It's packed in here and the wait was not long at all with patrons matriculating in and out of the restuarant. The menu has everthing from frogs legs to fried corn on the cob. They offer complimentary seafood-dip pre-appetizers which is tasty. The service was good and the presentation of the stuff mushrooms and the fried green tomatoes was excellent and they were delicious. Me and hunny got the seafood platter which had fish, crab cakes, meaty clams, shrimp, scallops, hushpuppies and 4 sides; no substitutions are allowed. The platter won; we had to tap out after eating, basically force feeding, 30% of it. Everybody's leaving with a to-go box and ours box was stuffed just like we were. The lady who sat beside us said to make sure to count your shrimp. The price was appropriate. read more

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I only got a salad but it was great! The dressing was really good. My friend enjoyed all his food. I know many people that love this place.

Recent Health Inspection: At Risk-3 violations for good hygenic practices, food contact surfaces clean, toxic items properly labled & food management certificates. I have not been here in a while. They have new billboards plastered on I-75 that say "Killer Seafood" "Florida's Best" with a new pop art type logo giving the effect this is a trendy place. Not! Nothing has changed inside at all. Banquet chairs, bare walls, one open sad area with dirty rugs and restroom. This location has NEVER been renovated. They took all the high priced seafood items off of the menu and are charging exhuberent prices for cheaper seafood entrees. The only shining star are the lunch special, which by the way run until 4:00. A good selection of seafood entrees w/2 hush puppies and 2 sides. And you recieve a decent amount of seafood. Prices for the lunch specials range from $7.99-$9.99. Unfortunately the vegetable sides are frozen. With frozen cheap fish, you'd think at least the sides would be fresh. Too bad the server doesn't know if they serve sea or bay scallops. They should of put those extra dollars into the product and renovations in lieu of advertising. read more

This has became one of new favorite places to come, the food is always great & the waiter we had was amazing. The hosts unfortunately are always very rude and lack any customer service skills, but I will still come back to enjoy the food. read more

Great seafood! First time in here and was not disappointed. Clam chowder was excellent and the seafood was fresh. Good service too.

Went in, seated immediately!!! Waitress took our order and returned with our drinks before we could get the kid on the booster seat. We ordered the seafood platter for two. I washed my hands. When I returned, the waitress was bringing our food, piping hit. The seafood was FRESH. Best calamari I have ever eaten. More food than my wife, daughter and I could finish. We had a full takeout tray left. Excellent fresh food and fast service!!! read more

Great food and great service Very pleased with the food did not expect such a great menu in a Resturant next to a grocery store. Check it out read more

Sam's St Johns Seafood - Look at all that food. - Seafood Near Me - Ocala, Florida

I order the stuff mushrooms for appetizers, it was starter, it taste great. I order the crab cakes with Mac cheese and corn on the cob. Also order the grilled salmon Mac and cheese and bake mash potatoes. The food was delicious, everything was cooked very well. My meal cost $45.00 worth every penny. read more

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We went into this place, excited to try something new (we are new to the area) and we were totally ignored by the hostess. We waited a few minutes, she talked in the phone, replied to another waitress who asked her a question, but never even looked up once at us to even acknowledge us being there, much less tell us "one minute, please". We walked out. Might go back again someday, but if it happens again, it will surely be the last time. read more

Great food and service! The fried green tomatos, shrimp and grits were awesome. The service was very attentive and most of the staff have been there a number of years. read more

Stopped in today to enjoy the usually great shrimp. Bad idea. First of all the cole slaw was bitter and chunky not the usually sweet fine cut we were used to. The baked potato was barely room temperature and wouldn't even melt the butter so we didn't eat more than 1/4 of each of them. The hush puppies were overcooked and greasy. The shrimp was fair. The waitress did not seem to care as was the cashier. We will wait a long time before returning. Maybe by then they will have a better cook. read more

Its a good restaurant! A bit short staffed, but that's no big deal! Cleaned up since shut down due to bug infestation! Food was awesome!

