Sam's Indian Food & Pizza

Indian restaurant · Joshua Tree

Sam's Indian Food & Pizza

Indian restaurant · Joshua Tree

4

61380 29 Palms Hwy #13, Joshua Tree, CA 92252

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Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null
Sam's Indian Food & Pizza by null

Highlights

Sam's Indian Food & Pizza in Joshua Tree is a cozy spot serving flavorful Indian classics alongside satisfying fusion pizzas, perfect after a day of hiking.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

61380 29 Palms Hwy #13, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 Get directions

samsindianfood.com

$10–20 · Menu

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61380 29 Palms Hwy #13, Joshua Tree, CA 92252 Get directions

+1 760 366 9511
samsindianfood.com
samsindianfoodjoshuatree

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 10, 2025

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@eater

"Sam’s Indian Food & Pizza does indeed serve both of its eponymous items, with an emphasis on Indian food that includes shrimp tandoori, jalapeño naan, and saag paneer. The pizza menu has traditional favorites (meat lovers, Hawaiian, and veggie), plus Indian fusion pizzas, such as the Panjabi pizza topped with korma sauce, paneer, garlic, and onion. The vibe inside is half-market, half-divey dining room with comfortable black leather booths flanking one side." - Mona Holmes, Matthew Kang

The Best Places to Drink and Dine Around Joshua Tree National Park
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@eater

"Sam’s Indian Food & Pizza does indeed serve both of its eponymous items, with an emphasis on Indian food that includes shrimp tandoori, jalapeno naan, and saag paneer. The pizza menu includes all of the usual favorites (meat lovers, Hawaiian, veggie), plus Indian fusion pizzas, such as the Panjabi pizza topped korma sauce, paneer, garlic, and onion." - Eater Staff

18 Places to Drink and Dine Around Joshua Tree National Park
View Postcard for Sam's Indian Food & Pizza
@eater

"Sam’s Indian Food & Pizza does indeed serve both of its eponymous items, with an emphasis on Indian food — shrimp tandoori, jalapeno naan, and saag shorba. The pizza menu includes all of the usual favorites (meat lovers, Hawaiian, veggie), plus unique Indian fusion pizzas, such as the Bombay pizza topped with chicken tikka masala." - Krista Diamond, Farley Elliott

21 Places to Drink and Dine Around Joshua Tree National Park
View Postcard for Sam's Indian Food & Pizza
@infatuation

"Perhaps you didn’t come to Joshua Tree thinking you’d be indulging in Indian takeout, but after three days of hemp smoothies, you’re ready for something a bit more substantial. Head to Sam’s. This family-run spot has an extremely solid menu filled with dishes ranging from chicken tikka masala and spicy aloo gobhi to shrimp saag. As the name suggests, there is also pizza served here, and while we applaud Sam’s entrepreneurial prowess, we recommend sticking mostly to the Indian side of the menu. Be sure to call in your order early - wait times can get intense." - Brant Cox

Sam's Indian Food & Pizza Review - Joshua Tree - Los Angeles - The Infatuation
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Andy Blass

Google
I have to be honest. The service was great. The place is a little run-down but it feels cozy. I'm a huge Indian food lover and eat this stuff a lot. Unfortunately, this restaurant was in my humble opinion not the greatest trading food. The chicken was tough, to the point where I almost did not eat it. I have driven by this restaurant a lot in the last 6 months and was glad to finally dry it but the food tasted good but bland or completely off flavor. I will huge or another try here in the next few days hope it was just a bad night.

Shohil Patel

Google
Food was delicious, and the reason i am giving 4 instead of 5 stars is because we had asked for a plate of onions for which they charged us 9$, which I feel was not worth. I mean, with punjabi, food onions are a must, which ideally should go free. Rest assured, the taste of the food and the service is hands down amazing. Must visit.

