Sam's Grill · Guelph
Guelph is where Sam's lit its first grill — a limestone city on the Speed River that takes its food seriously and its neighbours more seriously still. It's a university town with a farmer's-market heart: students from the University of Guelph in the booths, families from the Royal City's old neighbourhoods at the long table, and a downtown skyline still anchored by the Church of Our Lady. Fifteen years on, regulars still say it: "I remember when there was just one location." This is that location.
Every Sam's Grill is run by the family that owns it — ours is no different. The Rajni family has been behind the counter in Guelph since 2011, pressing the patties, learning the regulars' names, and arguing (gently) about whether the Barnyard Burger is the best thing on the board. Come decide for yourself. If it's not good enough for my own table, it doesn't leave the kitchen. That's been the rule since we opened on Wellington Street in 2011. It's why the beef gets pressed by hand every morning, and why some nights a guest waits an extra four minutes for fries cut that day. Fifteen years on, it's still the only rule I care about.
Meet Rajni
Rajni lit a flat-top on Wellington Street in 2011 and made a simple promise: homemade food, made fresh every day, served warm to everyone at the table. Fifteen years and a lot of stores later, he's still the one running this counter, and the promise hasn't changed a word. Same grill, same hours, same standard. And you'll find him on the floor, not in the back.
Sam's Farm Circle
Every Sam's Grill plate is backed by named Canadian farms. Watch the board for this town's Farm Circle stories — proof, not claim.
Sam's Table
This Sam's Grill is part of Guelph — sponsoring, showing up, and giving local teams and organizations a place at the table.
Around the Restaurant
Good to know
- Where can I get poutine in Guelph?
- Sam's Grill on Wellington St W — the original Sam's, serving Québec-style poutine with real curds and vegetarian gravy since 2011.
- Does Sam's Grill Guelph serve halal?
- Yes — the breaded chicken, Buffalo chicken, and donair lines are halal.
- Is Sam's Grill Guelph family-friendly?
- It was built for families — gatherings for dinner happen here weekly.