Tube City Almanac

January 10, 2006

Frankly, I Relish a Visit to Sam's

Category: default || By jt3y

An item worth notice around these parts is one that's near and dear to my heart --- and my cholesterol, too, for that matter. Sam's has closed, hopefully to reopen. I was in on the next-to-last day for my next-to-last hot dogs with chili sauce and onions, and it was just as noisy, raucous and smoke-filled as ever.

Sam's holds a special place for me because my grandfather, during the Depression, worked for a time as a chauffeur for Sam Pandel, the eponymous founder. From what I can gather, Sam's (originally known as The Superior Restaurant) was initially a place of higher aspirations than a hot-dog joint.

A few days after Christmas, Pat Cloonan reported in the News that Sam's had been sold by caterer Phil Haughey to a Monroeville realtor who may try to resurrect a bit of that former glory:

"He has solid training in more conventional restaurants, Red Lobster, Pizza Oven. That's where his training has been, (with) years of management training under his belt," Haughey said.


Brentley might even tweak a recipe served more than 10 million times over more than eight decades.


"He's very interested in getting the original Sam's hot dog sauce," Haughey said, referring to the restaurant's chili sauce, served with mustard and onions on a steamed bun.



According to Cloonan, Brentley might also switch from Kahn's hot dogs to Hebrew National --- a move Haughey advises against, but one which I would endorse. The Kahn's hot dogs don't have much "snap."

I thought Haughey did a fine job keeping Sam's open, and even added a bunch of things that I liked, such as homemade soup and pies and cakes. If he had a catering job lined up, and there was extra food, you could usually count on the "spoils" being served at Sam's as a special.

Brentley is also dropping the bar from Sam's --- it'll now be liquor-free. From a financial standpoint, I don't know if that makes sense, but it might attract more people with kids.

Personally, the best change Brentley could make would be to move Sam's to a location with some parking. There isn't any nearby now (sure, you can park on Fifth Avenue and walk over), and in 2006, that's a crucial problem. Plus, the current location --- wedged behind the old Ruben's Furniture building --- has seen better days, to put it nicely. And it wouldn't be the first time that Sam's has moved.

So, how about down by the marina? There's an empty storefront between the VFW and the Palisades (I think it used to be a florist, and most recently housed the Mon Valley Unemployed Committee, I seem to recall). It's visible from the Jerome Avenue Bridge (envision a big neon sign out front) and has parking across the street. It's also within convenient walking distance of the river.

I can almost see people strolling up Fifth Avenue in the summertime to Sam's for a hot dog and a cold beverage. I can see them stopping there for dinner before a dance at the Palisades ... or for coffee and pie afterward. It's hard enough to get people Downtown, but those dances seem to pack 'em in --- so once we've got 'em Downtown, why don't we keep 'em there?

I know --- I've got lots of ideas for everyone else's money but my own, don't I?

Anyway, whatever Mr. Brentley decides to do, I wish him lots of luck, and I look forward to getting a hot dog off the grill again.

Just please tell me he won't wash the grease off the grill. He wouldn't do that, would he?

...

Speaking of hot dog joints of local acclaim, Jim's Drive-In on Skyline Drive in West Mifflin has a spiffy new red neon sign. You can get up quite an argument in the Mon-Yough area by asking people which is better --- Sam's hot dog sauce or Jim's.

Well, I'm here to tell you they're not comparable. Sam's sauce has more flavor and texture. Jim's is smoother, but spicy and tangy. If you like a chili-based sauce, you go to Sam's, and if you like a spicy, tomatoey sauce, you go to Jim's. Personally, I like 'em both, and where I go for a hot dog depends on which I'm closest to when the urge strikes me.

I guess that settles that argument. (Uh, right!)






Your Comments are Welcome!

“Coffee and pie” said it all for me. Diners are the places of bread truck drivers, gas pump jockeys, barbers, cops, truck mechanics and gum-cracking waitresses who call you “hon.”

You never hear anyone talk about coffee and pie – only people who know the heavenly taste of coffee light with a slice of pie enjoyed sitting on a stool at a worn formica altar in a diner. Nothing can compare, especially if it follows a hamburger and fries. Only later, when microwave ovens became more popular, would the waitress ask, “You want that warmed, hon?”

Coffee and pie – wow, those three words brought back a lot of memories. Seems like I spent much of my childhood in a diner – when I biding the hours playing player pianos in a bar, I mean. But it’s the diner experience I remember best. The Strip District’s DeLuca’s comes closest to recreating the ambience: the massive coffee urns warmed by open flames underneath, sweaty cooks thrashing around over hot grills.

You could advertise “coffee and pie” outside an eatery today and three-quarters of the people passing by would have no idea what you’re talking about.

Not me though. Make my berry.
Kris Mamula - January 10, 2006




My wife’s parents used to run Mike’s Restaurant on Second Ave. in Hazelwood, just the kind of place Kris is talking about. Retired and sold it about 12-14 years ago. Hasn’t made it since, apparently, and was closed last I looked. Didn’t help that the mills and the railroad shops all closed down. Made for a big change in the neighborhood.
deane mellander - January 11, 2006




Wow! My grandmother ran a beauty shop on Second Avenue in Hazelwood for many years, upstairs of John’s Cafe. I’ve forgotten the exact address, but it was a few blocks from the Glenwood Bridge.

I can’t place Mike’s, but I must have passed it hundreds of times.

Coffee and pie – isn’t that crazy? I haven’t had it for years and I’ve been thinking about it all day.
Kris Mamula - January 11, 2006




I USED TO LIVE IN HOMESTEAD PA, 15120 THERE USED TO BE A THEATHER DOES ANY ONE KNOW THE NAME OF IT/
CHRIS BOWEN - November 03, 2006




Three theaters were in Homestead, the Stalls, Elite and most classy, the Leona. I was from Homeville and my wife, the former Jane Symington, was from McKeesport. We enjoyed Sam’s Hot Dogs for many years. Relocated to Deltona, Fl., in 1985. Have been interested in getting Sam’s Chili receipe for years. Others, “just don’t cut the mustard”!! Just discovered this site and will visit it often. Thanks, Ed
Edward S. Toperzer - October 27, 2007




jakomas had the nickname “Greeky”.
My stepfather, George “Tick” Campbell was in McKeesport politics as I was growing up…city treasurer, many other offices. It taught me a valuable lesson…stay out of politics!
richard watherwax (URL) - July 01, 2010




Is the recipe for Sam’s chili sauce available to the public? I surely miss that flavor! Been here in Deltona Florida for 27 years and I try to get Sam’s dogs whenever I visit family in White Oak!!
Edeward S. Toperzer - June 27, 2011




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