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Sampan Chinese Cusine, voted "Best Take Out" by Salt Lake Weekly readers, offers authentic Chinese dishes catered just for takeout. With a large menu selection, it is a guaranteed there won't be a repeat throughout your week when you order. Their menu includes dishes such as chicken with fresh pineapple, snowball shrimp with walnuts, string beans in black bean sauce and pepper steak with soy bean chicken.
I live about ten minutes (MAX) from Sampan and made a small order for myself recently. Not only did it come about two hours later, it was cold, gross, soggy, and worst of all, it gave me FOOD POISONING!!! No joke! I called and reported them to the Utah Health Department and was able to get my money back. It was the worst night of my life and the worst food I've ever had. I will NEVER eat there, order from there, or support Sampan again! I'm warning everyone else to do the same before you end up praying to the porcelain god all night too!
Posted 01/26/09 | Report Abuse
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I live 5 mins from jordan landing. it took them 2 hrs to deliver. i ordered online and tipped before hand. I had company over and was embarassed to serve this awful food. it arrived cold and greasy. parts of the order where missing. called and complained they could care less. go else where for your chinese.
Cons: 2 hr delivery for bad food
Posted 07/15/09
I have ordered from Sampan for the last time. I have had them deliver about 10 times in the last few months and I can say their food is very inconsistant. Of the 10 orders maybe 3 were acceptable. Most everything seems to come soaking in disgusting amounts of oil especially their Chow Mein. A lot of the dish's taste the same. The sauces are very very bland.
The p*t stickers are like the little meatballs you get from costco wrapped in some dough and steamed. I bit into one and got a mouth full of grease. Then threw the rest in the trash.
All the chicken dish's I have tried have the same gigantic stringy chunks of tough meat.
I can find nothing authentic about this "asian" cuisine.
Pros: Timely Delivery, Large Portions
Cons: Large Portions of Poor Food
Posted 06/05/09
Just like any good Chinese place if you order on Fri. or Sat. night you will have to wait. The food is awesome and very generous portions are given. The resturant is very stylish with modern decor.. I dont know what happen to some of the other reviewers, but one time they forgot my paper-wrapped-chicken and the owner dropped them off instantly at my house and also gave me extra ones. I would strongly recommend Sampan.
Pros: frest ingredients and big portions,
Cons: What are the drawbacks?
Posted 04/02/09
I just had a party of 10 the other day come in and eat some great chinese food! If your vegetarian this is the place for you plenty of choices without meat! Veggie Egg Rolls were just killer!!! My wife seemed to enjoy Tommy (the server) his friendly service and also being like a big brother to our son just treating him really good! But if another big occasion is coming I'm thinking Sampan!
Pros: Great for BIG parties!!!!
Posted 10/12/08
Oh man I just had some sampan the other month but I'm coming down to SLC for some of the best chinese!! I highly recommend House Special Lo Mein!! Also the servers are the best!! but beware for some white server girl she looks like a drugie and that kind of creeps me out but overall the food the servers are the best!!!!!!!
Pros: Free Parking
Posted 09/23/08
USED to be the best, quicker-than-promised delivery and good food. Ordered Sampan regularly for years. Something changed. Food quality went drastically downhill; and the last time I ordered (and PRE-PAID plus tip), I waited over 2 hours (they are 2 minutes from my house) for food that never came. I cancelled the order and never got a full refund, despite having been told on the phone they credited my card, and after subsequent repeated emails requesting one. I am done with Sampan. I order Dragon Diner now.
Pros: Free Parking
Cons: Not the food it used to be. Quality is a crapshoot. Delivery pathetic.
Posted 08/30/08
This place is not worth it. We ordered food for delivery and after 2 hours it never showed up. Calling the place resulted in an answering machine saying they were closed. Don't bother, just order a pizza
Pros: none
Cons: food never came
Posted 08/23/08
so the food was ok, but mike dean made my order with his fast and personable delivery. thanks mike, ill never forget you.
Posted 08/13/08
We had heard that Sampan was the best Chinese restaurant ever so we decided to give them a try. After being told they were running behind and our wait would be an hour we decided to stick with our order. After all, if they were as good as everyone says then they're worth the wait, right? WRONG!
After 2 hours and no food we called the manager (Jordan's landing location) who told us "It hasn't been 2 hours...it's only been one hour and 53 minutes...you don't need to exaggerate." Wow. Needless to say we didn't get any credit, discount, or even an apology.
Note to the manager...if your business is so inept that you can't deliver Chinese food in less than 2 hours (when Chinese food is known for being made fast) at least spend all that extra time practicing your customer service skills. Arguing with customers over an 8 minute discrepancy is ridiculous - especially when they have been waiting HOURS for some food.
It doesn't matter how good the food at SAMPAN is...it's not worth the wait and the lack of service!
Cons: Delivery time, customer service
Posted 08/23/07
I live on the east bench and have found a definate shortage of chinese food restaraunts that deliver in the area. EVERY time the roomies and i feel the cravings for some chinese delivery, we go through the same ritual. someone shouts out "NO SAMPAN!" another shouts back with "i know, but what are our options?"..I personally will never ever order from this restaraunt again! Here are the things that are GAURANTEED! First, they will ALWAYS qoute you a delivery time of an hour and a half! And, they WILL take an hour and a half or longer, i promise you. Second, Something WILL be missing from your order EVERY time! { this has become a pretty fun game for us, to see which one of us will be the victim of the order!} From missing spring rolls, to missing entrees even?...EVERY TIME?