Mullen Teodoro

Google
We have been curious about this Indian restaurant in Joshua Tree, California, for a long time, and this evening, we decided to give it a try since we were in the area. When we arrived, the restaurant was full, which is usually a good sign. We did have to wait for a table to open up, but it didn't take too long. The restaurant itself was not big, but there were numerous tables. It was nicely decorated, but I will admit that it was a little dark. It was a bit cold in Joshua Tree, and the restaurant itself was cold. We had a pleasant experience, but there were a few issues. The food was delicious and definitely flavorful. The dishes had a different flavor from other Indian restaurants that we had dined at. You can smell the aroma outside of the restaurant. The butter chicken that I had tonight had a different flavor profile than I had before. This was probably one of the best that I've had, but the chicken itself was a bit dry. The Chana Masala was also a bit different it which it had a smoky flavor. The vegetable samosas were delicious and cooked nicely. The garlic Naan was one of the best that I've had. The service was fine. Unfortunately, we had a couple of issues. The staff members were all friendly and helpful. The first issue was that we had to remind the staff members about our Chai Tea. We didn't get that immediately, but we did get halfway through our meal. The second issue was not getting the second appetizer we ordered. That was the Samosa Chat. Now, the third and final, initially, we wanted to order some Mango Lassi, but we were informed that they ran out. Now I did find it funny that a customer walked up to the front and asked about a Mango Lassi. A few minutes later, one came out for him. That wasn't a big deal. Yes, I do watch everything that goes on in a restaurant we dine at. Overall, it was a nice dinner, and the food was delicious. The service needs to be worked on, but hey, at least they were friendly and helpful.

Nimesh Pathak, MD

Google
This place is one of our favorite places to eat! The Indian food is phenomenal. The chef is incredibly talented, and the Naan was perfect!! It takes a little bit of time to get the food, but if you think about the complexity of how hard it is to make Indian food, patience is a virtue. Have grace and you'll be happy you came.

Jose Cardenas

Google
Wow, what a surprise! Delicious food, you could smell the amazing flavors before you even walked in the door. Wasn't sure about the place considering it's in a strip mall and the combo of Indian and pizza didn't sound quite right but don't ever judge a book by its cover truly applies here. Service was good but a little slow, but we'll worth it. Didn't try the pizza but the 4 Indian dishes we tried were great! Big selection of items so it's hard to choose. Definitely a must go if you're visiting Joshua Tree.

Tasha E

Google
Found thise place through Upside app (look into it if you haven't). Glad we found this place, very tasty. Husband and kids had cheese and meat lovers pizza and I had Chicken masala with Naan bread for $46. We got there at 2:15 and couldn't be seated as they only were offering takeout because they closed at 3pm. That kinda stunk as we were hoping to get a break from our long drive. Food was great and we will be back during our next river trio. Thank you.

A Verma

Google
Very short staffed so waits were long. Took 20 min to get water. Food came out pretty quickly and they were busy so hard to get anyone to check on you. Order all your food at onceOuGood homestyle Indian food.

David Joyce

Google
Potential patrons please note we were informed - STRICT house policy 8-9 is TAKE OUT ONLY. So that the staff can clean the restaurant - not sure if this is winter only - suggest you call before walking the half mile in the dark from the town center. We didn’t call, arriving at 8.13 on Friday. There was no indication of this issue on the web site or google (no way to show this on Google Maps I guess). Very disappointed as the food smelled great - staff were somewhat dismissive (‘people who turn up generally accept a take out when we tell them’) but polite.

Digvijay S.

Yelp
Found this hidden gem while exploring Joshua Trip. Felt like home with the authentic smell of the spices and vibrant atmosphere. It was busy and lively. The bhindi tasted delicious with rich flavor of the spices. The different types of pizzas were smoky and tasty, and the meat was tender. The dough was soft, fluffy, warm, and the sauce was creamy, which tasted really well. The service was excellent. Highly recommend it.

Andre L.

Yelp
We were the first customers of the day, tried the Bombay pizza moli Kofta and an order of pampadums, had a terible experience, our server acted like she hates her life, dead pan, never asked for a drink refill. In fact disappeared completely, We Had to return the pampadums to an indignant assistant chef who argued with us that the stale old pampadums were made evey morning, since we were the first customers there, that was a lie.. he literally argued about a stale Pampadum with me for 5 min. I finally just handed the plate to him and asked for a new one...The mali kofta tasted like it had just been microwaved from frozen And again don't expect sad server lady to check on you or ask for another drink, she disappears behind a door never to be seen again, and we were the ONLY people there. 60 bucks for some frozen to thawed flat bread pizza and stale cheese curd.. insulting to any south Asian family. If you dont have taste buds or enjoy fresh food then please go there, I will never do that again. Terrible service and food.

Stella D.

