What a delightful, eclectic, and tasty menu. Where else can you get a plate of crab nachos and kasha varnishkes? Add a pickled beet salad and you have a one-of-a-kind dining experience for two. And, the menu descriptions are both enticing and hilarious. Want a unique experience with a comforting ambience, and delightful waitstaff? Come to downtown Rockland. This restaurant would be at-home in Portland's elevated dining scene, but thankfully it's right here on the midcoast. And, the parking is easy. read more

Sammy's deluxe... unforgettable experience. Was walking around Rockland and we just stumbled upon Sammy's not knowing what to expect or what the menu was like. Sat at the bar since they were quite busy and haven't had a chance to clear a few tables. Restaurant reminds you of grandma's house, rustic, chic tables and chairs, mismatched dinnerwares and the whole ambiance playing "killin jive" from the 1940's. I wasn't born then but the whole vibe reminds you of that era that I only get a pleasure to watch on TV. Now for the food... Jonah's crab as you can expect was sweet and delicious but a pain to eat using your fighting tools however, the dip was heavenly. BF had the burger, he was surprised that you can't modify it, but thoroughly enjoyed how unique it was, I told him, the chef takes pride how he prepares his food, so you either take it as it is or get something else. Keep an open mind. And I had the overnight beef shank, wow, simple yet delicious, fork tender and luscious marrow. The celery and fennel salad added brightness to the dish and the blue cheese wasn't overwhelming. And I don't like blue cheese and this creativity made me wanting it more. The dish isn't a huge portion, but surprisingly it got me full that I left a few bites of the beef and the salad. For drinks, I had the Rosé and he had the New England India pale ale, light and bubbly. Service was okay, a little slow in the beginning and as the night went on, our server became friendlier. read more

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First and foremost, the stars are for the staff, they are hustlers! How incredibly hard they were working wasn't just visual, it was palpable. They had received a recognition from the NYT's so we knew they'd be slammed so gave them grace on the long wait to order (20m) , drinks and apps another 30 total. I order the crab and my husband ordered the sword fish and therein lie our misunderstanding of what gets you on the NYT's in 2025. At 49, I'm well aware I don't know what's cool or "in" but I do know what one expects for a dinner entree at an "elevated" restaurant and 3 oz. Or less of anorexic sword fish or some pickled type green beans and a 1/3 of a cup of crab mixed with a slaw on top of toast is not it. Brunch maybe. Not dinner. You may ask why didn't we order something else... bc I took umbrage with a $48 chicken leg .... And the like in the menu. I will gladly pay out the nose for a quality meal not using spare parts (I cook with thighs at home,, they're flavorful but not for certain venues.) Nothing seemed dinner worthy so I thought it was the least of the evils and tried to remain cautiously optimistic. Sammy brought the entrees himself and looked so happy , I couldn't bring myself to say anything about the underwhelming food portion , composition and flavor. The atmosphere was lacking and, well , nothing but dust collectors and dieing plants that people had to back into their branches when trying to get up. The wait to pay became even longer then to order and I knew they needed the table so I went to the front to pay where I could clearly see the kitchen and was nauseated to see food being prepped and plated (that was not to be cooked) with bare hands, no gloves. No more NYT recommendations for me, I'll stick to Michelin, Beard and my own judgement read more

Ignore the bad reviews, the food is excellent and that's what matters. We had a great meal, love the focus on local fresh food. I'll say the service was quite slow but they were busy on a Friday night so I'll overlook it. Just wish the waiter checked in on us occasionally. The broccolini with hen of the woods was excellent, cod was cooked perfectly. I'm excited to go back when they have foraged mushrooms on the menu because some of those specials looked incredible. read more

Ok, so it was my friend's birthday and she coordinated to get us a table for 13. That could have been a chaotic mess -- but they made it so smooth and delightful. Even accommodating a last minute reveal of a dietary restriction! (Sorry about that!) Adorable and cozy interior. Top notch service with spot on recommendations for wine. We basically ate everything on the menu and it was all so delicious, it's hard for me to pull out favorites but the smoked haddock was a standout as was the burger. Coming from D.C., I get a ton of top notch food experiences, but rarely have I felt so comfortable and at home while getting great food. Loved this place! read more

