Great Greek food in large portions and not expensive (so a good value). Not a great atmosphere, and BYOB (with per person corkage fee) and CASH only is a bummer. Ok for an everyday meal, but not for a business dinner or special occasion. read more

I will echo everyone's sentiments- this place is fantastic. I've been to both Zorba and Ikaros in Greektown and this beats both by a mile. To start, the atmosphere is not pretentious at all and feels homey. My parents who are originally from Greece love coming here for great grilled octopus, lamb chops, and whole grilled fish. The moussaka is impressively similar to homemade. On one particular occasion, the special was lamb shank with orzo and I still dream about it. To complete the meal, you can't leave here without having TWO orders of loukoumades (honey dumplings)! No, I don't have diabeetus... yet. read more

Remains the standard for Greek cuisine in Baltimore. From fresh pita and sauces to mind blowing gyros and lamb chops. Only knock i have is that I brought some family here this past weekend for their first time. I had raved about Samos and their grilled calamari many times to them. We placed it as an app order, but what was brought out didn't reflect anything I've had there before. What used to be a generous portion of calamari grilled on a flat top to perfection and lightly coated with olive oil was now a mixed bag of a small portion of charred-burnt calamari/tomatoes/onions... couldn't eat it. That is my single knock. Perhaps chef had a bad night, but seeing just how different the dish was, i fear the recipe has changed. read more

CASH ONLY (they have ATM on premises) Awesome !!! This place is so awesome ! We had the lamb shank, lamb chops, gyro platter and combination platter... all amazing !! The spanakopita is ok so you can skip that one. The saganaki is really good, however no flame show by table, they bring it ready from kitchen, still very delicious and worth ordering !! read more

Samos Restaurant - Spanakopita and saganaki - Greek Near Me - Baltimore, Maryland

Found this place by Googleing "five star restaurants in Baltimore". Most were expensive old line places that I'd visited before on special occasions but weren't places I'd choose over and over. The review said "No credit cards and BYOB". I thought that was refreshing. So my wife & i went for linner (yes, linner) and loved it. My wife asked about the crab cakes. Tammy (our waitress) said "You don't want that here". We asked Tammy what we wanted and she didn't steer us wrong. Ask for Tammy for the best advice, you will not be disappointed. The fried zucchini and the shrimp & cheese pie were great appetizers. My wife had the lamb chops and the string beans. She said the lamb chops could be cut with a spoon - so tender. She talked about them for days. I had the gyro pita - it was the best I'd ever had and I've had many. LOTS of meat with really fresh tomatoes and seasoned perfectly. We went back for dinner a week later. Ordered the assorted spreads and pita and (of course) the fried zucchini as appetizers. All were perfect. She reordered her lamb chops and I got the same great gyro pita. It was as good the second time as the first. Brought a bottle of generic red wine to complete the dinner. We'll go back again soon. read more

This is the best Greek restaurant in Baltimore with a staff of loyal servers serving loyal customers tasty, zero-BS homey not-overhyped or overly-fancy food from the outlying islands of Greece. The gyro gets greek people to drive from DC, which is easy as it's just off 95 and 895. But the burgers and salads are great too. The more complex dishes like lamb shank are a better dish than any found at more expensive places in Baltimore. read more

I've tried to like other Greek places, but I just can't. It's like that badass boyfriend that you keep coming back to. That's Samos for you. The best Greek food in and around town. Everything is made fresh, it's a small, family owned restaurant. They also care about their community and employ people in the community. They donate food to local organizations and schools, which is awesome. Considering the fact that you can leave so full with an appetizer, drink and meal for 30 bucks for two, that's a deal! I love most of their appetizers from domaldes, to pies to their spreads. Their gyros are all delicious and so are their French fries. They also give you large cups to drink, so you don't need a million refills (take out cups are gargantuan and the eat in ones are still big). If you don't like sitting on top of one another, you might want take out. There are about a total of 10 tables in the place, so get there early or just get take out. Or you will wait. Take out is quick as ever- 10 minutes usually (depending on what you get). The waitresses are sometimes cordial and nice, and other times not. But that's part of the experience, and it's worth it for the food. Also, be sure to bring your dollar dollar bills y'all. They do not accept credit cards. They have an ATM machine in the back, but be prepared to pay an arm and a leg in fees. So just bring cash. But I swear, it's all worth it! read more

