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Sampan Cafe
Review
About
Sampan Cafe offers delicious tasting Chinese cuisine in Alexandria, VA. Sampan Cafe’s convenient location and affordable prices make our restaurant a natural choice for dine-in and take-out meals in the Alexandria community. Our restaurant is known for its varieties of taste including Szechuan, Hunan, Cantonese and Hong Kong style dishes. Come and experience our friendly atmosphere and excellent service.
Features
CUISINES
Chinese, Asian
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
PRICE
$$ - $$$
FEATURES
Delivery
Reservations
Seating
Table Service
Takeout
Does this restaurant specialize in Cantonese food?
Order delivery
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 10:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Contribute
3.2
26 reviews
Excellent
9
Good
4
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
8
mason1776
2 contributions
Sep 2021 • none
This used to be my local go-to restaurant for fabulous Chinese food. Unfortunately, Sampan Cafe is getting worse with each order I place. Prices keep going up which, in and of itself, is understandable. However, despite giving them 30%+ tips, today may have been my last order.
Beef Chow Fun is my favorite dish. Several times I've ordered on-line only to get a phone call after my order has gone through and been paid. The restaurant calls and says, "Oh. We're out of the flat noodles. Will you take something else?"
They have several coupons available. My favorite is for a free Sesame Chicken if you order $35 worth of stuff. You click the coupon; they add the item to your order.
Until today, that is. I ordered and clicked the coupon. Received my delivery but no Sesame Chicken. Called the restaurant. First, I was asked to wait while the guy who answered the phone had some conversation with one of his coworkers. Then, I was told I didn't order Sesame Chicken. When I mentioned the coupon, he told me I had to ask the driver. SINCE WHEN?? I've used this coupon repeatedly over the past year. Never had to ask. Just click the coupon.
So now, the next time I order, I'm supposed to remind them that they stiffed me on this order. Yeah, like that's going to work.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tlterry123
Washington DC88 contributions
Nov 2018 • couples
My husband and I ventured to this inconspicuous little cafe. Surprisingly the food was fresh and perfectly seasoned. Of course I don’t care for the gaudy decor that you find in Asian style restaurants (expensive or not). Service was ok. Quaint little place.
Try the Kung Pao chicken. So so so good. Hubby said chicken lo mein was so so ( hence the 4 stars).
Affordable but everything is a la carte
Written November 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mshapiro99
Sterling1652 contributions
Nov 2017 • solo
Happened by this Chinese restaurant and decided to check it out. The food was good, no real surprises, exactly what you'd expect to find in a Chinese restaurant. The service was good -- welcoming when I walked into the restaurant, attentive, not obnoxious, and the food arrived quickly. I'd definitely return when I am in this neighborhood again.
Written November 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sonal M G
Cambridge2 contributions
Jan 2025 • business
I ordered mix veg dish. I tasted sand in my food. I guess vegetables weren't washed properly. I talked to the waitress about it and she said it was spices. I can tell a difference between sand and spice. Customer service was ok. And they kind of force you to give tip. She was like, give me 18% when I gave her $2 because my food had sand. I still paid full price.
Written January 21, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tatyana Malyutin
Reisterstown9 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
First visit for Sunday Dim Sum and impression is GREAT! I am really puzzled with 3** rating on this side. Our experience was definitely a 5** one.
The taste of the food was on the level of New York City/Flushing NY best dim sum places. The variety of dishes was quite wide, but unfortunately we were not heading straight home and couldn't have a lot of leftovers carry out as we usually have so aimed for 7 favorite dishes and all of them were tasting wonderful. The service was VERY nice and helpful, and the prices also very reasonable. The place is clean and tastefully decorated in Chinese cultural motives. We can't wait till our next trip to the area to taste some more of the yummy dishes they cook.
Written February 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PearlJamDC
520 contributions
Sep 2023 • family
After searching high and low in DC area this unassuming restaurant has really great dim sum. Small dining area but take out seems to be thriving by the looks of customers coming in and out with their orders to go. Very affordable and delicious dim sum.
