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Sammy's Halal
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Food Stands Restaurants Halal Middle Eastern, Food Stands, Halal [Edit]
73rd St and BroadwayJackson Heights, NY 11372
Neighborhood: Elmhurst
- Nearest Transit:
-
74 St - Broadway (7)
Jackson Hts - Roosevelt Av (E, F, M, R)
69 St (7)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
124 reviews for Sammy's Halal
Review Highlights
"Next time, I need to get the green sauce."
(in 21 reviews)
"sigh* They were the Vendy award winners in 2006."
(in 12 reviews)
"...for late night food, chicken and rice always hits the spot."
(in 23 reviews)
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124 reviews in English
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Review from Gary L.
Bangin as usual.
Sammy's is way better than 56th and 6th in my opinion. I've had both and prefer Sammy's over 53rd and 6th for years. Sammy's Halal has much more flavor to offer with or without the sauces. 53rd and 6th is nothing but flavorless mush that is covered by overrated white sauce. I still can't believe how many idiots on yelp give 53rd and 6th 5 star reviews. I went there once with a friend and waited on that ridiculous line and ate their mush in the car and threw it out right away and came straight to Sammy's.
Every youngster who goes to 53rd and 6th are probably high or drunk after a night of partying, anything would taste good to them. I can feed them dog shit covered in white sauce and they wouldn't even know the difference. If you're looking for good tasting halal food, Sammy's is always the way to go. I nominated them several times for a vendy award, I hope they won it. I'm not trying to over hype Sammy's but if you take a blind folded taste test between Sammy's and 53rd and 6th, I guarantee you that you would pick Sammy's. I see the guys at Sammy's add herbs to their meats and it's been marinated. When I went the 53rd and 6th, it was just bland meat dumped on the grill. No extra seasoning or anything. It's just plain flavorless mush completely flooded in white sauce to cover up their terrible blandly cooked meat.
I can't understand why people don't use their brains when they write their reviews on yelp. It's just plain stubbornness. It's like how people travel all the way to Philly and go to Pats or Geno's for a Philly cheesesteak. You gotta be either out of your mind or that dumb to travel that distance for their cheesesteaks. There are way better cheesesteaks in Philly than just Pat's or Geno's and same case goes for halal food in New York City. Why is it when people bring up the topic of halal food, they automatically assume 53rd and 6th and refuse to try other halal spots within the city? 53rd and 6th lovers rather wait on that line and put that mush in their stomach over Sammy's excellent quality of halal food. Do yourself a favor and take that blind folded taste test.Listed in: Instant Ittis!, Best Bang For Your Buck!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/21/2010
Sammy's never disappoints! The halal food here at Sammy's is consistent and always taste delicious!… Read more »
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Review from Amal R.
New York, NY
12/20/2011
Now that I'm on break from school, I can finally return to yelp and catch up on reviews (re: I'm stuck in suburbia at my parents' home). Might as well start it off on a classy note: street meat! I'm an unabashed fan of street food, so long as it's good quality. Quality judgment is subject to sobriety.
Sammy's is argued to be one of the best Halal carts in the 5 boroughs, and with good reason, so it was on my to-do list for a while. Fortunately, it's a few blocks away from one of the hospitals we work at (Elmhurst), so I've now had it a few times. The chicken and rice is the dish to get! You get mostly dark meat, but it's decent quality chicken, very tender and juicy, and spiced to perfection. And there's a lot of it! Per NYC street food standards, there are the white and red sauces which are better than most other carts', seem authentic and made by the actual vendor, and the white doesn't taste like it's made of ranch dressing. You street food aficionados know what I'm talking about. If you're feeling bold, get the spicy mint green sauce, but I'm usually okay with it since my spice tolerance is pretty high. The rice is also great and made with good quality basmati. It all comes together really well and I'd say it's the best chicken and rice in the city.
The lamb doesn't hold up as well, as it's the generic chunks of sliced, unidentifiable, very greasy meat that makes me feel my arteries clogging - though still pretty tasty and better than most. I'd say the infamous 53rd and 6th/Halal Guys and moreso, BiryanI Cart (though pricier) have the edge on lamb, but Sammy's is infinitely better for chicken. Haven't had their other foods, but really, why would you get anything besides the chicken? Lines are usually pretty short, I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes, and the staff who I sometimes speak Bengali with, are very friendly. If you're ever in the area (or by NYU where they have another location), and want a very filling, cheap, spicy meal, get Sammy's! -
Review from Richard D.
