Sam's Kitchen

4.0 (1.4k reviews)

ModerateFood Stands, Asian Fusion, Hawaiian

Closed • 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Updated 3 months ago

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Sam's Kitchen - shrimp in a styrofoam container - Food Stands Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Sam's Kitchen - View of the pool from our table. - Food Stands Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Sam's Kitchen - Orig garlic shrmp & tery-garlic steak - Food Stands Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Sam's Kitchen - Glass of wine - Food Stands Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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SAM'S KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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Inside

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Outside

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Moderate noise

Casual

Good for kids

Good for groups

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Spicy garlic teriyaki chicken plate with salad, mac salad and rice

Danielle R.

This is a little hidden and off the beaten path but man was it worth it. I was craving a Hawaiian bbq lunch and they delivered the goods. Not shown are the garlic fries that I devoured on my walk back to my resort. The mac salad is a potato mac, my favorite. Bright fresh and big portions. I was full the rest of the day! They also offer a order ahead and pick up option.

Steak with original garlic sauce and shrimp

Yvette L.

I saw all the great reviews and took my son for lunch. The steak was very chewy and no good. The shrimp had good flavoring, but it was oily and soggy. We had to throw it away after a couple of bites. Luckily this was a food hall and we found him good ramen at Baikohken.

Tina N.

We really enjoyed our lunch here. The seating area was so relaxing and quiet. Food was great and service was kind and attentive. I would absolutely return.

Cheryl G.

Quaint place and if you blink, you'd miss it. It's a bar situated at the hotel pool. It's a very divey feel but the bartender was super cool while we made a pit stop for drinks and a shrimp plate. I'd come here again.

Garlic steak plate with add on garlic shrimp

Kira K.

I've been told this place is really good and I was so excited to try it! I ordered the garlic steak plate with add on garlic shrimp, and a guava iced tea (not pictured) Price was about $35-$40. But I was excited so I thought it would be worth the price STEAK: the best thing about the steak was it was very tender! The garlic was good for a few bites but some of the pieces were so salty it literally burned my throat SHRIMP: nothing to write about this.. just salty, and no where near as good as Giovanni's Weirdly, the best part of the meal was the guava iced tea lol Idk if I came on an off night, but it was super disappointing :( I might give it a try once more though to see if my bad experience was a fluke

April S.

Dave is the Bartender/Manager here. Excellent service! Super friendly quick on the pour, and eager to please! They just started opening up for lunch time about a month ago - something they haven't done before, and people have been attending! Sheva (Seven) - was my bartender today - very friendly super engaging and always quick to entertain with fun trivia facts! Beer prices are fairly priced, see the pics I posted to see everything. No price gauging on wine AT ALL!! (Other places charge $15 for a chardonnay, and vary the prices of the wine depending on the type; now granted if they going higher end and longer age in a barrel I can understand - but for a bottle cali wine you can get @ Target for the same brand at $15 - ya know there are some mark ups!) Anyhoooo.... Let's talk the food: belly so happy taking leftovers home! Alright so Step 1: Choice of protein: fish, beef, chicken, tofu, vegetables. I asked for half chicken & half vegetable combo (they were EXTREMELY accomodating on that request)!!!!! Step 2: Pick yer sauce! They have 5 main sauces, pic enclosed. I went with the Spicy Teri Garlic! (trust me foodies it fiiiiiire! Step 3/Final Step: Choose da sides (again on the menu pic) I went for the combo - salad, rice, and potato/mac salad! Now for specialty drinks: Their Bloody Harry (a unique Bloody Mary) is completely worth it! Uses a unique homemade infused vodka that hands down you will NOT find anywhere else on island! Glass is rimmed with salt AND peppercorns, again another unique feature to this beverage! There is also a new beverage called Wonka Lada, which looks very much like something you'd see out of Willy Wonka's factory and/or if you really geeking out making comparisons to Monster's Inc! And others have compared it to something out of Warcraft, I can't say anyone is wrong! Smoothy style especially for those needing a nice cold fix! Li ing mui on the rim. Gives all the piña colada vibes with a strong hit of ube! This is one of those that hits you afterward!!!! Great vibe there are tables all around and even a small hot tub/pool area to give more to the atmosphere look! So don't complain if plastic cups are used because hotel has a no glass policy around the pool. This establishment has been here since last November. And don't think yer gonna get bored sitting here! Bar top is really solid hard wood!! There are all sorts of decor that each time you come here it almost a game of find this item! Tribal masks from Africa, Traditional tiki faces, bonsai trees, Hula instruments, saddles, tapa style roofing, beware the lobsters running amuck! Hmmm maybe a promotion needs to be done where what item is new hiding amongst all the decor for a special prize or something? And yes for you folks who are die hard sports fans - there are 2 televisions - everything comes from streaming services - so treat them nicely with yer tips and maybe they can get more power to more of what u wanna see! (hint hint hint) Overall this place is a huuuge 100/10! So bring tyler gang here! Oh in case u asked the bar is inside the Bamboo resort (fun fact this building been here for 100 years!)! And don't worry super close to the bus lines so for those who need an extra lift yer covered! (unless you ubered or lyfted or drove, rode yer own bike/scooter/skateboard or did yer own two feet here! Yes your mouths and eyes are watering to get over here! So easy way to know yer in the right spot is to see the vintage Yellow Woody sitting out front! Just please don't climb in it for photo ops - that would really make everyone sad. Yes Yelpers I "will be back"! Enjoy and help support these local folks running the place!

