You will pay for the atmosphere and not the quality of the food. Went there on pork rib night and the food was very bland --pretty much no flavor. Similar to school cafeteria food. read more

We figured we had to eat somewhere before heading south back to SF after a week long camping trip up in Klamath, CA so why not here? Last year we came for breakfast, but today it was for lunch since we arrived at 11:30 a.m. The entree was pork loin and stuffing; mashed potatoes and gravy; chicken noodle soup; green salad with choice of dressing; three bean salad; peas with sliced white onions (veggie); homemade bread; and chocolate brownie for dessert and choice of coffee, ice tea or hot tea, all for $12.95. And 10% discount if 60 or older. We prefer our pork be cooked somewhat pink, so it was a bit dry, but still good. Guess that's what the rosemary gravy was for. Love that homemade bread. You can buy a loaf to go for $4.95. Sure it's white bread; but it's so soft and yummy. Portion sizes are very fair, and you can request more of what you really like since it's all you can eat. Food is brought to you at the long banquet table. Carafe of coffee and a pitcher of water. A tab is brought to you. Walk up to the front counter to pay, and you can leave your tip up there too. Each server has a tip cup up by the cash register. read more

Samoa Cookhouse is a little off the beaten track but if you are visiting Humboldt county, it's a gem that's needs to be visited. It had a museum showcasing the old logging days and beautiful redwoods/sequoias. They only serve one thing for each meal each day, family style; but you can have as much as you want. If you want comfort food this is the place to go! Highly recommend! read more

Family recommended we pay this restaurant a visit for breakfast. Very cool and unique experience. The menu is pre-determined and you come in and get whatever they are serving for the day. They provide long picnic like tables where parties will often sit together. Services was very friendly and food was very good. We really enjoyed this place. They even have a little history museum on logging industry back in the early century. Side note: Waiter was a bit unkept and should have wiped the gobs of sweat dripping from his brow before serving food. He was smiling tho! read more

-=NOTE: The following review is of the *family* experience=- Great food for a great price with friendly service who will keep your plates and glasses full until you're ready to go. I went for the french toast family breakfast with a work group and was given all the french toast and sausage I could eat. I believe there was also biscuits and gravy, and I know there were eggs (I'm not a fan of eggs or gravy - surprising I know - but there was at least some variety) The french toast was absolutely fantastic and if you have a large party of 8+ people, going here as a group is a must. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to plan a group outing to have an excuse to go back! read more

The best experience! Imagine eating like a logger in the 19th century. The food was homey, like that from gramma's kitchen, and very plentiful. There is one choice, just like the loggers would have had, that rotates each meal and day. You are seated at long community tables and served by one awesome server. If you are looking for a cookie cutter restaurant, then Samoa Cookhouse may not be for you. If you are looking for an experience then you will enjoy. read more

Samoa Cookhouse - Samoa Cookhouse - American Near Me - Samoa, California

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The bf and I came across this place on our trip to visit the mighty, majestic redwoods. The location is kinda out there, but you can't miss the HUGE "Cookhouse" signs, pointing you in the right direction. There's ample parking and once you've entered the log-house restaurant, you face a whiteboard that tells you what's on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The pricing is great, whether you're a kid or an adult (view pictures for prices). It's a very home-style, community atmosphere when you dine. You sit at a rectangular bench with others and wait for the waitress to get your order. That day we had link sausages, eggs and lumberjack french toast. We also tried the biscuits and gravy...the gravy I didn't care for too much, for it tasted rather bland. The food comes quick and comes in an abundance! Service is great, our waitress kept asking us if we needed re-fills on any of our plates. A great place to take the family as well, there's even a museum in the back for a quick education lesson! read more

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Every time I have visited this area, I always stop by here. I have never ate a restaurant like this one before. It is set up like a picnic area inside and you don't get a classic menu to choose from because you eat what they are serving that day. I have never ate something that I didn't like here. Its pretty unique. read more

I rarely review anything, but this was the worst dining experience we've ever had. We took our family of six expecting an experience similar to those we'd had in years past. We waited over an hour and a half to be seated when the dining room was practically empty. When we were finally seated the bread was cold and hard, we had no butter, no jam, and no water. We were eventually served salad and soup and then were completely forgotten. We left after almost three hours having never been served dinner. The couple next to us left before being served dessert. Two people warned us on their way out as we waited, but we didn't listen. Sadly, this was the last time we will eat at the Samoa cookhouse. read more

Breakfast for two included two pieces of French toast, 4 sausage links, and a small bowl of eggs that we split. I thought it was my breakfast but that was all that was brought out. Ask for a second serving that took 35 minutes. Cost $34. Should have eaten at home. Absolute waste of my money. read more