I have to give Samos 5 starts because its the best Greek/Mediterranean food I've ever had. Here's my quick rundown: Loved: Pita Bread: best pita bread I've ever eaten. I ate a ton of it and could have devoured more. Vegekabob with Chicken: Everything from the rice, chicken, and each veggie was just perfect. I ate every drop of food on my plate. Combination Platter: two of my dining guests ordered this and said it was incredible. It looked incredible. Lamb chops: My Dad ordered this and loved it. It looked delicious. Grilled Calamari: I don't eat calamari (its a texture thing) but my three companions were thrilled with it. Huge glasses of water Homemade salad dressing in a wine bottle Liked: The atmosphere was fun and perfect for a family dining with a baby. It gets cramped and sitting by the door gets drafty with all of the foot traffic. Large Garden salad: fresh and definitely large. Greek salad: it was described as ok, just plain. Dip sampler: hummus was ok. I loved the eggplant, but my husband wasn't impressed. The taziki was bland and none of us really liked it. Room for Improvement: A baby changing station in the bathroom would have been nice. The waitresses are very nice and work so hard, but service was a little slow at times. This was a great dining experience. It wasn't perfect, but hit the right notes where it counts. We will be back! Mmmmmm Pita! read more

I have been going here since I was in high school and loved it ever since! Delicious food at a good price. Portions are a good size, ingredients are fresh. Larger menu then the island grills. Small place so not ideal for parties over 4 or so. The restaurant is CASH ONLY and BYOB. $3 ice teas or homemade lemonades are huge! Great with lunch. Servers have been there forever and really adds charm to see the same faces. Family owned. #shoplocal #baltimore #greekfood read more

The food at Samos is not authentic Greek food! It's some version of americanized Greek fare, that is just unappetizing, not fresh and really expensive - and cash only. The reviewers who give this place more than 2 stars have obviously never left Baltimore, let alone ever been to Greece, so their baseline is probably other "Greek" restaurants in Baltimore, which are all terrible. Everything that we had at that place was bad - gyros, Greek salad, souvlaki, baklava, etc. Flavorless, cooked with cheap olive oil and stale ingredients. Do yourself a favor and take a trip down to Vienna, VA and go to Plaka grill that is owned by an actual Greek. read more

OMG! I LOVE SAMOS! This place has completely ruined me for any other Greek restaurant I will ever visit. When I lived in the fine city of Bawl-mer I would visit this place at least once a month. Now for some info to make your visit go a bit more smoothly: #1--its cash only. You don't need a fat wad of bills since the prices are reasonable, and there's an ATM near the bathrooms, but bring some cash (I just wanted to warn you ahead of time). #2--its BYOB. Stop by your local liquor store and grab a bottle (or 2) #3--people know about this restaurant. It gets PACKED and they don't do reservations. First time I came here was at 7pm on a Saturday, and I waited 2 hours for a table. 12-1 is busy for lunch as well. If you don't mind waiting, then disregard this, otherwise show up around 1130 for lunch and for an early or late dinner and you'll be fine. #4--the owners close the place up for 2 weeks in the summer for vacation. If its July-August call ahead to make sure they are opened. Also they are closed Sundays. $5--This is a Greek restaurant. They do Greek food very well. They offer other items including pizza, but steer clear. If you want pizza head somewhere else. On to the meal! I'm drooling just writing about this. I would usually go here for lunch, and honestly with the size of the dinner portions, you should consider splitting the platters (they are HUGE). My personal favorites include the Greek salad and the chicken souvlaki. The salad is just your basic Greek salad, lettuce, tomato, onion, feta, and anchovies. The real magic is the dressing though...I have no clue what they use, but I could almost drink the stuff. If you're smart order some extra pita to help clean up the dressing. The hummus and tzatziki make great appetizer choices, and they come with more of the phenomenal pita. The calamari is good as well. For the main course, I always get either the souvlakis or the gyros. They are always very delicious, and have to be tasted to be believed. I really wish I could comment on the deserts, but by the time I'm done with my main course, I'm too full to try any. Over 50 visits and I've never had desert here. I guess I need to lay off all the extra pita dipped in salad dressing! read more

