Sammy's Ye Old Cider Mill: A Steakhouse Destination for Flavorful Dining

I have mixed feeling on how to review this restaurant! Pro, I love local restaurant for its story and uniqueness: example I never have pasta in load of olive oil and delicious crispy garlic (I mean tons of garlic) before, not like this. Con, some dish like salad red wine vinegar can use a new twist to refine its taste and appeal.

I have been coming here for several decades, only downside is I have to pay the bill now. Love the food and atmosphere. We normally will order shrimp scampi and the two pastas as appetizers, T-bone steak and lobster for mains. Fries are the best you’re going to find anywhere and personally, I love the salad and desserts. Now as a full blown carnivore, it’s worth addressing the confusion over steak temperature. That is a perfect medium rare T-bone from a few months ago in the picture below. In other steakhouses, that could be considered medium or medium+. I would suggest asking when you order or if it comes out too rare address with the server. Life is easier that way.

Sammy’s Ye Old Cider Mill is a delightful hidden gem in NJ, offering a unique dining experience. You order your meal upstairs and can enjoy drinks at the downstairs bar while you wait. Once your food is ready, they call you back upstairs to be seated at your table. I rate this place 4 out of 5 stars, primarily because the fries I received seemed like they were from the bottom of the bag—short and less fresh. Despite this, the overall quality and value of the food make it well worth a visit.

I have been coming to Sammy’s since before I was old enough to remember, and have been sharing this great experience with my son (11) since he was 3 months old and sitting on the table in his car seat!! The only thing that’s really changed over the years is the duck-hunt game in the downstairs bar no longer works (I remember my father holding me up so I could hunt the ducks!!), and I’m now (more than) old enough to enjoy the wonderful cocktails! The 6 oz filet, which has become my cut of choice since they started offering it, is always charred but medium rare exactly as I order it (hard for me to find at other places!), the quaint historic ambiance is the same…and where else for $40 can you get a top-quality filet, two sides (including the best fries EVER!!), a salad, dessert, and coffee? And always service with a smile! Chat with Mary Ann if you can when you place your order as you walk in- she’ll fill you in on the history of this once-speakeasy! My mother taught my son how to eat his first lobster last night….I think he enjoyed it!! He’s looking forward to bringing his own kids here some day!!

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!

Had no idea what to expect of this place. I drove by a bunch of times and always thought there couldn't be much going on inside. Never passed by while they were open, I must add. I'm always curious about this place. Looked at reviews and looks like a beloved local place. You walk in, and you're welcomed into what looks like an old school school restaurant. You have to know the menu and what you want to eat before coming. You place your order with the hostess when you put your place for a table. You are then asked to go down to the basement where there is a bar to wait for your table. My daughter loves the old arcade games, and we enjoyed gin and tonics. They call your name, then go upstairs where a waiter walks you to your table. Bread and house salad is served immediately. After a while, appetizers come out. We had the penne with vodka sause, it is very homemade tasting and excellent. Steak and lobster were on point and delicious. Salad, fries, cream of corn and desserts are included with the meal. Service is great and friendly. Food was excellent. Very expensive but honestly it was worth it. I will definitely come back with friends and family. Again places that look old, unassuming and had been there for decades, usually means there is a very good reason for it. Loved it. But expensive. Enjoy.

after fifty years of going to Sammy's, our meals the other night were nothing less than perfect. From the moment we arrived to the closing of the door at the end of the night, as busy as it was- we never felt hurried, nor ignored. From the salad with that tangy, vinegar laden dressing, to a perfect sesame bread- with salty butter, to a shrimp cocktail (3) with their signature cocktail sauce and shrimp- redolent of the ocean and sweet as can be- then the double lobsters, soft shells, sweet meat. Alas, they were out of rice pudding- but the brownie charmed and a guinness washed it all down. Cheers to you all at Sammy's, don't change a thing. We thought it was perfect. Memories made.

Been going to Sammys for 50 years, and it's my favorite restaurant of all time. The steak is prime, dry-aged porterhouse of the 32-34 ounce variety... and it's tremendous. Compare that to a porterhouse for 2 at a "high-end" NY/NJ steakhouse, where you'd be paying $100 more, and the size is about the same! The fries (come with it) are the best you'll have. The salad (comes with it) is doused in red wine vinegar. The desserts (come with it) are all made on premises. Great place with great food run by great people.