Social Profile: 
✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
… View more
Sam’s Southern Eatery was founded on an idea of bringing great Southern cuisine to the people. We wanted to be able to serve our special recipes and show the restaurant business that you can have amazing flavor and huge portions, all at a very reasonable price! In 2008 we opened our first location in Shreveport, Louisiana; we have now grown to over fifty-one locations in nine Southern states with over 750 employees. Offering high quality food, healthy eating options, and generous portions at competitive prices is what drives our success.
Southern-style po’ boys, burgers & fried fish come in generous portions at this casual chain eatery.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1800 Vaughn Rd, Wood River, IL 62095
Phone: (618) 251-8011
Website: https://www.samssoutherneatery.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Related Web Results
Sam’s Southern Eatery: Home
Online ordering menu for Sam’s Southern Eatery.
Sams Southern Eatery Wood River IL – Facebook
Are you in need of a late dinner or just a snack? Come to Sam’s Southern Eatery. Our hours of operation are 10:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Sam’s Southern Eatery – Wood River, IL Restaurant | Menu + Delivery
Appetizers; Salad; Po’Boys & Burgers; Seafood; Chicken; Family Portions; Sweet Tooth; Sides; Drinks; Kids Menu. Appetizers. Gumbo. $9.99. Fried Pickles …
Reviews
mandi elfgen
My husband and I LOVE Sam’s! We’ve tried just about everything on the menu. Prices are great, service is superb. Red beans & rice, gumbo, fried green tomatoes, mushroom & Swiss burger and fried pies are definitely some of our favorites huge portions of whatever you order. We’ve also done catering and everyone was very pleased. Their food is made to order and the owner is AMAZING! If you’ve not tried Sam’s Southern Eatery you’re missing out!
… moreBobby
I heard a lot about this place at work. My curiosity peaked, so I decided to come in and try it out. One word that I can think of is SUPERB! I like how the atmosphere feels calm and “cajun”. My cheeseburger came out quickly and had great taste. I would definitely recommend to others!
… moreRick
Not to shabby for fried/grilled food. Very basic menu which made it easy to decide what to eat. Few little things that were off a bit….but hey first day of business. we will return!
… moreLindsey Meyenburg
We recently had the pleasure of dining at this restaurant with my boyfriend, and we were thoroughly impressed! The food was absolutely delicious, with bold flavors and generous portions. I enjoyed a patty melt with all the fixings, paired with a side of crispy fries, while my boyfriend savored a mouthwatering Philly cheesesteak with fries.
We also indulged in corn, red beans with rice, and a 6-piece fried shrimp platter, which was surprisingly generous and cooked to perfection. The service was equally impressive, thanks to the warm and attentive staff. The gentleman who took our order was exceptionally kind, offering samples of the gumbo and recommending sauces to enhance our meal.
We’re already planning our next visit and highly recommend giving this restaurant a try. In our opinion, it’s one of the top spots in the area, and the kindest customer service we’ve experienced in a long time. Kudos to the entire team!
… moreWe also indulged in corn, red beans with rice, and a 6-piece fried shrimp platter, which was surprisingly generous and cooked to perfection. The service was equally impressive, thanks to the warm and attentive staff. The gentleman who took our order was exceptionally kind, offering samples of the gumbo and recommending sauces to enhance our meal.
We’re already planning our next visit and highly recommend giving this restaurant a try. In our opinion, it’s one of the top spots in the area, and the kindest customer service we’ve experienced in a long time. Kudos to the entire team!
Olive L
EDIT to add: since the posting of this review, this page has received several fake/AI generated 5 star reviews to shadow the serious situation. The Madison County Health Department has been informed. I hope changes are made as an outcome.
I’m sharing this as a reminder to everyone: always inspect your food and chew carefully.
I recently visited this establishment and ordered the mac and cheese. Unfortunately, I found a large, thin piece of metal in my food, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even notice it in my mouth at first. The mac and cheese was very soft and tasty, so I wasn’t chewing much. Sadly, I ended up swallowing the metal, and it became lodged in my throat where I couldn’t reach it. I had to gag myself to throw up in order to remove it.
I informed the staff right away so they could inspect their food. The owner didn’t believe me. I’m not sure where such a large piece of metal could have originated, but I sincerely hope the situation was taken seriously and that all food was thoroughly inspected afterward.
I didn’t receive a refund, but honestly, this isn’t about the money. It’s about safety. People naturally trust the food they’re being served, and situations like this are concerning. I did seek medical attention afterward due to lingering pain and symptoms, just to make sure no metal remained.
I was asked not to make this review but people need to be aware of the risks with eating out anywhere.
I just strongly encourage everyone: please inspect your food and chew carefully. I can’t imagine this happening to a child or someone’s grandparent.
… moreI’m sharing this as a reminder to everyone: always inspect your food and chew carefully.
I recently visited this establishment and ordered the mac and cheese. Unfortunately, I found a large, thin piece of metal in my food, and I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t even notice it in my mouth at first. The mac and cheese was very soft and tasty, so I wasn’t chewing much. Sadly, I ended up swallowing the metal, and it became lodged in my throat where I couldn’t reach it. I had to gag myself to throw up in order to remove it.
