Last week, Gnightgirl (aka Lori of Toys for Troops fame) told a delightful small-town story about Sam’s Cafe, the greasy spoon (that’s putting it politely) in downtown Champaign. Essentially (read it for yourself here) it tells how Lori secured some amazing free advertising for Toys for Troops on the restaurant’s ceiling.
For those of you who don’t know about Sam’s, it is a tiny hole-in-the-wall downtown that serves up a mean breakfast every morning. In addition, on Thursday and Friday nights, Sam’s is open for dinner. But the fare is traditional Lebanese — made fresh by Sam’s wife, Toty. It’s not often that I can get out for dinner with a friend on a Thursday night, but last week an out-of-towner was visiting and we had the opportunity to escape. I had just read Lori’s post about Sam’s, and it was fresh on my brain — thankfully! It was a subtle reminder of something I had wanted to do for a long time. So when we were doing the where-should-we-go mambo, the lightbulb went off in my head — Sam’s!
We were not disappointed. Both of us ordered the falafel, and it was the yummiest, most scrumptious falafel I have had in a very long time. The hummus was nothing to write home about, but it was decent. Best of all was the price — $7.00 for a very satisfying meal. The only thing not made in Sam’s kitchen, we learned, is the baklava (pronounced bak-lawa in Lebanese), which is imported from Michigan. Be aware that the menu is somewhat limited, but there are often specials. Try this gem of a place for yourself.
6 responses so far ↓
Me // October 22, 2007 at 12:52 pm
is there any lentle soup??? I will have to kidnap my husband and take him there
Gnightgirl // October 22, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Hey, I’m famouser now with your mentioning my post, than the tile will make me! Thanks! Glad you like the Lebanese food; the tilapia special is always a winner too!
cheers!
Miss E // October 22, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Oh man, I miss Sam’s so much. Their French toast is honestly not to be missed.
moon_grrl // October 24, 2007 at 7:14 am
I’m glad to see more love for Sam’s. I usually get the Denver omlette with no meat and wheat toast.
Yum!
Lisa // October 27, 2007 at 6:31 am
Yes! When I read Gnightgirl’s post, I said to myself, must go to Sam’s for Lebanese. Were there other items besides those you mentioned? The old man doesn’t really get into falafel or hummus (not that he’s my ONLY date, heh heh).
lbotp // October 27, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I don’t recall any lentil soup — but they do have other items like tabouleh, some sort of chicken dish, and some sort of beef. I bet if you stop in there during the day they might have a menu to give you, it’s not fancy they’re just printed on paper :-).
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