Sammy's holds pride of place for many Canberrans as the only place in Civic to get reasonably priced, authentic Malaysian and Chinese food. The atmosphere is electric as waiters weave deftly throughout the cramped place, dishing up fragrant, expertly spiced dishes. The service is quick, efficient and knowledgeable and the food comes out quickly - though not so quickly you feel as though you're being forced out the door. It can often sell out, but if you can get your hands on the shan tung chicken, the house specialty dish is well worth a try.
Open
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Breakfast
Lunch
O
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Dinner
O
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Late
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Daily 11.30am-2.30pm Mon-Thu 5pm-10.30pm Fri-Sat 5pm-11.30pm Sun 5pm-10pm
Chinese and Malaysian
Entree: $3.60-$20
Mains: $10-$26.50
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club, American Express and EFTPOS
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass. BYO (wine only) $2.50 corkage per person.
Vegetarian options available
This venue accepts bookings. It is advisable to make a reservation ahead of time. Group bookings are supported.
Seats 168
Outside dining area
Wheelchair access
and wheelchair-accessible toilets
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
pragasam
|
2 July 2010, 3.14pm
OK
Service was reasonably quick. Had steamed rice with 3 separate dishes. The sweet & sour pork was very smorgasbordish i.e. pieces of roasted pork doused in a pinkish sauce. The assam curry fish fillets dish was pleasant, but could have been more tangy & spicy. The beef rendang should have been dry and spicy, but turned out to be a bland curry. On the whole the food was tempered to the Westeren palate. Not the authentic Malaysian stuff though.
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Visit: Sun 27 June 2010
Mealtime: lunch
Service:
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Posted by:
RobbieP
|
16 April 2010, 4.36pm
Coeliacs & wheat allergies still not catered for :(
Sammy's Kitchen is an institution, but still it struggles to cater for people with Coeliac Disease and gluten/wheat intolerances and allergies, which is pretty sad and ordinary these days. You can get great gluten-free Thai dishes, all listed on a separate menu, nearby but Sammy's is still dragging the chain on catering reliably for anyone with food allergies: they need advance warning so they can put aside meat (chicken only) not to be marinated (floured for tenderising) or cooked with soy (which usually has wheat in it). I go rarely to Sammy's, only when work lunch is booked there, and though they provide me with a meal, it remains embarrassing for me to eat the plainest, chicken & steamed rice when everyone else has a whole menu to choose from, & I'm still charged the same prices as one of their complete dishes. No entrees for me, & no desserts; just one dish to choose from. Sammy's is popular because of it's CBD location, rapid meal delivery & longevity in Canberra - it gets bums on seats even with poor service & CBD prices for fairly average food. I'd like to see a more interesting restaurant there, or at least see Sammy's move into this century, look what other restaurants around do & cater better and more widely to the Canberra population. And I hope they read this review.
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Visit: Thu 22 April 2010
Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by:
dan-0
|
6 January 2010, 11.17am
Don't know what the big deal is
Many people rave on and on about Sammy's but I don't see the big deal about this restaurant.
The food is tasty and overall good, but there isn't enough of it.
The service is quite bad, especially for the prices you pay. I've gotten better service in Melbourne where I only pay for $10 a meal, including tea and drinks.
Personally I think people enjoy Sammy's because it is the 'in' restaurant and allows one to people watch. If you're after a value for money meal, there are better restaurants out there.
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Visit: Wed 6 January 2010
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Posted by:
jubellia
|
16 November 2008, 8.04pm
Better as takeaway
The food at Sammy's is as good as the other reviews have said it is, and it's always provided quickly and hot (provided they remember all your dishes, as they frequently fail to do). However, it is let down by the service. On one occasion, at 5:30pm, we were told we could come in "if we ate quick". This was after being told they couldn't take bookings, so I was a little confused about who we were hurrying out for... This pretty much sums up the Sammy's experience. Great food, awful service.
If you're looking for a quick, tasty meal and you're not the kind who likes to take their time, Sammy's is perfect. If you dislike being rushed through a meal, maybe try somewhere else, or get takeaway. The food is just as good at home and you won't be rushed out...
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Visit: Sun 16 November 2008
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Posted by:
pandamoo
|
7 September 2008, 8.28am
Sammy's delicious!
I have been to Sammy's Kitchen many, many times and they have the best food around! There is never a long wait for tables and the staff are great! Best Chinese restaurant in Canberra! In fact I am going there today for my birthday (I'd go nowhere else). I love Sammy's, everyone should try it. I suggest the Mongolian lamb. Yummy.
Food:
Visit: Sun 7 September 2008
Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by:
WAZZA'S REVIEW
|
29 March 2008, 11am
Sammy, please open up in Sydney
I heard so much about Sammy's & for once a place lived up to expectations. Incredible food especially the prawn & port dishes. It's value plus, good list of wines that are also priced very well. We were going to back up on Easter Monday but unfortunately closed, have to wait for the next visit. Best Asian food going.
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Visit: Sat 22 March 2008
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
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Posted by:
Kay26
|
28 January 2008, 5.32pm
Fast and tasty
I have only ever heard good things about Sammy's, so when I finally got around to going here I had some expectations.
I was impressed by the food and at how quickly we received it.. Even on a busy Saturday night we did not have to wait long. It was some of the best Chinese food I have tasted! I would highly recommend the Mongolian lamb!
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Visit: Sat 17 November 2007
Mealtime: dinner
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Posted by:
livetolunch
|
10 December 2007, 8.43am
Always good
I've been to Sammy's more times than I can count. Their food is always good, duck laksa is my favourite, but I've tried many others on their menu. The only menu item I did not love was the rock salt calamari.
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Visit: Mon 3 December 2007
Mealtime: lunch
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Posted by:
jobolobo
|
10 October 2007, 5.20pm
Delicious food and fast service
I go here regularly - the food is reasonably priced, the service is very fast, and it is always packed and has a great busy atmosphere. I love the chow mein, but the Sammy's special is great, and so is the kwang tong chicken.
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Visit: Thu 23 August 2007
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
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