Frank Semmens writes:
Nobody cooks like Sam Gagliano, owner and principal chef of Mr. Sam's, located at Pittsford Plaza, 3349 Monroe Avenue, next to Firestone Tire and across from Barnes & Noble. This restaurant/diner has some of the tastiest Italian-American food you're going to find in the county. It's basic, but good! All sauces are homemade and the food is always fresh and cooked to order. I’ve gone there 20, maybe 30 times in the past year alone. It’s a great place for lunch, but you’d better get there on the early side, say 11:45 am or else it’s a wait. There’s only room for about 50 people at a time, including a few community stools at the counter.

There’s a variety of food although the slant is definitely towards Italian. I’ve had at least three varieties of subs, homemade meatball with mozzarella & red sauce, fresh eggplant supreme with all of the goodies, peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc., and breaded veal cutlet. My good friend Jack seems to always order the hot frittata egg sub that includes everything mentioned above and also pepperoni and spinach. It’s enough for two people.

I like the greens and beans appetizer that’s sautéed in olive oil and garlic. There’s fresh soup made daily, and during the cold season he makes a chili that’s as good as any I’ve tasted in the area. The salads are fresh and crisp with a variety of chopped vegetables. There are so many different dishes that I don’t know how he does it with such a small staff: breaded raviolis, pasta a la carte, buffalo wings, thick burgers, cold & hot subs, tuna melt, Reuben, charbroiled Santa Fe chicken, club sandwiches, several hot egg subs, chicken cutlet parmigiana, baked manicotti, stuffed shells, homemade lasagna, pizzas, and on Fridays, a fish fry to die for. I’m not a dessert person so I can’t comment on that, although it looks like standard fare, definitely not your Phillips European selection, but enough to satisfy your sweet tooth. Prices are very reasonable. If you can’t fill up on ten bucks worth of food, you’re probably eating too much.

Above all, it’s the service that brings me back. The waiter and waitresses are friendly, attentive and accommodating. Mr. Sam’s is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Give it a try. You’ll probably see me there.

Additional Review Submitted by Travis Anderson
Based on what I read here, my wife and I went to Mr. Sam's in Pittsford Plaza in the hopes of finding a non-chain Italian restaurant experience. We found a restaurant that obviously is popular, as proven by the consistent flow of patrons, and one that had large portions and tasty food. Unfortunately, the service bordered on awful, and was probably bad enough that we won't return. Looking for a place to go? Try Antonetta's on Jay Street.