Sammy's Kitchen

4.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  2      Service  8      Value  4     

Went here early January after hearing quite a few people raving about Sammy's. However, we found it average at best and overpriced for what it was. It was merely your typical run of the mill Chinese and Malaysian dishes for a higher price.

We don't expect too much at average-low priced Chinese restaurants and there was nothing really we could complain about in that area, food came on time, our orders were taken in a timely manner.

All in all, wouldn't go back because you can get the same quality and standard of Chinese food from any takeaway shop and at a lower price.

Feb 14, 2012 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  6      Service  4      Value  6     

Wildly popular eatery serving a combination of Malaysian and Chinese meals. The food is pretty decent (beef rendang, honey chicken, a chicken and potato curry, fried rice) with good size servings for a reasonable price.

But: If the aim of the waiters is to be rude, inattentive and arrogant, they succeeded admirably. And getting the food (all obviously main courses) delivered with lengthy delays between each one, and needing reminders before receiving the food, just isn't good enough. It must be something about the surroundings, an Asian restaurant next door seemed to have similar problems a year or two back, and we haven't been back.

Jan 29, 2012 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  8     

Sammys provides consistently good quality, tasty, fresh chinese food. We have been many times and have never been disappointed with the quality of the food. It is though served in a crowded and frenetic atmosphere which detracts from the overall experience. The asparagus specials dish is a must have.

Jan 21, 2012 

4 Below Average

Food  6      Ambience  4      Service  1      Value  5     

I have eaten here now 5 times and the food is not that bad. But, it is a typical yum cha style production line service. They treat you like a beggar in a food voucher line. Like cattle at a feedlot, once the money passes hands, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Aug 23, 2011 

5.5 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  3     

Very unimpressed for the price. Ordered 6 dishes after being hounded from the minute we sat down to order.

Chinese roast duck, tasted like it was cooked 2-3 days ago, skin was burnt, meat overcooked, bones were crumbling and indicated the bird was very old. Only received 1/4 of a duck despite menu saying "Roast Duck", i.e. you think you are getting "a" duck.

Schezwan chicken - typical "mysterious red sauce". lacked spice. Mongolian sizzling lamb - great dish. King prawns - mildly flavored could have been done better. Eggplan and pork - foul, Disgusting. Most over priced dish. Extremely oily, pork was terrible quality. Egg plant over cooked and lacked flavor.

Overall we felt ripped off.

Aug 05, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

We've been here a few times now, once or twice for lunch and a few times for dinner and we are Never disappointed! It's always packed but we always have a good experience.

It's a big restaurant, so don't go here expecting an intimate dinner for 2, but if you want a quick, delicious meal then I would highly recommend it!

I was late arriving in Canberra one night, was meant to arrive at 8 pm and go straight to dinner but we didn't end up getting into town until 10 pm. We went to Sammy's just in case and they gladly accommodated us since they had another big group there so said they wouldn't be closing on time anyway. We had Tsing Taos and food on our table in minutes.

The Crispy Lamp in Shantung sauce is Unbelievable. Have never had anything like it in Sydney. Definitely think everyone who is in the area should go there. Yum!

Apr 27, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

Great place for dinner before the movies at Dendy upstairs. Very quick, and has a very large menu. House white tasted great on the three occasions I have been here, and only around $6 per glass.

The entree's are a bit greasy, but hey, its aussie chinese. The serves look small, but I always leave with a full stomach. Very busy and crowded, be prepared to eat in close proximity to other tables. And always make a booking, not matter what time of day, Sammy's is always busy. Guess it really is a Canberra institution.

Jan 31, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  6     

We went to this restaurant during our stopover in Canberra. It was recommended by a colleague who is originally from ACT.

The location was great, next to the mall in the city. Overall, the food is good. We had char keow teow (good), steam chicken with ginger and shallot + rice (ok) and chicken laksa (average). The price is dearer than what you would have to pay in Sydney but from my previous ACT trips, food in Canberra is generally a lot dearer. Service, there is not much friendliness here, but that's pretty common nowadays.

Two things to note for this restaurant: their trading hour as they close around 2.30 pm and reopen later for dinner and I'd seen a few disappointed pre-Christmas shoppers turning up for late lunch. They don't have high chair. So, if you have a toddler, make sure you bring your own pram or booster seat.

Dec 27, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  4      Service  7      Value  8     

I have been to Sammys many times over the years and always found the service and quality (given the price) to be good. Ironically, my dining companions and I rarely go anymore because it is usually so packed with people that the noise level makes it difficult to carry on a conversation! If that is not a problem for you then I would reccommend it. But if you're hearing is not what it used to be or you are with a soft spoken person then somewhere else would suit better.

Nov 07, 2010 

4.8 Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  5      Value  5     

Arrived and seated at noon on Sun 27 June 2010, before the crowds trotted in. Service was reasonably quick. Had steamed rice with 3 separate dishes. The sweet and sour pork was mediocre. It was doused with a pink sauce similar to that in cans from the supermarkets. The assam curry fish fillets dish was acceptable to the palate, but lacked tanginess and spiciness. The beef rendang should have been dry and spicy, but turned out to be a bland curry.

On the whole the food was unauthentic, given that we know what the real McCoy looks and tastes like. The cashier seemed abrupt, aloof and unfriendly.

Jul 01, 2010