Referring to the Samos at Caton Shopping Center. The Neptune salad is awesome. The staff are Cordial and display real smiles as they always greet me. read more

I mean, there's really nothing much to say about this place that hasn't already been said. Ever since we moved near the area, we have gone almost every weekend and any time guests are over. A long time favorite since college, this place has never failed to impress. For the price and quality, Samos deserves more than 5 stars. This place has never failed me and I will always and forever love this place. Their platter portions are huge and their wraps are always filling. I usually get the gyros or lamb slouvaki with all the fixings. Also, their salad and dressing is to die for. I could probably have a whole gallon of that dressing. So delicious. My friend even named one of these barn cats she found, Samos. It's that good, folks. read more

This restaurant is better than its neighbor Ikaros; however, you need to have a lot more patience. One of the coolest aspects of the restaurant is also its downfall - the size. Unfortunately, Samos doesn't take reservations, you will need to wait at least 45 minutes to dine there, and they only accept cash so come prepared. Luckily, your patience will be rewarded. Their Greek salad with blocks of feta, slivers of anchovies and homemade dill dressing is just amazing. I always order the whole sea bass which comes with roasted potatoes and other vegetables. The sea bass is broiled until charred and then garnished with EVOO and parsley - adding lemon and salt just take it over the top. The braised lamb roulade is also incredible. It literally breaks apart on your fork and comes served in a sumptuous sauce. The gyros are the cheapest alternative on the menu, although nothing on the menu is expensive. The gyros are really good too but I would recommend you to try something more adventurous. The pita bread that they bring throughout the meal is not only delicious but is the perfect accompaniment with the salad or to sop up the rest of the sauce from your dish. Samos is also BYOB, but they will assess a corking fee. Wait times for food are a bit long but when you see the size of the kitchen and the amount of clientele you will understand. Just writing this review is conjuring up images and tastes in my head and making my mouth water. read more

I went for the first time recently. The food was excellent. I'll just get that out of the way. What wasn't excellent? The service. When my salad was brought out, there was chewing gum on the bottom of my plate. Literally, chewing gum. I pointed this out to the waitress who didn't apologize, mainly just thought it was funny, and went to grab me a new salad (while half of the gum stuck to the table). Meanwhile a different waitress came over and apologized, moved us to a new table and told us we would be taken care of for the trouble. After we finished, we were handed the bill by our waitress (the rude one), and there was no discount whatsoever. I brought the check to the counter and the friendly waitress (who again, wasn't even ours) came over, saw the bill, and walked over to who I assume was the manager/owner. He didn't even make eye contact with her (or me), and begrudgingly said yes to a discount that ended up amounting to about $10. I wasn't upset about the discount, but mainly about the fact that the only person to even apologize for there being CHEWED GUM on my plate was a waitress who wasn't even ours. Not OUR waitress, not a manager, not the owner. That was the single most unacceptable thing that's ever happened to me at a restaurant and nobody seemed to care. If this was almost any other restaurant, that would've been a 1 star experience automatically. The quality of the food bumps it up to a 2. Also, only if you're hungry, get the meal that's called something like the "Tour of Greece" (or something along those lines). It's a TON of food and a little expensive, but worth it. read more

I've been to Samos three times and the food has been uniformly excellent. No disclaimers or exceptions to that, as far as I can tell everything on the menu is good. Prices are a tad bit higher than I expected them to be but you do get enormous portions for what you're paying. Most entree platters should give you enough food that you'll have leftovers for lunch the next day, but everything is so tasty you might have a hard time stopping yourself from eating it all. The fact that Samos is BYOB is also appreciated. My only gripe with it is that they close a little early on weekends (9 PM). Also you should be prepared for a wait on Friday and Saturday nights. read more