New York, NY
10/31/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's alright.
I think devotees of the different halal carts are as crazy as devotees of:
Coke vs Pepsi
McDonalds vs Burger king
Mac vs Windows
Pats vs Genos Cheesesteaks,
Grimaldis vs Lombardi Pizza
With that said, I think Sammy's is good, but I really don't think they're better than 53rd and 6th in Manhattan.
You really should try them both and do your own research-it's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.
Minuses:
- not as much meat on top of your rice.
- No self-serve sauces. Maybe they'll put on as much as you like, but I don't know, and I'd rather season it the way I like it without someone judging me.
- it's in Queens (probably not a big deal if you're from there or live nearby)
Plus:
- little to no wait
- the guys seem pretty friendly and easy going.
- Being in an enclosed cart means wind and dust won't blow into your food. I've seen windy days blow leaves and dust in my eyes. I'm pretty sure it'll get in your street cart food too if the cart is low and not enclosed. -
Review from Lili K.
10/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
No this is not better than the one by Rockefeller Center.
They mix in the spice and give a good amount of white sauce, but it's not all you can pour. Also, there was a long line and he kept stacking all the boxes together-there were about 8 set up...why not finish the orders first?
The rice is different and the chicken is cut up into small pieces, which I liked. I also liked how there wasn't much space wasted on greens-just stick to the chicken 'n rice deal, right? $6 will get you filled up before you head for that bus to LGA or take that train back to the city. -
Review from S A.
Woodside, Queens, NY
2/5/2012
Better than 53rd and 6th. A lot better.
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Review from Matthew L.
Bayside, NY
2/4/2012
better than 53 and 6! free soda or water! rarely a line! Closer drive compared to the city!
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Review from Jeff L.
Brooklyn, NY
1/16/2012 4 Check-ins Here
This is the BEST street vendor in NYC !!!! Well worth the trip....
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Review from Mark M.
Bayside, NY
1/8/2012
Better than 53rd and 6th! And alot closer! And comes with a drink!
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Review from Chris K.
Flushing, NY
1/26/2012
My favorite Halal spot for chicken and rice. The cart workers are always cordial and lightning fast. Their white sauce isn't nearly as heavy as 53rd and 6th which is easier on the stomach. Their light brown long grained rice is also less greasy than the normal yellow rice you get at a typical halal cart. Their chicken is nice and moist and seems to have far less sodium content than the popular 53rd and 6th halal guys which may be more attractive to a health conscious person. Oh!..and they also add cilantro to the chicken which makes it so much better. I usually ask them to put in two dollars worth of extra chicken in there for me and they really top off the Styrofoam container generously. I see a lot of reviews saying this halal is just alright. I feel grossly offended because I know they are probably missing the best part of what makes Sammy's so tasty. It is the green sauce! If you didn't try the green sauce you didn't taste what Sammy has to offer. This crucial condiment is what sets them apart from the rest of the growing number of halal carts in NYC. The green sauce is highly addictive for a street food connoisseur who truly appreciates spice and flavor. Sammy's halal just isn't alright! Sammy's is far above the rest. So when they ask you what sauce you want?.. just remember to say.."white, hot, and extra green!"
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Review from Niño M.
Norwalk, CA
9/27/2011
Sammy's is definitely delicious, BUT (and this is a big "Kim K." butt)!!!
(_____(__________)
Sammy's is a fraction less delicious than the 53rd & 6th halal. If the Halal Guys on 53rd & 6th are a 10/10, then Sammy's is like a 9.5777.
Some PROS (in comparison to the 53rd guys):
1. You don't get that "oily-mixed-plate, maybe-I-shouldn't-have-put-all-that-white-sauce" bloated feeling that you typically get at the 53rd & 6th cart(s).
2. The dudes that work there are SUPER FRIENDLY. They don't look at you like your head is gonna get chopped off when you ask for more red sauce or an extra plastic bag. lol
3. The line is 4-5 peeps at most.
4. It's literally right on top of the Jackson Heights station.
You've just gotta try it for yourself.Listed in: NYC eats
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Review from Lizz K.
I was expecting shooting stars and unicorns but instead I got cheap glitter and an old pony.
With all the stellar reviews that grace Sammy's halal cart I thought I was going to get something magical. Sure, for the platters, the meat is cut up into big chunks and the elusive green sauce is offered as an option here. The hot sauce packs a pretty flavorful kick without forcing you to take a sip of water after each bite. However I thought the yellow rice was dry on both occasions. The guys also like to drench the platters with sauce and without fluffy rice to soak it all up your platter ends up being a soggy, over salted mess.