Sammy's was incredibly disappointing. From the service to the food, it was awful. We should have believed the negative reviews but since someone on reddit raved about the burger we thought we'd give it a try, and drove an hour and a half from our home to eat an amazing burger. Oops. I won't detail the awful lackluster service. We were there for the burger. We didn't read the fine print, which explains they serve burgers their way (rare) so don't ask for it to be cooked any other way. Made the mistake of asking for medium rare. The server said no requests allowed but we let her know it was for health reasons. She said she would go and ask the chef if it was okay for us to order it this way and returned to let us know he had agreed. Burger arrived very red/rare and not realizing the chef was passive aggressive we sent it back to get cooked more. It came back overcooked and tough as shoe leather. read more

The food was good. The service was kind but slow. Just know that the seating can be cramped for parties under four.

The likelihood of finding a 5 Star restaurant in a one street small town like Rockland, Maine is a hundred to one shot (maybe more). But low and behold when you least expect a sleeper like Sammy's Deluxe Restaurant jumps up and bites you in the butt! This local restaurant was so damn good that it had my party of eight last night (all) rolling our eyes and saying "what the hell"? * Sammy's is known for their cheeseburger and three of us jump all over this one. It was this gooey oozing beautiful mess of a sandwich that hits you hard with flavor, texture and image. This one item was ridiculously good and unique. This was the first cheeseburger in my life I actually ate with a spoon. I know that sounds crazy, but it was true! I absolutely loved my choice * Chickpeas and Broccolini Marinated - with spicy preserved eggplant condiment and herbs * Cold and Refreshing Cabbage Noodles - sweet and tender Second Frost Farm magic cabbage, both raw and grilled with chewy noodles in preserved ramp and soy broth * Halibut Ceviche Tostada - Fresh tostada with classic halibut ceviche, green garlic, jalapeno, carrot, radish, cucumber, cilantro and lime * Brown Bread - Ye olde New England style, baked in a can - Two slices with butter * Chicken leg in Black Trumpet Gravy - braised chicken leg, smothered and covered in black trumpet mushroom gravy with snap peas and herbs on toast * Strawberry Granita w/Cream & Italian Ice * Black Locust Blossom Fritters - Doused in locust blossom honey syrup, Crisp, delicate, aromatic * Chocolate Mousse au Chocolat Everything above was Top Notch! Sammy's Deluxe was by far our best meal we've had on our 2 week romp through Maine. I mean all of our restaurant picks this vacation were sensational, but Sammy's was (just) a touch above the rest! read more

Sammy's Deluxe - Sammy's Deluxe - American Near Me - Rockland, Maine

We researched a good place to eat and found Sammy's highly recommended, including being listed as one of the top 10 restaurants in Maine by Down East magazine. But we were disappointed. The vibe when we walked in was warm and inviting. It was cold outside, and the flickering candles and mismatched tables and chairs (and lots of plants) made us happy. The waitress wasn't the most welcoming, and scanning the qr code for the menu was different, but we were ok. We ordered the Scallop Aguachile Negro, Cheeseburger, and Braised Overnight Beef Shank & Polenta. The scallop dish (more like an onion-beet salad) had flavor from cilantro and a bit of soy sauce, but so little scallop chopped up that we are wondering if there was even one whole scallop in it? And the flavors just weren't rounded out. For $17 we felt let down. We decided to order the bread, just to make the course more satisfying. It came after we were done with the scallop, and it was very delicious: one slice cut in half, toasted just right, but with barely enough butter for us each to cover our half. I just can't quite get over paying $3.50 for one slice of bread. The burger was wonderful. Lots of warm oozy sauce, very delicious. It came with a whole pickle on the plate, which was actually inedible to both of us. At $19, the cheeseburger, with nothing else on the plate but a pickle (and a bad one at that), seems unreasonable. The braised beef shank was ok, but I requested salt and pepper (something I rarely do) because it was bland. Very little polenta, even though I expected the bottom of the dish to be filled with it. Again, a disappointing portion for $31. I wanted to love this place, and while I'd like to give it another shot, I don't think we'll drive the 50 minutes to do so again. Clearly people love Sammy's, and we're happy for them. But for us, the portions and flavors were lacking and the prices high for what we got. read more

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Doesn't match up to the hype. $20 burger that was small and overcooked. The owner seemed uninterested in making things right.