Kaje Y.

Sam's is tucked away in the back, but has enough decor near the street to find it. The first time I went, was a bit off hours afternoon time frame. I walked to the back and there was no one there, I was unsure of what to do, so I went to the bar and asked if it was Sam's. Sure enough the bartender gave me a menu and I ordered to go. Note that the menu is a little confusing. You need to order things as a plate to get the rice, salad, and potato/mac salad, or else I guess its considered a la carte? I enjoyed it so much that I went twice and seriously considered going a third time in the span of a few days. They are also open late! They do have plenty of seating there but I opted to eat back at my hotel. Online ordering is not available for this location, despite what te menu says. On the first visit, the potato salad was such a sad small scoop, the second time I went, I asked for an additional a la carte side of it for 2.50 and the scoop I got with the plate was also much bigger this time. (See pictures) Overall, really enjoyed the food and would definitely return.

Suzie V.

A must stop when coming to Hawaii! The bartender makes a great Mai Tai and the spicy shrimp is my favorite. There's a little bit of a wait but that's to be expected with good food. Such a hidden gem! Definitely in my top 3 of food spots in Waikiki.

Rei K.

I came here for garlic shrimp after finding this place on someone's blog. The entrance was quite hard to find--at first, I thought it was just a food truck. When they asked if I was dining in or taking out and I said dining in, they guided us inside to a stylish open-terrace space surrounding a pool. While we were there, we found out from the staff that a famous Japanese idol group had actually filmed a music video here. Apparently, fans used to visit for that reason, but when we came, although there were other customers, nobody seemed to be there specifically for that spot. There were two of us, and since it was around 5 PM and not crowded, we were seated at the big table used in that MV. As for the garlic shrimp--I ordered the spicy version because I love spicy food, but that was a huge mistake. It was so incredibly hot that my mouth was burning, and I couldn't really taste the actual garlic shrimp flavor. I tried my friend's regular one, and it was truly delicious--actually better than at other places I've tried. I definitely recommend going with the regular! I'm not sure about the takeout prices, but dining in with drinks came to about $26 per person. Service depends on the staff, but overall, the atmosphere was great and we left very satisfied.

Peter L.

Finally tried the new location at Bamboo Hotel. Sad to say the orig flavors of my beloved Sam's Kitchen is now gone. The garlic shrimp was drowned with too much butter, the previous version was more dry with better seasoning & popped in the mouth. The garlic steak was good but again no longer the same. The potato salad was descent, but the previous legendary version is also no more. New location is at the back of Bamboo Hotel next to the pool, ambiance was nice. But i miss the orig Sam's Kitchen at the alley

Winnie C.

The restaurant is located in the Bamboo Hotel in the center of Waikiki Beach area. We stopped by for a quick bite. They have a small menu with limited options. We ordered ahi with French fries and steak with side of rice, salad and potato salad. The food came in tiny portion and the price was insanely high. For $50/2 ppl, we were half full. The dishes were also very salty and barely edible. Asked steak to be medium well and came out medium rare... The waitress we had had a attitude and kinda intimidating. Although the staffs here who served us last night were nice.

Sally K.

I've eaten at Sam's Kitchen every time I visit Honolulu, and it has always been amazing until this visit. I came with my parents and was excited to see that the restaurant had moved to a better location. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. We were seated at 7pm, but our food didn't come out until 8. I had to walk up to a server (because no one came to check up after we ordered) to ask if our order had been placed, I was given a vague response with no explanation, which came off as dismissive. When the food finally arrived, the shrimp tasted great as always. But the beef was extremely chewy to the point where none of us could even bite into it. All three of us ended up leaving it untouched, which was very disappointing since I've ordered the beef couple times before. We still paid in full since we ate some of the rice, but between the long wait time and the inedible beef, I don't see myself returning on my next visit since there are many other shrimp trucks out there.

Tiffany L.

