Sam Wo Restaurant May Get Second Chance

April 20, 2012 11:36 PM

The Sam Wo restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown (CBS)

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SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) – A landmark restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown was slated to serve up its final meals Friday, but it may get a second chance.

Sam Wo on Washington Street in Chinatown has been open for 106 years. Long lines formed in front of the restaurant Thursday night as news spread of its closure. The restaurant’s operators have said they can’t afford the upgrades needed to pass certain city fire and health codes.

The restaurant gained fame as the home of Edsel Ford Fong, who was known as the “world’s rudest waiter.” The restaurant has been featured in numerous San Francisco guidebooks, and has hosted China’s president, David Letterman and a host of other celebrities.

On Friday, San Francisco health inspectors returned to the restaurant for another look. They asked for the restaurant to close after Friday night’s service, but only for three days.

A meeting is scheduled on Tuesday with Sam Wo’s owners to see if they can make a case for keeping the restaurant open. Inspectors from the San Francisco Fire Department are also planning to attend.

There are no plans to reopen in a different location.

KCBS’ Holly Quan Reports:

SF Restaurant Known For 'Rudest Waiter' Closing

http://www.oneeyedman.net/?p=1718 Sam Wo closes | Silmaril

[...] After 100 years, the San Francisco health department is shocked, shocked to find unsanitary conditions in Sam Wo’s kitchen. Story in the Chronicle. Story on KPIX. [...]
http://womc.radio.com/2012/04/23/r-i-p-for-sam-wos-in-s-f/ R.I.P For Sam Wo’s In S.F.

[...] in 1984. Now it looks like Sam Wo’s has gone to its reward at age 106. However there is a flicker of hope. The public had a tremendous reaction hearing the news that Sam Wo’s had closed. There is a [...]