I finally found my way to Sam's Place located in a strip mall on Novato Blvd. In the town in of Novato. It has had a long time reputation as a locals favorite, especially for breakfast. I decided to try lunch. So glad I did! I picked the cobb salad, which is an incredible value, fresh and delicious every bit. I chose blue cheese dressing to the side. The salad was loaded with lettuce, bacon, carrots, cabbage, tomato, blue cheese crumble with slices of turkey. Service is cheerful and attentive. The ambiance is casual and a great place to hide out quietly. I recommend. read more

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Decided to give this place a try and ordered the grilled chicken Sandwich with some bacon. The lady who took my order said bacon was an extra $3. I was ok with that. I asked for my side to be a soup. Got to the restaurant and she helped me out she coughed a bit then charged me and the price seemed a little high. It went from $11.95 + $3 for the bacon so let's say $15 plus tax what a few dollars but to reach $22 almost $23 for a sandwich is crazy. On top of that the bacon seems like one slice cut into multiple. The chicken breaks is small. And the Worst part is when she was putting the soup in the container she used a scoop to get the noodles but then she used her fingers slide the noodles into the container no gloves and she was working the register not to mention she coughed onto her hand when she was charging me. Needless to say I tossed the soup when I left the restaurant. Won't be coming back. Food does not seem worth the price I paid. read more

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Went to have breakfast this morning I do feel sorry for the mgr his waiter had not come in yet. So was triple duty cashier,server, order taker ! He did warn us it would 20 min wait to be service ... but it turned to be a no service for 45 min wait! read more

Still love the space and the staff. Since we had to wait to get our car smogged at the Chevron across the way we decided to head into Sam's for brunch. We shared a chorizo, scrambled eggs, & cheddar cheese breakfast burrito with a side of hash browns, and enjoyed some coffee. Still the same great friendly service with smiles and Shelley is awesome. Was the best breakfast burrito we've had? No, but came hot, cheesy, & tasted good. Sam's has ample seating inside and we also enjoy sitting at the counter. read more

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Recently ordered lunch for the office here and most of us went with the classic fish and chips. The fish itself was pretty bland and lacked seasoning and flavor. I expected a little more from a fried dish, especially when it comes to something as simple as fish and chips. The fries were fine, nothing special. For someone who doesn't really like coleslaw, it was probably the only best thing on that plate. read more

Sam's Place - Fish and Chips lunch - New American Near Me - Novato, California

Love this diner. French toast, goulash, French dip and turkey dinner all delicious!! Come here several days a week. Nancy read more

They roast and trim thier on corned beef. It is lean and tender. So I would definitely recommend that corned beef hash for breakfast and a Reuben sandwich for lunch or dinner. It is so good it's the only thing I've tried on the menu. Oh, I take that back, I tried the club sandwich and it was just okay. read more

A NOVATO CLASSIC - HOMEMADE GOODNESS & HEARTFELT SERVICE I've been to Sam's Place more times than I can count, and every visit hits the spot. The menu is huge -- packed with variety -- and everything is house-made, fresh, and full of flavor. You can tell they put real love into their food. What really makes this place stand out is the service. The entire staff gives off such a warm, homey vibe -- they treat you like family, not just a customer. It's easily one of the best food spots in all of Novato -- consistent, cozy, and delicious. I've featured Sam's Place multiple times on my YouTube (@eastcoastdopey) because it truly deserves the spotlight. If you're in the area, this is a must-visit spot. read more

The train is fun. Felt like a little kid watching it go around the rooms and through the wall. The food was ok. Big servings. Has an omelette. It's a good place to go for a little flash back if you like places like Black Baas Diner read more

Best breakfast and lunches in Novato ! New owner hasn't changed a thing ! Oh we order a thanksgiving turkey best ever

This is a heartbreaking review to write. Loved this place. Hadn't been in a little while - it was unexpectedly closed last time I tried - and somehow didn't recognize anybody that worked there. Drinks were brought out wrong but quickly corrected. Mozzarella sticks didn't come out for a long time and instead of the really nice marinara there was a tiny thing of bad tomato sauce and the coating wasn't crispy, like they used the wrong temperature of oil. Food eventually came out and one order had multiple mistakes (corrected without too much fuss), two were fine, and my BLT all the components were fine but with half the bacon they used to use. The fries were inedible. Again, I think at the wrong cooking temperature although maybe they just sat for a while? We each had maybe one or two and didn't touch the rest. Nobody ever asked if we wanted water refills or anything like that. We were the only people in there, mind you, it's not like they were doing anything else. Eventually got the bill and got tired of waiting for somebody to take the credit card and left cash. Which ironically ended up being an extremely generous tip but at that point we just wanted to go home, my daughter in tears because this place had been such a comfort. Nobody noticed or said goodbye as we left. Really a shame that whoever bought this place can't be bothered to operate it properly. read more