This restaurant is tucked behind the back of a hotel adjacent to the hotel's pool area. Its pretty casual outdoor seating that can be good for large parties with what looked like a full bar. I came here with a group of girls and we were able to seat at a large wooden table. I personally didn't feel like there were too many things to order so we all got different variations of the garlic shrimp plate. Originally I had wanted to do an A la carte order of the shrimp (4pcs) but the waiter said it could only be added on.. boo. I opted for the spicy garlic shrimp plate and I was quite underwhelmed. The shrimp is peeled except for the tail and it seemed breaded then fried which definitely felt too heavy. On top of it all, they were also kinda small. I was also a little upset that on the menu it said mac/potato salad but then I wasn't given a choice and was given a potato salad instead of macaroni. Next I thought the shrimp was just ok, but the cherry on top was that the rice was kind of dry. They have good happy hour prices, but the foods just okay. Especially the garlic shrimp is nothing to for them to brag about. But also not terrible.

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Dee Y.

Elite 11

389

14 years ago

I had another plate of garlic shrimps, and husband got the seafood bento. They're kinda meh... maybe because I've been spoiled by mackys and Giovanni. read more

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Ryan S.

Elite 19

206

12 years ago

The bento lunch plates are really reasonable priced. It's $6 for a plate usually. Their nikomi Udon is delicious & it's only $7.95! I was super excited to see this place open in the food court near work. I will definitely be coming here often. read more

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Royal I.

6 years ago

the old man with white hair at the front register is rude!! den a coworker goes and tells me to tell there boss how great of a job they did (which did for me) read more

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Mark S.

Elite 21

697

549

14 years ago

I really liked the quick convenience and consistency of this place which was right around the corner. The iced tea is delicious. I want some right now! They have a good variety of affordable Hawaiian foods to choose from. read more

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Wendy C.

Elite 20

267

656

13 years ago

This review is only for their plantation iced tea. The plantation iced tea at Sam's Kitchen is second to none! I didn't know what plantation iced tea was until I got to the Island.. imagine an Arnold Palmer which is 50:50, Lemonade:Black Tea. Now instead of the lemonade, use pineapple juice instead. Delicious! Ive tried so many other plantation iced teas on the island, but sam's is simply the best! read more

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Laura L.

Elite 18

159

140

225

13 years ago

Being from Kahuku, I've had plenty of garlic shrimp and I have to say that this place did not impress me at all. The shrimp themselves were fine, but the garlic sauce was strange. It had a sour note to it and the garlic pieces themselves were not appetizing (and I absolutely love garlic). If you eat here, I recommend the other dishes and save your garlic shrimp appetite for the north shore. read more

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Aaron W.

Elite 19

279

451

543

13 years ago

Great when you want a casual meal in Waikiki. The food was tasty and it was nice to have a break from all the touristy restaurants without having to walk very far from Waikiki. read more

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P K.

152

12 years ago

Spicy garlic chicken was solidly good but didn't blow me away. I did appreciate the big chunks of garlic, though! The plantation tea was sweeter than I normally like, BUT the flavor did go very well with the garlic sauce. read more

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Nicolas C.

Elite 18

275

145

307

10 years ago

Wow, this isn't your ordinary garlic shrimp! There's so much more to it! It's a complex flavoring that works so well together, but don't worry, garlic is definitely predominant. It's conveniently located in downtown, so if you're already in area or staying at one of the many hotels, Sam's is definitely worth a visit. You won't be disappointed. I'm definitely coming back to try the rest of their menu. read more

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henry l.

150

7 years ago

Really great food. First time here. We ordered 1 spicy steak and two garlic shrimp. Waited for our order and when the gentleman came with our food we notice they gave us all shrimp. I let the gentleman know that I ordered a spicy steak. He acknowledge the mistake and told me to keep that extra shrimp plate on the house while he went to back and got me a fresh batch of spicy steak. Gentleman was very professional glad I found this place. Food was delicious. read more

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Chris J.

10 years ago

Delicious!!! The Garlic steak was so good, make sure you like garlic (I love garlic). The steak was cooked right at medium (I usually eat rare or medium/rare). The rice was perfect and the steak tasted like it was left to rest for the perfect amount of time before they cut it. Also, you can tell they cooked the steak whole before they cut it. Wanted to try everything else, and I could have, but I am not trying to gain too much weight here. Will come back when I visit again. read more

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Fiona S.

10 years ago

Best poke I had in Waikiki, hands down most fresh and tasty with the special sauce. Very generous portion for the value, and I had to order a second poke to go just so I can enjoy it again when I get back to the hotel. The shrimp and pineapple ice tea is very nice too read more

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Alex H.

10 years ago

If you're looking for a rock solid place that isn't overrun with tourists, this is your spot. I recommend the garlic shrimp!

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Guillaume L.

9 years ago

Excellent shrimps and iced tea! Really fast service. The restaurant is easy to miss on the street.

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Jessica L.

15 years ago

This was our favorite place to go in the five days we were in town! Reasonable price, good food and fast. The Garlic Shrimp was my favorite, just like the shrimp trucks!!! My boyfriend loved the teriyaki chicken!! And yes; the shrimp had chunks of garlic on it!!! It is cooked garlic so it is mild and I loved it. They have a grilled shrimp that doesn't have the garlic =) read more

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Joey U.

