A few months ago, Sam, Owner, Itamae, and the namesake of Sammy Sushi, mentioned that he planned to put the restaurant up for sale. After 4 years and change, Sam had decided that the 24 hours a day demands that his restaurant had put on him had started wearing away at him, both physically and mentally. I don't blame him, the restaurant industry is a tough one. And so it came to pass, a few weeks ago, Sam mentioned that he had a buyer, and the end was in sight. So it is with a heavy heart that I announce that Sammy Sushi's last night of operation will be Saturday, October 11th.
So this week will be your last chance to drop by and enjoy the nice neighborhood vibe of Sammy Sushi. It appears that Sammy Sushi is going to become a Fresh Seafood Market.
Over the years Sam has become much more than my friendly neighborhood Itamae, he's become a friend. And as sad as I am knowing that Sammy's will be gone, I have great hopes for Sam's future endeavors.
Good Luck Sam!
aww...sammy's sushi is going to close! :( Through my four years at UCSD, I never went to sammy's until this past spring quarter! I found out about it through your blog and my friend. After graduation, I moved back home (LA) so I won't be able to eat at Sammy's before it closes! :( but do tell sammy that I said hi and for him to take care! and i never got a chance to take him up on his offer to one of his bbq parties :P. but thanks kirk and your friends cathy and ed for this wonderful blog! i really enjoy looking at all the food pictures and restaurants :)
Posted by: Alison | Monday, 06 October 2008 at 09:36 PM
it is great sadness that i read this post. like alsion, i was able to find out sammy's through your blog, and had several splurges of some good sushi while i was at ucsd. i regret not being able to come down one last time to eat there. i wish him the best
Posted by: sawyer | Monday, 06 October 2008 at 09:56 PM
I will miss Sammy's also. Many times, his place was the perfect venue for eating some wonderful sushi and having a good time. Best wishes to him!
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 07:17 AM
Hi Alison & Sawyer - I'll make sure to pass on your regards!
Hi Ed - Sam told me to send you his regards!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 07:18 AM
Aw, some friends and I were just talking about stopping by for lunch next week. If I don't get a chance to make it there this week, Kirk, please give Sam my best wishes for his future endeavors and that I will miss the wonderful meals I've had there.
Posted by: Carol | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 08:13 AM
*sigh* Here I had this dream that one of these years we all could meet up at Sammy's and have some wonderful sushi. Good luck to Sammy, and if I every swing on down your way we will have to hit up somewhere else. HUGZ :)
Posted by: milgwimper | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 08:31 AM
I remember Sammy vaguely talking about moving on over the summer, but didn't realize plans were so far along already.
I'm not sure whether to be sad or angry. Anyway, thanks for the heads up; I'll be sure to move up the visit I had planned for next Monday.
And you mean Saturday, Oct 4, right? I seem to recall that Sammy doesn't open on Sundays.
Posted by: Hao | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 09:15 AM
Hi Carol - If you visit make sure it's in the evening, Sam hasn't done lunches for a few months.
Hi Mills - If you ever make it this way; i'll be sure to have a couple of places lined up!
Hey Hao - Sam's last day is the 11th of October, this coming Saturday.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 09:26 AM
Haha, that's what I get for typing comments half-asleep. :)
Posted by: Hao | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 10:17 AM
I'm going to have sushi this weekend! ;-)
Posted by: nhbilly | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 10:43 AM
Noooo.. And just when I was getting to know Sam. If they're still open for lunch I'll have to stop by this week.
Posted by: Dennis | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 11:14 AM
That's a real shame. I'll definitely have to stop by this week. Do you know what Sam's plans are? Working for another sushi place?
Posted by: howie | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 12:29 PM
Thanks for the heads up, Kirk. I'll have to take my friends to Sammy's again but this time to say g'bye. :(
Posted by: Roger | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 07:33 PM
Hi Hao - No problemo...I do that all the time!
Hi Billy - Have a great one!
Hi Dennis - Sam had stopped lunch a few months back.....so you'll need to stop by after 530pm.
Hi Howie - I think Sam is going to help transition the place, and than take along vacation. I don't think he has any plans after that.
Hi Roger - Yes, make sure you stop by....I think Sam will enjoy that.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 07 October 2008 at 08:33 PM
Hey Kirk,
We have to hide this post from Chia, he's gonna cry when he read this. Sammy Sushi is his favorite hang out place =(.
Posted by: Tammy | Wednesday, 08 October 2008 at 09:52 PM
Hi Tammy - It's going to be a sad week for many people.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 09 October 2008 at 07:49 AM
Thanks to Kirk's post, we visited Sammy's for the last time last night. So sad! Sammy was very friendly and kind; we wish him well on his long-deserved vacation!
Posted by: Klug | Thursday, 09 October 2008 at 12:36 PM
Also worth noting that the place was packed for a Wednesday night --I imagine that it'll only get more so as the week goes on.
Posted by: Klug | Thursday, 09 October 2008 at 12:40 PM
Hi Klug - I'm glad you got to have a last meal at Sammy's. I'm sure the place will be packed until closing.....
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 09 October 2008 at 02:28 PM
So sad when a place you regularly go to changes hands or closes .. its just not the same. However, the food industry is so taxing on the business owners that its amazing most of them stay in it as long as they do! I guess they do get some satisfaction out of providing good food as much as getting paid for it!
Posted by: Rachel | Sunday, 12 October 2008 at 04:28 AM