Today, my family and I called ahead to get a table for six on the patio. We were seated promptly by Amber. We were there for a birthday lunch, and looking forward to the usual great service and food. Unfortunately, that was not what we experienced. One person in our party got a plate covered in something greasy; and when I took it inside, the owner said he'd get her a new plate, and I told him a new meal was in order. I walked back to our table and another person in our party had taken a few bites of their burger, and it was raw in the middle, not just medium or medium rare, but cold, RAW; she took it in and about fifteen minutes later someone brought her burger back out - YES, the one she took a few bites of; they just threw it on the grill and cooked it some more. It was AFTER that when the first persons food came back. I didn't get my salad until we were ready to leave. When the bill came, our server was very apologetic. I asked to speak to the owner about comping at least one of the meals; because TWO people in our party of six didn't eat with us. The owner never came out to talk with us, but our server Amber did take some off of our bill. Maybe it's because it's a holiday and they're under staffed; but the fact that the owner didn't bother to come out or even apologize was very disapointing; add to that the fact that they literally put food on the grill that someone had eaten from ... in the midst of a covid uptick in our community doesn't sit well with me or my family. One of the people in our party works at a high end restaurant and stated that food that's been eaten from should never be put back on the grill. I tend to agree. read more

I was about to go to Sam's for lunch until someone told me the place has a new owner with new prices. I looked at the menu on line and was flabbergasted at the prices! Needless to say we ate elsewhere... read more

Located in the older part of Novato, Sam's is clearly a local favorite that serves delicious breakfast and lunch dishes. The service was excellent and Sam is actually doing all the cooking. The country fried steak was very good. read more

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Sam's place has a new owner. His name is also Sam my special angel and I met him last Saturday. He is a very friendly young man The food at Sam's is amazing. Shelley is one of the waitresses. She is delitful. She never fails to make us laugh. We love her. read more

4 stars for this way way way overpriced place. Look, I love places like this but the prices? $21 eggs benidict and the entire menu is crazy prices? I can go to a beautiful restaurant for that. We ordered some fries and left. read more

Sam's Place (Novato) My mom treated me to a birthday brunch at Sam's Place in Novato. Neither of us had been there in years, but lately I'd been hearing good reports on Marin Foodies. It looked totally different and in a good way, like an inviting, old fashioned diner, with tiffany lamps, nostalgic signs, cozy booths, and warm wood paneling. I'm all about comfy seating and this totally fit the bill. We got there a little after 11am on a Monday morning and it was moderately busy. There seemed to be a group meeting in the back room (looked like a good space to reserve for private gatherings). Our waitress was very welcoming and gave us great service throughout our visit. My mom got the waffle with homestyle potatoes and she just about ate it all, which she never does. She was especially pleased because she was able to order the potatoes without salt, so she could salt them herself. She said the waffle was really hearty and good. My eggs benedict was among the best I've had and it was cooked perfectly, with plenty of hollandaise, so I didn't need to order a side of sauce. The hash browns were excellent. I topped everything with Cholula sauce since that was on the table. The only weak part was the decaf (pun intended). It tasted like instant coffee, but with cream and sugar, it was fine. They came by several times to offer refills. The portions and prices were about average for this area, but the quality of the food was definitely above average. The rest of the menu looks great, too. I know they serve breakfast till mid-afternoon, but I'm not sure if lunch and dinner are available at other times. Either way, I look forward to trying more dishes at Sam's and taking my family there. (I originally posted this on Marin Foodies Blog which is the companion to Marin Foodies Facebook group) read more

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We were disappointed in Sam's Place. Even though it's very comforting and fun to watch the train set-up, the service was really bad. Nice staff but they couldn't get order right and were very slow. Food, when it finally arrived, was cold or overcooked. Price way too high! read more

A good, old fashioned, family-friendly diner. Let's get something straight right off the bat. if your looking for an exquisite super high end bay area dining experience this is not your review. However if you grew up in the pre-smartphone era and are used to places where the folks are personable and everyone used manners then you might have found a gem in Sam's Place. I've lived in Novato for 7-8 years now and I just recently walked through the doors. Why have I waited so long? I was craving a hearty breakfast at 9AM on a Wednesday and this was the only place open in Novato. Finnegans and Toast doesn't open until 10 and Bacon was shut down due to renovations so I stumbled across Sam's. When I walked in I was greeted by the sights of old pictures of Novato, a smiling waitress and a cool train on the top of the room! (Super fun!). You could tell that a lot of hot rodders either hang out here or the owner is a hot rodder. I sat at the bar and asked a couple questions about the restaurant and menu. Our waitress is a long time Novato resident and we had a nice little chat. She pointed me to the Corned Beef Hash which is made fresh on site. I'm glad I picked that because it was DELICIOUS!!! The taste & textures were spot on and I enjoyed every bite. A lot of people don't like the greasy spoon, diner type of establishment. Hey, all good. However if you like a little bit of old fashioned in your life then give this place a shot. read more