Fresh. Simple. Delicious. That's the best way I can describe Samos. Everything is prepared in open view, because they have no secrets and nothing to hide! The pita bread is sooo good and the owner even told me where he purchases it from. I always get a souvlaki pita wrap and sometimes share a salad with my friends. The lamb is so tender and juicy and the chicken is very well-prepared. I've had the gyro meat too, and it's great as well. The salad is so fresh and the dressing is tasty. The staff is very friendly and the prices are reasonable. You might have to wait up to 30 minutes since the place is relatively small, but that's because everyone knows this is the best Greek food in Baltimore. read more

Oh. Yar. Give it to me baby, you know how I like it. Hot damn, Samos has some srs buzz behind it and it certainly delivered. Went there for the first time tonight with a girlfriend of mine and I couldn't have been more pleased with dinner. The wait wasn't too long, as it only took about 20min to be seated. The decor is no frills small restaurant steez and while the wait staff could be more efficient it wasn't terrible. But forget all this other nonsense, you come here for the greek food. The sampler trio we got was fantastic, with the hummus and tzatziki (they were out of the eggplant so we doubled up on the hummus). We also decided to split the Combination "Pekilia" Platter with chicken souvlaki, lamb gyro, spanakopita, dolmades, oven roasted potatoes, grilled veggies and extra tzatziki sauce. OMG. Seriously, this ranks in the top three Greek meals I've ever had*. I asked the waitress what I should order next time I come back and she said the lamb chops are crazy delicious. Also, it's a BYOB so we brought a bottle of wine, which turned out to be a great idea. So, my advice? Go. And get teh Pekilia platter, the gyro platter, the lamb chops, and whatever else other people here have recommended. * I've never been to Greece read more

BYOB, friendly staff, cute atmosphere, and awesome food. There's really nothing not to like about Samos. I came with a friend on a Thursday night, and were seated immediately. We ordered the grilled octopus, gyro, and the galaktoboureko (custard dessert). The octopus was grilled perfectly, super tender, and marinated simply with olive oil, garlic and lemon. The gyro had thinly-sliced and savory meat (I think it might have been beef), tomato, onions, and tzatziki all wrapped in a soft pita. Very fresh, to-the-point, and delicious. The dessert was pretty darn delicious. It was basically a cream custard, wrapped in filo dough, and baked, then topped with a sweet honey syrup. Crispy on the outside, gooey and creamy on the inside, and not as sweet as I would have imagined. Wow, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! I guess that means I'll need to come back....really soon! read more

When it comes to Greek food "it's all Greek to me!" ... ok - that was a really bad play on words. I'm sorry. I know it's beneath me but I just finished eating lunch and I'm in a food coma and my brain is not operating under full strength and my point still stands - I don't know much about authentic Greek food. But I know good food - and Samos is definitely good food! The Saturday lunch crowd was out in full force despite the early October snow and I can see why. It's clean and cozy and the service is quick and attentive without being too in your face. We ordered the tapanade starter and the char grilled octopus. The tapanade was good, the pita is soft warm with just the right amount of crispness but hands down the best thing was the octopus. Ok I'm just going to say that the gyros, Greek salads and souvlaki platters were all amazing and perfectly cooked and get it out of the way so I can spend the rest of this review drooling over the octopus. IT'S AMAZING, FOR SERIOUS! 1. the char was just perfect - made it feel and taste rustic 2. the texture was on point! - no rubberiness, just perfectly firm but chew-able tentacles of goodness 3. the salad/sauce it was served with brought out all the right flavors and added that extra kick. I want to go back now and just order plate after plate of it. And then order another plate. read more