So, you think to yourself, this is ridiculous! We waited this long, and even paid an additional four dollar delivery charge {for a relatively short drive!} and we're missing something! I'm calling the restaraunt!...Where they will happily quote you another hour and a half to remedy the situation. So you say, nevermind, give me a credit, and i will include it in my next order...{as you laugh to yourself for already Knowing that another Sampan order is in your future! Awesome!} And, i kid you not, your credited order will not arrive, as you expected, with your next order....yes folks, they forgot it again. Thanks Sampan! And kiss me goodbye!
Posted 05/30/07
I tried this place because of the reviews. I even ordered a few of the items that were recommended (the sweet-n-sour pork, hot-n-sour soup). It was huge letdown. The sweet and sour sauce tastes canned! Also, because everybody said "best take out" I decided to try their online ordering system. That was even a joke! The credit card system on their website doesn't work and they don't start your order until they talk to you. So, by the time I should have been home eating, they were just starting to make the food.
You want amazing Chinese take out? Go a little further away to Dragon Diner at 1300 E 3900 S.
Pros: Easy location to find
Cons: Nasty food
Posted 04/27/07
this place has great food, cheap prces with greta service. the decor is lovely. all around highly recommended.
Pros: Food, decor, service
Cons: can be a little busy during lunch
Posted 10/27/06
This is just the best Chinese we have eaten. It is our family favorite and we are regular customers. We prefer the take-out option, but have dined-in also. Sampan has an immaculately clean and contemporary atmosphere. We particularly love the Cashew Chicken, Sweet and Sour Shrimp and Beef with Broccoli. Their take-out is fast, hot and just as generous as your dine-in portions. The only "complaint" would be that the secret is out - THIS is the place to eat for fresh Chinese. Unfortunately, their Sugarhouse location is not spacious enough to accomodate the crowds. (It is the only location we frequent). I suggest that you dine early or late to avoid the rush. But, there is always take-out. It is perfect for a filling family or friends meal at home.
Pros: Contemporary, Clean, Fresh Chinese
Cons: Crowded during dinner rush and weekends
Posted 09/21/06
I love Sampan most of all for their fried tofu and moderate prices. They have a wide selection of vegetarian dishes, some better than others. My meat eating friends have given mixed reviews - the popular paper wrapped chicken wasn't as good as expected. The selection is much more varied than most restaurants in this price category. Quality of the food is very good. The decor is terrific and the funky dish shapes add to the flavors of the meal.
Pros: Wide vegetarian selection, good prices, good quality
Cons: Some dishes are better than others
Posted 09/07/06
I thought this place had really good chinese food. The times that I have been there I've usually gotten one of their chicken dishes and have not yet been disappointed. If you want something REALLY good I would recommend their cream cheese wontons as an appetizer. They are delightful! The price wasn't expensive either for the amount of food that you got.
Pros: Customer Service, seated promptly
Cons: parking
Posted 08/22/06
I've been here a few times over the years, primarily based on the reviews from this site. It'll be a few months and I'll read these reviews and think, 'maybe I'll give it another chance'. But alas, each and every time it is the same. Mediocre, through and through, despite the excellent atmosphere. To all the reviews that say this is the best chinese good in the area: I laugh, then grimace--are you kidding?
Pros: trendy atmosphere
Cons: very mediocre chinese
Posted 03/02/06
I've lived in SLC on and off for a long time... long enough to know that SLC has very few decent chinese food options. Sampan is (by contrast to the norm here) excellent chinese cuisine. The Hot & Sour soup is outstanding, as are the numerous curry dishes offered. The country duck is absolutely fantastic. The only thing lacking is that even during off-hours, the service needs a little work. Otherwise - always a fine choice for an evening out.
Pros: Excellent Food, Clean Environment
Cons: Service slightly, lacking.
Posted 11/11/05
When you walk through the you can smell Little Ceasers Pizza in there entire lobby (Little Ceasers is next door). The Look of the place is beautiful. The waitress was ok. There was NO ONE else in the whole place, should of been a hint! The Pot Stickers were very doughy and a big meat ball in the middle with NO veggies. The only thing that was good with the Hot and Sour soup. BEWARE.
Pros: Atmosphere
Cons: nasty food
Posted 11/05/05
This is hands down the best Chinese Takeout in town. Also if you're staying home the delivery is much better than most Pizza places. The menu is big and there are some unusual Cantonese dishes like the Walnut Shrimp that are great. It is Cantonese/American with no apologies. Speaking of Chinese restaurants - Why does the Mandarin in Bountiful serve Cantonese food almost Exclusively?
Pros: Good Menu, Unique Dishes
Cons: not open 24hrs, Sometimes busy
Posted 06/04/05
My first experience there was great and it seems to get better every time. The food there is absolutely delicious and very afordable! The environment is very relaxing, clean and has a very nice appearance. The service is very welcoming, friendly and fast. I actually like the design of the open kitchen, I find it very simple, organized and very original. The best part of Sampan is that they have a variety of tasty foods! It's a great place to bring your friends and families.
Pros: friendlyng
Cons: crowded
Posted 05/25/05
It's an ok place, but the General So's is tough. I've also had on other occasions garlic chicken--it tastes boiled with sauce thrown on it. One look at the back kitchen and you can see it's a factory--not much originality coming out.
Pros: Soup, Atmosphere, Friendly
Cons: Bland
Posted 04/30/05