Sammy's Halal is still a good choice that's a small step above your average halal cart and as it sits within the crossroads of Queens I'm sure they get tons of traffic. Honestly though, I'm part of the camp that believes the 53st guys are better.
(3.5 Stars) -
Review from James N.
ASTORIA, NY
1/22/2012
YOOOO!!! Sammy's halal is the ish man!!! yo their food is wayyy better than those over-hyped dudes at 53rd and 6th (although their food is good too). the thing that sets sammy's apart from other chicken n rice dudes is that they have this green sauce which adds a nice sweet flavor to the food and they also include herbs and onions!!! it's VERY flavorful and my taste buds go on a wild journey to heaven and back after eating this...i think im addicted. check sammy's out my fellow yelpers, u will not regret it!!!!!
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Review from Mr F G and Ms M S.
Flushing, NY
9/9/2011
The service was quick, portion was full filling, food was tasty, and price was great.
If only every food come from food street cart was made like this ...
Verdict: yes, yum yum... -
Review from Asim F.
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Having seen rave reviews for Sammy's Halal, i was eager to get out there and give it a try and hopefully make it a regular stop, rather driving to the city to curb my lamb gyro/ chicken combo cravings...
I have to admit it is a good option for someone in the vicinity, but it is not even close to the City offerings, when it comes to flavor, the white sauce or even the Hot Sauce. The chicken had a more indian spice seasoning flavor, perhaps because it is catering to the subcontinent audience.
Overall, eh, left me wanting to go to the city... -
Review from Tyler L.
7/12/2011
One of the best halal carts around. I have come here several times over the years for the chicken and lamb over rice plates.
Portion size is very generous and filling. The meat comes in big chunks and is very tender and savory. I like their rice as well. They use basmati rice and it also has some spice and flavor added to it.
Sammys offers a green sauce as well which is a little spicy and has a touch of cilantro in it. -
Review from Sean W.
8/23/2011
Hearing this was an award winning cart at the 2006 Vendy Awards, it was definitely a Chicken and Rice food truck/ cart worth checking out. I had to drag away people from the constant hyping of 53rd and 6th, plus this is more convenient for Queens people with Chicken and Rice cravings, since its right outside the Jackson Heights- 74th st station. Its dirt cheap, $5-6, depending on your order, and they give you plenty of meat in each order.
I personally had the lamb/ chicken combo rice platter, with the typical smothering of white tahini sauce and red hot sauce. The chicken was good and juicy, but had the occasional bits of bone which i did not like. However, the lamb was an interesting variety since it's in a spam-like cube form. It was good too.
Overall, the experience was pleasant and definitely would make a viable substitute to the 53rd and 6th variety. However, in terms of quality, it is no where as close as King of Falafel and Shawarma in Astoria. Cheap, good quality chicken and rice platter, and location is good too. 4 outta 5. -
Review from Garrett P.
Queens, NY
6/18/2011
So, I've now had street meat from two of the Vendy winners: 53rd and 6th, and Sammy's Halal.
Breakdown:
53rd and 6th, the meat is finely ground up and so processed that it's kind of like eating mashed potatoes made from meat. The flavors run together, and the hot sauce is so violent that it could be used as a biological weapon.
Sammy's Halal, the meat is in larger chunks, allowing you to appreciate how tender it is. Additionally, there's some cilantro mixed in so it adds a welcome depth to the standard flavor you're expecting from one of these. The hot sauce is slightly more flavorful than the other cart, and also scaled down enough that you won't hurt yourself or anyone you kiss/breathe on after you eat it. Plus they have green sauce. And if you don't know yet how I feel about green sauce at a halal cart, just ask Lizz K.
Definite win goes to Sammy's because, well, it's cheaper and better. Doesn't get more clear-cut than that. -
Review from Jonathan E.
Brooklyn, NY
6/21/2011
I've often been perplexed by Middle Eastern grub in NYC, which is often served fairly tame. As a lover of heat, I couldn't quite get how so many Halal places seem to be fine serving mellow fare, despite their heritage of being the center of the spice trade.
For centuries, traders from the Middle East traversed the breadth of Europe, Africa and Asia with the currency of peppers and spices. From the curries of India and Indonesia to the kabobs of Pakistan and China, the daily meals of billions are fired with heat from their ancient spice roads.
Maybe NY purveyors simply dumbed their fare down, in order to increase their potential audience. That was a mistake, because there are now scores of halal stands that offer nothing more interesting than grilled chicken and rice.
