RESTAURANT CUISINE:  Diner/ Family Comfort Food

OWNER/HEAD CHEF: Chris Benzezos

HOMEBASE: Greece

EDUCATION: George Brown Culinary Program

How long have you worked for this restaurant 

I opened Sammy’s Eatery 2 years ago and have worked here as the owner and head chef since the opening.

Was Sammy’s a pre-existing restaurant that you took ownership of, or did you open this location yourself?

The location where Sammy’s is now was actually the home of another restaurant for 28 years. When the owner retired he leased it out however it didn’t work out and the location was then closed for 6 years. That was the point in which I decided to open Sammy’s, I renovated the inside and made it what it is today.

Did you always want to be a chef/ work in the hospitality industry?

 Yes, I love interacting with people and I really enjoy working with food. I moved here with my family from Greece when I was 12 and upon coming here my father began working in the hospitality industry in Canada. From a young age I was exposed to the industry and knew right away that I too wanted to be a part of it. When I started working I worked as a buss boy and gradually moved up to a host, then a waiter and began working in the kitchen.

What other styles of restaurants have you worked for before coming to this one?

 My father actually owned three other restaurants over the years, all of which were similar in style to Sammy’s; cozy family diner style of restaurants serving home cooked comfort foods.  I worked at all three establishments and actually became partners with my father to assist in managing and operating the locations.

Tell us an interesting fact about your restaurant

We offer a cozy atmosphere with friendly staff, and quality food at an affordable price. I think that alone makes us interesting because it gives people a reason to try us out, and it always seems to be the reason people keep coming back. Additionally all of the recipes we use are family recipes, we are a family owned and operated business so the menu items we offer truly emulate a home cooked meal.

What is your favorite menu item ?

 My favorite menu item is the Prime Rib dinner. We use AAA aged prime rib and then age an extra 7 days to bring out the natural flavor. We serve it rare, medium or well done and we prepare a fresh roast everyday! It’s served with soup or salad to start and then comes with your choice of rice or potatoes and side of vegetables.

If you were to recommend 3 menu items to someone that was trying your restaurant for the first time what would they be?

For an appetizer I would recommend the Saga Maki, this is a great dish for cheese lovers as it offers aged goat cheese that’s been flamed and served with pita for dipping.

As a main course I would recommend the Seafood Stir-fry, the BBQ Spare Ribs or the Prime Rib diner.

For a dessert I would absolutely recommend the Cherry Cheese Cake or our Fresh Apple Pie.

What menu items would you recommend for health conscious consumers? 

I would recommend our vegetarian pasta. It is available with your choice of penne or fettuccini noodles and is served with a flavorful tomato sauce and topped with fresh vegetables. This is a great option for anyone seeking a healthy alternative that is both tasty and satisfying. 

Do you have any upcoming promotions this summer that we should know about?

In terms of promotions we offer a fantastic breakfast option that we call the ‘recession proof breakfast’. It is a traditional breakfast of eggs, home fries, toast and your choice of bacon, ham or sausage served with a coffee for only $4.99. This is available everyday until 2PM, so it doesn’t matter if you sleep in!

Additionally we also offer coupons on dineto.com; if you search Sammy’s Eatery on this site you can find coupons for 15-20% off your meal. Simply print them and bring them into the restaurant when you come!