Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill

I came in with some close friends to celebrate my birthday. The bartender downstairs, Woody, is great! The family owned business was very fun to enjoy its history. My grandmother went there when it was a speakeasy, and my aunt grew up going there as well. So it was cool to have dinner where there was a bunch of history within those walls. The food, the food was delicious. Everything was exquisite. Thank you for a great night out!

Our favorite family get together restaurant. We have been going since the 80's. Place your order at the door and head downstairs to the bar and have a drink and play some pinball. When you come upstairs your food is ready. Bring your appetite, portions are more than generous. Highly recommend soft shell crabs when they are in season. I was a few weeks too early. Next time. The double lobsters did not disappoint!

I love this place and love MaryAnn. I will admit that the steaks are not as great as they used to be 30yrs ago, but its still really good. The atmosphere and tradition is what keeps us coming back. My kids love it and I grew up loving it too.

Great experience tonight! Greeted by the hostest (part owner) who took our steak order, then went downstairs where Woody, bartender served up drinks. Shortly after, got called up for dinner - 30oz T-bone to perfection! Service was spot on and we'll timed. A must visit to this landmark, not fancy but mouthwatering feasting spot. I'll be back with a bigger crowd next time, ty!!!

Excellent steak, penne with vodka sauce, spaghetti with garlic and olive oil. You order up front and then wait in the "speakeasy" and have a drink and chat with the friendly bartender, until your meal is ready. No sign out front. Exceptional place.

Definitely a break from the traditional restaurant but I couldn't have been happier with my experience. Staff was super friendly and the food was excellent and priced quite reasonably. Definitely recommend for a casual get together or a nice night out.

One of the most unique spots! You either get it or you don't. Food is amazing and the history of the building and the family ownership is fascinating. Get shrimp scampi as an appetizer! The best soft shell crabs when they are in season. NJ sweet corn is delicious. French fries in beef tallow are the best!

I love this place My kids brought me. I saw the comment on the "plain lettuce", well that is one of my Son's favorite things. I looked at him and said of course you love it, that how I always made it. The other is the spaghetti Di Olio, he loves that too, yup, I made it since he was little. It is amazing real food!. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share and taste, not ONE complaint!!.

It’s been a while since the last time we dined at Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill. I am glad the food quality and service remained great. We truly enjoyed our food and drinks. Love their Signature Shrimp Scampi and Penne Vodka. Hoping to come back sooner next time.

Fun spot if you're looking to switch things up. Place your order. Go downstairs for some games and drinks. Get called up for your dinner. Reasonably priced bottles of wine. Always enjoy my experience here!

Always delicious food. Never been disappointed here! Really good place for families to come. The speakeasy downstairs where you wait before your table is ready is a fun vibe with great history as well.

Arrived to a packed house both upstairs and downstairs (the bar), which made the atmosphere quite electric...and the food was just perfect. Started with spaghetti-garlic& oil and fried shrimp scampi (outstanding!), then onto a porterhouse steak for three and penne ala vodka, the french fries were extra special and creamed corn wonderful. Sammy's is always a great night put!

I have only been in the area for a year, and have been to Sammy's just twice, However, it is without doubt one of my favorite restaurants every. The food is great, the staff is friendly and the experience, hanging at the bar until your meal is ready-well you can not beat it. If you are looking for a sophisticated, fine dining experience-maybe not for you. Do you want to have a great meal in a friendly neighborhood environment-this is your place

Went for the first time this past Friday. It was a great experience. Different, but great. Order when you arrive, then head to the bar downstairs. They call you when your dinner is ready. I had a NY Strip and it was cooked to perfection & delicious. Service was great. Loved it.

Update: July 23, 2021.
Was at Sammy's for my seasonal visit, so excited to see it back to full capacity! Everyone was there, the bar was open again, fantastic!

But something changed. The food was not the same. The pandemic seems to have robbed us of our old Sammy's!

I always get the two lamb chops. They are enormous, and perfectly prepared. Last night they were half the size I normally get. These chops have been a fixture of my life for the past few decades. I was so disappointed!

Sammy's, what are you doing? You are known for high quality chops and steaks, and your huge servings. Bring them back while you still can.

That brings me to their fries. Normally fries are just a side dish, but not here. Sammy's had perfected the preparation of this simple staple. To frying them in the droppings from the streaks, Sammy's fries were as thing to be worshipped. The last two visits, not so! They were room temperature white (not golden brown) soggy strands of starch. This was the second time they were poor. McDonald's fries are better.

It pains me to pen this review. I have been going to Sammy's since the late '50s, early '60s. It is a family standard. It used to be a consistent, special place to go to for a treat. Not any more!

It can be revived! Bring it back to it's former glory please!

I miss the old Sammy's so!

--- prior review of old Sammy's follows ---

Excellent place for steaks and lobster as well as lamb chops that are to die for! A variety of daily specials. Casual attire. The food is prepared allowing the true nature of the dish to come through. Do not expect them to be heavily seasoned, rather enjoy the natural flavor a really quality cut of meat has to offer. While prices appear on the high side, Sammy's is really not pricey when you consider that everything is included: salad, potatoes (best fries ever), vegetables, as well as dessert. Feel free to ask for more sides as well! Our family has been going here for over 50 years, and we have never been disappointed! Get there early on weekends as no reservations are taken and they get quite busy!

Been coming here since early sixties thanks to my aunt and uncle. Now my daughter and son in law take my husband and me once a year! I cry, almost, as I pull into the parking lot! I save quarters all year for my four grandchildren to enjoy the “basement games” while the four of us enjoy the bar! Then we go upstairs for a most delicious meal! I have never had anything but the shrimp scampi...my husband used to have steak...but seeing how I enjoyed my shrimp..he converted. My 16 year old granddaughter had her first lobster...bib and all. Her nine year old brother saw the bib and wanted one too! The waitress we had obliged his request! We brought the bibs home... was impressed that they were made in America!. My 13 year old grandson noted the established in 1936....quickly commented Sammy’s was older than grandma! The wait staff is incredible and never seems out of sorts! Love love love Sammy’s!

The best! Enough said on that.
This is a hidden gem located in Mendham on Rt 24. It has no sign out front, just a bunch of cars outside a white house looking building.
The food is terrific. Classic seafood including single or double lobster, different steak and lots of pasta dishes. Favorites are vodka pasta which always tastes like vodka.
You order up top then you go into the basement bar and wait to be aled up, then you eat family style. It's expensive but worth it. I go here probably twice a month.

They do what they do very well. The appetizers are a must, the garlic and oil pasta with penne and vodka is the best I've ever had. I love the way they do the garlic chips.

Not during covid times they have a unique ordering system, you order your food when you first walk in and then you go downstairs to the bar and have a drink or two while your food is being cooked then the bartender tells you when your food is ready and you go upstairs and eat.

Delicious dinner with a friend. My "go to" for lobster in NJ. Salad with incredible red vinegar. Amazing French fries and broccoli. Apple crisp. Rice pudding. My friend had the succulent pork chops and garlic pasta. Family business with consistent high quality.

Great dining experience! Been coming here since the mid 1990s and it's always awesome! Salad is great along with the best vodka penne and french fries are incredible! I had the bone in Ribeye they dry age on premises. As good as I ever had.