A sweet, family style restaurant that could double as a museum with warm, friendly staff to match.. Came here for breakfast on a crisp, cloudy winter morning ready to eat! The menu is set for each meal & posted on the wall before you walk in. Today's breakfast: biscuits & gravy, eggs, sausage, house potatoes & 2 slices of toast (of what looks & tastes like fresh made bread!) & of course, OJ (we brought our own hot sauce & chatted with the host about it :) )The food was simple, hearty & a good way to start a day of hiking. Our favorites were the house potatoes - thin sliced potatoes, skin on that seem steam fried & the sausage - quality meat with a lighter taste. The staff were all awesome & gave us some good recommendations, which we took. Definitely a place I'll eat at again. read more

Samoa Cookhouse - Biscuits & gravy (already eaten), sausage, house potatoes, eggs, sliced toast & OJ. YES. - American Near Me - Samoa, California

This is a great place for evrryone from couples passing through town looking for a unique experience to very large groups for brunch. The eggs suck, they are really bad. The eggs are so horrible that's why I give it 4 stars. This is a really cool historical all you can eat place. I've been here 40 or so times just skip the eggs. read more

When walking in and letting them know we where a group of 25 the server had a complete meltdown and told me we should of called. Now the place was empty and I think we ended up being a big part of their lunch income. Next family reunion we will find somewhere else to celebrate. The food was okay, but not great. The one server continued to have an attitude the whole time we where there. When your income is not dependent on a tip you don't have to worry about your owners profit. read more

Fail, Waitress was very confused. Don't she knew where she was. I had to ask for more bread. It came after the 4th time asking. The food was meh. Waitress didn't really care about service. Very fake. Wouldn't come back. read more

Really loved this place in the past, that's why I didn't rate less. Maybe it's COVID related. Breakfast was a sub-par experience. Not worth the drive. I don't know if it's new management or... read more

We have been coming here for over 30 years. Our visit last night Sunday was very disappointed. We had called in to see what was being served and was told Roast Beef We traveled 4 hours to get there to find they were serving fried chicken,potatoes salad,veggies also the soup salad and bread. First things first...the bowl plate and cup they gave me were dirty! Still had food on it!! Had small salad asked for more and was told they were out. That was the first ever. The chicken was overcooked and dry. When we asked about dessert..she said brownies. Then came out with a cup of choc. pudding that looked like it was just thrown together with good sized lumps throughout it. Paying over $18 for dinner I would think there needs to many issues addressed to get back to the way it used to be ran. Like I said my family held Samoa as one of our favorite places to eat in the past for many years, but now after that disaster we probably will make a different choice where to eat. Dirty dishes!!! read more

The billboards and ads in the local newspaper brought me here, but the food will make sure I never return. The concept is cool, there is a museum in the back and meals are served family style with long tables where you are seated with strangers. However, locals don't eat here so when I came, there was only 2 families...and they were tourists as well. I came for lunch, paid around 20 bucks for frozen style food. STICK TO DOWNTOWN FOR BETTER FOOD! The salad was basically cheap bagged salad and ranch you can get at Costco for $2 The vegetable soup tasted like canned Campbell soup. The meat was dry and dessert was caked that tasted like it was from a box. The only thing I would buy here is the bread...that I admit is really good! Save your money and go somewhere else, it is not worth the hype. I spoke to some locals in town and many of them laughed at me falling for the tourist trap. read more

Right out of the 1950's. Great food, as much as you can eat, amazing friendly service and even nice music.

I'll flesh this one out when I get back home, but for now let's just say I'm having trouble fitting my pants. Pictures and details forthcoming. I'M BACK (April 3, 2007) The food snob in me screams in horror everytime I think of this restaurant. Then I just pretend I'm 8 years old again and I can eat anything I want. That's what this food is like. There is no menu; breakfast is usually eggs, pancakes, french toast, or something like that, while dinner is chicken fried steak, fried chicken, and other EAT ME type munchables. My waistline also trembles in fear when it senses the Cookhouse coming near. It's probably because the CHEAP BASTARD part of my personality absolutely insists that I get my money's worth by eating as much as humanly possible. I took a picture of all three plates of food that I ate so you can see what I do to myself to save a buck! read more

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First time here. Really impressed...great food and awesome service. The staff actually were upbeat and enjoyed working there. Went for dinner and we will be back anytime we are in the area! read more

Samoa Cookhouse - American Near Me - Samoa, California

It is a Humboldt tradition and something every visitor should do. The food isn't great the service is chaotic but it is part of our history. It is a fun experience. read more

Sides and soup are okay, Beef brisket is as hard as an old gum and everybody that day had the same complaint. First time i have tried a brisket like that. Came from out of town and kinda disappointed with the food. I hope they do better before they get more negative reviews. read more

