|
|
By Lauren Holstein
|
For nearly 50 years, Sammy’s Roumanian Steakhouse was more than just a place to eat—it was a wild, welcoming basement experience on Chrystie Street in the Lower East Side. Since opening in 1975, Sammy’s has made its name with Jewish comfort food, a loud, joyful atmosphere, and meals shared with the table. It wasn’t about the setting (the lighting was terrible) or the food (though the steak and chopped liver had a following)—it was the party. Night after night, Sammy's became the kind of place where it felt like you ended up at a stranger’s bat mitzvah and somehow ended up part of the family.
Sammy’s was unapologetically loud, proudly kitschy, and unforgettable. Family-style platters of steaks, kreplach, latkes, and house-made sausage flooded the tables. The most Instagrammable content was the bottle of vodka entombed in a block of ice that would be plopped down on the table if you wanted a drink. At the center of it all was Dani Luv, the in-house MC and entertainer. He became known for his off-the-cuff one-liners, such as "The more you drink, the better looking I get" and twists on classics like The Beatles’ “Hey Jude” being turned into “Hey Jew.” He eagerly pushed tables of strangers to become friends, and somehow got whole groups dancing the hora, even under a ceiling too low for comfort.
Then, in 2021, like so many New York staples, Sammy’s became a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately for those mourning the loss of this one-of-a-kind experience, in 2024, Sammy’s got a second life. On April 22nd, Sammy’s reopened just a few blocks from its original location, now at 112 Stanton Street, between Essex and Ludlow. Owner David Zimmerman spent years searching for a new space that would capture the same vibe as before. He finally found a street-level venue that is longer and narrower, but it still unmistakably feels like Sammy’s.
The walls of the new location are once again adorned with celebrity and family photos, and Dani Luv continues to entertain guests with renditions of Sinatra, Armstrong, and his uniquely Jewish remixes. The atmosphere remains lively and joyous, reminiscent of a chaotic family dinner. Vintage siphons still fizzle with seltzer, and guests often have to shout to be heard over the music. One exciting change is introducing lunch service, featuring dishes like challah, French toast, salami, and eggs.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or visiting for the first time, Sammy's new home is a must-see New York City staple, perfect for celebrating with a large group. Sammy’s Roumanian is open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., with the festivities winding down around midnight or later on weekends. Reservations are required.
