable given the portion size. Honestly almost enough for two meals. read more

Sam's Cuisine - Mediterranean Near Me - Davis, California

I've had some pretty good Mediterranean Cuisine, both in SoCal and in Europe. If I were to rate it against everything I've had, Sam's Mediterranean Cuisine would be a 1/5. However, if I were to put it in the context of the Davis area, this moves up to a 2/5. I had the beef shawarma (and tried some of my wife's Chicken shawarma), and they did smell great. However, the meat and the rice came mixed - which hides their distinct taste. Not surprisingly, the meal tasted more like fried rice. I would probably avoid the place unless I'm desperately craving Mediterranean food. Edit: regarding owner's reply, I guess the food isn't the only thing that's salty. read more