Guess who's back?
On Monday my phone rang, when I answered this is what I heard: "HeyKirk-sanguesswhatI'mbackinthegame....." Of course I knew the voice, and when he slowed down enough, Sam explained that after being a gun, or is that a knife for hire the last year and a half or so, he had decided it was time to do his own thing again. He had also just taken possession of the keys and wanted me to drop by. So I did, and we had a nice chat:
So where is this place? Ironically enough, it's exactly where Sammy's used to be:7905 Engineer Road, San Diego, CA 92111. Even though the sign still says Convoy Sushi & Fish Market....
Sam has taken the reigns as of last evening. Sam told me that on July 1st, a name change will occur, and Convoy Sushi will become "Sushi Yaro". And it seems that Sam is trying to keep up with trends, and is utilizing Social Media...... you can check him out on Twitter - under 'SushiYaro'.
Sam told me specifically that he is aiming for that middle ground, "much better than Sushi Deli, but not as expensive as Ota or Shirahama." And at least to me, San Diego is missing that "Sushi Komasa - Sushi Gen - Sushi go 55" level of sushi. So we'll see.......
Some other stuff:
I noticed a Kabob/Halal Shop opening in the same mall as Pho Fusion. This one will be called Aria Kabob Cafe:
8010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
No photos on this one, but more than one source told me that "Tita" (of Tita's Kitchenette) is taking over the restaurant - buffet/karaoke-dancing-comedy-entertainment club that was known for a long time as Manila Tokyo in National City. This one should be interesting.......
3421 E Plaza Blvd
National City, CA 91950
That location has changed hands so many times! I remember going there once back when it was still Sammy's and watching a friend eat "snot"...hahaha.
Is Sushi Yaro open for business? I'm in SD and thinking of going to Convoy St. for dinner tonight before I head back home to LA. Was going to shoot for Dumpling Inn but sushi....mmmmmm...
Posted by: Rosa | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 11:22 AM
Hey Rosa - It's still Convoy Sushi - but Sam has taken over, and has brought in "his" fish. I believe that July first is mainly a name change??? So your friend had Maguro Yamakake??? Good stuff.....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 11:26 AM
Glad to see Sammy back in the game. He knows his fish and sometimes it's great have a nearby companionable sushi bar - the sortof place you could eat good sushi and watch a World Cup game.
Posted by: ed (from Yuma) | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 01:12 PM
Glad to see Sam back in action! I noticed Aria Kabob Cafe yesterday when I was driving by.
Posted by: Carol | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 05:51 PM
Hi Ed - The place has a huge plasma TV..... maybe a pain for some folks, but I'm sure others will love it. You guys should drop by when you're in town.
Hi Carol - Aria is not facing the street, so I think I missed seeing it until recently myself.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 06:27 PM
This is great! Good to hear about Sammy is doing well.
Posted by: Dennis | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 08:02 PM
No way! Tita is taking over Manila Tokyo? Interesting! Lion dance time!
Can't believe Sam is back at his "old" place. Very ironic! LOL. Congrats Sammy!
Posted by: Tammy | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 09:30 PM
that's awesome. i will def. have to check his place out before i leave...man he looks older than i when i was at his place last 3 years ago
Posted by: sawyer | Wednesday, 16 June 2010 at 10:18 PM
oh look it is the crazy live octopus guy
Posted by: Chris | Thursday, 17 June 2010 at 12:07 AM
Hi Dennis - You should drop by and see him!
Hi Tammy - So you're gonig to line dance??? ;o)
Hi Sawyer - We're all getting older!
Hi Chris - Yep, it's that crazy live octopus guy....
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 17 June 2010 at 07:38 AM
The infamous Sammy! I've yet to try any of this establishments or meet the guy. Just know him thru your posts/blogs.
So is he officially at that Convoy Sushi location? I wasn't a big fan of Convoy Sushi. Does he have his own menu/items up? Any suggestions on what to order and if you prefer to visit during lunch or dinner?
Posted by: Faye | Thursday, 17 June 2010 at 11:31 AM
Hi Faye - Yes, Sam is at the Convoy Sushi location. You may want to wait until July 1st, for a visit. Sam will basically make anything you want. I'm not a "rolls" kinda person, so he'll usuallu have one or two items that I can enjoy. If you like rolls he'll gladly make those as well.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 17 June 2010 at 08:10 PM
Where did you find that picture of Sammy? I think it is quite possibly the worst photo I have seen of anyone I know. Very Misleading. Haha.
Posted by: Aubree Miller | Friday, 18 June 2010 at 06:06 PM
Hi Aubree - I took it on Monday night! Sam actually posed that way for it....... what a ham.....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 18 June 2010 at 09:45 PM
I just visited today with some friends. He is open and will serve food, but right now they are undergoing a transition period, of sorts, between Convoy Sushi and Sushi Yaro. He plans to officially open on July 1, at which point the old Convoy Sushi signs and menus will go away.
Posted by: Hao | Sunday, 20 June 2010 at 11:51 PM