A meal at Sammy's Deluxe is a highly curated, thoughtful experience from a culinary master who's obviously developed a compelling point of view after years of honing his craft. Extremely limited menu of purposeful dishes sourced from Maine's amazing bounty. Fresh from the sea cod. Pork that may be an afterthought for most but may be the star of this menu. Even comforting fettucine alfredo festooned with hen of the wood mushrooms that went way beyond the standard chicken. The "world famous" smoked haddock nuggets reminded me of the smoked sable one wouldat the best Jewish delis. And a wine and beer menu that's obviously been given a thought. So much to like about this place - booked it for three nights of my one week stay after it was named a 2025 New York Times Best Places to eat last month and didn't regret my first meal in any way. Likely buckling a bit under the weight of such a prestigious honor, so try not to channel your inner "Karen" - don't try and alter the ingredients (in fact you won't have the edacity to even think of it if you read the cleverly written description of the burger!) Just trust the world class creative professional who's brining the highest standards to neighborhood eating. He obviously knows what he's doing and if you follow his lead, it's a good bet you'll be rewarded with one of the best meals you've had in a while. A restaurant any place would be happy to call its own, I imagine Sammy's will still be killing it long after the recent accolades fade (and new ones come their way.) A shouldn't miss spot - go without hesitation, trust without question. A true gem the locals should be wild about. read more

Amazing food, great owner and staff. . Just a fantastic place to go to and relax and enjoy a good meal with friends

I really liked Sammy's Deluxe. It's a great setting inside with well spaced tables and an eclectic mix of furniture and furnishings. The menu is unfussy but still refined, picking out great local and seasonal flavors from the region. The highlight was an exceptional halibut filet served in a light broth with seasonal vegetables including green garlic. It tasted of a warm summer evening in a coastal part of Maine. Other highlights included the smoked haddock starter which was really simple and rustic but perfectly balanced. Great drinks selection and well closed wines, beers and cocktails. Outdoor seating is available at a couple of pic pic tables but they're pretty close to the road. read more

Food here was amazing. Service was also top notch! We recd a little intel from a frequent diner on the haddock snack and the chocolate dessert. We opted to try the melon/smoked eel soup, the haddock snacks, marinated muscles and 1/2 dozen of oysters. It all fit the bill perfectly. We added 2 orders of bread/butter too. To finish things off my buddy had cheesecake w/blueberries. You know when you're on vacation and fubble around trying to decide where to dine and you read reviews etc some good/some no so. We elected Sammy's simply because it felt fresh and unknown and it was perfect!! read more

Food was relatively unflavored and lacked taste. Tried going back a second time and had a similar experience. Just not impressed despite some rave reviews. Very disappointing. Service was pleasant but slow and inattentive. Not sure it's worth a third attempt. read more

We mentioned to a few people that we were headed to Rockland for a short weekend getaway and everyone mentioned stopping at Sammys! We were thrilled to arrive on a Thursday night around 730 and it wasn't too busy. The vibe was very laid back and friendly. We cozied up to the bar and got into it. The wine list is very unique and fun - so i was excited to try something new. The beer options weren't extensive but there was definitely something for everyone. We ordered the "chicken" of the woods (fried mushrooms) and they LITERALLY tasted like chicken tenders. Idk what voodoo is going on in the back but holy smokes they were good. Speaking of smokes - the smoked haddock snacks served with onions, saltines and mustard were also a 10. The fish was perfectly smoked and the accoutrements were a great pairing. The burger needs no further promotion - but I'll tell you anyway, get it or you'll regret it. My steak was a tiny bit chewy, but it was cooked perfectly. The grains and mushrooms on the side were delicious! The chocolate mousse was everything we needed to cap off a wonderful and tasty evening. I would definitely recommend stopping in when you're in town! read more