Came here to see one of the many things my parents used live among during their Humboldt State life 25 years ago. I'd say it was decent enough. The experience of it all was nice, and my friend and I enjoyed sitting at the indoor picnic tables. I guess customers just sit down and eat whatever they serve that day. Very friendly waiter, and there were many courses, even dessert. I wish, though, that the chef didn't change his mind and "Italianize" the food that day (was he bored?). It was all still swell, and I love Italian food. But, I was hoping for the usual, what they're famous for, since I'm not expecting to return anytime soon. One thing... Living out of the area, it certainly was a project to find! It was still worth it. read more

Samoa Cookhouse - The chef "Italianized" the meal this day. - American Near Me - Samoa, California

SO let's outline the reasons to eat breakfast here first. 1. French toast that is cooked to order, tasty sausages, and of course all you can eat. 2. The history of the area and the building is very interesting. Things that you should overlook and chuck up to ambiance when eating here 1. Coffee is weak, like water 2. Eggs are more like egg product than real eggs 3. Got to stir the pitcher of OJ to mix it up, like the OJ from the frozen cans in the past. If you are looking for a gourmet place for a meal, then don't go. If you go looking for a fun experience and get filled up for not a lot of money, then this place is for you. read more

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My parents and I have been coming to this place for years. When we had friends over from England we made sure to take them there. I also introduced my husband to Samoa Cookhouse. The food is always high quality. The price is great and I have always had good service. I have eaten both breakfast and dinner with both being equally good. I will continue to come back and do recommend it to friends heading to the Humbolt area. read more

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It's been two years since we were last there. But last time we loved our dinner, and the desert was to die for! We had chicken parmigiana and it was excellent!! It was the first night it was open since covid and we just happened to be passing thru town. However our dinner two days ago was quite different to say the least. Fried chicken dinner, it was terrible, first they only brought us 3 small pieces of chicken, it was over cooked with a terrible hard crust and the chicken was dry. 1 thigh and 2 wings. My husband said immediately you need to bring more, we got one more thigh. It was so dry I pulled off the crunchy crap to find about 2 small bites of over cooked chicken. The small amt of potatoes tasted ok with gravy, the veggies corn and peas were not fresh did not have any flavor, the bread was dried out badly around the edges and tasted stale, the soup hardly had any ingredients in it, mostly broth. Our server changed what type of soup we were getting 3 times. Will anyway could have done without it. The dressing for the salad was barely enough, the salad tasted ok. Anyway so lousy we wont be back!! This happened to me and my mom years ago and I swore I would not go back. I told my husband 2 years ago let's go back again it was so good. So they need to get better Cooks and recipes. That chicken sucked!!! To say the least! read more

I visited Samoa Cookhouse on a road trip with family. My Grandma had been there previously and couldn't wait to go again. Also, I had heard a lot of good things about it. I liked the way it looked on the outside and had high expectations. The first thing that I didn't like was the 'family style' seating and everyone having to eat the same thing. The people that came to sit at our table were very quiet and not friendly at all. The servers seemed like they were all in a hurry. They threw the salad on the table and ran. I didn't like most of the food they had to serve the day we went. The dessert was a very tiny piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting. It was the worst cake I've ever eaten. I took one bite and had to spit it out in my napkin. It was that bad! It was very dry. I felt like I had a mouthful of sawdust. If it had not been for the delicious Chicken Parmesan, I would have given 1 star. read more

Samoa Cookhouse - American Near Me - Samoa, California

Overall good food. I left completely stuffed! French toast was the best thing and they nail it! Sausage was also cooked perfectly. Eggs were meh as were the biscuits. But I'd go back. Service was great and museum was cool. read more

A fun place To eat! Food was great and reasonable. The staff was very good. A lot of history with a museum of old logging camp. Don't miss it! read more

Food and atmosphere is excellent. Staff is great, busy can become overwhelmed when busy. We're lucky to have such a cool, historic, and tasty place! read more

I have had both a dinner and a breakfast at the Samoa Cookhouse. I walked away from both meals feeling like I should be loading my bloated body into the seat of a big rig to carry on down the road. This is a place where large, strapping men with beards come to eat. They sit together, all plaid and denim, and get served giant portions at the long picnic style tables covered in gingham. Every lunch and dinner meal comes with bread, salad, soup, a vegetable, potatoes, an entree, and dessert. Breakfast meals consist of something like french toast or pancakes but also include biscuits and gravy and orange juice. Samoa cookhouse is a place you go to get fed hearty food with no frills and friendly service. The price is right for the amount of food you get and it is a very family friendly environment. The cookhouse is located in a tiny town called Samoa, right next to Eureka, California. I recommend, after gorging on a multi- course meal, heading over the sand dunes of Samoa to take in a lovely view of the California coast. read more

