Once Upon a Time in the Lower East Side: How Sami & Susu Brings Family and Flavor to Orchard Street

A Tiny Restaurant with a Big Story

In a city where restaurant concepts are often designed to grab headlines, there’s something refreshing about a place that feels like a well-kept secret among friends. Tucked away on Orchard Street in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Sami & Susu is exactly that kind of spot — a neighborhood gem that feels like a page from a family storybook.

Step inside during a quiet moment and you might find co-owners Jordan Anderson and Amir Nathan seated at a small table, tossing around ideas for tomorrow’s menu, or swapping memories that keep their food rooted in home and heritage. It’s a snapshot of what makes Sami & Susu special: thoughtful food, unpretentious hospitality, and a sense that you’re stepping into a place where every plate has a story.

The Story Behind Sami & Susu: From Pop-Up to Neighborhood Staple

The roots of Sami & Susu stretch back to a pandemic-era pop-up — a time when chefs across New York were forced to rethink what running a restaurant meant. For Anderson and Nathan, both industry veterans with deep ties to Mediterranean cooking, this pivot was personal.

What started as a takeout window serving comforting dishes inspired by the flavors they grew up with quickly drew a loyal following. Locals lined up for sandwiches packed with house-roasted meats, vibrant spreads, and nostalgic nods to recipes passed down through family kitchens. When the pop-up’s warm reception became undeniable, it felt natural to give Sami & Susu a permanent home.

Today, the brick-and-mortar version of Sami & Susu on Orchard Street still carries the warmth of its scrappy beginnings — but now with a cozy dining room where guests can linger over plates that feel like they belong at a family table.

A Culinary Philosophy: Home-Cooked, Honest, and Full of Heart

At its core, Sami & Susu’s food is about comfort — the kind that sticks to your ribs and your memory. Anderson and Nathan draw on their Mediterranean heritage, layering recipes with personal touches that remind them of childhood meals and gatherings.

Rather than overcomplicating dishes with fussy techniques, the duo focus on letting good ingredients shine: produce sourced with care, meats roasted low and slow, and house-baked bread that ties it all together. For these chefs, the secret is no secret at all — it’s about treating simple food with the same respect they’d show if they were cooking for family.

What’s on the Menu: Mediterranean Memories, New York Energy

The Sami & Susu menu is small but mighty — and that’s intentional. Every dish feels like a note from a shared notebook, where nostalgia and local flavor collide.

Sandwiches That Started It All

The shop’s original claim to fame — hearty sandwiches — remain a star. Expect fillings like roast lamb with house pickles, zesty sauces, and fresh herbs tucked into fluffy house-made pita or crusty bread.

Seasonal Veggie Plates

Plates of charred vegetables, vibrant salads, and marinated roots rotate with what’s best at local markets. Think roasted carrots with labneh, bright herb sauces, and a sprinkle of za’atar that reminds diners of the flavors that inspired the kitchen.

Comfort Sides and Small Plates

Simple dishes like lentil soups, warm chickpea salads, and house dips round out the table — easy to share, easy to crave, and just enough to keep you wanting more.

Sweets with Soul

Desserts keep the theme going: cookies inspired by childhood recipes, or simple cakes that make the perfect end to a meal that’s all about comfort.

Design That Feels Like Home

Sami & Susu’s vibe matches its menu: warm, understated, and quietly stylish. The narrow dining room is framed by rustic wood, shelves lined with pantry staples, and touches that hint at family life — mismatched plates, handwritten notes, and an open kitchen that invites you to watch the magic happen.

There’s no sense of “hurry up and leave” here. Guests settle in, order another plate or two, and share stories just as the owners intended.

Why Sami & Susu Feels Right for Right Now

In a city that can feel exhausting with its constant rush for the next big thing, Sami & Susu’s quiet success story is a testament to what people really crave: connection. Sure, New Yorkers love a headline-grabbing tasting menu — but they also love places where the food is honest and the faces behind it are familiar.

Anderson and Nathan see their spot as more than just a restaurant. It’s a place where regulars are greeted by name, where neighborhood parents pop in for lunch with kids in tow, and where friends gather for low-key dinners that last long after the plates are cleared.

A Look Ahead: Staying True to Their Roots

As Sami & Susu’s reputation spreads beyond the Lower East Side, Anderson and Nathan remain focused on keeping things intimate. For them, growth isn’t about adding multiple locations or flipping the concept for mass appeal. It’s about staying connected to the people and the neighborhood that made their story possible in the first place.

This means continuing to tweak the menu to reflect what’s fresh and in season, testing new recipes that pay tribute to family traditions, and always making sure the warmth that defined their pop-up days never fades.

Conclusion: A Neighborhood Gem Worth Knowing

Sami & Susu’s charm doesn’t come from big marketing budgets or flashy decor. It comes from something rarer in New York’s dining scene: a sense that a meal can still feel like a memory in the making.