That's why Sammy's is different. They don't cater to the middle. Their food is simple, but jabs you in the mouth. There's some good heat, and it makes you pause. They don't go for the knock out, but it's just enough heat to jab your lips and question your next move. But I could be wrong because I was merely sampling their fare. I'd imagine if you ate big portions, 3 meals a day, you'd be contending with a much bigger movement.
In any case, 3 cheers for Sammy's. It's a cart so you can't sit down for an evening of fun, but you can grab a handful of melty good grub that'll fire up your innards and raises the bar for street food (of any faith) in NYC. -
Review from H. W.
Brooklyn, NY
7/17/2011
Disappointing. Followed the crowd and they steered me wrong. The cart is on an intersection corner with about 3 or 4 other carts around. This one had the longest line and the highest prices.
Turns out they also had the smallest portions and the least amount of flavour. Meat pieces looked like the leftover bits that no one wants. There wasn't much rice and the salad was a few pieces of iceberg lettuce. Supposedly they won some award a bunch of years ago and are still coasting off it. They don't even try now it seems. This cart is definitely past it's prime. -
Review from Derrick L.
Queens, NY
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Chicken over rice is better than your average halal cart. Chunks of chicken, decent white sauce, rice is about average. The hot sauce isn't too hot because they put way too much white sauce on. I thought they gave me very little chicken and rice. I was not filled at all! I even tipped them. *sigh* They were the Vendy award winners in 2006. Doesn't seem like they have won since. I can see why because they are slacking! They need to improve to keep up with the competition!
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Review from Chu Z.
Bergen County, NJ
3/14/2011
There are at least 5 halal carts on Broadway & 73rd. I have no idea why only Sammy gets reviewed. Personally I prefer the one that locates a little bit further to the cluster, cuz the Pakistani guy is generous and always gives me a lot chicken lol.
Sammy is definitely good, better than those carts by Queens Mall. The pita is good, meat is delicious, and I love their white sauce.
Too bad that for a period of time this winter they run out of tomatoes. (What the hell? No tomatoes in a gyro??) I guess it was becaus of the pricing competition among those carts which eventually lead to cost reduction. $3 for a gyro is really cheap.
"A chicken gyro, a little hot sauce and a lot white sauce. Thanks!"
Yummy, I am glad I live in Queens. -
Review from Raymond L.
KEW GARDENS, NY
4/25/2011
After trying all of the Vendy Award winning halal carts in New York City, I have to hand my personal one to Sammy's, and to this day I am still marketing that place to my friends and trying to drag them there- yes that's right, away from 53rd and 6th.
Yea yea, hate on me for that but why do I like this place better than the venerable 53rd and 6th? Their meat is more authentic and preserves its savory taste. Every other halal place I've been to, the meat tastes like what you pay for it- cheap but good. Whether it be chicken, lamb or beef, its got that processed taste to it. I mean of course, for $6 what do you expect but you can tell when you get quality meat because it doesn't get solid and cold fast, and you don't feel bloated. Their meat tastes like it came out of a legit kitchen and it stays tender under extreme temperatures. That deserves respect. Best of all when you're finished, you don't feel like your stomach is about to explode, but you feel a satisfied kind of full. Some say the sauce is better at 53rd and 6th but to me white sauce is white sauce.
For $6 you also get a free can of soda! I can't imagine the number of times my friends would leech off my drink or simply die of thirst because they didn't want to spend the extra dollar for a drink at other halal carts. Well, problem solved. Oh, and they accept credit or debit =]. For those non-drivers, its also conveniently located at the Roosevelt Ave. station. -
Review from James D.
Inwood, NY
10/16/2011
When I came from california, I made it a point to go on a Borough wide food eating spree. I tasted many halal food carts throughout queens and NYC. This is by far my favorite. The lamb is absolutely delicious, though sometimes a little salty, but for me thats ok. Its so affordable and tasty. I believe at one point, sammy's got best of nyc award at some point. The portion is never skimpy, the quality is pretty good, and the guys are really friendly. Matter of fact its so good, as i'm writing this I am getting a craving, so now I think i will head to sammy's for a lamb gyro.
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Review from Moses A.
3/3/2011 14 Check-ins Here
Who doesn't love a good halal cart?! Yeah, there's 53rd and 6th, King of Falafel on Broadway in Astoria... but for me, Sammy's is where its at!