I waited til I was completely calm and pulled together to post this! Your food that I ate was awesome! My husband being the great guy he is brought me here after taking me to silver springs to celebrate my bday which was the day before but I had a doctor's appointment that I drove two hours for one way so he decided we would celebrate it that day! We got there my husband dropped me off at the front door because it was raining and parked in handicap which should have told your staff something when that happened and I walked in with a cane. But obviously not! We ordered, appetizers we're awesome, plenty there, we were actually talking about how awesome the place was. I got up and went to the bathroom and when I went to come out one of the kitchen staff, she had an apron on is how I realized that. Held the door open for me and as I was walking out...our waitress made the comment as she was walking from the dining room back towards the kitchen opening which is by the bathroom well aren't you the good door holder for the cripple. The entire kitchen staff and waitresses whoever was in that immediate area busted out laughing! I walked back to my table sat down because the food had come holding tears in knowing if I told my husband your restaurant would not be left in one piece. And when I wouldn't eat and the waitress came back by our table I finally told him I had to go, I gave him cash to pay instead of him using a card and told him just pay and I had to get out of there and gave him the basics of what happened because I was so upset and still knowing what my husband is capable of when he is protecting me. He called the manager over who got there before I could walk out and I informed him with my husband asking me to lower my voice and I told him No because if your entire staff thought it was so funny to laugh at someone with a disability and that is fighting for their life just to be able to come to your restaurant and live a normal life like they do then I was not going to be quiet!! When I got done I walked out. My husband tried to pay but the manager told him just go. But fact is your entire staff has issues!!! If they find it funny to laugh at an adult with disabilities because they don't understand then they should ask!!! Ask questions don't make jokes!!!! What if I was depressed or a teenager who could not handle that situation??? I have Lupus and several other Autoimmune diseases and health issues that make me disabled and obviously if I'm walking with a cane and my spouse is with me it isn't for looks!!! Your business really looks bad here!! First time there and last time there and if this is a franchise which we believe it is then you made the entire franchise look extremely bad!!! Sad since the food was so awesome! read more

This was the worst experience ever. The did was tasteless. The service worst. Don't waist your time or money

Love this place. Great selections, wonderful attentive service. Large portions. I got a pick two selection and I felt that I had an all you can eat special. Didn't have to wait long, place was clean and picked the right time to go and beat the crowds. However, if you're at a table I can see where if it did get busy it could be pretty tight. read more

Good food! Plates look small but you'll be surprised they aren't the eyes will deceive you

This restaurant used to be my favorite but now it dropped all the way down on my list. The shrimp is raw and slimy, the fries were raw, the hushpuppies were like play-doh and the clams are like rubber. I do not recommend to come here, if you want sea food go to red lobster. read more

Great variety with lots of shrimp/scallop combinations. Super friendly efficient staff.

Been eating here for years. Great seafood at a great price. Always clean. The fish/seafood spread is great. Great fried oysters and shrimp.

Are you driving down I-75 and want seafood that tastes so fresh like the boat is docked out back? STOP RIGHT HERE! The boat isn't out back -- but it tastes like it! Fried shrimp lightly battered and fried to perfection. Pollock fried the same way. Finally a hush puppy that isn't tasteless! And you get 2 sides for lunch. You must try the clam chowder-delicious. Reasonably priced and friendly staff. About 5 minutes off the interstate and well worth the little trek. By yourself or with a friend or crowd there is something for everyone. read more

Had to stop and have a tire repaired so we asked for suggestions of places to eat. Parker's Tire & Service suggested we try this place. What a GREAT suggestion. Wonderful service, friendly staff, and the food was amazing. Huge portions for the price. Definitely have to visit this place again. read more

This WAS a favorite resturant. Things have changed. I ordered "all you can eat" crab and they refused to bring any after the initial serving! Also the once complimentary seafood dip is gone. The quantity & quality of the meals served to the others at my table was also not like it used to be. When trying to offer constructive advise to manager Brad, he demonstrated a very unprofessional attitude....we wil not go back read more

Food is good but the manager Tony allows reservations for 20 on a Friday during peak hours. Waited over an hour with a reservation. Someone needs to plan big parties for non peak times. Really disappointing! read more

Always great food and service. My fiancé loves the ribeye. He said it's the best steak in town. Better than marks prime rib. I love the fried shrimp and the prices are great. read more

Sam's knows how to fry green tomatoes, fish and hush puppies! Conveniently located in a shopping center at the intersection of 326 and 441, Sam's is a pleasant and casual local favorite, and they have a very friendly and accommodating staff to serve your food. They are quite adept at serving a crowd, so don't let a line scare you. read more

This was one of my favorite restaurants for seafood until recently. The portions have been significantly reduced and not as fresh. The price is still excellent but will not go out of my way to return. read more

Stopped in for dinner with my husband tonight. Very disappointed with the restaurant this evening. They had just sat a table of 15 and they were unable to help anyone else that came in (and used that as the excuse for slow service) after waiting over 30 minutes we left, tables were not being bused and employees were not very friendly to anyone that came in. I have been coming to this restaurant since it opened in this location, but not to sure I will ever go back. They lost several guest this evening not just us. At least 6 besides us...I'm only giving 1star since in the past it was decent but has steadily gone down hill. read more