Samos might just be the most hallowed Greek shrine this side of Athens, and the vaunted reputation is well-earned. I've been coming here for well over a decade, long before they expanded into a new and larger dining room, much to the delight of adoring fans from Baltimore and beyond who now face shorter waits on the path to nirvana. I am consistently enchanted by the food here - every dish, every time - and I always appreciate the down-to-earth charm and banter of the wait staff, who throw a few words your way even when they are facing peak chaos. What's more, peering into the kitchen you always get a glimpse of the intense but benevolent head chef Nick, 37 years on the job and going strong, a modern day Midas with a knack for doing everything just right. The two columns that hold up every meal are the astonishingly delicious Greek salad and the ubiquitous pita bread. Dismiss any notion that you've had near replicas elsewhere, or ever will again. Last time in, I offered a non-trivial bribe for access to the recipe for the ambrosial homemade Greek dressing and was laughed out into the street. Fat chance. A few years ago, I begged to be sold a package of the sublime pitas, and more laughter ensued. "Sure, you can buy them, but you'll never, ever, be able to get them to taste like this." How right they were. I soon concluded that each piece of magical grilled pita at Samos contains archival residue from every bit of meat, seafood, and vegetable that's touched that grill that day. The spanakopita is buttery and crisp, with layers of fresh spinach and a touch of creamy feta. I always pull a few slivers of golden brown phyllo from the top before digging in. Another big winner in the appetizer department is the shrimp haloumi, a meal-sized spread with perfectly grilled cheese, breathtakingly tender shrimp, and a mesmerizing red pepper sauce. The rice pilaf is just "excellent" and not "heavenly." I also love to order the dolmades, so pedestrian in most places, as they are plump and fresh, are topped with an interesting lemon sauce, and are served warm. The grilled meats are otherworldly. I can directly vouch for the chicken and pork, which melt in your mouth and bear a complex palette of spices and a delicate garlicky sauce. I have seen many others swoon over the lamb (which I do not eat) and have no hesitation recommending it as well. Whether in a pita as a sandwich, over salad, or as a platter, you cannot lose. Grab some cash (they don't take plastic) and some close friends (who will love you even more by meal's end) and dig into a sumptuous Samos feast. To quote a first-generation Greek friend I brought here once: "it tastes like it comes from the homeland." read more

When in Greektown....eat at Samos! This place is fantastic! The food isn't the most authentic Greek food I've had, but it definitely blew away my American taste buds. The service is excellent and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming We had: -a greek salad: large portions. fresh ingredients. yummy chunks of feta -gyro: served hot in an amazingly flavored pita. it was fantastic! (especially at the low price) -fried calamari: devoured in 1 second -combination platter: YUM! The dessert was by far the highlight for me. Their baklava was a slice of heaven on a plate, so if you come here, don't skimp on dessert!! You won't regret it Bottom Line: eat at Samos and bring your friends. You'll be glad you did! read more

Be advised: cash only. The food is phenomenal, but the service could use some work. They are old-school when it comes to the host/hostessing duties. We waited in the tiny waiting area for 15 minutes before we were told that we needed to put our names on the list (i.e. a small yellow legal pad next to the register.) So if it seems like you're being ignored, check to make sure they know you're there. The wait staff was fantastic. It is well worth it for Greek food that I, and most likely you, could never make as well at home. Try the vegetarian stuffed grape leaves. read more

Delicious Greek food. Rice, pita bread, gyro platter, beef souvlaki, saganaki, Greek salad, lemon potatoes. The service is friendly and the food is fantastic- fresh and full of flavor with every bite. This is easily going to be one of my favorite go to restaurants whenever we are in the area. Only downside is that it is CASH ONLY. That being said it's worth stopping to grab extra cash on your way over- worth every single bite! read more

Oh my. They got me. This place is great. Greek restaurants can be really predictable, so for one to really stand out and deliver on its menu impresses me to no end, and Samos did just that. Calamari was battered and fried, seasoned just right and oh so tasty! Their house dressing is really good, I can't put my finger on it but somehow it's memorable in that it's a step above the rest. Their hummus is great because it's chopped, not pureed, so it keeps this nutty flavor and texture that is so delicious. I had a gyro sandwich, the meat was tender, I got the extra veggies I had asked for, but the star of the evening was the pita itself. Thick, toasted on the outside, chewy in the middle, warm, and most of all, buttery. Oh my god their pitas are so good, you have to order extras when you eat there or take out. read more