Yelp
People say Sam's is the best Indian food in the valley. Technically, they are probably correct. No....make that, they are 100% correct. Of all the Indian food in a 20 mile radius, they have the best reviews. Reviews that (mostly) glow from those fortunate souls who somehow sampled the delicacies that appear as photos alone, in many reviews, both here and on The Google Maps thingy. How we wished for that succulent-appearing naan, the perfectly plated biryani, their curries and tikkas and even the controversial pizza. Maharaja or Bombay pizza, which is better? Alas, it was not our fate to know that Spring day, not so long ago. We'd been in town for a while, very Desert Soul'd (IYKYK) and very hankered for Indian food. Sam's comes highly recommended, it's local, it's close, it offers pick-up (sorry Tech Bros and your delivery apps that grind communities into dust).....and it does not appear to have a working phone. Or maybe they are so busy that they cannot pick up. No problem, we can drive eight minutes. It's a different pace here. It's the desert. We arrive, plenty of parking....and they are packed on a weekday night. Wow! People milling outside, waiting for pick-up, they tell us and wave us in. Every chair and table inside is occupied, this is a good sign. We stand and wait in the entry. Four, five, six groups waiting to be seated. We wait. We are hungry. We want the deliciousness that wafted out of the pictures. We watch. No one has food in front of them. Sounds from the kitchen. Bustling in and out, a lone woman goes from cash register to kitchen and back several times. A saviour looks up at us from her doom scrolling and tells us it's a two hour wait. For pick-up. The faces at the tables confirm this. No one moves. Everyone wants Sam's Indian food. We want Sam's Indian food. More kitchen noise, more bustling, more waiting. Time passes. Is it still Thursday night? Has the sun risen already? Is it a new camping season and have more sites opened up in the park? Did we miss the Olympics? India has 81 athletes scheduled to compete. Will Sam put it on TV so we can watch while we wait. No food has come out of the kitchen. Nothing for the dining room, nothing for pick-up. The phone has not rung since we stepped in the door. No one moves. This restaurant is for the hard core. We are hard core. We have hiked to Methuselah in the White Mountains. We are hungry. We are not hard core enough. We leave. The group outside has grown. They are content to wait. They are hard core. Time stands still in this little part of the valley. Yucca Man lurks around the corner. He and his family are more hard core than everyone. Next time, we say. Perhaps in the middle of the day there are less people. Perhaps the phone will be fixed and we can order two hours ahead of time. 3 stars means OK, the red burst shows. OK. We'll be back. OK.

Brad M.

Yelp
Mango chicken curry, garlic naan and the saag paneer were phenomenal! Highly recommend if you are in Joshua Tree, you will not be disappointed!

Ben F.

Yelp
Amazing food for such a far off and out of the way location. I tried the chicken tikka, coconut chicken, vindaloo, and a lamb dish, all were amazing. The chicken tikka was the best. Definitely coming back for more.

Keilab A.

Yelp
If you love Indian food or are in the mood to try something new, Sam's is fantastic. It's located in an unassuming building just off the highway and there are parking spots in front. My group came here for dinner on a Friday and got seated immediately. Our table shared everything and it was plenty for 6. All of our food came out quickly and the service was standard. To start we got the samosa chaat (chopped up samosa with potatoes and chutneys) and gobi manchurian (reminds me of orange chicken but with cauliflower) which were both packed with flavor and super tasty. We also ordered paratha, garlic naan, butter chicken, paneer saag, and a large bombay pizza. The naan was phenomenal! I loved how fluffy and flavorful it was. I also really enjoyed the two curries we got, especially the saag. Everything was great, but I thought the pizza fell short. It wasn't packed with flavor like I was expecting, so I used the leftover butter chicken curry to use as a dipping sauce for the pizza. Lastly, we all ordered mango lassi which was refreshing and more on the tangy side. In sum, you've got to try Sam's if you're in the area.

Brandon C.

Yelp
Service Was horrible they laughed in my face when I ordered they weren't even making my food they are back their playing and talking about a girl and they said to wait 10 minutes and then I ended up waiting 40.. the most horrible service I've ever had they really need to change some thing the workers are so disrespectful and annoying they just sit back their and laugh and then one of made a comment about me and said " he needs to go to the nearest Popeyes" and then when I finally got my food he gave me a stink eye when handing it to me I will never be coming here again if that's how I'll be treated.

Alexus S.

Yelp
Surprisingly soo good! I was not expecting to find good Indian food in Joshua Tree, however we decided to give it a try and get something new for a change and wow I'm so glad we took the chance! Everything was delicious and our server was amazing. She was so attentive and even went and bought my niece toys from next door to play with and let us keep them!! So sweet. Also, the naan is truly the best garlic naan I have ever had and I loveee naan. The chai certainly could have been better but that was honestly my only complaint! The pizza was so fun and delicious I highly recommend getting a small one to at least try!

