What you’ll notice first about Sammy’s in Provo is that it has a certain vibe. It’s the vibe you get when there are bar stools, a bunch of kids hanging out, a couple of workers trying to decide who’ll take the orders and who’ll make the shakes, and a manager who hands out advice about raising daughters while unpacking a shipment. That kind of vibe.

There are a few wobbly tables lining the sidewalk on either side of the hole in the wall that acts as the cafe’s entrance. Sammy’s may not catch your eye like some of the fancier places around town, but it’s the sort of place where you go to lunch with a buddy or get a midnight snack (until 2 a.m. on weekends).

And it’s not just the atmosphere. Sammy’s serves a few unique food items that are worth a try. We loved the sweet potato fries — sweet potato strips fried and lightly salted — with and without fry sauce. Even the regular french fries aren’t that regular. They’re covered in a light batter which makes them a little crispier.

And you’ll want to try the pie shakes, made with actual pie slices. Our banana cream pie shake was well blended — all the flavor without the odd chunks of crust. Sammy’s also serves beverages called “Make it, Shake it, Take it” that are sort of like creamy smoothies. They’re excellent, especially the Triple Berry.

The main course at Sammy’s is a variety of sandwiches — burgers, grilled chicken or fried chicken. The sandwiches come with inventive toppings, such as guacamole, bacon and pico de gallo. Everything is made to order, which means it is fresh and you get to add only the toppings you like. (Even the squirt of whipped cream on the shakes is real cream, whipped behind the counter and distributed artfully with a pastry bag.) But this also means things take a while. Don’t go when you’re in a hurry.

Sandwiches cost around $5, and you can add a side and a soda for $2 or a side and a shake for $4 (if you’re really hungry). Thankfully, the restaurant is oriented such that the tables out front are in the shade by evening, which makes them the perfect place to sit and sip a banana cream pie or, you know, just take in the vibe.