Let me break it down to you as why:
53rd and 6th: Chicken isn't really marinated and lamb is too salty. Rice is good and it isn't as greasy as the others, but I don't get all the hype?!
King (Broadway, Astoria): $6 for a plate! Don't need all the pickled veggies, do like the falafel they drop in the plate, but for $1 more than your competitors? Really? The lamb isn't as good either, crumbly like ground beef.
So that brings us to Sammy's...
Good flavorful chicken and the lamb is cut into nice solid small cubes. It has a slight Indian spice flavor to it and just enough salad without the unnecessary pickled things. $5 for a combo plate including a soda, add some pita to the plate and you've just stepped it up a notch! haha
No hype, just plain ol good halal!Listed in: Street Meat!
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Review from Chris H.
7/30/2011 3 photos
During the very first "Vendy Awards" in 2005, Sammy's Halal took home the grand prize, and for good reason. Even after six years, they've not lost a beat, as they still serve one of the best plates of "street meat" in NYC with swagger. The lamb and chicken gyro, rife with large chunks of juicy meat, lovingly drizzled with a fiery red hot sauce and a creamy white sauce, and wrapped in a fluffy pita, is an absolute steal.
Listed in: The Elusive $6 Meal
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Review from Peter K.
Jackson Heights, NY
4/23/2011
Oh, Sammy's...
It's been kind of sad to see the winner of the 2006 Vendy Award dwindle away over the past few years. What was once a highly successful cart not so long ago has amoeba'd their way in to a gigantic Halal blob - pretty much - owning the entire corner. As to be expected, with such expansion, comes the inevitable decline. First it became inconsistent - the flavor or the chicken and lamb fluctuating from awesome to okay. Then the empire of trucks began to fold into the mix of others (like familiar truck sites on 53rd and 6th) who lost the love and are just living on the hype of their green sauce.
Many of the loyal customers have ventured west toward the current Vendy contender in Astoria. The hype, however, is still bringing new people to the convenient corner. Hopefully the crew make a change soon because this is one of the corners in Queens I would hate to see vanish. -
Review from Tasfique S.
JACKSON HTS, NY
8/15/2011
2 years ago, they were my every week meal. I used to love their food and customer service and the amount of food they put in the box. But recently it has been decreasing and I feel they have become more of a sell out and lacking in customer satisfaction. They food has been tasting worse daily and I switched to a different vendor near TD BANK on 75th St and 37th Ave. Good Riddance I must say.
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Review from Andy S.
JACKSON HTS, NY
8/10/2011
This is a banging Halal cart. Being around the corner from this cart, I probably eat from here at least once every few weeks. Chicken & Lamb over rice with white sauce, hot sauce and a little bit of barbeque sauce (they also have a green sauce which is pretty good), with a soda for $6.00, it's a pretty good cheap meal option.
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Review from Starry S.
New York, NY
3/13/2011
I had the chicken/lamb combination platter with the soda for $6.
Added the famous hot sauce and white sauce.
It just didn't wow me. The portion size is just okay. I don't know why, but the people in the city give me more meat... -
Review from Rojé G.
7/28/2011
Sammy has a Cart in Queens!!!! How did I not know this before last night?!?! Before the entire street food cart craze and all these eccentric carts there was just your typical hot dog/pretzel vendor and halal carts. Sammy's a Vendy award winner back in '06 and I've frequented his other locations in soho since '04. A Sammy's cart never disappoints. The hot sauce is No JOKE.
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Review from Amy C.
Elmhurst, NY
3/1/2011
Got the Lamb and Chicken Combo with all three sauce: White, Barbeque and Hot sauce!
Love the fact that it is in Queens and it is so filling! -
Review from Lizi C.
10/1/2010
Wow! I can see why Sammy's won at the Vendy's!
The chicken at Sammy's tastes authentic with excellent flavor and seasoning. Sammy's includes chicken and rice has a generous amount of fresh lettuce and has grilled onions. The white sauce was excellent and the hot sauce is HOT. Really HOT.
Price was right at $4.99 for chicken over rice. My BF got the COMBO which was chicken and lamb over rice which was $5.99 and included a free soda. The lamb was very good. I would describe it as well seasoned cubes of gyro that was grilled and browned to perfection.
They do tend to load up on the white sauce. More than I would have liked so next time I'll ask for less sauce, but wow that was a great meal and best of all I didn't have to wait in a ridiculous line.
To compare it to a well known Manhattan standard, the cart on 53rd and 6th serves really delicious SIMPLE well made and fresh chicken and rice. In comparison I would say that Sammy's serves delicious, WELL SEASONED AND AUTHENTIC TASTING, fresh chicken and rice. Both are good, but I think Sammy's wins.