Don't let the store front or the strip mall fool you. Sam's has great fresh seafood. It's a casual family friendly environment. You will not leave hungry. We fed a family of 7 for around $100 and had plenty for lunch the next day. We are here visiting and liked it so much we went back again. The shrimp was perfectly cooked. The calamari were tender. The crab claws were meaty and tasty. Nice job read more

Good food and service. Disappointed that they started to charge for the once complimentary seafood dip and crackers. Portions have gone down while priced have creeped up. read more

I don't see how you can give this place a bad review. GREAT FOOD, WAS MY FAVORITE RESTAURANT WHEN I LIVED DOWN THERE! Go before 4 and you can get the all you can eat seafood, or fish for 10 DOLLARS! You cant beat that the fried seafood is amazing. Love the platter enough food for two meals. Great!!! read more

I give the fried shrimp here 5 stars. They've really fresh and have a great light batter. The place in next to a super market and nothing fancy but has good food. I've eaten here every time I'm in Ocala. read more

Great fresh seafood. Had entree called enough for one & it ended up being enough for two. Definitely will be back.

Busy Sunday afternoon. Prompt service. After dining, and waiting for the bill, I had to run to the "john" and void my meal. And one more time before we could leave. After arriving home, one other party member had their food pass through quickly as well. Common denominator was shrimp, coleslaw. Shrimp tasted good, although there was no seasoning in the shrimp boil, which the server assured me there would be. Thank heaven for cocktail sauce. Potato was burnt black. Last meal was very good, but cannot take another chance here. Many more restaurants in Ocala. read more

A party of three went, 2 had the 30 pc fried shrimp,and the other grilled tilapia, food was awesome and more than enough for your money, was packed on a friday night and service was unbelievable, fast, efficient and well taken care of by everyone..The place gives you a home town restaurant feeling.. Well worth the stop...next time to the area will definitely stop again... read more

After reading the reviews I was hesitating about going but friends had invited us so I thought I'd go with an open mind. I'm glad I didn't listen to the reviews. The service was great, the food was excellent and the prices were very good. I particularly liked the part that let seniors order from the lunch menu and add $1.50 to the price. You could mix and match the fish. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to my friends. Lorraine, Ocala read more

I ordered their galley for one, blue crab appetizer, cup of clam chowder and a side of fried shrimp. The good, I'm from Massachusetts and have been missing a decent fried seafood dinner. Most places in Ocala (including all the Chinese restaurants I've tried so far) use the cheap breaded shrimp that is no better than what you find in the frozen food section of a supermarket. This place makes the fried seafood the way any good sub place in the Northeast would, including the shrimp. The coleslaw is good as well. Not so good, I made it a point to ask if I could get tartar sauce and was assured it was a given. I asked if there would be remoulade for the crab cakes in the galley platter and I was somewhat impatiently assured it would be included. Tartar sauce was included. Remoulade was not. So much for qc. The crab cake in the galley platter was awful and, as mentioned above, lacking remoulade to dip it in (or in this case, I would have used it to try to hide the flavor of the crab cake, but alas, no remoulade.) Clam chowder was good after I took it home and added the cream and butter it was missing. Clam chowder is not a health food, it should be decadent. The menu and other descriptions have talked about blue crab as potentially the best tasting type of crab. If crab that tastes the way fish food or seaweed smells is what they mean, then I'll be a barbarian and stick with the sweet, juicy flavor of king crab legs. This stuff was gross. It was also battered, which I didn't expect and do not feel added anything to the dish. I'll probably go back when my craving for a fried seafood dinner gets the best of me, but I will be asking to substitute almost anything for the awful crab. read more

I live blocks from this place but only go there in a pinch. Way too much fried food and not enough healthy options. Thought it was a little pricey for the quality (more of a fast food quality). Too bad. The area we're in is a captive audience. Not much else close by as far as sit down restaurant but I will drive much further to not have to go there. read more

What very impressed with this place. Most of our hot food was luke warm to cold. Fries were under cooked. Would not recommend at all, will never go back. read more

I loved it!Its a great place to bring your family.The food was delicious,and they have a very friendly staff.I would recomend it to anyone.

we had a great meal and the portions were nice. the scallops were good. we appreciate the fact she asked us if we wanted them grilled or fried. the waitress new the menu like the back of her hand. we will be back. read more