I’m a born Yankee but have lived in Raleigh for many years. One of the things I miss about living up North is the neighborhood taverns – the places you can go and feel at home, comfortable, appreciated and welcomed. If that’s appealing to you, then the only place to go in Raleigh is Sammy’s Tap & Grill, because it’s all that and more.
Let’s start with the food. I’ve been going to Sammy’s since he took over and never have I had a bad meal, whether it’s a quick appetizer or salad, a pizza or burger or the best wings in town, bar none. The menu is impressive and far beyond the typical “bar food” found in so many places around town. Prices are more than reasonable, whether it’s for a rack of incredible, melt-in-your-mouth ribs or a mound of extra crispy wings with one of Sammy’s special sauces. Sammy and his crew go to great lengths to serve food that’s fresh, well prepared and appetizing. And with the variety, you will never be disappointed that you couldn’t find something that wasn’t appealing. If you’re a beer drinker, there’s plenty to choose, from the standards to the exotic, along with a full bar of mixed drinks. Like the food, you can always find something to quench your thirst.
Service is prompt, attentive and professional, whether you drop by on a lazy weekday afternoon or come by to be part of the crowd on a football game day Saturday or Sunday. Sure, the place gets crowded sometimes, but with indoor, covered deck and outdoor seating, you can usually find a place either to join the crowd and cheer on your team or have a quiet conversation with a colleague or new-found friend. It’s easy to see that Sammy’s wait staff is well trained and the whole business well managed. They look and act like they are genuinely glad you’re there.
Tucked between NC State’s main campus and Centennial, Sammy’s of course attracts a college crowd. But don’t dismiss it as a “college bar” unless you’re talking about faculty, staff, coaches and of course students, along with neighborhood families, office and blue collar workers. Sammy’s is more than just a place to go for good food, good prices and good service. It’s the place to go to be comfortable, appreciated and most of all well-taken care of.
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