I informed the staff right away so they could inspect their food. The owner didn’t believe me. I’m not sure where such a large piece of metal could have originated, but I sincerely hope the situation was taken seriously and that all food was thoroughly inspected afterward.
I didn’t receive a refund, but honestly, this isn’t about the money. It’s about safety. People naturally trust the food they’re being served, and situations like this are concerning. I did seek medical attention afterward due to lingering pain and symptoms, just to make sure no metal remained.
I was asked not to make this review but people need to be aware of the risks with eating out anywhere.
I just strongly encourage everyone: please inspect your food and chew carefully. I can’t imagine this happening to a child or someone’s grandparent.
Theodore Tillman
The photos will speak for themselves. Ended taking our food to go. We spent $81 for 2 adults 3 kids.
… morelee C
I tried Sam’s for the first time and decided on the large gumbo with rice. It was definitely a large serving but I guess they forgot the rice. The flavor was good but very little meat. I was expecting chunks of chicken, sausage, and maybe shrimp. It was more like shredded chicken, but I had no sausage or shrimp. I’m not sure if it is supposed to include any though as the menu doesn’t say. The roll that came with it was sweet and very good, so I put that in the gumbo since i had no rice. I would try again, but next time would probably not be gumbo.
… moreBecky Mapes
Original Review: 4 Stars
Edited Review: 3 Stars
**EDITED REVIEW: Lowered to 3 stars after seeing an influx of fake AI generated 5-Star Google reviews from the restaurant.
My husband and I ate here opening night! The staff were very friendly. They personally went to each guest table to ask how the food was which I respect. The food was great and everything came out fried and breaded perfectly. We ordered fried catfish, shrimp, crab cakes, wings, and some sides so we’d have leftovers. The only thing I didn’t care for was the Mac and Cheese was too soft and overcooked for me so it started to separate, but my husband still ate it. Since it was their first day, it’s easily fixable.
Suggestions to the restaurant:
1. I would have either the cashier directly hand cups to customers after they pay for their order or have large stacks of cups near the drink stations. I did witness a lot of confusion from other patrons on where to get the drink cups that were tucked next to the cash register. Maybe some additional signage would help too.
2. Similarly, I would also leave a large stack of leftover boxes/to-go boxes easily accessible to customers as well. I did witness multiple patrons have to walk back up to the cash register to ask for boxes which interrupted the flow line of customers ordering.
3. I would also add some signage for table clearing procedures. Some people would carry their food baskets and cups to the trash bin and leave them on top and others left it on their table. If you would prefer customers to dump their own trash but leave the silverware, cups, and baskets – I would leave the serving trays that the gentlemen brought the food out on with the customers so they can carry waste to the trash bins easier and also add signage saying so. We had multiple food baskets that would have been bit of a hassle to walk across multiple times to throw them away so we left ours on the table.
… moreEdited Review: 3 Stars
**EDITED REVIEW: Lowered to 3 stars after seeing an influx of fake AI generated 5-Star Google reviews from the restaurant.
My husband and I ate here opening night! The staff were very friendly. They personally went to each guest table to ask how the food was which I respect. The food was great and everything came out fried and breaded perfectly. We ordered fried catfish, shrimp, crab cakes, wings, and some sides so we’d have leftovers. The only thing I didn’t care for was the Mac and Cheese was too soft and overcooked for me so it started to separate, but my husband still ate it. Since it was their first day, it’s easily fixable.
Suggestions to the restaurant:
1. I would have either the cashier directly hand cups to customers after they pay for their order or have large stacks of cups near the drink stations. I did witness a lot of confusion from other patrons on where to get the drink cups that were tucked next to the cash register. Maybe some additional signage would help too.
2. Similarly, I would also leave a large stack of leftover boxes/to-go boxes easily accessible to customers as well. I did witness multiple patrons have to walk back up to the cash register to ask for boxes which interrupted the flow line of customers ordering.
3. I would also add some signage for table clearing procedures. Some people would carry their food baskets and cups to the trash bin and leave them on top and others left it on their table. If you would prefer customers to dump their own trash but leave the silverware, cups, and baskets – I would leave the serving trays that the gentlemen brought the food out on with the customers so they can carry waste to the trash bins easier and also add signage saying so. We had multiple food baskets that would have been bit of a hassle to walk across multiple times to throw them away so we left ours on the table.
Talha Khan
We tried the new restaurant last night in BETHALTO. it’s called SAM’s southern eatery’. The food was delicious special grilled fish outstanding nice and cleaned sitting area has lot of space for birthdays parties ,etc, the staff name umer was incredible and the restaurant itself is very nice. I give it an ‘A+’ rating.and highly recommend
… morekamix badshah
Wow really stands out. From the moment you walk in, the warm atmosphere and friendly staff make you feel at home. Every dish I tried was packed with flavor and beautifully presented. A perfect place for food lovers looking for quality and great service. Totally worth a visit!”
… more