If you love venturing outside the box for memorable and cultural food experiences, then Samad Cafe is absolutely a place that you need to visit. It is seriously off the beaten path (hidden behind an auto shop, you’ll likely drive right by it one your first attempt to visit) but has the sweetest story and most delicious homemade Persian food!
Updated July 2024
SAMAD CAFE
This tiny spot opened in 1987 by a sweet Persian man, Samad Afghanipour. And 37 years later, he is still operating it, just himself, in a space that he shares with an auto-mechanic. Here, you’ll enjoy his homemade and fresh-cooked daily specials featuring a savory meat with delicious rice.
THE SPACE
There is absolutely nothing fancy about his restaurant. In fact, it may even feel like you traveled back in time. We had never been to Samad Cafe before, but in looking back at old photos, it looks like it hasn’t changed much in its 30+ years of existence.
WHAT TO ORDER
Your choices are limited, but that’s a good thing! Samad cooks just a few options per day, with a menu of specials from Baghaly Polo on Mondays and Wednesdays to Ghalmeh Budemjun on Thursdays, Ghalmeh Sabzi on Tuesdays and Saturdays to Zarash Polo & Morgh on Fridays.
LAMB SHANK IS A MUST
If you aren’t familiar with those dishes, we’ll leave this recommendation here: get the Lamb Shank (Baghaly Polo). It is to die for good, the meat melts off the bone and the fresh baghali rice that accompanies is so good!
HOW TO FIND IT
But before you can even enter the tiny home that it sits in, you have to find the house at 2706 Manor Way! It sits behind a chainlink fence in the driveway of an auto shop where you’ll see a tiny sign that reads “restaurant.”
It is very easy to miss, and then once you spot it, it could be very easy to decide that the location feels a bit too hole-in-the-wall and abandon ship before you make it in. But don’t!! Or else you’ll miss out on such a special culinary experience!
SAMAD TAKES CARD!
Something that almost scared us off: the many Cash Only signs. But Samad now does have a card reader!