Sam's Place - New American Near Me - Novato, California

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I went today with my family , great food and service! My favorite is the Ruben sandwich, always the best here. Prices a bit high but totally worth it! read more

I've been coming to this place for breakfast for a number of years since we moved to Novato over seven years ago. They have a really great breakfast. Lots to choose from and definitely large servings. The staff is super friendly couldn't ask for more! Then I noticed that they serve dinner. I was in the mood for a really good burger with my partner and we stopped in around 6:30 one night a couple days ago. Great burger I had a cheeseburger with Swiss cheese and grilled mushrooms with bacon and I love a little sour cream on the burger also. Had a mix of french fries and onion rings. Both delicious everything was really delicious. I'm definitely gonna come back and try some of their other meals for dinner. It was hard to not order breakfast which they serve all day and evening. It's a nice little place. Nothing fancy, but really good homemade food! I'd highly encourage anyone to stop in for breakfast lunch or dinner anytime. By the way, I hear they make delicious milkshakes which I will try next time I'm there. Thanks again for great service and great food! read more

Sam's Place - Just a little example of the breakfast menu. I would've taken a picture of my food, but I was so hungry. I wolfed it down exclamation point. - New American Near Me - Novato, California

Everything I expect from an American diner, great iced tea, breakfast served all day, full menu, and an added bonus, outdoor covered patio seating. Service was friendly, my hashbrowns were perfect as was my grilled cheese sandwich. Quiet location with plenty of parking. read more

Sam's Place - Menu - New American Near Me - Novato, California

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Good comfort food. Breakfast at any time is a plus. Lisa is wonderful wait person. Easy menu for orders.

Good ppl, good food, small town feel where Sam and staff actually know your name, know your kids names. I love this place! Not too many like this left! read more

Sam's Place has been a staple in my rotation of restaurants for quite a few years now, so I figure it's finally time to leave a review! First off; the Club sandwich is to die for. Delightfully cooked, perfectly portioned with a nice heaping pile of fries. It's my go-to for lunch whenever I'm in the area, and it's always satisfying! Their prices are a little on the higher side (who's aren't nowadays?) but most items on the menu give good portion sizes (waffles, pancakes, the club sandwich, to name a few). Servers are always friendly and patient, and more often than not are rather knowledgeable on the menu items on offer. Decor is your standard fare; nothing you'd be shocked by, although the little toy train that occasionally runs along the ceiling is a nice eyecatch for kids when they have it up and running. Perhaps I am biased due to coming here for so many years, but it could also be said that my dedication betrays the consistency of their quality, wouldn't you agree? I'd say give it a try the next time you're in the area. read more

So this morning we decided to give Sam's Place an in person visit.. What I think about our visit.. We were greeted with a friendly smile and welcomed in.. We sat at the counter and there we met our server Amber, she answered all my questions about what we were interested in. Like the Corned Beef Hash, FRESH! (not from a can) goodness. My guy loved it and was very happy with his choice. It was really good! I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak, it was also cooked to perfection, the gravy was tasty, not salty it was very delicious. Would I recommend it? I absolutely would!!!!The restaurant is clean, comfortable..Fresh coffee brewing. I Love the smell of coffee.. I Loved our in restaurant experience and am happy to add a new updated review.. We will definitely be back again. Thankyou Amber for A+ service.. We appreciate you! read more

My GF wanted to eat at greasy spoon restaurant for breakfast. Traditional American eggs, hash browns and sausage. We were at a Costco run in Novato and found Sam's Place on Yelp. This is not the type of restaurant I usually patronize. The place was packed with regulars and it seemed that quite a few tables knew people at other tables. The staff was friendly and they were in constant motion. That being said the service was painfully slow. The GF had the above mentioned breakfast and I opted for the turkey and vegetable soup. The soup was a bit salty for my taste and had too much Italian seasoning. This restaurant isn't for everyone, but the people that go here on a regular basis love it. I would say that fifty percent of the patrons were elderly. read more

Sam's Place - Turkey vegetable soup - New American Near Me - Novato, California

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The food was delicious, it was a to go order. The service was quick and friendly. The decor was dated I will go back.