Scott T.

Yelp
If you would have told me that I would find amazing Indian food in Joshua Tree, I would have laughed at you. However... Sam's is amazing. Some of the best spices I have ever had. The Mango curry was out of this world (chicken was a little dry though). Highly recommend this place. If Sam's was closer to home I'd definitely frequent this establishment.

Jessica Y.

Yelp
Food: 5/10. I wasn't a fan of their curry pizza, but their mushroom, pineapple, and pepperoni pizza wasn't too bad. The pizza cheese wasn't too burnt, which is not something I like that much on the pizza. I wish they cooked it for longer. Service: 8/10. We were able to easily call to order our pizza and it was ready when we went in to go pick it up. She gave a lot of chili flakes and parmesan if you ask for it. She also provided additional plates if when we asked.

Neil G.

Yelp
Hurricane Hilary has landed in Joshua Tree! ... and yup, we were stranded for a day which we didn't mind as we have a place to stay. We have plenty of food but for dinner we decided that we'll try Sam's as we have seen and passed by it many times on our many trips at JT but have not tried! The place is very simple, not much frills or gimmicks but a decent looking restaurant with clean tables awaiting hungry customers. The server/receptionist was nice and handed us the menu as we pick our own table which that early evening - we were the very first dinner guests. Harry, the owner, whom we had the pleasure of getting acquainted having shopped several times at the convenience store next door (which they also own) recommended the Mango Chicken Curry to my fiance, I, being a fan of Chicken Tikka Masala ordered the dish with a side of Pulao rice and Garlic Naan bread aside from the rice that comes standard with the dishes. Mango Chicken Curry Wow!..just wow! I absolutely loved this dish, the natural sweetness of the mango and the distinct flavor of the curry combined together in this creamy delicious sauce was just heavenly! Beautifully seasoned served with chunks of chicken, I can honestly say that this will be a dish I would happily order again and again! I am so glad for Harry's recommendation! Dip your Naan bread in this bowl of golden deliciousness and you definitely got yourself a winner! The Chicken Tikka Masala did not disappoint as well! A delicious blend of herbs and spices wallowing in a steaming bowl of goodness, the tender chunks of chicken tasted so wonderful and a delight in every bite! Pour some of the sauce on your rice and enjoy this creamy delicious feast! The Garlic Naan bread This was such a treat! and honestly one of the best I've had! You can just tell that the bread was baked beautifully as those crispy roasted bubbles distincly made this bread a visual appetizer but also a pleasure to eat! Seasoned really nice and not overwhelmingly garlicky, I highly suggest getting this to pair with whatever creamy dish you'll decide to get - you won't be disappointed! Overall, it was such a treat and we absolutely enjoyed our dinner at Sam's, the food was excellent, the service was expedient and awesome - what else can one ask for? Two thumbs up for Sam's Indian Food & Pizza.

Alyssa A.

Yelp
We've come to Joshua Tree many times, have always wanted to stop here, and we finally made it on our most recent trip. Love curry and love pizza, so we were excited to try their curry pizzas. We ordered the large bombay pizza - 8 decent-sized slices (okay to share between 4 people if you're not that hungry). This is a chicken tikka masala-based pizza, and it was delicious. Would definitely order again. Also ordered the strawberry lassi. Not the best I've ever had, but still enjoyable. We got our food to-go, so can't speak too much to the service, but our pizza was made in a reasonable amount of time. Inside looked nice. Parking was easy in the lot outside. Would stop back here again for a curry pizza if I was in town.

Yvette S.

Yelp
Walked into a quiet restaurant, we were the only ones seated on a Friday evening. Waitress was nice and asked us to sit anywhere we'd like. Ordered fairly quickly and food came out quick. Menu was a mixture of Indian food, sandwiches & salads. Ordered: Tikka Marsala, chicken curry & an Antipasto salad. All was flavorful and good, a nice local option during our JT visit.

Danielle R.

Yelp
Every Friday I eat Indian food, it's been a habit and ritual for many years now. This past Friday was no different when I was on vacation. It was a tough choice to choose between the dishes on the menu and all of the varieties or appetizers. We settled on vegetable samosas, garlic naan, lamb korma, and butter chicken. We couldn't even wait to get back to the rental before digging in to some of the food. The veggie samosas were over cooked unfortunately and they weren't filled much at all. While this was disappointing, I don't regret trying them. The garlic naan was fresh and fluffy but could have used more garlic on them. Once we paired it with the main entrees, it was a perfect pairing. The lamb korma was seasoned perfectly although ordering it at a medium spice level was too low for me. I wished I would have ordered high heat. The other part of the dish I would change is to add more lamb. I think I only had 3-4 pieces of meat in my whole container. The butter chicken my boyfriend ordered was flavored well, a large portion, but also missing some meat as well. Aside from the few items noted above, this place deserves a stop on your next trip.

