Amazing Food, had an amazing time eating a burger at the bar. The Bourdain Special hit the spot

If I could give them 10 stars I would. The single greatest burger I've ever had. While the quality has gone down over the last 7 years that I've been devouring their double cheeseburgers, their taste is unmatched. The combination of their char, butter and fresh ground meat is so perfect in its proportions but the real game changer is their method of adding a liquid on top while making these burgers. I've observed carefully that it's not just plain water but what do I know. I do know that it is what keeps their burgers JUICY as hell. The staff is welcoming and have a very cool vibe. They're hard working people. The greatest burgers are made when Omar is at the helm so be sure to expect the most delectable experiences if you see a handsome dude with long hair put together in a turban making burgers. The ambiance is that of a divey diner. This restaurant is an institution. Bourdain may have made them famous but their taste is unparalleled and truly American. I love their food and I hope they expand their legacy and continue the great tradition forward for another century. God bless Sam for starting this gem.

Sam's is a really great spot I wish I had tried out sooner. I was always afraid because of the bar setting the cook would talk to me too much but that wasn't the case. The burgers are comforting and the vegetables and sauce add great flavor. Honestly this place is a victim of its own success. If it was just your local burger joint I think it would be 5/5. But since it has a global reputation I think people and myself included have high expectations. And you pay for that reputation. Luckily it still keeps its hometown feel nonetheless.

Anthony Bourdain led me to this gem. This is the perfect late night spot after a night cruise through Chinatown. The Sam's cheeseburger is sooo juicy and chalked with that smoky grill flavor. The thing about this burger is that it's quite simple, it's got the standard American cheese, toasted bun, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup, and mustard. But those flavors combined with that charred burger is just something else!! The chef is also so personable and eager to make conversation :) the vibes were good, the food was fooding, and there's a story on the wall of how this restaurant came about. Also the pictures don't do the flavors justice.

HAHA This place is funny! It's an old diner from 1966. Old fashioned and the menu offers cheeseburgers, fish and chips, polish hot dog, and fried shrimp..french fries that you won't eat. French fries for the thighs. hahah. Sam was here and Sam has left the building. It's a preservation project. The guy who ran it mostly says it was 1966-2016. There's old clippings on the wall. It's near North Beach and Chinatown. I was walking around and I couldn't find a restaurant to eat at until this one was calling my name today. It's fun like Coney Island. Ordered fried fish and fries. Eat it with packets of tartar sauce. They offer the Anthony Bourdain special and Anthony Bourdain was here and here's his very own Yelp post. Blue eyes..

Best burger in town. It's a cornerstone for sf gastronomy. The late Anthony Bourdain was right to say that this is a must stop for your burger fix. The service is excellent. The chef is friendly and chatty. The owner is very personable. He brought out my order during a very packed restaurant service when he didn't have to. The decor feels like a classic hole in the wall but in the best way.

Battling a serious case of the Mondays and the post St. Paddy's day blues, I had been craving a burger for hours when I remembered I get to pass this San Francisco staple on the walk home. Sam, his son, and the chef's have been grilling up American style cheese burgers over a flame grill in this hole in the wall for nearly 60 years. Their classic recipe is the epitome of if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Served on a paper plate with all the fixins, this not a fancy grommet-style meal, and there's no secret ingredient that keeps people coming back for more. It's the back to basics deliciousness paired with the old style feel of diners of the past. Staffed by only one or two people at a time, they're flipping burgers and making them consistently amazing and quick. Sam's hit the spot and 100% satiated my craving. They're open late on the weekends, so I'm looking forward to popping in again soon to round off a night out.

Normally I wouldn't eat at an old dive place like this, but it was featured in an Anthony Bourdain episode, and after midnight your food options are limited! And if you've been out drinking all night, Sam's double cheese burger and fries is your preemptive hangover cure! It's a tiny place with minimal atmosphere, and it feels a bit grimy, but clean enough. The cook was friendly and chill, probably a bit stoned too. Can't confirm, and can't blame him either. $21 Anthony Bourdain Special: A big, fatty, greasy, double cheeseburger loaded with a half pound of juicy beef between two white buns and lettuce, tomato, onion. The frozen fries aren't fresh, but they are deep fried to greasy perfection, excellent at absorbing that alcohol swirling in your belly. And it comes with a beer of choice...this combo saves you a whooping $1 rather than ordering separately.

Looking for a no frills hole in the wall serving up the perfect diner burger at a reasonable price? Look no further. For about $12-15 you can walk way having had a good and filling meal (burger and fries) that left you satisfied. Is it the best burger you'll ever have? Probably not. But is it a great place to dine on a budget and still have a good meal? indeed it is. It's no the best place for a group as it's mostly counter seating with a few tables along the wall. But for smaller parties in the mood for a quick bite, I'd definitely recommend. And while it may be quick, it is a small space so you might have to wait. We came later on a Saturday evening and were lucky enough to get the one table for 4. Ordered up and just a couple minutes later our food was ready. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but I'd come back if I was in North Beach and wanting a burger.