Trader Sam's Dinner

[closetmickey]

I would like to take my (oldish) daughters to Trader Sam's this Thursday night for dinner. What time should we plan to get there so as not to have too long a wait to eat inside? I understand we have to be out by 8:00 with kids under age.
Thanks!

 

[Astylla]

I would not arrive any later than 3pm , if it's a Fri- Sunday maybe even 2pm. We frequent Trader Sam's often and even arriving midweek before the 60th celebration we would sometimes have to wait for a table between 2-4pm. It only gets much busier later so I advise the earlier. The BBQ Pork flatbread and Ahi tuna tartare are both fantastic though. Most items aren't meal worthy more appetizers just to be aware.

 

[Canuck16]

The earlier the better as you never know how busy it will be but sometime between 3-3:30.

We were there this past Spring Break and our party of 6 were able to get a table inside after about an our or so wait.

Enjoy Trader Sam's......we sure did!

 

[shrinkydinky]

You might want to pop inside for a bit to enjoy and ambiance, then step outside to Tangeroa Terrace and get a meal. That's what we did last time.

 

[whoever]

Hard to say how long you'll have to wait. There's only a few tables inside and you are at the mercy of how long the patrons want to stay.

 

[longboard55]

what is up with that place, they have the worst service I have ever experienced. I would get there at 3 and expect your dinner to arrive about 5

 

[tlovesdis]

what is up with that place, they have the worst service I have ever experienced. I would get there at 3 and expect your dinner to arrive about 5

I agree about the food! Our drinks usually come pretty quickly, but it takes forever for the food. I'm guessing it's because they are a bar and the food is just an afterthought. I mean it shouldn't be that hard, there are only a few things on the menu!

We actually don't get food there anymore, just one or two drinks before calling it a night if we are staying at the DLH!

 

[Bud Ice]

You have awaken the Gods! Uh-Oa is not happy....

 

[cw517]

We went last Sunday with a party of 4 adults, arrived at about 4:30 and waited 45 minutes. They give you a pager that is good anywhere inside the Great Ceremonial House, so we went up to Tambu Lounge for a drink.

 

[tlovesdis]

We went last Sunday with a party of 4 adults, arrived at about 4:30 and waited 45 minutes. They give you a pager that is good anywhere inside the Great Ceremonial House, so we went up to Tambu Lounge for a drink.

Is this at WDW???

 

[Astylla]

Is this at WDW???

That would be WDW. As DISNEYLAND Trader Sam's is first come first served and there is no "ceremonial house" or Tambu lounge.

 

[tlovesdis]

That would be WDW. As DISNEYLAND Trader Sam's is first come first served and there is no "ceremonial house" or Tambu lounge.

That's what i figured!

 

[MommyJKM]

I would like to take my (oldish) daughters to Trader Sam's this Thursday night for dinner. What time should we plan to get there so as not to have too long a wait to eat inside? I understand we have to be out by 8:00 with kids under age.
Thanks!

If you sit outside they have tiki torches to keep you warm. My DD is almost 5 and loves the crispy green beans and ahi tuna so we go in for one minute to hear the special tiki-god "freak out" and see the atmosphere, but eat outside at the comfy chairs. If the immediate outdoor area is crowded they will let you get service at the couches by the fireplace down the stairs. As other PP's have said, most items are appetizers but we get about 4 items to split with 3 people and it's a nice light dinner. And you CAN order at Tangaroga Terrace and eat at the chairs outside of Trader Sam's.

I cannot explain how teeny tiny the inside of Trader Sam's is...It's literally a bar! Not comfortable for eating, very dark, and I think your girls would enjoy eating outside and listening to the music instead.

 

[ADLFAN]

Trader Sams was so crowded and hectic during the evenings on our stay! I would suggest a lunch rather than dinner, just so you're not disappointed and unimpressed! There are a few non alcoholic drinks that would be fun for the kids. The inside seating area is truly tiny- like 8-10 seats along the L shaped bar and a few teeny two person tables if I remember correctly. A Constant stream of hopeful customers walked in, looked around at the lack of space/seating and left dejected. The outdoor seating was great, cute arrangements with outdoor furniture. Half of the patio is seating for Trader Sams and the other half was for Tangaroa Terrace and I am not certain if you are allowed to bring to go alcoholic drinks across the rope. I would stake it out in the off hours and assume that anytime the outdoor seating was occupied, the indoor seating is likely being used.

Have fun!

 

[alvernon90]

I've only ever been there in the daytime. Are you allowed to stand at the bar if it is crowded inside?

 

[closetmickey]

Hmmm...as for the food, I checked out the menu and it seemed to have enough of the same items as Tangaroa Terrace for us to enjoy dinner there. As for the crowds...seems like we better have a plan B just in case. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences!

 

[whoever]

They can order TT items at Sam's too. We personally love the Chinese long beans, the Ahi Poke (or two of them), and the shrimp tacos. the kids get salmon from TT. LOVE the poke (have I said that already?) Speaking of which, does anybody know what the green strings are on the top of it? I feel like they should be kelp of some sort from the consistency.

At any rate, this rendering just about sums up the inside of Sam's:

 

[MommyJKM]

They can order TT items at Sam's too. We personally love the Chinese long beans, the Ahi Poke (or two of them), and the shrimp tacos. the kids get salmon from TT. LOVE the poke (have I said that already?) Speaking of which, does anybody know what the green strings are on the top of it? I feel like they should be kelp of some sort from the consistency.

It's seaweed on top. Some restaurants do serve a dried kelp called kombu which is prevalent in Hawaii - but the TS version is shredded seaweed with rice vinegar. The poke IS delicious!

 

[CassieF]

The Poke is really amazing!!! And yeah, it's seaweed, and did I say yummy?! That and a black pearl are my go to items!

 

[whoever]

If anybody has an in at Sam's I'd love to know their source for the seaweed... I want to start doing the poke at home and that is a must for it!!!