Teodora I.

Yelp
If you are looking for authentic, keep driving towards Los Angeles. If you're looking for good food though, you've found it. I really was on the fence about stopping in but the curry based pizzas sealed the deal. Each pizza is masterfully composed and the flavors work so well together. You can get the minis and try a few different flavors as each pizza is six inches and four slices total. The crust is fantastic and is a pan lovers delight. Expect some excellent cheese pulls and just a little bit of heat. Order another curry dish and you can use the remaining sauce to dip your crust! Super glad I ignored the reviews and checked it out!

Kelly P.

Yelp
Literally some of the best Indian food I've ever tried. The mango chicken curry is everything!! Next time I would probably do the veggie over the chicken but I honestly would pay for jars of this curry to take home!! By far worth coming here!

Atul P.

Yelp
This was our second visit to Sam's -- the last time we came was about 4 years ago during a trip to Joshua Tree Park. At the last visit we thought the food and service were excellent. On this visit, I believe the food was even better than the previous time. We ordered Chana masala, saag paneer, aloo bhindi, bhatura, naan and rice. All were delightfully spiced, aromatic, and thoroughly delicious. The portions were very much in line with those we've seen at marquee Indian restaurants in major cities like New York, London, Chicago, etc. I point this out because some reviews of Sam's complain about portion size. Ignore them! We were served by Harry who was polite, good humored, and very attentive to our needs. While in the restaurant we overheard at least five other customers complimenting Harry on the food and service. That's an outstanding commentary on this jewel of a restaurant in the middle of the Mojave desert.

Elyse F.

Yelp
We were looking for lunch after hiking is nearby Joshua Tree National Park. We wanted something local. This was one of the first listings that popped up on Yelp. Indian pizza piqued our interest. Indian pizza is different. Not quite pizza dough, and not quite naan bread. It's different, but in a good way. The dough is softer. It is more like naan in that respect. Bollywood pizza had strong flavors. Those flavors were warm, and had a hint of spice/heat. Toppings are on the light side. Service was attentive. There was only one other person eating in. Takeout business the other hand was busy.

Kelly T.

Yelp
Came back one year later for a new traditional pizza snack for the car ride home from JT National Park. No partner this time, but no problem. The dog and I are making our own memories so we split a curry pizza and it was outstanding. I REALLY want to try the Wraps because the mint sauce looks bomb. Next time when we're back I'll make sure to get it. Again personal size pizza is the perfect sizing!! And paneer is the unsung hero pizza topping for real!

Wendi K.

Yelp
Ordered on the website and picked up Indian Takeout from this spot! It's pretty solid and the only Indian spot in JT - they also have really unique looked pizza with Indian food inspired toppings, this we didn't get to try. Entrees: -Lamb Vindaloo ($20): Lean chunks of lamb in a tasty sauce. The "spicy" was pretty mild. -Saag Paneer ($15.50): the saag was EXTRA creamy and rich -Side of Pulao ($6) -Side of Garlic Naan ($4): deliciously buttery! Had no idea the entrees would come with a humongous pile of rice!

Harry M.

Yelp
Food: Naans were not cooked. The wrapping was to tight as they packed 5 naans in the same foil. It was not cooked and became soggy by the time it reached home. This was a togo order. Curries were so bad, felt like onion pest with some random spices. I know how an Indian curry is made and this is pure trash with no taste and flavor. Service: The lady on the front desk took order and said 15 minutes for a pickup. We came after 20 mins and guess what, they gave our order to somebody else or may be they were lying as they gave the naans to the dine in people and made us wait for another 20 minutes. 15 mins turned into 40 mins wait with no regrets to the owner. Atmosphere: Shady and dark. Avoid this place at all costs, save money, get good food somewhere else while you are enjoying in the desert. I with i can give -ve stars.

mon k.

Yelp
Indian food and pizza.... The service was outstanding, our helper was a super woman...served many tables and worked the take out all singled handedly. She made magic ambiance! We ordered vegetable pakora, Aloo veggie patties and few other little dishes. Yes yes yes

Ariel L.