Sigh. What's with all the five-star reviews? Again, I must attribute it to Baltimore - home of the Naugahyde palate. Let me start out by saying this: if Samos were simply a souvlaki and salad joint with average wait times, I'd be giving it more stars for supplying really well-prepared octopus and tasty, light taramosalata. That's a fact. But that's not Samos. What you get at Samos is a preposterously long wait for food that ranges from competent to clumsy. This isn't the freaking Fat Duck. It's a Greek-American joint and the idea that one would wait two hours, in sweltering, loud, standing-room-only conditions for a shot at a table, is ludicrous. On the competent end, the bread accompaniments are good. The taramosalata, as I mentioned, is tasty if mild, the tzatziki has good tang, and the tapenade features decent Kalamata olive flavor. I think it is totally unnecessary for Samos to butter the accompanying pita, which a) seems nonstandard for Greece, and b) lends a taste that, while pleasant on its own, overshadows the accompaniments. The octopus was well-prepared - not tough or excessively burnt, it had a bit of char on the tentacle end, as it should, and came with a red wine vinaigrette, which served to cut the iodine-y taste of the octopus. The dolmathes - we had the vegetarian version - also were well done, with tender grape leaves surrounding a lemony rice filling. Here's where things went off the rails for me. The Greek salad indeed contains tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, olives, and feta, but those seem an accompaniment to the vast quantities of iceberg lettuce on the plate. In response to all the reviewers who are in thrall of Samos's authenticity, let me clear something up for you. The lettuce is wrong. Also, that dressing is nowhere to be found in Greece. Olive oil, lemon juice, not globbed on by the diner, is what you would find in Greece. If you love creamy dressings, fine, but I'm just saying. Then there were my main selections, which I chose in lieu of the red snapper (not sustainable). The loukaniko (sausage), with peppers and onions. I don't know. The peppers and onions were cooked down to a slimy mess, and the sausage was sliced about 1/3", which made it dry and unappealing. The spanakopita was fine, but the cheese within was chunky and not well-incorporated; the filo itself was limp and insufficiently golden. And the entrees - I just don't know. We probably should have ordered souvlaki, because those did look good. Unfortunately, my husband got talked into the leg of lamb. The friend who touted Samos to us had her usual, the stuffed grouper. The grouper arrived with an overcooked, mushy rice pilaf and a variety of overly oily vegetables - bell peppers and out of season summer squash - that are a mere step up from the limp broccoli that accompanies every plate at your basic chain restaurant. They bore no relationship to the main plate element and, let's be clear on this, would not appear in that form in Greece. The grouper was missing the capers and seemed dull without them - they did perk up once the capers arrived. My husband's lamb was overcooked and dry. He thought it was a mistake - it looked like gyro meat without the pita - only it clearly was lamb, doused in a brown gravy. "Forgettable" was the word he used when we were home at last. Instead of the overcooked rice, he chose the roast potatoes - which looked good, nicely crisp - but the same odd vegetable medley appeared on his plate. If what you're expecting after reading all these reviews is the kind of food you actually would find on a stroll through the streets of, well, Samos, then probably not so much. It's 2010. Restaurants like Zaytinya, Kokkari, and Kefi - hell, even Black Olive - have been around for years. By now we all should have a better grip on what people actually eat in Greece. I'd go back for a snack during off-hours, if there wasn't any sort of wait, for the octopus and to try the calamari, which looked tasty, or to pick up a souvlaki and fries. The entrees on the costly part of the menu you can give a miss. It's not worth the wait in line. read more

Came back to eat in and the food did not disappoint. This time we started off with the grilled octopus which was quite lovely and a nice change from the usual (but tasty) calamari. The octopus app was just only 1 leg, but it had a nice char on the outside that gave it some crunch and it was pretty tender/not chewy at all. It was served over a bed of chopped salsa of red onion, capers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, lemon wedge and some pita wedges. I only wished there was more deliciousness (aka more legs) on the plate! SX always order a gyro without fail and a side of fried mushrooms. I tried the moussaka this time and it was pretty good, but a bit expensive (it's $18 for a salad and moussaka). The service itself was much better than last time, however there was quite a wait for seating. This place is just very busy/super bustling inside with takeout orders and in house orders. read more

