Sam’ Southern Eatery

Reviews

• Texzilla Z.

  star star star star star 13 June 2026

  A simple joint featuring stellar fried seafood, chicken, po'boy sandwiches.  Order at the counter and they bring it out to you.  We have a lot of places like this in DFW but haven't found one close to the quality; lesser joints usually don't invest in maintaining their oils and buy cheaper seafood. We visit Shawnee often and always try to eat here.
  
  First, the quality of the seafood is stellar and value exceptional.  The jumbo shrimp are rarely found in places like this; the catfish and chicken are fresh.  
  
  Step up to the counter when you're ready to order.  Like similar places they have a jillion selections and combinations; the paralysis of choice is a real thing.  Anyway focus on what you want to eat then figure out how  and how much.  
  
  If you want a starter I like the fried green tomatoes, but I also like them as an accompaniment to grilled entrees here as well. The gumbo is good but it can be filling.  
  
  So when I go here I'm eating jumbo shrimp.  How: either fried or grilled or both.  The shrimp are huge and well cleaned; the fried ones have a perfectly crispy batter that has no trace of grease; the grilled ones are well seasoned and cooked perfectly.  I've never gotten one overcooked or rubbery.  I like a dozen jumbos split half and half.  I never get past the shrimp so other things I've had are tastings from my wife's plate.  You can get then in a basket or a salad or in tacos if you want.
  
  The fries are good.  Red beans and rice are great, nice and smoky.  Hush puppies are very good as well.  I like their tarter sauce and cocktail sauce, and the lemons are plentiful by the iced tea.
  
  My wife might get the catfish which she says is great but I might be the only southerner who doesn't like catfish but it looks perfectly fresh and fried.  She loves their fried oysters and I agree. She says the chicken livers are cleaned and very well done.  I ain't eating livers.  I think the only thing we've had that disappointed were the crab cakes, which in Louisiana style are like a crab stuffing so it's a bit cakey.  It would be great as stuffed shrimp with these great shrimp but they have enough on the menu.
  
  The fried chicken is good but I come for the shrimp and that's what I get.  I suggest you go get you some.  I suggest you eat it there to eat it all fresh from the fryer.

• Elaine P.

  star star star star_border star_border 2 June 2026

  Ok, so we are torn between a 3 star and 4 star. The Grilled shrimp salad has good shrimp but was covered in sliced pickles and grilled onions; kind of like they dumped the shrimp po boy on top of lettuce. It was Not like the picture.
  
  The hamburger was not bad but nothing  special, a dab of lettuce and too much mayo on one.
  
  The Philly cheesesteak tasted good.
  
  Fries were mediocre, lightly seasoned but not piping hot like we wanted.  
  
  The Sams special has 2 catfish, 2 chicken, and 2 shrimp. He liked it all.
  
  When we considered the prices, which are a bit high for what you get, we gave it 3 stars.

• Tas O.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 1 June 2026

  I ordered grilled catfish with green beans and fries.  I got 3 pieces of 'fish' that was very oily and covered with cold oily grilled onions and bell peppers on a bed of oily lettuce.  Couldn't tell what the fish actually was due to the oil.  The beans were straight out of the can with no seasoning and the fries didn't show up until I was half way finished with the little I did eat.  I brought the fish back for the cats. You know something is wrong when a cat turns it's nose up at fish.  This is not the southern cooking I was expecting.   Plus the fact their kids were sitting in a booth watching cartoons at a loud volume.

• Benjamin D.

  star star star star_border star_border 21 May 2026

  Fast food fare without the drive up window.  Deep fried oysters were good.  Just remember everything is deep fried.  Small portions coleslaw was average but the dirty rice and beans were really good.  Even though it was three tables spoons.  Everything is served in styrofoam and plastic baskets.  What really made this place stand out was the lady that took our order and brought our food.  Her name was Gigi and she was a very nice and polite.  She was the best thing about our visit.

• Laila S.

  star star star star star 21 May 2026

  Fantastic food ! Shrimp and fish was outstanding! My husband loved it also ! We will definitely be back !