Sam’s Southern Eatery

When I first heard about Sam’s Southern Eatery, the first thing I did was look up the reviews. Most customers rated it five stars on two major sites. Since I am still looking for a decent place to eat in Norman, I decided to give Sam’s a try. It’s mostly a seafood place, with a few meat dishes thrown in. Otherwise, they serve fried and grilled catfish, tilapia, shrimp, oysters, gumbo, and po’boys, plus all the sides one would expect in a seafood restaurant--fried okra, fried mushrooms, fried green tomatoes, red beans, rice, coleslaw, and a couple of different fried cheese appetizers. First impressions: clean place, interesting decor. It was early afternoon, so it was past the lunch hour and it wasn’t crowded. Service was top-notch, a terrific waitress who was attentive and friendly. No problems at all with anybody in front or behind the counter. They could not have been nicer. Now, for the food. I ordered the 3 fish, 3 oyster basket with coleslaw and green beans. I’d read so much about the huge helpings, I figured I could take what I didn’t eat home. Well, no. The food was hot (except for the coleslaw but there was not an enormous amount of anything, and for the price I expected more than I got. You can order your seafood fried or grilled. You pay $1.00 if they grill it, so I ordered fried. I should have paid the extra dollar. The heavy breading on both the fish and oysters was hard and an ugly shade of brown—a sure sign these came out of a freezer. The fish was served with a plop of what tasted like Miracle Whip on the side. I was really looking forward to the oysters. I couldn’t have been more disappointed. They came with some weird pink tartar sauce—no tang, no texture—like nothing I’ve ever encountered. I’ve eaten fried oysters on both coasts. If anybody actually believes this is how fresh fried oysters and tartar sauce should taste, they need to do some traveling to a real seafood restaurant by the sea, not in land-locked Oklahoma. (Yes, I should have known better. And the two hushpuppies that came with the meal—well, there’s a reason why they’re called hushpuppies, but I doubt even a dog would eat these. The food was barely edible. That’s the best I can say about it. It was not good. My waitress deserved the generous tip I left for her, and the staff is obviously doing everything possible to make this place attractive, but I won’t be going back.

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this is a great place to eat both in norman clinton. I ate both. nothing imaginable. they get a lot of good food. service is also amazing! I'll get you back! the hired looked a little sketchy, but I think that most had made only one to many bad decisions in life (all that I have seen both paintings). I am really glad that the owners give these people a chance to make better decisions in their lives. the help was great. Maybe they have to pay their staff more, not sure what they do, but my waitress was hungry. I felt bad for her. the other waiter seemed very hard to try. it was nice to finally see some people who have not forgotten about hard work, moral ethics. will definitely be back. good eating a lot to a reasonable price, can't beat this in these days. was also clean.

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We went for the catfish... and gotta say... they smacked it over the fence ... Home run ! Lisa was our friendly and gracious server... a real wealth of knowledge too ... as she spoke of the AERATED CATFISH swims in oxygenated water to eliminate the Dirty flavour some catfish have...I could tell the difference as the flavour popped ... was sooooo warm and inviting to take the next bite ! I've been to the Noble store and theres no comparison ... Food was good there ... but quite a boring place w/ no charm or character ... not a pic or antique on the walls. The Norman store .... Is 1st in several categories... let them prove it to you ... my second time in and foresee a return trip !

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can't go wrong if they eat at sam. I, my man, our daughter enjoyed everything we ordered. I have fish, garnel, hush puppy 2 pages that I always order to be my side hush puppies, they are the best. when they go into us, we are always treated with great care. no worries because their bathrooms are always clean! this is the place for fish shrimp and all kinds of sea food to go!

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loves her chicken stripes and fried fish. the personal is friendly. faster service and warm atmosphere

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