Yelp
Everything about this place was perfect! Excellent service, refreshing drinks, delicious food, and a nice dim and cool ambiance to pair along with everything. The food is so fresh since it's made to order and it truly felt like I was eating a home cooked meal in this restaurant. The star of the show was the vegetable samosas. I was in awe!!! The pastry that held all the vegetables inside was so buttery and flavorful and paired perfectly with the sauces that it came with. I will definitely be coming here again when I find myself in the desert. Thank you Sam and your amazing staff!

Janet M.

Yelp
I had my doubts because of the name, but good Indian food. Portions were large, service was fast, and It stays open late for dinner compared to most places in Joshua Tree. Dining room was not fancy, but was clean and comfortable enough.

Mike G.

Yelp
Pretty good but small portions for the price. With Indian food you should have left overs.

Zachary S.

Yelp
Sam's Indian Food - where the service is on point, but the Curry Pizza plays hard to get with flavor! Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of taste that leaves you questioning the spice-to-surprise ratio. It's like a plain surprise party with a spicy twist - unexpected, but not in a good way. On the bright side, the onion baji and papadum stole the show, proving that not everything at Sam's is a culinary rollercoaster. Now, onto the curry masala fries with chicken - it's in the realm of "mid" territory, lacking salt and leaving you pondering why a curry would need rescuing from flavor oblivion. If only we could perform spice transfusions! As for a grand encore, I won't be making a return visit. Alas, I missed the chance to explore their standalone Indian dishes - a mystery that will forever elude my taste buds. In the vast landscape of Joshua Tree's culinary offerings, Sam's Indian Food faces tough competition. Here's to hoping they find the right spice blend for success and prosperity! Happy hiking, and may your future curry adventures be flavor-packed and full of surprises!

Amy N.

Yelp
If you are visiting beautiful Joshua tree this is not a bad food option. The thought of Indian food and pizza together sounded unique to me and since we were in the area I thought why not. I had a chance to taste: Chicken tika masala - really and the chicken were tender as well. This curry was my favorite Lamb curry- the sauce is amazing with just the right amount of spice. I got medium spice level. It also comes with rice. The lamb meat itself was ok. Veggie curry- a very unique flavor and fun to try. Definitely a good option if you are vegetarian (even if you are not). The garlic nan is amazing! There are seats you can dine in. I would recommend dinning in. Indian food is not as good when taken to go. Parking is available right in front. I am impress by this place and would come back again.

Kristal G.

Yelp
Not just great Indian food "for the area," but great Indian food overall. It's become a tradition to come here everytime I'm in Joshua Tree and I almost always get the same thing: Chicken Tikka Masala, rice, garlic naan, and Sag Paneer (pretty basic, but tried and true.) You can dine in but I think a lot of people take out. It's a bit dark and boothy inside, and has a spacious parking lot up front, shared with Sam's Liquor (the same Sam?) Around dinner, this place gets packed and people are lounging around outside, waiting for their orders, but it's better around noon. I think they close between lunch and dinner so check the hours. When I went three weeks ago, I tried a curry pizza for the first time and didn't love it. Instead of a thick creamy curry, it was more like a curry powder/seasoning, and a bit dry, which I didn't love, but I'd be willing to try the other pizzas. Or just stick to what I already know and love. Would recommend.

S. Annette L.

Yelp
Sam's is a local favorite in the Hi Desert. I personally like the veggie pizza, paneer tikka masala, samosas and the rice pudding. Really you can't go wrong. The team is friendly and will make sure you get exactly what you are looking for! Order in advance and pick up for an easy take out experience.

Susan T.

Yelp
The food was pleasing to all senses. The service was a little slow but they were a little busy. The seating was a little cramped with not much room which made me a little uncomfortable. Overall it was a great experience.

Priya K.

Yelp
The food was very good! I was skeptical but the pizza had very good flavors and the service was also amazing. This is definitely more of a casual restaurant but very reasonably priced. The butter chicken and paneer were very well developed with flavors. If you're going here definitely get a pizza that was the highlight of our meal

Jackie S.

Yelp
I was really craving Indian food and thank goodness for Sam's Indian Food and Pizza, which is the only Indian restaurant in the area. It's located right off the Twentynine Palms Highway and shares a parking lot with the grocery store next door. Note that on the weekdays they're closed in between lunch and dinner time. I got the Mango Lassi ($6), a large Bombay Pizza ($28), and Samosas ($7.50). The lassi was on the sour side and it was a pretty large drink. The large pizza easily feeds four and I had plenty of leftovers to take home. This was my first time trying Indian pizza and I'm converted. You can taste the freshness of the cheese on the pizza and it was packed with spices and flavor. It's on the pricier side for Indian food and the service is a bit slow but for the only Indian restaurant in the are, I'll take it. TLDR: This is the only Indian place in the area and I'm thankful for it. The pizza is really fresh and I'd recommend for everyone to try it.