Overpriced for very mediocre food. $20 tiny breakfast burrito that literally only had eggs and ham Country potatoes with no seasoning Nasty lol read more

Sam's Place - Breakfast burrito - New American Near Me - Novato, California

I love this place. It's a diner with good food, kind service, and... a toy train running along the ceiling! My mom and I love to go here together because it reminds us of the diners we used to go to on the east coast. The breakfasts are great and we can have dinner at 4:30 like we would if we were 90 years old in Florida. The food is consistently quite good and I'm pretty sure they have different homemade pies daily. read more

Years ago there was a TV program called cheers, where everyone knew your name. That Sam's place, my friends and I and everyone else knows in Novato knows about Sam's. The inside and outside is clean and you can always tell by the bathroom how clean it is. For a law enforcement officer in the past knows if the bathroom is clean / spotless it will tell you everything about the restaurant. Mr. and Mrs. Sam's are just wonderful people and all the waitresses that work there know your name and they know what you've ordered in the past. The morning afternoon and night time meals are excellent. The price is right and it's so comfortable in there too and very safe. So take my advice if you want a quality experience for your meal, and you want excellent food and service plus surroundings - please pick Sam's restaurant. Sincerely, Stan B. read more

Sam's Place - New American Near Me - Novato, California

Outstanding! This place is a well known Marin Breakfast & Lunch Restaurant! Servings are generous, the Pies are Excellent, the Atmosphere is Family Friendly & so are the employees! read more

What started as a place for us to wait out rush-hour traffic and feed our kids (loved seeing "family friendly"), was a very nice evening! When I first saw the prices, I was thinking "oh no, this price for deli food?!" but we sat out on the patio that was a very pleasant evening. We were able to chat with Sam (owner) & his wife and our kids LOVED the train running around the restaurant. My husband's Black Russian sandwich was DELICIOUS. They said they were known for Fish & Chips, which I ordered, and was fine but not to rave about. Kids meals were reasonably priced for the quantity, but we enjoyed our visit and the ambiance immensely. Also, observed Sam be extremely patient with a patron (my guess is an adult perhaps on the spectrum) telling him many long stories, and he stood there listening intently...a skill I don't see often. read more

Sam's Place - Outdoor patio area - New American Near Me - Novato, California

Unassuming outside, drove by for decades. Wanted to try a new place. Inside is clean, charming even. Gas fireplace, music on weekend mornings, large private room and outside seating. Shelley and staff were friendly and then in walked our neighbors who have come here for years. Corned beef hash was awesome. read more

Sam's Place - Breakfast menu April 2019 - New American Near Me - Novato, California

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wow. This is a greyt place for a good meal and bring your friends to make it a blast. If you have a group you mght b able to use the back room if you are very very weñl behaved. read more

Literally the worst breakfast we've had in a long time. Party of 9 for Xmas Eve family breakfast. Zero coffee refills offered, food came out 5-10 minutes apart from others. Country potatoes were "al-dente". Biscuit & gravy was sooo bland - I ate tastier paste in elementary school & it was about the same consistency! Several dishes were served cold. At one point, our waitress was standing right outside the front door smoking! Save your money & hit up McD's. I guarantee you the food & service will be better than this joint. read more

Sam's Place - $4.00 for a side of hollandaise that was barely bigger than a creamer pod! - New American Near Me - Novato, California

I'm really liking hanging out on their really nice patio. The tables are distanced and I feel really safe. They even have a water fountain for a relaxing vibe. Their food is all old school diner style and priced the same. It's always really good and tasty. I usually come for breakfast and a occasional lunch. If you haven't tried it, you might wanna check it out. The staff are also always efficient and helpful. read more

Sam's Place - Really nice patio vibe - New American Near Me - Novato, California

This was one of the quaintest, most adorable home town diners I've been to in a while! So charming right from the moment you walk in the door and I LOVED the train going around the ceiling! Our server, didn't catch her name, was so sweet and took great care of my date and I. The food was delicious. Would definitely recommend and come back to try other dishes! read more

We've been visiting this location pretty much since it was a First Interstate Bank, then the Hofbrau and now Sams. Sam and his crew have been doing an incredible job with the small outdoor space they have right off Center, and the service is impeccable as well. We've been there three or four times since Covid, and every time we come to find a clean table, masked servers, and great food. IF you want to place to eat out - and who doesn't, we're all going stir-crazy - come to Sam's! read more

Looking for a home cook meal. Sams has the best, not fancy good American home food. Breakfast is our favorite and we recommend to go early on Sundays. Good menus with lots of choices. Sam and his wife are very down to earth and his crew are friendly, know their customers and funny. Lots of parking, outside or inside seating and our favorite is to sit at the counter, lots of room. Fireplace on those cold days, private dining area and a really good train that runs around the whole restaurant. Sam makes a great pastrami sandwich in a couple different ways and the fish and chips are the best in town! read more