15 years ago

Found this place thru yelp. So happy I did. This is a small walk up and to go order place. A few tables to eat at not many though. I had a small beef bowl and also some garlic chicken. Amazing! Loved both. There were two people working there, like I said small, but they were cool and friendly. I will definitely be back. I saw they had a kalua and lomi salmon bowl that I will prob try next. read more

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Marcus K.

Elite 12

15 years ago

3 stars. Had the garlic chicken because I had heard that the sauce was phenomenal. Don't get me wrong, if you like garlic, it is absolutely as garlicky as it gets! However, in the mix of all that pungent goodness, something it lacked depth. Too one-dimensional or over powered by the garlic. Plus, the chicken was a little overcooked for my taste. Maybe the shrimp provides a better substrate for the sauce? Others in my party had the bento which was really quite good. The real winner, however, was the plantation iced tea (+1 star). That was by far the highlight of the meal. I think I'd go back just for the iced tea next time. read more

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Alex R.

13 years ago

Food tasted good but portions were a little small. The salmon salsa (part of the seafood bento) had practically no salmon in it. But the garlic shrimp was the bomb! read more

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Richard L.

121

12 years ago

Phenomenal Hawaiian food in an owner operated stand. Limited seating (two tables for two) but most do takeout. Spicy poke and spicy garlic shrimp both amazing and reasonably priced. The pineapple tea is amazing! Highly recommended for a quick bite of Hawaiian fare! read more

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Bryan N.

7 years ago

Small hole-in-the wall place. Doesn't look like much, but the food was fantastic and the service was even better. Recommend the Ahi Poke or Teriyaki Chicken. I didn't try it but a person in our group has the garlic shrimp and it looked fantastic. read more

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Brad B.

9 years ago

If you come to Wakiki and you like garlic shrimp and poke you HAVE to visit here.. we came 2 out of the 3 nights we were here and I can't tell you how tasty it is.. it's nothing to look at.. just a little hole in the wall.. but it's cheap and so tasty I will be thinking about it daily.. also it's BYOB! So for a cheap night with tasty food don't go past Sams! read more

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Paul D.

10 years ago

Came here with the wife. She ordered the garlic steak which was amazing. I ordered the poke and it was awesome. Definitely com8ng back. BYOB so get faded and eat great food at great prices. read more

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Ken N.

136

15 years ago

Poke, garlic shrimp and plantation ice tea were amazing. The best plantation ice tea I had in Hawaii. The garlic shrimp here was way better than the shrimp trucks, so save yourself a trip and stay in Waikiki. read more

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Diane D.

303

15 years ago

We ate here 3 times in the week we were in Waikiki. Delicious food, fair prices and a great location for us. Only a few tables but we always got lucky. Was a great place to grab and take to beach or hotel room. Loved the teriyaki steak and the beef bowl. My husband was a huge fan of the garlic chicken. Call me a wimp, a little too garlicky for me. read more

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A G.

103

15 years ago

Had garlic spicy shrimp for $12 and a spicy poke bowl for $9. The shrimp batter was not fully cooked and just plain sloppy. The poke bowl made up for it but not sure it was worth $9. read more

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Rose V.

148

14 years ago

The poke was good but I recommend you try the garlic steak, you wont be disappointed! I was bummed that they ran out of the plantation iced tea, oh well next time. read more

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Lauren P.

14 years ago

Super yummy! Total hole in the wall, but the tea was addicting and the garlic shrimp were so good. I would go back in a heart beat.

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Stephanie P.

Elite 21

115

14 years ago

Best garlic shrimp, better than what you can get at north shore... yes i drove all the way to north shore to compare. Sam's Kitchen wins both in cost, quality, taste, etc. Seafood Bento box is my next favorite. read more

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Jaimie M.

171

220

13 years ago

After struggling to find dinner for 2 hours at night we finally came upon this place thanks to Yelp!! It was a good hole in the wall type of place and glad we found it. A lot of items were out but that was because it was already 9-10pm. I had the Chicken Teriyaki Bento with the Plantation Iced Tea. SO GOOD and filling. The tables were located outside near the side walk and we sat there for awhile waiting for the food til I saw a cockroach crawling on the wall and freaked out and had to move tables. I realized it was Hawaii and they are everywhere so it was ok, I got over it!! I suggest coming here for their tea and food!! Wish I could've tried the poke or shrimp. read more

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Mike H.

Elite 19

12 years ago

I never heard of Sam's Kitchen but when I passed it walking down the street something told me to stop and try it. The garlic shrimp was great but Nothing is better than the Pineapple Ice Tea! The best thing I've had in a long time. I will go to this place whenever I am in Hawaii no doubt. bring one to California !!! read more

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Kate E.

12 years ago

Rice was dry, the shrimp was okay, and portions were small for the price... I was kinda disappointed. Though I will say the ice tea with pineapple was phenomenal and refreshing. read more

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A R.