Kevin D.

Yelp
We have to give this spot 3 stars but if the rating was for food alone it would be 5 stars easily. We love Indian Food and this was one of the best meals we've had. And they don't shy from the spice levels which we love. The 3 stars really comes down to the ambiance and the service. The space itself was dingy and dirty, which we can deal with, but the service was really not great. We waited long enough that we discussed getting up and leaving a few times. Go to the food, but just be ready, it's a hole in the wall with hole in the wall level service.

Brynne B.

Yelp
I have little faith that anyone truly reads yelp reviews anymore, but if they do, here goes: this was good food. If you're the kind of person who wants to weigh the opinions of strangers in deciding where to eat, then I shall serve you by simply recommending this place as solid. Hopefully you have a similar experience, but it's worth trying for the sake of supporting anyone in the service industry. They did forget our mango lassi but we were also stoned and forgot about that mixup pretty quickly.

Sarah B.

Yelp
Worst service I've had in a while! (In their defense, they were crazy busy) We ended up at Sam's as it is the only place that serves Indian food in Joshua Tree. During my visit at Sam's, the host was also the only waitress for the restaurant and would not acknowledge anyone who walked in the door. After 10 minutes of twiddling our thumbs waiting for this hostess to acknowledge us, it was clear we were going to have to make the first move. After putting our name down, we proceeded to wait for 20+ more minutes in the lobby before we asked what's the status. She said she would clear a table and that it would only be a few minutes. That few minutes turned into 10-15 minutes. Unbelievable. My party was tired and hungry for our day in Joshua Tree and this disrespect was not making anything any better. We sat down, they brought some waters and then our order got taken after another 15 minutes. The samosas were not great, I didn't love my curry. The only saving grace of this place was their amazing naan! The naan must've been so amazing because this place also served pizza. Definitely not the most authentic place but if you do go to this place, just get take out. The restaurant is small, feels cramped, and the bathrooms were NASTY!

Vince P.

Yelp
This place is a gem in the Joshua Tree area! The restaurant is located in an unassuming plaza with lots of parking spots. The inside of the restaurant is welcoming and clean. The staff here are very accommodating and friendly. They serve a variety of authentic and fusion Indian dishes and you can't go wrong with whatever you choose. All the naans we tried were delicious and the star for me was the Indian fusion pizzas! Overall, we will definitely be back next time we're in the area.

David W.

Yelp
Slow service. I ordered the samosas and they were really oily. The only thing I ordered that was ok was the fried zucchini. Also the naan was burnt.

Tricia S.

Yelp
My husband and I tried the Indian pizza for the first time some years ago and still haven't been able to find another like it. Every time we go to Joshua tree we make sure we go here. Other food is ok, but the Indian pizza is a must! Make is spicy!

Mypang T.

Yelp
Who thought there'd be authentic and delicious Indian food in the desert?! We beat the rush a little bit and the food came out fast! Finally an Indian place that doesn't play around with spice levels. The vegetable vindaloo extra spicy was sooo good and spicy!!! Samosas were good. The sauces weren't really up my alley. Garlic naan so good!! Fluffy and crispy! There's also pizza! Fast service!!! Overall 4 stars!!!

Varand O.

Yelp
For what it is, 5-stars. Nothing says "America" better than Indian Food Pizza. We went with a group and I was able to try a little bit of the vegi curry, the Saag Paneer, naan, and of course... the pizza. Everything was good. The "mild" levels of their food was true to its word (actually might have not even been mild - spice level was very low). Quality of the ingredients was good (could be better, but good enough). Prices are justified, not a great value, but not expensive. Service was great - note that the "dine in" option is small and the spot was packed when we went in. Take out is offered (and also popular as I saw many people carrying out to-go orders). May want to call ahead (phone may go unanswered during really busy hours). All in all, 4.5 - 5 star range and would recommend to others. It really appeals to people/groups that may want Indian but not Pizza [OR] want Pizza but not Indian.

Chris G.

