Unlike our experience at It's Italia Sam's Server patiently gave us multiple seating options and we ended up w/a perfect high top near the Bar. Our Server Jesus absolutely fabulous. We ordered a large clam Chowder, Petrale Sole + Lobster Roll. All 3 well-portioned, beautifully...presented + very tasty. Ver positive experience. Recommended. Highly...More

We has the oysters Rockefeller, salmon and halibut, plus brussels sprouts. All were perfect, and the sauces on the fish were amazing.

Nice spot. Food was very average. My gumbo was minestrone (almost no sausage and no crab) , Shrimp Luis was dull. Very nice staff.

This is a really popular place - line is long - food was fine - but nothing special - a lot of hype

Best place to eat in Half Moon Bay. I suggest start with the Chowder, so delicious. I had the special which was a Lobster served with corn and coleslaw. The lobster was perfectly cooked and delicious, corn & slaw was good too. I highly recommend.

I read the reviews, and a relative also recommended Sam's as he went there with his family since he lived in the area. We ate there 3 nights in a row. We did not choose the lobster as east coasters who get plenty of lobsters...year round, but the local halibut and sole were excellent. The tuna poke was amazing if you like this. Fresh vegetables from local farms only adds to the meal. The new england clam chowder was excellent as to flavor, but a little short on the clams. We had 3 different wait staff over the 3 nights, and all were very good. Sam runs a very tight ship and that is why they are always busy with people waiting.More

This Birthday Dinner exceeded my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. From the hostess who led us to our table, who greeted me by name and wished me a warm happy birthday, to our server Laurie, all were so kind, friendly and...attentive; everyone made me feel special. As requested, we got a window table with a beautiful water view. We ordered a small cup of chowder, a few oysters, and the special: a Maine lobster with a side of delicious cole slaw, corn on the cob and sour dough bread. We barely had room for dessert, but couldn’t resist trying the peach blueberry crumble and the special, a peach and coconut profiterole (with a birthday candle on top)!. Both desserts were comped because it was my birthday. I had been to Sam’s Chowder House one other time many years ago while visiting my brother. It was the perfect combination of great people and delicious food.More

Delicious chowder— I had the New England style. I was in the mood for fish and chips and a beer. When I didn’t see fish & chips on the menu I asked my waiter who said, No problem! Coming right up! The strawberry arugula salad...was delicious and “French Cuisine like” in that the portion was rather petite.More

A delightful experience, indeed. The crammed parking area is the first clue that this restaurant is worth your time. Even as busy as the restaurant was, our service was very good. The clams were excellent and the stuffed prawns scrumptious. We both had the house...made ice cream … delicious. Definitely worth a visit; but make reservations!More

We had our daughter and new son in law wedding reception there , 40 of us . Wow is an understatement, that place flat killed it ! The food was over the top great and the staff were amazing, ten stars for us . The...food was the star of the show , every course was delicious and we ate everything. This Texas father of the bride was so happy, thank you to everyone, y’all were amazing.More

4 of us shared a calamari appetizer that was lightly fried and not greasy. 3 of us had New England chowder and 1 had Manhattan. We all agreed the New England was too thin and did not have many clams at all. There was no...heartiness to it and lacked flavor. We shared a key lime pie which was delicious. We arrived about 20 minutes before Sam’s opened for lunch so we drove around a little. When we came back exactly at 11:30, there was a very long line waiting to enter. We couldn’t believe it and worried about getting a table. But the restaurant is VERY big and there was no need to panic. We got a good laugh from it. We ate inside with a wonderful view of the harbor and ocean. Bottom line…extensive and varied menu is worth ordering from but don’t expect the chowder to impress you.More

Read the great reviews online and made the effort to visit because we are foodies. The service and atmosphere were all good but the lobster naked sandwich which gave them their reputation as the place to go to on the oceanfront was a complete let...down. I do not recommend it if you're thinking about trying it. Maybe they were great once but not now. The lobster was over-cooked, dry and tasteless. The best thing was the bun it came on. We ordered 3 and all of them were the same. We also ordered fried calamari and it was also not fresh and not hot but tasted like it was sitting out a while and over-cooked too which you never do with seafood. Drinks were watered down. Wasted lunch money. Couldn't finish it because it was so bad. Even if I chuck it up to an off day for the restaurant, still not acceptable to hold their position as a top choice. They need to step it up!More