You've probably seen him. He’s the guy with the Super Saiyan hair standing outside his house at 1 Willow Lane, either staring at a bush or trying to land a kickflip on a skateboard that barely has physics. Sam is Pelican Town’s resident "himbo"—he’s sweet, he’s a bit of a dreamer, and honestly, he is one of the easiest bachelors to win over if you know what you’re doing.
Most people overcomplicate it. They think they need rare diamonds or artisan truffles. But if you're wondering what does sam like in stardew valley, the answer is basically whatever you'd find in a high schooler's backpack or at a gas station at 2:00 AM.
He’s a man of simple tastes. He likes sugar, he likes junk food, and he weirdly hates the stuff most of the town loves. If you’re tired of carrying around a spreadsheet just to talk to the local guitarist, let’s break down the actual strategy for getting Sam to ten hearts without losing your mind.
The Four "Golden" Gifts: What Sam Loves Most
If you want the maximum friendship boost—that's 80 points per pop—you need his "Loved" items. There are only four specific ones (aside from the universal stuff like Prismatic Shards or Rabbit's Feet), which makes Sam one of the most predictable NPCs in the game.
1. Pizza
This is the MVP. You don’t even need to cook it. You can walk into the Stardrop Saloon any day of the week and buy a slice (or a whole pie, really) from Gus for 600g. If you're flush with cash in your second year, just buy a stack of 20 and keep them in your bag. Sam will be your best friend in two weeks.
2. Cactus Fruit
Once you unlock the Calico Desert, Sam becomes the easiest person to please for free. Just forage the purple cactus fruits off the ground. He loves them. Pro tip: if you have a Greenhouse, plant a few cactus seeds. You’ll have a lifetime supply of Sam-bait that costs $0.
3. Maple Bars
If you’ve upgraded your farmhouse and have a kitchen, the Maple Bar is a top-tier choice. You need Maple Syrup, Sugar, and Wheat Flour. It’s basically a donut. Of course he loves it.
4. Tigerseye
This is the only mineral he truly cares about. You’ll find it inside Magma Geodes or Omni Geodes. While other characters are obsessed with Diamonds or Emeralds, Sam just wants this specific, striped rock. Don't ask me why; he just does.
What Does Sam Like in Stardew Valley When You're Broke?
Look, we've all been there. It’s Year 1, Spring, and you’ve spent every single gold piece on Parsnip seeds and a fiberglass rod. You can't afford a 600g pizza.
In this case, you go for the Joja Cola.
Sam is literally the only person in the entire valley who "Likes" Joja Cola. Everyone else treats it like toxic waste. You can find it in trash cans (don't let him see you), catch it while fishing in the farm pond, or buy it from the vending machine at the Saloon for 75g. It only gives 45 friendship points instead of 80, but it’s cheap and everywhere.
He also likes all Eggs (except for the creepy Void Eggs). If you have a coop with a single happy chicken, you have a consistent source of Sam gifts. Just walk over to his house, hand him a brown egg, and watch the hearts go up.
The "Do Not Touch" List: What Sam Hates
This is where most players mess up. Stardew logic usually dictates that "Artisan Goods = Good Gifts."
Not for Sam.
- Mayonnaise: He hates it. Don't give him your gold-star mayo. He’ll look at you like you just handed him a jar of spiders.
- Pickles: Also a huge no.
- Vegetables: Most villagers like a nice Corn or Tomato. Sam thinks they’re gross. He dislikes almost every vegetable in the game except for Hops, Wheat, and Tea Leaves (because those make fun drinks).
- Quartz: While Abigail literally eats Quartz for breakfast, Sam thinks it's boring. Don't waste your mine loot on him.
- Metal Bars: Don't give him Copper, Iron, or Gold bars. He’s a musician, not a blacksmith.
Timing the Big Gains: Summer 17
If you want to fast-track your relationship, circle Summer 17 on your calendar. That’s Sam’s birthday.
A "Loved" gift (like that Pizza) given on a birthday is worth 8x the normal points. Giving him a Pizza on his birthday is basically like skipping two months of daily talking. If you've been "meh" about your friendship, a single Birthday Pizza can often trigger two heart events back-to-back.
Getting Deep: Why Sam is More Than a "Skater Boy"
If you actually start talking to him, you realize his life is kind of heavy. His dad, Kent, is away at war for the entire first year. Sam is essentially the "man of the house" for his little brother, Vincent, and his mom, Jodi.
The Missable 3-Heart Event
There is a specific scene at the beach that you can only see during Year 1. It has to be a sunny day (excluding Winter) between 7 AM and 3 PM. You’ll see Sam watching Vincent play in the sand, and he talks about how much he misses his dad. It’s one of the few moments where his "cool guy" persona drops and you see the stress he’s under.
The 4-Heart "Egg" Incident
One of his early heart events involves him dropping an egg in the kitchen. Jodi walks in and gets upset. You get a choice: blame yourself or let Sam take the fall.
- Take the blame: +50 friendship points.
- Blame Sam: -10 friendship points.
- Say he did it on purpose: -50 friendship points (also, you're a jerk).
If you’re trying to marry him, always take the blame. It’s a classic trope, but it works.
Life as Mrs. or Mr. Sam: Is He a Good Spouse?
If you decide to give him a Mermaid’s Pendant, Sam moves into the farmhouse and brings his "chill" energy with him.
He isn't the most productive spouse. He isn't like Rex or Harvey who might give you fancy coffee or elaborate meals. Sam can't cook. At all. He will frequently give you Pancakes, but he usually mentions they’re the "instant" kind. On rainy nights, he might bring you a Pizza, which is ironic because he’s just giving you back the gifts you used to court him.
He also sets up a half-pipe behind the house where he practices his skateboard. It doesn’t do anything for your farm's productivity, but it makes the place feel alive.
✨ Don't miss: Eldin Canyon Skyview Tower: How to Get Inside Without Losing Your Mind
Actionable Strategy for Max Hearts
If you're starting a new save or just realized you've ignored Sam for three seasons, do this:
- The Saloon Loop: Every Friday and Saturday night, Sam is at the Saloon playing pool with Sebastian. This is the best time to catch him.
- Stockpile: Buy 10 Pizzas from Gus.
- The Routine: Twice a week, find him (usually in his room before 1:30 PM or by the river after) and hand him a Pizza.
- Summer 17: Do not miss this. Give him a high-quality Cactus Fruit or a Pizza.
- 14-Heart Event: If you marry him, make sure you have a spot in your house for his boombox. His 14-heart event is actually one of the sweetest in the game, involving his musical career finally taking a legitimate turn.
Basically, if you treat Sam like a hungry teenager who loves classic rock and hates salad, you'll be his favorite person in Pelican Town in no time.
Next Step: Head to the Stardrop Saloon right now, buy two Pizzas, and find Sam near the bridge next to JojaMart—he's usually there in the afternoons when it's sunny.