110

12 years ago

Our 3rd visit to Sam's was sadly disappointing. The food has lost its flavor and was very generic. The salad was limp,shrimp was bland, and vegetables tastes like they were dumped out of a can. I'd appeal sam's to revive their food. read more

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Joe H.

102

12 years ago

Got the garlic shrimp plate per other yelp reviews. I hate to say but it does not compare to giavonnis on the north shore. Not terrible for local Waikiki area but not super impressive either. Also this place is very small, like only 2 or 3 tables to sit at. read more

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Tom B.

10 years ago

We had the garlic shrimp, spicy garlic shrimp, garlic steak, teriyaki chicken, answer ahi poke. The portions are very generous. The shrimp was fantastic over rice. I didn't give 5 stars only because the salad did not seem so fresh. However the friendly host and server did a wonderful job! read more

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Beth C.

9 years ago

Great local place, the garlic steak is super tender and very flavorful. The garlic shrimp is simply delicious. A hidden gem for sure.

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Ricardo L.

9 years ago

It's our first trip to Oahu and this was a great way to start our trip! Food is delicious and service is fast! We got the garlic shrimp and garlic chicken with rice and potato salad. Added a little bit of soy sauce to the rice and viola... amazing! The pineapple ice tea was also amazing! This place is a MUST for a quick bite that's a little pricey ($25 for both meals and drinks, but compared to most of the other restaurants is great for the taste and quality) The employees are also so helpful; food was brought to us and we didn't even have to get for the soy sauce! Be careful not to miss it as it is set up almost alley-like, but if you visit during the sunset the beautiful music and campfire hanging light will make it an even more enjoyable experience. read more

Sam's Kitchen - Food Stands Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Arielle S.

9 years ago

Service was very friendly! Garlic shrimp was delicious. Best I've had here in Waikiki.

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Christina B.

7 years ago

Amazing plate lunch. Ordered a small meal per say (no rice) and just had shrimp and potato salad. They mixed the teriyaki and garlic sauce for the shrimp and was delicious. Now uncles. read more

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Nicole M.

8 years ago

This was my first time in Honolulu and I wanted to eat something quick and I found this spot which was amazing!! The service was friendly and fast. I got the poki and it definitely was worth it if you don't mind spicy! read more

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Kelly L.

10 years ago

I'm craving for this while I am back home in Cali. Searched all afternoon on yelp for a quick bite to eat. Stumbled across this hidden gem. This place is a hole in the wall, but don't let that fool ya. Best garlic shrimp I've ever had! (5/5) I also recommend the poke here. Customer service was excellent & the staff was very friendly. Wasn't worth the hour wait at Giovanni's in north shore! read more

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Page 33 of 37

2425 Kuhio Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815
Waikiki
Directions
(808) 444-3636
Call Now
Visit Website
https://sams-royal-kitchen.square.site

Full menu

Hours

What time does Sam's Kitchen open?

Sam's Kitchen opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Sam's Kitchen close?

Sam's Kitchen closes at 1:00 AM (Next day) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 10:00 AM - 1:00 AM (Next day)

Payment methods

Does Sam's Kitchen take Bitcoin?

No, Sam's Kitchen does not take Bitcoin.

Does Sam's Kitchen take credit cards?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Sam's Kitchen have catering options?

No, Sam's Kitchen does not have catering options.

Does Sam's Kitchen have a drive thru?

No, Sam's Kitchen does not have a drive thru.

Does Sam's Kitchen serve alcohol?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does Sam's Kitchen allow dogs?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen allows dogs.

Does Sam's Kitchen have TVs?

No, Sam's Kitchen does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Sam's Kitchen have bike parking?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen has bike parking.

Does Sam's Kitchen have outdoor seating?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen has outdoor seating options.

Does Sam's Kitchen have parking?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is Sam's Kitchen wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen is wheelchair accessible.

Does Sam's Kitchen have free WiFi?

Yes, Sam's Kitchen has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We are open from 10am until 11pm EVERY DAY! Last takeout order is at 11pm. New Location at poolside terrace of The Bamboo Hotel on 2425 Kuhio Avenue. We are open Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day!! Welcome to Sam's Kitchen! We have fresh island dishes with a focus on locally sourced fish and we bring the unique taste of Hawaii to every dish. Our food stand has been going strong with good eats and great service for 18 years, and according to your reviews we will continue to do so for many many more! Sam's Kitchen "Super Secret Sauce" is made every other day and each batch takes over 5 hours to make. Every sauce we use is made from scratch and is unique. We differentiate ourselves from the competition by offering an extra jumbo sized shrimp that is peeled and cleaned before cooking! Our rice is California grown Japanese varietal and we pride ourselves on the delicate process of cooking the rice to perfection. We are known for our garlic shrimp, top sirloin steaks, fresh fish and fresh poke bowls, and of course our sweet delicious pineapple plantation iced tea. And, we add extra aloha to every dish through our great customer service. We are “Shrimply the Best”!