Yelp
Fair prices, intimate small venue, delicious flavor and quality. Ate the bollywood, kids had cheese and wife had a meaty personal treat, split some garlic naan. Overall a lovely light meal with a ton of options i wanna try the next time I visit. ::Please be patient with service, they only have maybe 1-2 servers for the whole place, and their kitchen pumps out plenty of to-go orders.

Gigi V.

Yelp
The service was pathetic and the food was just okay. Soggy korma fries that were undercooked...the Chicken tikka wrap was giant, but had very little flavor, tons of undercooked onions and zucchini, very little chicken. I love this kind of food but when it takes 25 minutes for a Chai tea and then another 40 minutes for your lunch???? I don't understand it. Maybe it was an off day, who knows. There are other great options in the area.

Kris T.

Yelp
Place was absolute fire! My friends and I were in Jtree for the meteor shower, so they were getting slammed with a ton of people (we came in before the crowd). Only one or two people were serving and I felt so bad, but they had great service! Super friendly staff, clean restrooms, great chill vibes. We ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, Lamb Mango Curry, Cheese Naan and Paneer Naan, and we were very impressed with all of it. Ton of flavor and seemed quite authentic to me as I was visiting from a place with a lot of authentic Indian food. Will definitely come back on my next Jtree visit!

Ray B.

Yelp
Who would've thought one could find delicious Indian food so far from civilization? When I saw there was an Indian restaurant in the desert, I figured maybe I'll get a samosa and a mango lassi and call it a day, but imagine my surprise to find some of my favorite dishes on the menu. For a place that has limited restaurants to chose from, Joshua Tree chose wisely with Sam's despite it's non- Indian sounding name. BB

Clara J.

Yelp
This is not the place to go for authentic Indian food. It was quite flavorless, lackluster, and the vindaloo tasted a bit like Italian pizza sauce. Maybe it would have been better if we didn't choose to get everything "mild"? However, the service was fast and friendly and the food served it's purpose! We ordered for pick-up. Based on the Yelp reviews, the pizza may be what we should have ordered. Sam's has some very unique pizza offerings. Hopefully, the flavors are present and also unique!

Bianca G.

Yelp
Terrible "pizza" and even worse Indian food. It gave my immediate diarrhea and it was so not worth that BM discomfort. The food was bland, mushy, tasted old, and was not in any way satisfying. I've tried many Indian spots (including in the country of India) and this is by far the worst Indian food I've ever had. I mean that with all my heart. Please don't go here and wait until you can drive further out for a place that'll be worth it.

Meralina M.

Yelp
This place is... surprising. I've heard of this concept before but never tried. I didn't expect it in the little town of Joshua tree for sure. The food was actually really surprising! We ordered two different pizzas, rice, and fries. The Panjabi pizza was the best it was so garlicky and delicious. The Bombay was a little lack luster. The crust could've used a little more salt in both though. I would definitely come back to eat the Panjabi pizza again!! I've seen a lot of photos that this place either burns or undercooks the pizza, luckily neither was our experience. The pulao rice which is basically biryani but half the price, was delicious!! Again, needed a bit more salt. But so so so good. The fries were the best part. The sauce was amazing. It was a huge portion, they stayed warm. The fries were crispy still. It was just sooo good! I also got a mango lassi which is my go to at Indian restaurants and this one was good tangy and creamy! My friend got an iced chai but wasn't too Impressed, I didn't give it a try so I'm not sure if it tasted more like traditional chai or the more Americanized version. However, the service was a bit slow. They were swamped but the waitress never came to check in us and it was hard to flag her down. If you're staying in Joshua tree you've gotta try this place!

Gnomers S.

Yelp
My bf requests this place for pizzas every time we go to JT which is at least twice a year since I have a vacation home out here. Even if I come by myself, I have to pick up some pies for him to freeze for later consumption. I've also ordered regular Indian food here and even though I can't eat onions, I will sacrifice my gut to eat here (as long as my dearly loved ones don't mind). Highly recommended! Taking about it, I wish I could have their regular Indian food right now!

Joy G.

Yelp
The food is still great but the service and "ambiance" get worse every year. They need to hire more servers. The poor lady trying to manage all the take-out orders and seated tables on her own is rough. Nothing inside is ever updated so every year it's a little more run down. Broken booth seats, etc. I would say that no one there really cares anymore, except that the food is still so tasty. You decide!

Nitya K.

Yelp
Not the authentic Indian food. Very expensive with small portion sizes. Biryani is a joke ! It's more of a fried rice with big chunks of onions, carrots. The punjabi pizza had 3 pieces of small paneer.