A friend of mine has his studio and gallery nearby and he suggested we stop in there for lunch. It is street parking, but we didn't have much of a problem finding a good spot. My friend warned me that sometimes it gets full and there can be a long wait. We were lucky, the rush was about 10 minutes on our heels. Our drinks came out in some of the biggest glasses you can imagine. They were megabig gulp sized (and bottomless). I still can't fathom how my friend sucked down his diet coke and ordered a second one. I got the Neptune salad and it was substantial. I asked for hot sauce. It came out in an old school squeeze style ketchup bottle (it tasted like Frank's). The only reason this is four stars and not five is that it is a cash only joint. Our meal came to about $40. I had that much (and there is an ATM in the back), but I am always slightly suspicious of any establishment that doesn't take plastic - do they really pay their full taxes? When we left, there was a looooong line of folks waiting to get in. I'll be back. read more

This is a Baltimore staple for a reason. Value, service, and taste are all there. Standouts are the avgolemono, Greek salad with meat, warm pita, delicious dressing, etc. I work right nearby and try to stop in for dinner when I can. read more

A Heads Up- this place is cash only. Added Bonus- it's BYOB if you eat in. I love Greek food and Greektown in Highlandtown is the best place to go for authentic Greek dishes. Most people frequent other establishments like Ikaros (which I love by the way), but this place should not be over looked. I also believe that some of their dishes are better than Ikaros. When you first get there don't be off put by the decor (or lack there of) or the fact that the place needs some serious updating. I have only ever ordered take out from here so I can not speak to the service at all. The dingy atmosphere is more than made up for with the wonderfully flavorful dishes like: OLIVE TAPENADE TZATZIKI (sooooo good with their homemade, warm pita) HUMMUS SPANAKOPITA (SPINACH PIE) DOLMADES (stuffed grape leaves) SOUVLAKI GYRO GROUPER "CORFU" MOUSSAKA (probably better than Ikaros) FRIED ZUCCHINI (rounds not sticks) read more

Went here to satisfy my lamb cravings last night, I was not only satisfied but impressed with everything, yes everything. Walking into Samos on a Wednesday at 7pm I didn't expect a packed house with walls of people waiting, I was dining alone so I secured a seat at the counter with the help of my friendly Server Eva. I started with a cup of Avgolemono, ( 3.00) it warmed my bones and the flavors were perfectly balanced. My Greek salad (came with my entree) was simple, fresh and enjoyable, served with delish warm pita wedges. I had a few cold beers I had brought with me while waiting for my Lamb Chops.(21.50) The servers gladly stored and served them as wanted. The chops, four of them were served with rice pilaf and roasted veggies. I ordered them medium rare. These were some of the best if not the best lamb chops I've had anywhere. Tender to the point I could cut it with a butter knife. Cooked perfectly pink, juicy, melt in my mouth and seasoned nicely. The roasted veggies and rice were perfect as well. The portions were great too. The chef came over and asked how everything was,he was glowing after my comments. I love seeing pride like that. Samos is a small charming restaurant that's big on quality and service. I'll be back with friends. Two big thumbs up for Samos! read more

Although the atmosphere--a plain two-room dining area with Greek isles paintings--is rather pared down, I really love the traditional Greek food of this restaurant, and would go so far as to say that the food is fabulous enough to forget the unremarkable surroundings. My favorites at this cash only BYOB is a lovely Greek salad with home-made dressing (anchovies optional), and a terrific chicken souvlaki or yummy gyro with its delicious yogurt-based sauce for the main course. The calamari-style fried octopus is also unexpectedly tender and incredibly delicious ('unexpected' for octopus, I mean, not the quality of the food here!). I'm also a big fan of the halloumi (grilled Greek cheese) and shrimp app; it sounds like a weird combo but works really well. In terms of the BYOB, there are several liquor stores in the immediate neighborhood that are open late. Prices are reasonable as well: expect to spend ~$30 for two (app plus mains with beverages) including tip. Although Samos also features a number of deserts, I have always been to full to attempt them. Be forewarned: Samos is well-liked and, correspondingly, well-visited by loyal customers so I would recommend arriving early and, preferably, on a weeknight to avoid the albeit well-worth-it wait. read more

We had a party of 6 for dinner. Every fish was served piping hot and our server was nothing less than charming!! Prices are excellent. BYOB is an added treat. Saves so much money. I highly recommend. read more

I don't know anything about greek food so take this with a grain of salt.... it's pretty good, big fan of the fresh hummus.