History

Established in 2009.

We started as a small take-out food establishment (a.k.a. plate-lunch) in Waikiki to accommodate visitors and kama'aina alike. For the local or kama'aina employed in the vicinity of Waikiki we wanted to offer a meal that could be brought to work or purchased quickly and conveniently during the brief time allocated for their lunch or dinner break. We also set up a simple outdoor seating area which functions wonderfully during clear weather! For the visitor we thought that very few restaurants can rival the view from their own room and of course the dress code is quite null when dining in room. We wanted to offer a good meal that could be enjoyed away from the busy streets of Waikiki or in the comfort of one's own room. Our meals can be taken to the beach and enjoyed in the warm sun or the shade of a tree at a park. Our food design concept is designed to allow for the meals to be enjoyed without a table, and thus our plates are made to be held with one hand while eaten with the other!

Meet the Business Owner: Sam M.

Born in the Caribbean. Traveled the Seven Seas. Visited and lived in over fifty countries. Enjoyed each country's cuisine immensely, as proved by his bulging belly. Hosted a travel show for twenty years which is aired in Japan, where he really is huge! Literally. Loves to burn off the excess garlic rice at the beach while taking mean photos from inside frothy spitting barrels. He had the revelation to make food that could be eaten without a table while he was at sea for 26 days in a 36 foot sailboat. During this same crossing all the spoons were swept off the deck into the sea and he had another revelation of a new way to eat food not involving traditional utensils. It is ultra-secret and will be revealed soon, changing the jaw muscles of humanity for the remainder of time! "Curious" may be the one word to describe him, by which he would likely reply "quite".

Sam's Kitchen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Sam's Kitchen

Is this place truly open till 1am everday? I am getting back home late next week (11pm) and want to confirm I can grab something here!

Sam's Kitchen is a great place to grab delicious garlic shrimp. Walking distance from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The hours of operations change based on local GOV restrictions but they do update the website and Yelp information often. However during… Read more

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How is the parking situation around the area? Can someone please recommend where to park? Also, is it walkable from the Hyatt Regency? Thanks so much!

Parking definitely isn't great as it's located in the touristy area, highly recommend Uber and the bus as we didn't see any parking nearby here

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(41 reviews)

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I got the tofu tacos, and they were simultaneously some of the best tacos and some of the best Thai…read morefood I've ever had! Once I added my personal habanero flakes, they were perfect.

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3.8

(6 reviews)

1.7 mi

Tried Oh's Kitchen at the Waikiki Makers Market…read more Decent line but moved fast. BBQ skewers had a nice glaze and flavor--very similar to Filipino-style BBQ, which gave me a little taste of home. Ours weren't that hot since they had been sitting out for a bit, but still tasty. They have two sauces: Hawaiian BBQ and sweet & sour, both solid depending on your mood. The squid was just okay. They also had crispy spring rolls and fresh malasadas--nice options if you want something savory and sweet while walking around. Lowkey wish they had rice (that's just the Asian in me haha), but overall a good, quick bite while exploring the market.

So ono! We saw them at Ka Makani Ali'i during an event and it smelled so good we had to try! My…read more'Ohana tried one of each skewer-lobster ball, teriyaki chicken, garlic pork, and grilled squid. So good!!! Excellent service and we'll have to try their main location sometime!

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Food was EXCELLENT. That calamari was one of the best I have ever had. It was crisp but not to…read morethe point where it hurt the inner of my mouth - super soft and tender. The cucumber was also perfect and it's amazing how everything was so crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside! The crab pasta was a standout. The flavors just melded together perfectly with the soft shell crab being an amazing garnish to the dish. It was tender and crisp. You can just eat it as is with the pasta and it just was absolutely delicious. They give you an option if you want some blue crab garnish on the pasta - make sure to say yes. The crab adds such a nice kick to the creaminess of the pasta. Did I also mention how big the portion was!? You could probably order the crab pasta and another entree to share with friends. Dessert was unique. The flan was rich and the lychee was a delicious side. The popcorn ice cream was very different than what I'm used to. The ice cream has a very grainy texture with the accents of popcorn. The butter mochi was standard but a good additional texture for the popcorn ice cream. Not too sure if I would order that again, but the flan was definitely my favorite dessert of the meal. Ambiance is a darker mood with dim lighting. It adds to the luxurious vibe of the restaurant itself. I noticed people came dressed up for their reservations as they walked in. Definitely a great spot to go with friends/family. Service was quick and helpful - very attentive with filling up our waters and making sure we were ok. Definitely a standout restaurant. I'm a fan!

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They absolutely nailed it!! There's a reason they have so many amazing reviews here…read more Drinks, food, service, ambience - this place does it all and they do it right! Our sever Tony was an absolute gem helped to guide our orders by our taste, and didn't disappoint! Everything was so good, we insisted on finding the manager to give our compliments before leaving and almost came back the very next day!

