Sam's Southern Eatery - Springfield

I recently visited a restaurant in Missouri for the first time this spring, and I have to say, I was truly happy with my experience. The food was delicious, especially the hot fries! However, I did have a negative encounter with the cashier, who was quite rude. I wish he had a name tag, as I would like to provide feedback about him specifically. Overall, I enjoyed the meal, but the service could use some improvement.

When we picked up our order, they offered us some sauces. Based on past experiences, we requested two sauce containers for each order, but the person at the counter said that wasn’t possible and handed us an extra sauce instead. The containers were so small that they didn’t even fill a jello shot cup halfway (see picture). It was a bit amusing, but we were also taken aback by his refusal to accommodate our request. I understand if we had placed a smaller order and were trying to stockpile sauces, but come on, it feels a bit petty to skimp on sauces for returning customers over something that probably costs them just a few cents. This is disappointing!

The food we received was excellent and came out quickly. My big rubber bag (surprisingly delicious) was substantial and satisfying. Gumbo is usually quite tasty in the South, but this was exceptional—it exceeded my expectations. It was served with a fried bread I hadn’t tried before, and I’ll definitely seek it out again. We also enjoyed catfish fillets, fried shrimp, and fried oysters, all beautifully seasoned and prepared. The chicken wings rounded out the meal and were quite good as well. The sides provoked their own praise; the coleslaw and french fries were very enjoyable, but the standout was the red beans and rice—it was the best I've ever had, even better than my own recipe. The staff were friendly, and the service was prompt. Prices were a bit on the higher side, but given the quality of the food, it was definitely justified. The menu was well-designed, offering flexible options to mix and match your choices—3 or 6 of one item, 2 or 4 of another, etc. Overall, this was a fantastic meal, and I would happily return. There are reportedly 51 locations of Sams Southern Eatery across the USA, primarily in the central and southern states. So, if you come across one, don't hesitate to pop in for a hearty southern meal.

Unfortunately, Sam is not what it used to be. My husband had the fish bo'boy who was very good for the price. I had the Phillie and again it was a small amount of food. We shared the fried green tomatoes, but her ranch dressing tasted more like mayonnaise than anything else. You forgot to give me my red beans and rice. When I brought her to her attention, my side was given to me. The red beans and rice with some added salt were the most beautiful part of my meal. Our bill was over $34. Never

Best seafood I?ve had in a long time! Definitely coming back! Fried greens tomatoes and fried catfish out of this world!