***I dedicate this review to a very special fellow fat kid in disguise (FKID) who I know loves, loves, loves chicken and rice. Nammm namm nammm nammm***** -
Review from Tris C.
Woodside, NY
4/9/2011
Date/Time/Crowd:Many Many Times
First Impression: I live in Woodside, nuff said.
The Good: They are fast and the food is usually fresh.
The Green Sauce (oh..? you didnt know?! Your Welcome!)- a mix of mayo, mint, cilantro - great especially on the lamb
The Combo - 1/2 chicken 1/2 lamb - Great Balance
The Bad:
Prices Going Up.
Portions Going Down.
Get it Together Sammy's - This is still Queens. ($1 for 1/2 Pita - Ouch)
Reason to Comeback: Portions get any less - we will have to see about frequenting as much.Listed in: Street Eats
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Review from Joe C.
Forest Hills, NY
2/2/2011
It's easy to compare Sammy's with the Halal Guys on 53rd... It's also easy to declare Sammy's a winner.
Their chicken and/or lamb isn't shredded, and the lack of annoying bridge & tunnel drunks makes it far less likely that you'll have to watch someone puke on the sidewalk as you wait to place your order.
The fact that it's even closer to public transportation than the 53rd guys (a block from the Roosevelt Ave. subway station) makes it a solid choice no matter what the weather. That is a huge plus this winter!
So, in summation: Great food, Easy to get to, & no Amateur Hour Drunks.
Sammy's - I'll be back! -
Review from Tracy M.
1/3/2011
Chicken and rice, chicken and rice, chicken and rice!!! All together now!!
Sammy's beats the 53rd and 6th Avenue guy hands down, plus the wait is wayyyyyyy shorter. The chicken and rice here is more flavorful and spiced, although the rice can get quite overwhelming at times. I always load up on the white and hot sauce (just the right amount of hot). Days when I can't eat as much, I order the chicken and rice in a pita, $3!! C'mon now!
Can't comment on the lamb too much because I'm not too big a fan of lamb in general. The menu is simple and short. If you're looking for a burger or falafel, try the other carts nearby.Listed in: All Things Jackson Heights
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Review from Michael K.
ASTORIA, NY
8/19/2011
I definitely understand that the price at Sammy's and the amount of chicken/rice they give is a major plus but I simply don't like how the meat tastes. I'm more of a lamb over rice combo at 53rd/6thave guy :) I like the white sauce there better. Although, I must say the workers at 53rd and 6th can be very cheap with their white sauce/hot sauce
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Review from Special K.
New York, NY
7/4/2011
Tried Sammy's combo yesterday... I don't know what's the bid deal with Sammy's but imo the halal on 52nd and 3rd has better chicken and lamb combo.
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Review from Seth L.
Burlington, VT
7/15/2011
Sammy's is probably my favorite halal cart. 53rd and 6th starts to taste bland after a while and the quality is fairly inconsistent. I've never had these problems with Sammy's and the mixes are always good until the last greasy bite. Unlike most of the carts in the city, Sammy's uses basmati rice and not the generic yellow stuff. This helps to give it a flavor similar to Indian food as well as distinguish itself from the plethora of Indian joints surrounding it. Where Sammy's really shines are their sauces. Their white sauce is fairly generic but solid, their hot sauce is both spicy (not overly so) and flavorful, and their green sauce is a cilantro-laced mouthgasm. Tons of other carts in the city have tried to emulate Sammy's green sauce but I have yet to taste one that can top it.
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Review from HARVEY C.
Queens, NY
12/18/2010
When i was first hooked on street meat, Sammy's was a solid option as it was only $4 back then! But over the years, it became less of a deal:
1) they raised it to $5: i was actually there the day they raised it. The owner told the guys at the cart to bump the price for the next person arriving on the line. Luckily i was there when he said it!
2) they switched over to a smaller box: fail....
I'm not a fan of the following:
1) the rice: It's way too aromatic for me and I'm not feeling it much.
2) lamb: not really feeling it.
At the end of the day, Sammy's does deliver a quality rice box with a great green sauce(whenever they have it). That should be enough to score 3 stars... -
Review from Andrew A.
6/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had the chicken gyro with white sauce and hot sauce.... Was it the best I've ever had from a truck??? Well, It's probably in the top 3 - It was really good - very flavorful. The best part its that it was only $3.00!