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Stopped at and ate here first night on vacation. Food was fantastic. Service was excellent. Table…read moreand views were great. Dessert was exceptional. Highly recommend. I had the prime rib, wife had the swordfish, both were excellent. Duke's Hula pie for dessert!!

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Quick friendly service. Food is delicious. We hade bbq chicken and ribs. Highly recommendread more

This restaurant was an instant hit. Tucked away in a small area of the resort, but impossible to…read moremiss because of the incredible aromas coming from the kitchen. Between my fiancé and me, we tried about nine different menu items, and every dish impressed us. The Hawaiian BBQ chicken was hands down the standout dish, and the snapper filet was absolutely amazing. The banana bread is a must-try. The staff was knowledgeable, courteous, and welcoming throughout the entire experience. Melanie was nothing short of a superstar -- kind, respectful, and incredibly informative about the restaurant and menu. Easily one of the best servers we have ever had. We will definitely be returning, not only for the restaurant but to see Melanie again as well. Great job, Blue Water & Melanie!

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Good service and nice to the customers and helpful Angelika…read more And the food is every good You should try the Crispy Shrimp

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Walking into this restaurant, the view was amazing! We sat upstairs right in front of the ocean. We…read morehad brunch and ordered a breakfast burrito, omelettes, a cheeseburger and fries, pancakes, and an avocado toast. Everything we ordered was delicious! My son loved his juicy cheeseburger, the burrito had so much filling with eggs and meat, and the omelettes were soft and tasty. Service was quick and our waiter was great! I would definitely come back here and try other dishes next time.

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42 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Masanobu T.

2 years ago

2024年7月21日私、妻、息子の日本人3人家族です。この店がホテルから近かった為、利用しました。この店は初めてだったこともあり、私たちの注文も英語ではスムーズではなかったかもしれませんが、レジのご婦人が私たちが注文してる最中、小声で[Japanese don't understand English , St@pid, As@hole] と言ったことが家族全員聞こえました。日本からの観光客ならほぼ分からなかっただろうけど、自分たちは長年カリフォルニア州に住んでるので余裕でわかりました。多くの日本人が憧れのハワイへ旅行し、慣れない英語で注文する陰でそんな事を言われる事が信じられませんでした。私も商売をしててたまに失敗もします。少し対応が悪い店員がいる位では通常レビューを書いたりはしませんがこれが人生で初めてのレビューになります。今回の事は旅行中なので我慢しよう思っていましたが、もう1人の店員の態度悪かったし、他のアジアから来ている人たちも同じ経験をして欲しくなかったので、レジのおばさんに一言　言うことにしました。「さっき注文の最中にあなたが小声で言った言葉は、全て聞こえてたし言うべきではないんじゃないですか？」と。彼女は少し驚いた様子で「言ってない、ごめんなさい」を連発していたけど、言っていないなら何故謝るんでしょうか。言い訳が見苦しかったです。あなたが日本、韓国、中国や東南アジアに旅行し、レストランでその国の言語のみで注文してみて下さい。あなたが言ったような事をしかも客の目の前で言う人はいませんよ。恥を知りなさい。味はただガーリックを入れただけの素人料理です。 7-21-24 We are a Japanese family ( my wife, my son & me). We chose this restaurant because it was close to our hotel. It was our first time here, and our order might not have been smooth in English. However, while we were ordering, we all heard the lady at the register quietly say, "[Japanese don't understand English. St@pid, As@hole]." Tourists from Japan might not have understood, but we live in California for many years, we understood it perfectly. I cannot believe that this is what many Japanese tourists, who admire Hawaii and try to order in unfamiliar English, are being called behind their backs. I usually don't write reviews just because of a slightly rude employee, but this is my first review ever. I tried to tolerate it since we were on vacation, but another employee also had a bad attitude. I didn't want others visiting from Asia to have the same experience, so I decided to say something to the lady at the register. I told her, "We heard everything you said under your breath while we were ordering. You shouldn't say things like that." She seemed a bit surprised and repeatedly said, "I didn't say that. I'm sorry." But if she didn't say it, why apologize? Her excuses were pathetic. If you travel to Japan, Korea, China, or Southeast Asia and try ordering in only the local language, no one would say such things right in front of the customer. You should be ashamed. The taste was just amateur cooking with garlic added. Don't waste the time & money. read more

Simone S.

196

3 years ago

We found this place based solely on reviews, and when we arrived, we joined the line. Just as the other reviewers said, the line moved quickly. Taking a table in the small seating area, we sampled the Garlic Shrimp and the Pineapple Teri Shrimp. Both were excellent, as was the Pineapple Tea. The hospitality here is fantastic from the moment your order is placed until the moment you leave, you'll see that these guys are passionate about great food and customer service. I was very impressed with the gentleman taking orders and the food runner who was paying close attention to all of us as we waited. We ate here twice on this trip, and I will make this an every-visit stop in the future. The pineapple tea was so good we had to have it! read more

Aaron L.

