Sam’s Pizza

My wife and I found this place on Unilocal.The reviews sounded great and right up our alley. It is cash only. We were not in a rush so we just ordered when we got there and waited. It was well worth it. Sam is doing everything himself and with a great smile and jovial laugh. We wish we lived closer so we could enjoy his pizza more often. And yes, it is pizza only. No sides and no appetizers and there is a soda machine in the 5 table dining room. It’s obvious that everyone that comes in loves Sam and his delicious pizza.

Best pizza I have ever had. Period. Hands down. That’s it. Been getting this pizza for 20+ years and that’s on the short end of the legacy. Homemade dough and sauce like he stepped out of Italy yesterday. I know this sounds overboard but best cheese and sausage I’ve ever had too… I don’t even really like sausage. Only thing on the menu is pizza, cash only, soda from a pop machine, and maybe four tables in the place. Pizza will be ready in 42 min and cost you 1100 dolla (aka $ 11 for a large sausage, seriously). Sammie is the nicest guy you will ever meet, with a thick accent who never writes an order down. If the line is busy, either make other plans or drive up to place your order. Recommendation: large, cheese/​sausage. You won’t regret it!

What can I say?
Sams has been an icon here in the Illinois Valley for as long as I can remember.
Sam serves pizza. That’s it. Pizza.
But what a pizza it is. Never have we been disappointed with it.
The thing that gets me is, you call to place your order and he never writes anything down. Ever! He puts it all in his «computer» lol. That’s his noggin if you haven’t figured that out.
Anyway, give him a call, place your order, wait 49 minutes, and dig in!!!
You’ll be back… We all go back. Enjoy!!!

Sam’s is a neat little place with good pizza. We got a large with everything. Sam is a character in his 70’s & the only employee and makes everything himself including the dough and sauce. You will wait an hour for a pizza but that’s why.
It’s like stepping back in time to the 70’s. Cash only with a manual register (one that goes Cha-​Ching!). Nothing but pizza on the menu (no cheese sticks or chicken wings or crazy breads). Sam has a thick Italian accent, jokes around with a smirky smile and has a good attitude. The locals seem to love him.

Great pizza. nice guy. Nothing fancy but delicious pizza for cheap! We ordered a large two topping and a small cheese with two sodas for 18 bucks… can’t beat it!

Nothing fancy here. Just good pizza. Sam is friendly and welcome’s your business. Be warned: he often gets busy on weekends and takes the phone off the hook, so you may have to go in to order. Worth it!

Gave this place a second visit tonight and I was glad I did. Joint hasn’t changed a bit, looks like a rehabbed drive in painted yellow, tiny dining area and this small prep/​oven area.
Ordered a medium cheese, sausage and double mushroom. He told me 29 minutes, it was ready in 25. Goddam thing was so delicious smelling I couldn wait until I got to the hotel room, I ate it in the car. It was much better this time around, maybe I was fussy the first time I visited, nice chewy crust, lots of cheese and an abundance of mushrooms and sausage. The while thing set me back only 9 bucks.
This guy is an icon.

Good pizza. Nice guy (just Sam works there). You truly do wait 50+ mins for pizza.

Seriously some of the best pizza i have ever had, the comment from the papa johns guy is very modest but I guess if that’s the pizza your used to whatever, sams rocks, Chicago Mike

Best Pizza EVER!
My family has been eating Sam’s Pizza for… well since I can remember. My grandfather used to know Sam and going there was always a blast to the past for us kids. Now that both of my grandparents have passed I hardly ever make it to IL but when I do there is a trip to Sams instore.
Well worth the drive if you’re not from the area!