Written September 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AnneL5
Myrtle Beach194 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
We ordered take out from this restaurant. The food was meh at best, but much worse, the order stated clearly "absolutely no shellfish, severe allergy". Despite that, and assurances that the eggrolls were vegetarian, they had shrimp in them.
This ended up with a trip to urgent care, after a frantic search for benadril and the epi pen.
Needless to say, we won't be back.
Written October 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul S
Alexandria85 contributions
Dec 2021 • none
I like the egg foo yung here. Many restaurants don't carry the old standby. I can't recommend anything else I've had. Unless you're nostalgic for what Chinese food was in the 50s.
Written July 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marylgg
Vermont332 contributions
Jan 2023 • friends
A hided gem! A groups of friend invited me. When I saw the place which external appearance does not invite to enter nor the name… however, what a pleasant surprise. The food and the service was excellent! I, personally love the eggplants with garlic, the dumplings are all good, i loved the chives one. Szechuan chicken was very well done. Singapore noodles was also very good. I will definitely recommend it.
Written January 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiancarloBuonarotti
Washington DC759 contributions
Oct 2019 • friends
We were first introduced to the sampan Café about a year ago and I have been there at least seven or eight times cents. Food is very delicious and very generally speaking authentic they do some amazing things with seafood. We always have fun with the staff especially Lucy who is a real treat. I’m not Sure where are the negative reviews have come from but we have never had a negative experience. The food is always hot and delicious and the staff has always been charming. It is a real value for your money and so much better than so many overhyped Chinese restaurants. We highly recommend it
Written October 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GiancarloBuonarotti
Washington DC759 contributions
Apr 2019 • family
A great find in Alexandria that has nice fresh food and a great Dim Sum menu. The fish is so fresh and the dishes are really nicely prepared. We really enjoy eating there and continue to return, we love Lucy too!
Written April 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carol3162
25 contributions
Aug 2017 • family
Why do they serve shark fin soup...barbaric! Fins are cut off of the shark and they are thrown back into the ocean still alive!
Written September 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jordan W
Havelock21 contributions
Apr 2017 • couples
When I order chow mein I assume that noodles will be included. Most Chinese places do. I picked my order up and when I got home I was a little surprise at what was in the containers. It was just brown sauce and beef and veggies. I called once I got home to ask why there were no noodles? And the old blonde lady that works there laughed at me for not knowing that real noodles aren't included! You have to order pan fried noodles extra and it costs more too. If i made a mistake in ordering that'sfine but to laugh at your paying customers is too much. She never offered to make things right, just kept telling me to bring it back and she'd tell me what I owe when I get there! Noodles should be included in a noodle dish! I will not spend another penny at this place. After spending 40.00 for dinner for two tonight I'll still have to find something else to eat tonight.
Written April 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tam D
1 contribution
Feb 2016 • solo
Do not eat here! I ordered online. The delivery came late and covered in sauce when I specifically requested sauce on the side. I was on a paleo diet (no sauce allowed) but I was starving so I ate some. I called to tell them I requested no sauce and the woman on the phone said she didn't have proof that I specified sauce on the side. When I offered to show her my receipt with the details, she said not to worry about it and that she'd send the correct order, but that she wanted the original food returned to her. When the delivery man came, I gave him the food with sauce in exchange for the correct order.
After settling back in, I picked up my phone to find a missed call and voicemail from the restaurant. The terrible-service front desk lady called and left a nasty voicemail message saying that I cheated her because I ate some of the initial order.
Maybe instead of hassling customers, they should send the correct order the first time! I paid for food and had no guarantee that I was going to get a second, correct order, so I began to eat what I paid for. That sounds fair to me!
Written February 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dennis2go
Alexandria120 contributions
Dec 2015 • couples
We ordered two dishes for dinner. One was not what was ordered. The seafood dish looked just like the beef dish. Lots of cheap vegetables (mostly celery and carrots), not much protein and same brown sauce. Disappointing.
Written December 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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