By far the best service I have ever had at a restaurant. We were trying to go to the museum but it ended up closed, so we ended up eating at the restaurant right next door . Little did we know that it also had a museum of their own with the most well mannered and most expeditious staff I have ever seen. The server Pam was just jamming left and right serving food and remembering every detail. She has such a pep in her step it's hard to miss. Such a kind-hearted lady - bless her heart. The museum they had was definitely a must-see, especially if the owner is there as he was very informative . I would highly recommend eating here . read more

Samoa Cookhouse - American Near Me - Samoa, California

Looks like it was a rough day for lunch. Tough meat, decent potatoes, fantastic white bread. read more

Samoa Cookhouse - American Near Me - Samoa, California

Well, it's probably our own fault for eating breakfast here. And for staying when we realized that the scrambled eggs were powdered. We ate here about 20 years ago with our kids and recalled it fondly. It is as others describe communal dining off of a fixed menu. That's fine as far as that goes. But when you're eating at a former logging Mill and expecting Hardy logger-sized breakfasts, you expect it to be homemade. And tasty. The food here wasn't bad but it sure wasn't great and it tasted mostly like something you would get at Denny's. On a bad day at Dennys.. And not for $13.50 a plate either. The ambience was nice....the wait staff fine (ours looked like she should be named Alice) but it wasn't anything special. Next time we'll go to downtown Arcata for breskfasy. At least they will have real scrambled eggs. Two stars....entirely for the setting. read more

You definitely gotta go here for the experience. There is no menu. Whatever they're cooking that day is what you eat. Want a tip? Come hungry! They bring out a full dinner. Bread, soup, salad, vegetables, baked potatoes, entree and dessert! They were serving tri-tip au jus and chicken fried steak. Both were fantastic. This food wasn't fancy, no over-the-top flavors to be had here, but when you're craving good, solid, comforting home-style food like Momma used to make it, this is your place. I wasn't a huge fan of the cafeteria-style seating with no tables for couples or small groups (you never know if you'll get seated next to McChattypants who smells like they just finished smoking a box of cheap cigars), but the overall experience was great. They also have a historic logging museum along with the restaurant. So if you're hankering for some good food while checking out a historic site, give the Samoa Cookhouse a shot. read more

SO DISAPPOINTING!!! After spending all day to drive there for dinner Fri night, we were seated alone, as were the several other guests who arrived after us): I would have liked to talk to someone new after spending all day in the car with my hubby! Dinner was meatloaf and mashed potatoes. A 2" square of pan meatloaf that was "blah" and COLD mashed potatoes. I asked to have the potatoes heated in a microwave and after walking around with my plate for a couple minutes, the server returned and offered to put my plate under the warmer for a few minutes. Frozen peas that were cooked to a crunch rounded out this unremarkable meal and dining experience. So not worth the time or money! read more

Very interesting. It was also fairly busy! We had breakfast. I would like to try a dinner.

This was just a perfect lunch. Simple menu - baked beans, brisket (some of the best I've ever had) tasty corn and a brownie. Generous portions and a fun historical environment. Friendly staff. read more

Unique experience. Good food. Recommend going because the place is over 100 years old and has a very rich history. Other than that, the food was ok. We had dinner. Based on the yelp reviews, I wish we had gone for dinner. The blue cheese dressing was soooooo good. I have no idea if it's good because it's good or just because I haven't had blue cheese in a long time and it tasted really good. The salad was your basic iceberg lettuce salad (which I love) so I was happy. The beef barley soup was good -- didn't taste canned. The roast pork was alright -- a little dry. The gravy was definitely canned and it was super salty. The chicken Parmesan was kind of gross but I ate it anyway. It didn't taste bad -- it just wasn't cooked appropriately. The breast was too thick, wasn't pan-fried at all in order to crisp up the coating, wasn't accompanied by a good amount of cheese or sauce. Edible but shouldn't have been called chick-parm. Roasted potatoes were really buttery. Green beams were fresh but totally plain. Spice cake was sort of floury. If I had it to do again, I would have opted against those calories ;-) That's it. read more

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This is my favorite place to eat in the area. I love the idea of family-style meals, and I really love how the menu changes daily, and you get what you get, and if you want more, you can have more, and if you don't want something, you don't have to have it. The service is always good. The food is always delicious. You can always count on having to wait on fried chicken night, which I think is both hilarious and amazing. I've eaten here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I've never had a bad meal once. I'll definitely continue to bring my out-of-town guests here as one of the Humboldt County highlights. read more