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Mocktails option isn't long but the option they had was good. Vibe a little mix between quirky wine bar, classier open mic night, and gourmet grocery store. Looks like menu changes regularly. Every item was a real win tonight. Smoked swordfish was a satisfying start with crisp toast underneath the soft swordfish and the most perfectly ripe tomato (form, juicy, sweet with a little acid, not mealy). Haddock with onions, mustard and saltiness were a great idea and not in thinking of getting back into various smoked fish options at the dinner table. Baby gems were solid. Cucumber soup was something I ordered with both skepticism and curiosity given the choice to mix with buttermilk. Turned out to be just the right edge for something refreshing. Crunchy, slight vinegar with the savory. Strawberry granita was the perfect summer ending. read more

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I dunno. I was prepared to love this place and frankly, didn't. Oh, don't get me wrong, the food was fine (as long as you like hand-foraged, stinging nettle and Japanese hogwort pesto over poached finger of heirloom acorns) and are content to choose from three or four chef-approved batched cocktails. (No dry martini for you, miss.) The service was nice and the atmosphere shabby chic complete with mismatched china and flatware and overgrown houseplants in lieu of fresh flowers. The chef/owner, a fellow with a strong reputation for creative and locally influenced cuisine is, err, a bit brusque, but he's got a strong following, and probably for good reason. I'll go back to Sammy's with an open mind but I hope there will be something on the menu to more closely match what I like to eat. (And drink.) read more

Seriously dreadful from the start. Arrived on time for an 8pm res...no staff to greet. Waited 25 mins for a table, another 15 mins for a server...but only after asking to order. Service indifferent...basically non-existent. Ordered 3 apps...lentils with beans = watery and tasteless; chilled pea soup = watery and tasteless; haddock "snack" = the saltines were tasty, the rest a watery mess. Shared the pork main...totally hammered...that poor pig...between 2 diners, couldn't finish it (read: near-inedible). Was the most unbelievable experience, and not in a good way. Avoid at all costs...which was a lot. read more

Offensive on every level. Recommended by a local, so we had high hopes. We called ahead, as we didn't have a reservation, and were told enthusiastically to come on down. Sadly, we arrived, stood in the waiting area, but were never acknowledged. Finally, walked up to the bar and one of the servers gave us a huge eyeroll, but found us a table. The service was arrogant, slow, and condescending. A duo of morose, pale, and unenthusiastic young women peddling Sammy's "take it or leave it" ethos. No horseradish allowed for the oysters. Just an heavy serving of seawater and lemon. A substantial basin of watery lentil slurry underneath the cold lentil/frisee salad. The burger had a genuinely delicious flavor, but the meat was fully raw, and the house made pickle was not edible. The description of the burger (a rambling directive for no substitutions) was a huge turn off. I left a huge portion behind but wasn't asked about this. The $3.50 slice of bread was the best part. Sammy's seems to cater to locals and lacks any semblance of true hospitality. It's been around for a while now and you'd think they'd consider fixing the drop ceiling, which feels more run-down that kitsch. At the end of the meal, the server dropped the check without making eye contact or a thank you. Sammy appears interested in educating people on what to like, and doesn't take feedback, or care about a paying customer's experience. I didn't learn any lessons, other than oysters are always better with horseradish, and I am entitled not to feel bad about it. A playground for Sammy's narcissism and hipster locals with presumably large bank accounts. Just no. read more

My husband and teenager arrived for dinner on a Wednesday because the power was out in the Port Clyde area, where we stayed. We put our names on the list and were told it wouldn't be long. I couldn't get an estimate for what that meant, even though I asked. It turned out to be over half an hour. The place is tiny, with only about half a dozen tables. We ordered drinks while we waited, and the bartender forgot to make them until my husband finally asked for them about 20 minutes later. The menu we were given was for the restaurant that previously occupied the space, with a QR code for Sammy's menu. The food took awhile, but it was decent. Portions are quite small by American standards. My husband had one chicken leg with rice. My teenager felt that all the ingredients in her burger were very fresh/homemade- no American cheese there. My vegan pasta was also made with very fresh vegetables, but it needed more flavor. Probably wouldn't go back. There are several other restaurants in Rockland that seem better, if you can get in. read more