1 year ago

My girlfriend and I decided to try this place, but our experience was underwhelming. I ordered the teriyaki steak and garlic shrimp for takeout. Unfortunately, the steak, which I asked to be cooked medium rare, came out well done and lacked much flavor. The garlic shrimp also fell short of expectations, as they tasted plain and had no noticeable garlic flavor. What added to the disappointment was the wait time. The dine-in area wasn't busy at all, so we couldn't understand why takeout took so long. We were looking forward to a nice meal, but both the food quality and service left us feeling let down. read more

Aggs M.

155

318

2 years ago

Sam's Kitchen is a hidden gem that captures the essence of Hawaiian comfort food. I tried their garlic chicken plate, and it was outstanding. The chicken was tender and flavorful, coated in a savory garlic sauce that provided just the right amount of zest. Accompanying the chicken was a fresh green salad that added a refreshing crunch, perfectly balancing the richness of the dish. The rice was fluffy and complemented the meal beautifully, soaking up the delicious sauce. Overall, Sam's Kitchen is a fantastic choice for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Hawaiian flavors. Don't miss it! read more

Eric N.

125

11 years ago

Sam's kitchen has the best local food ever! The quality and pricing is very reasonable. The restaurant always has good Hawaiian/Reggae local music for the island vibe atmosphere. I had the spicy garlic shrimp with salad and potato salad. It was ono to the max and "broke the mouth!" Sam was there when I was there and he's always greeting guests and making them feel comfortable, making sure everything is all good! Next time I go back, I'm having the infamous garlic steak! I can't wait to eat there again! Mahalo Sam for the best food in Waikiki! read more

Innuendo By Nguyen D.

3 years ago

In early 2021 I was harrassed by the owner of this establishment. The haole accused me of stealing cars and stood right in front of my face taking photos of me. This racist inbred haole then proceeded to taunt me with threats of "reporting me to the police". This is by far the most demeaning experience of my life while waiting for take out. Haoles like Sam the racist inbred need to be ran off da islands and back to England or Germany or whatever inbred cave he came from. read more

Jermaine V.

11 years ago

Great hidden gem. I was looking all over for this and it happened to be at a different location. Shrimp was great. Good amount of shrimp they give too, not like some that only give 6. Met the owner back in October and he was real cool. Should've been 5 stars but my wife and I tried to grab a plate of shrimp before we left for the airport and they were supposed to be opened but I was told they needed about 30 more minutes. Hope that doesn't get anyone in trouble though read more

Mark P.

1 year ago

Sam's Kitchen is a great hidden gem in the busy area of Oahu! The food was solid, the vibe was nice, and the place itself was beautiful. It's definitely a good spot to escape the crowds and enjoy a meal. The only downside was the wait to pay--it took about 20 minutes to get my check, which was a bit frustrating. Other than that, everything was great, and I'd still recommend checking it out! read more

Jack D.

7 years ago

Garlic shrimp, garlic steak, and the POKE bowl all out of this world great food, we were told about Sams Kitchen from some friends who visit Hawaii often and they said it was a must try, so we did we ate there 3 time during our week stay, highly recommended and fairly priced---we will be back! read more

Raymond F.

2 years ago

Undoubtedly, the finest garlic shrimp in Waikiki can be found at Sam's. After trying 4 or 5 other places, it was clear that Sam's stood out on top. Ample seating is available, and the friendly staff add to the positive experience. Save yourself time and money - head straight to Sam's. read more

Kelly N.

9 years ago

o. m. g. I had food poisoning for 2 days after eating this slop! It tastes not horrible going in, but definitely feels horrible coming out. With so many great options in Waikiki, there's no reason to choose here. For the best shrimp in Oahu just go straight to Giovanni's. read more

Lauren C.

141

7 years ago

Amazing. Found this place wondering the streets of Waikiki and stopped because of the atmosphere. I had the spicy garlic shrimp and rice. Would absolutely recommend to anyone! I will be back before I leave for the Ahi poke! Very friendly and nice staff. It is also byob! read more

Toyoko N.

479

2 years ago

The garlic shrimp, steak, and salad were all delicious. Also, being able to eat at the outside table felt like a private party and was very comfortable. I want to go again. Mariko Mariko read more

Sam M.

6 years ago

SAMs KITCHEN IS OPEN AGAIN! Hours are 11am-9pm DAILY. Limited seating but OPEN (08/08/2020) May the force be with us, and may garlic breath keep everyone at least 6 feet away! read more

Surf C.

5 years ago

Garlic shrimp lovers this is a must ! Worth every penny, big portions and outside seating which was cool and breezy-we will be back, thanks Sam Go lefty ha know you again. read more

Eddie P.

4 years ago

This place is amazing! Food is great and the team is super friendly! I would definitely recommend. I had the spicy shrimp plate and it was ....AMAZING! Enjoy. read more