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Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Cory Ford

Cory Ford — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:47:38 +0000

For a while back in the Eighties, I was lucky enough to tend bar for Sam at his restaurant on Washington. He was a great guy, and like everyone I have a few stories.
Unfortunately, I’d have to clean up Sam’s language a bit before I could post them here, and that would take a bit off of some of the hysterical laughter he could incite…

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Jodie

Jodie — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 01:33:59 +0000

Wow…It’s hard to believe I stumbled onto to site by accident. I too worked for Sam at Second Verse, right out of High School and in desperate need of a Real Job, I worked for my Mom, Jodie Bowen and Step-Dad Bruce Bowen at the “Hole In the Wall” Theater next door on Washington Ave. called “The Equinox” …needless to say that was a bad idea. Sam offered me a Real “VERY GOOD” Paying job and was the “Best Job” I ever had! I Loved it there….but one day I was 5 minutes late getting to work, because my junker car would not start; he fussed at me like I had tried to skip school and made me stay after the restaurant closed. I had to wash and roll ALL the silverware, fill ALL the salt & pepper shakers, AND then Wash ALL the dirty glassware behind the Bar. I was never late again…I’m sorry he is gone at such a young age, he really was the quite the Icon on Washington Ave. I Miss Those Days~

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Jim Halpin

Jim Halpin — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:04:52 +0000

I worked for Sam on Washington Ave when he had Second Verse/ George’s on Washington. One night Beverly Sills, the famous opera singer, was there and she had a few too many martinis. At the end of the night Sam, and I had to carry her out to her car. We both had one of her arms and half way there she vomited on my shoes. After we got her to her ride, I complained to Sam that she threw up on my shoes, Sam replied that he would buy me a drink. I complained that she puked on both my shoes and he replied “I’ll buy you two drinks”.
Since then I have opened several restaurants and I use one of his quotes even today: “Don’t spend any money unless you’re making money” and “If you’re making money don’t change a thing”.

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Pauly

Pauly — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 22:12:07 +0000

One time I asked Sam what made his gumbo the best damn gumbo in Texas. He looked at me in angered disbelief, as if I wanted to steal his secret and sell it to some corporate chain. “It’s not enough to enjoy food fit for a king, you gotta know what’s IN it, too?! I’ll show you, you inquisitive s.o.b., just this once I’ll show you!” He put on his jacket and left the restaurant. He returned about 15 minutes later holding a hogtied and irate alley cat tightly by the neck and thrust it into my face!

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Bill

Bill — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:26:06 +0000

My wife and I had dinner with another couple. The couple ordered decaf after the meal. The lady asked Sam a few times if he was SURE it was decaf he had poured her. He answered yes, except the third time. He said “what did you order?” She said, “Decaf!!”. He said “Then it’s decaf”.

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Jason

Jason — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:45:17 +0000

One evening, my family and I had dinner at Segari’s. Sam verbally told us the menu. He let us know what items he had fresh and what items he was out of. My son was the first to order, “I’ll have a steak.” Sam says “OK, everyone … now we’re out of steak.”

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Jimmy

Jimmy — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 18:11:54 +0000

When Sam was at the Second Verse and Georges on Washington, there was inconveniently a bus stop sign right by the front door of the restaurant. Sam called Metro or the City and asked them if they could move it because it was awkward and annoying for his customers. Well, Metro gave him all kinds of problems. So, in the middle of the night, he dug the sign up and moved it up the street about ten feet. Metro never knew the difference.

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Angela

Angela — Sun, 09 May 2010 14:07:27 +0000

Sam loved Houston and was famous for his Sunday drives. As a child, I would be tricked and lured into the car under pretense of lunch. Five hours and 100 miles of stores later, I would have to ask, “are we REALLY going to get some lunch?” Usually on the way home, he would just throw a hamburger at me in the back seat.

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Pat H.

Pat H. — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:57:45 +0000

I knew Sam in high school. He took me to my senior prom. Sam knew my parents and my dad’s prolific tomato garden. One year, my dad gave Sam a bag of his home grown tomatoes. Sam promptly sliced them up and put them on salads for his customers. Everyone raved how awesome the tomatoes were and asked where he got them. Sam said, “I grow these tomatoes in MY garden for the restaurant.” I laughed and I couldn’t believe he was ‘stealing’ credit for my dad’s tomatoes (even though that was typical Sam). I always joked and ‘threatened’ Sam that I was going to tell my dad on him.

Comment on Did You Know Sam? by Angela

Angela — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:12:33 +0000

One year, my dad (Sam) and I celebrated my birthday and father’s day at Ninfa’s on Navigation. During the meal, a small bowl of pickled carrots fell of our table and hit a lady beside us. We apologized, offered to pay for the dry cleaning, but the couple was irate and made some rude comments. For whatever reason, WE were asked to leave. On the way to being thrown out, Sam turned to the staff and said “I’ve been thrown INTO better places than this.”