Wow! Such unusual combinations and local takes on many international dishes make this place special! The simple Mayan dish of "papadzules" from the Yucatan got a bump up with local crab meat, and it went beautifully with a mezcal margarita. Thoughtfully crafted cocktails and dishes in a calm, inviting space?? Sign me up for more from this chef! read more

I'm not sure how any establishment, especially one of this caliber, is managing in-house diners, take-out guests (who can sit at the picnic tables around the corner), and pick-up orders. I do know that entering Sammy's, one is greeted with enthusiasm, regardless of the pressure that the staff is under to serve so many people hungry for food and some feeling of normalcy in this otherwise very not normal world. The cocktails are fantastic, each course of the evening worth the wait (don't sleep on the wedge salad), and the vibe both deluxe and casual -- a perfect combination. An open kitchen is not an invitation to offer feedback when the staff is clearly busting their collective hump to put out such great food. And to make demands of and threats to wait staff, runners, cooks, chefs, or owners right now is just plain ridiculous. Anyone who does so, and perhaps says something like, "I'm going to leave you a nasty review" shouldn't be surprised when an already pressed owner has a similar retort. In this time, when restaurants are trying to get out from under seasons of despair, the customer is not always right. But Sammy's is. Go with an open heart and a patient palate and a positive attitude and all goodness will come to you! read more

I love Rockland, and I love trying new places, so without much research, I popped into Sammy's, not really knowing what to expect. The dining area is spacious, the decor a little hipster, a little artsy (appropriate for Rockland). Staff were friendly and attentive. Sadly, they were out of the periwinkle, which I really wanted to try. I ordered the spring risotto and was not disappointed. Advertised with asparagus, greens, herbs, ramps, and green garlic, imagine my utter delight to find a Maine delicacy hidden in the creamy grains: fiddleheads! I devoured the bowl. It was creamy, but had a bright green freshness from the herbs, and in the background, some spice. The vegetables were cooked perfectly. I was a little sad when it was gone. I would love to come here again and try the periwinkle appetizer, and some of the other menu options. read more

Sammy's Deluxe - Spring risotto! - American Near Me - Rockland, Maine

My boyfriend and I went here out of curiosity. Don't get me wrong, the atmosphere was lovely, but we thought the QR code menus were a bit pretentious. Everything was fine, but we ended up not liking the food. I ended up not tipping because of these facts. It's important to note, however, that we were the first customers inside, the first to be seated and the first to leave. By the time we left, the restaurant had already begun to fill up. After my boyfriend and I left, we turned the corner and got into the car and saw our waiter approach us. He decided to give us an ethics lecture because I didn't tip that day. It seemed like he was the only waiter on the floor, and he thought it would be a good idea to leave the building to follow us around the corner to lecture us. Of course, wait staff deserve better pay and tipping is very helpful for them, but there are socially acceptable reasons not to tip. We were the first to enter, the first to be seated, and the first to leave. We didn't like the food, and the place was filling up with people when we left. The single waiter left his customers to walk out and around the corner to berate some customers because he didn't get tipped. Won't be coming here again. read more

Really poor attitude from the owner and his staff. And the food is just nothing special, overpriced.

We waited for over an hour for our food and the staff was very very rude. Mediocre food with horrible service. Save your money and go anywhere else. read more

The food was absolutely amazing! So fresh, delicious and creative. I wish we lived in Rockland so we could eat here every week.

