Samos

Samos (widely known locally as Samos Charbroiled Hamburgers) is a classic Southern California charbroiled burger, gyro, and Mexican-American diner located at 1701 S Garey Ave in southern Pomona, California. Established in 1980 and named after the eastern Aegean Greek island of Samos, the casual neighborhood eatery blends Greek-owned California burger-stand heritage with all-day breakfast, charbroiled sandwiches, and house-prepared Mexican plates. Travelers driving through the Pomona Valley along Garey Avenue or Interstate 10 stop here for generous portions, budget-friendly combo meals, and fast counter and drive-thru service seven days a week.

What to Expect at Samos

Inside Samos, the layout follows the enduring Southern California charbroiler tradition founded by Greek-American restaurateurs across Los Angeles County in the late twentieth century. Guests order at the counter from an expansive overhead menu board and settle into casual indoor dining booths, or pull directly through the exterior drive-thru lane. The open kitchen works continuously from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, firing seasoned beef patties over an open flame while turning out morning egg platters, crisp golden onion rings, and overloaded carne asada fries.

The culinary repertoire bridges three classic California comfort-food traditions under one roof: flame-broiled American diner staples, Greek gyro pita sandwiches, and quick-service Mexican favorites. Breakfast burritos packed with eggs, hash browns, cheddar cheese, and bacon or sausage anchor the morning hours, while lunch and dinner shift toward charbroiled double cheeseburgers, avocado bacon burgers, club sandwiches, and sizzling plate lunches served with rice, beans, or seasoned French fries. You can view recent menu specials and updates on the official Samos Facebook page.

• Charbroiled Bacon Avocado Cheeseburger: Flame-grilled beef patty topped with melted American cheese, crisp bacon strips, fresh sliced California avocado, shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato, and house thousand-island dressing on a toasted sesame bun.
• Greek Gyro Sandwich: Warm pita bread folded around seasoned rotisserie-style gyro meat, diced tomatoes, sliced red onions, and cool cucumber tzatziki sauce, available a la carte or as a combo with fries and a fountain drink.
• All-Day Breakfast Burritos & Platters: Hefty flour tortillas stuffed with scrambled eggs, golden hash browns, melted cheese, house salsa, and a choice of bacon, sausage, ham, or chorizo, alongside classic pancake and French toast plates.
• Carne Asada Fries & Mexican Plates: Crispy French fries piled high with grilled marinated steak, shredded cheddar and jack cheese, guacamole, and sour cream, complemented by burritos, tacos, and quesadillas.
• Crispy Zucchini Sticks & Onion Rings: Hand-battered fried zucchini spears served with ranch dressing and thick-cut golden onion rings that pair with any sandwich or dinner basket.

Samos at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Samos operates exclusively on a walk-in and drive-thru basis with no reservations needed. The busiest rushes occur during the weekday lunch window between 11:45 AM and 1:15 PM and again around dinner from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM; arriving mid-morning or mid-afternoon ensures immediate counter service and open booth seating. Calling ahead at +1 909-623-8382 is a practical option if you are ordering large family packs or multiple breakfast burritos for pickup. The restaurant sits directly on South Garey Avenue just north of the CA-60 (Pomona Freeway) and a few minutes south of CA-71, with a dedicated free surface parking lot and wraparound drive-thru lane. Foothill Transit bus Line 291 runs directly along Garey Avenue with stops right beside the property.

The single-story building provides step-free, ground-level entry from the paved parking lot, wide aisles to the ordering counter, and accessible restroom facilities suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. After a casual meal at Samos, drive five minutes north up Garey Avenue to explore the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony and the historic 1931 Fox Theater Pomona, or head three minutes west to Ted Greene Park for a quick outdoor stroll. Visitors exploring the wider valley can also connect easily to the Fairplex grounds and the American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA) just north of the Downtown Pomona Metrolink Station.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours at Samos in Pomona?

Samos is open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. For the quietest dining experience and fastest counter turnaround, visit between 9:30 AM and 11:15 AM or between 2:00 PM and 4:30 PM.

How much does a meal cost at Samos and do I need reservations?

Samos falls into the budget-friendly ($) price tier, where individual burgers, burritos, and sandwiches typically cost between $6 and $11, and full combination plates with fries and a drink range from $11 to $16. Reservations are not required or accepted, and the restaurant welcomes both counter walk-ins and drive-thru orders accepting cash and major credit or debit cards.

How much time should I budget for eating at Samos?

Plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes if you are ordering at the counter and eating inside the casual booth dining room, as charbroiled burgers and hot plates are cooked to order. Travelers using the drive-thru lane or picking up a phone order generally need 10 to 15 minutes.

Is Samos family-friendly and wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Samos is casual, family-friendly, and offers kid-sized burger and chicken strip meals alongside high-chair seating and spacious vinyl booths. The single-level restaurant features accessible parking spaces in its private lot, a step-free entrance, and barrier-free navigation to the counter and dining tables.

When planning your Pomona travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Pomona, pair this stop with standout local spots including American Museum of Ceramic Art / AMOCA, Best Western Diamond Bar Hotel & Suites, Palomares Adobe, and Comfort Inn Pomona near Fairplex (0.6 km away).