Pandemic brought them to Holmes Beach. They want you to sample their cooking
Anyone who enters Sammy’s Mediterranean Kitchen can just about be guaranteed they’ll come away having tasted something delicious.
It doesn’t matter whether they know the difference between Chicken Shish Tawook (grilled chicken in a spiced yogart marinade) and Beef Kafta (ground seasoned beef with onion and parsley).
Chef Sam Abbo and his partner and fiance Tracy Kennedy are generous with their samples to help their customers decide.
In fact, Abbo said, that’s part of his business plan for the carry-out only kitchen.
“We’re not a restaurant,” Abbo said. A look around the business at 5337 Gulf Drive, Suite 300, in Holmes Beach, confirms that. There are no chairs or tables inside, and only one table outside.
While customers might not be familiar with every item on the predominantly Lebanese-Greek menu, they are sure to find something tempting, whether they taste a sample or not.
For example, choices include gyros, with tender, thin-sliced, spit-roasted beef and lamb carved from a rotisserie at the back of the kitchen, beef kebabs and chicken kebabs, the falafel plate with crispy chickpea fritters, Greek salads, vegan grape leaves, and the hummus appetizer.
Sides include French fries, hummus, mixed pickles, rice with almonds and more.
Many vegan, vegetarian and gluten free-items are available, as well.
“We are in the process of streamlining our menu based on customer expectations and choices,” Abbo said.
Sammy’s also provides catering for weddings and special events, Kennedy said.
Everything is fresh made daily.
“You order it, we start making it,” Abbo said.
Prices for special plates start at $12.99. In addition, wraps, salads and appetizers are offered. Baklava is served for $2 a slice.
Sammy’s is a very much a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The partners lost their jobs in the Cincinnati area when the pandemic arrived.
They moved to Anna Maria Island in part because of the fond memories Kennedy had of visiting a friend there two decades ago.
Kennedy and Abbo quickly found a location for their business and then found a home on the island.
“I do believe the Lord was guiding us through this. We found a spot for the business in two days,” Abbo said.
Kennedy adds: “This was just the size we were looking for. We fell in love with the island as soon as we pulled in.”
Most of Abbo’s career had been in engineering and project management, but he had been cooking since he was 16, enjoyed it, and was good at it. All of that helped him make the decision to open Sammy’s Mediterranean Kitchen.
Sammy’s is open noon-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For more information, call 941-896-7565 or visit sammysmediterraneankitchen.square.site.
This story was originally published March 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