I give 5 stars for Sammy's food and 3 starts for attitude, which comes out to a very solid 4 stars and keeps me coming back again and again. I love that they use foraged foods in their drinks and dishes. Past favorites include the fried chicken of the woods sandwich, pickles, smoked haddock snacks, bread, and their magnificent cheeseburger. Recent favorites include the fish stew with John Dory, fennel, and new potatoes. I definitely recommend going, but I also recommend knowing in advance that if you're not a certain (age, alcohol-drinking, and potentially gender) demographic, you might be treated with patronizing disdain. It doesn't stop me from going back and back; it just stops me from expecting a five star experience. read more

We ate at Sammy's Deluxe last night and it was understated perfection. The space is cozy, warm, relaxed and calm. The service was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable without being intrusive. And the food was exceptional! We've tried all of the amazing restaurants in mid-coast Maine and Sammy's is by far one of the very best. read more

Very disappointed. One hour 15 mins to get our food. Waitress was rude and not accommodating. $3.00 up-charge if you want your burger NOT pink. I got the $35.00 halibut, mistake! It was sitting it a vat of what tasted like sour milk! We'll never go back. read more

Absolutely fresh and beautifully cooked food here in a warm welcoming atmosphere. I enjoyed the "chicken of the woods" on fresh corn/leek succotash- very difficult to do well: this was succulent, with a delicious crust and tender interior, moist, flavorful and a good hefty portion. The bread was exquisite, too. Kind and warm service. Unforgettable. I can't recall a better dinner in recent memory! read more

Incredible burger. At first I thought that $16 was a bit much, but it was good grass fed beef. The servers were attentive and the music was on point, too. Not crowded or too touristy. Cocktail list looked well rounded. I had the bread and butter appetizer and thought it was tasty. The burger cooked pink was perfect. I would go with the salad bc the chips are basically just wavy lays. Sammy owns the place, cooks the food, and hand delivers it to the tables. All around: high quality without being pretentious. read more

Sammy's Deluxe - American Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Our evening started with drinks at a friend's house, before we knew it it was getting late and we were hungry. Our friend recommended a different restaurant but when we got there they informed us their kitchen was closed. We looked down the street and saw Sammys Deluxe. Being hungry we said why not try this place without even knowing what they served. Upon entering we were told by the hostess that she wasn't sure their kitchen was still open either but that she would check. We could see into the kitchen and it appeared they were cleaning up for the night. Well the guy doing the cooking came out and asked us what we wanted, and assured us it would be no problem. we hadn't seen a menu yet and didnt want to take any longer where it was late so i said "throw whateverleftovers you have on a plate and we will be happy" he said "how about some cheeseburgers ?" We said that would be awesome and sat down at the bar. We watched him cook them and when they were finished he served them on a plate with a lone pickle on the side. They had onions perfectly cooked, cheese perfectly melted, and some kind of dressing that I couldn't identify. Easily one of the best burgers I've had in my life. The place had a great atmosphere with old timey sounding music, good food, good beer, and friendly staff. Couldn't recommend it more. read more

Wonderful food! Don't miss the smoked haddock sampler or the Maine Peeper Beer - very fresh! The Cheeseburger is the best we ever had and has an amazingly tasty sauce. All food is local and home cooked. Tasty, tasty, enjoy read more

It's ok. Some dishes come cold. A bit overpriced for what you get. Waitress had no class nor interest in doing a good job. We liked the owner though. read more

We had a party of 12, and the staff took excellent care of us. We started with the crusty warm bread, as many us were famished after a long day of traveling. We followed with the luscious smoked haddock, pickle assortment, crab claws and ratatouille, all wonderfully prepared. Entrees were all deemed excellent by the assembled diners, a great flavorful burger (non-greasy!), chicken, skate and pasta dishes were the highlights. Thanks to everyone at Sammy's that made this such a wonderful repast, and especially Taylor who was the epitome of graciousness and good humor. read more

Service provider was not helpful. Hamburger was cooked only the way the mgmt chose. For a more well cooked burger you had to pay an up charge of $3. This is a rip off at $22 for a sleezy restaurant. Health dept should check our kitchen cleanliness. We'll never return. There are better places to eat in the great city of Rockland. it's a disgrace to the city. read more

Such a wonderful atmosphere and ambiance. The food was fresh and delicious. I had the burger and fried mushrooms which were both amazing. I can't wait to go back! read more

Amazing experience there: Negroni cocktail / oysters / wedge salad/ chicken / steak / rigatoni / pickles were all delicious. The chef forages the good and local products. This is real cuisine. The service is also very good. We felt cozy and welcome. Had a great time. Good wines from Italy and France. The cheesecake is really worth tasting ! We will come back for sure ! read more