This place was recommended to me by a man named Constantine, a long time ago. I finally had the chance to go for my birthday yesterday. The line--well, it's no lie. There is a line. The food is really delicious. Everything was fresh, not overly salted, and very edible. I ate it right up! I saw a lot of people sharing one dinner. The servings are huge and the pita is endless. My favorite was the melitzanosalata--an eggplant spread. Hummus and tapenade were also quite good, as was the spanikopita and vegetarian dolmades. read more

Tonight was my first trip back to Samos since I was a little girl. I'm thrilled to report that its just as amazing as ever. My dad brought me here for lunch when this place was half the size. Where do I begin? It might be odd to rave about pita bread, considering pita bread is usually a vehicle for something else- but this is the BEST pita in the world. You *will* be asking for extra. Love the spanikopita, dolmas, greek salad w/house dressing, all the veggies, the tzatziki- plenty of vegetarian options. My boyfriend (this was his first trip) had the chicken souvlaki and gyro. He raved about both. I see some other reviews mentioning the wait, and as I remember they don't take reservations- but if you can, try a week night. At six on a Wednesday night we had no problem getting a table right away. I loved our waitress--she made great suggestions and asked all the right questions: "The Greek salad comes with anchovies-do you want those?" (No!) "Can I suggest making that order a large if you're planning on sharing?" (Yes!) She didn't hover but always appeared at the right moments. Can't wait to to have Samos again. I never find myself in Highlandtown- so this is definitely a destination that requires planning-but it is well worth the crosstown drive. We were in a rush, so didn't get to stick around for dessert, but I'm hoping that soon I'll be back for backlava--I'm sure it is also as tasty as ever. Samos is the best Greek food in Baltimore! read more

I came here for a family dinner, and although we had to wait over an hour for a table on a Saturday night since they don't take reservations, the service was great (attentive and quick) and the food was good. This is probably the best Greek food in Baltimore, and they give you TONS of food!! We ordered their trio spread sampler- their olive tapenade, baba ganoush, and hummus. I thought this was just OK, the baba ganoush and hummus weren't as flavorful as I would like, and the pita bread they served us was a bit cold and stale. We also got their calamari which was really good- fried very crispy served with a good, chunky marinara sauce. For main dishes, we got their Tour of Samos which included a Greek salad, fried calamari, grilled shrimp, chicken souvlaki (like chicken kebobs), lamb chops, spinach pie, potatoes, and tzaziki. This could well-feed over 3-4 people, and everything was really good- I thought the spinach pies were particularly good as were the chicken. We also ordred their crab cakes which were fried super brown on the outside- pretty standard, nothing spectacular, as well as their roasted branzini whole fish which was amazing!!! Super crispy, flavorful skin with a rich, white, wheat inside, stuffed with onions- it was perfectly roasted and served with potatoes. Great place to go for a nice, filling meal!!! read more

I love Samos. Come hungry, and Samos will love you. Awesome Greek food, really affordable prices, giant tumblers of water/iced tea/whatever you're drinking, dirty-cool neighborhood. I've been here many times with PJ S. (see review below this one) back when I lived in Baltimore, and many times when I didn't, because you always want to go to Samos when you're in Baltimore. This isn't B-more's fanciest food. But, because of the huge selection, great value, and great authentic atmosphere, it's long been my favorite. In fact, I want it right now. read more

The food was not at all traditionally Greek and were NOT worth the price. However, the sandwiches we ordered were excellent.

I've been to Samos a couple of times now. Bottom line: The food is great and reasonably priced. I highly recommend their chicken souvlaki, and their Greek lamb pizza is really incredible. Also a plus, this place is BYOB- so it's a great place to share a bottle of wine. I did go here recently with girlfriends on a Saturday night and it was just so packed... I'm pretty sure my head ended up in a sweaty Greek armpit at least twice. There was no way were were going to wait, so we decided to order our food to go. Without our knowledge, they had placed a "no carryout" sign on the door about 2 minutes after we got there, so when we went up to order- there was a mini-meltdown between the chef and the cashier, which was slightly awkward for three girls who had no idea the sign was on the door. In the end, we were served and, as always, the food was great. Last tip: Bring cash, and be prepared, parking can be a challenge. read more