Sam Wo
The Verdict
"Order the BBQ pork rice noodle roll and the sampan congee. Open until midnight weekdays and 3 AM weekends. Cash is easiest. New ownership since September 2025 with the legacy recipes intact."
What you need to know
What to Order
Jook (Congee): Rice porridge cooked until silky, topped with preserved egg, fish, beef, or the classic “sampan” combo.
Barbecue Pork Noodles: House-made char siu over fresh egg noodles in broth.
Wonton Noodle Soup: Pork-and-shrimp dumplings in clear broth, the Cantonese standard.
Chow Fun: Wide rice noodles, beef is the local order.
The Edsel Ford Fong Story
For decades the original Sam Wo was famous for Edsel Ford Fong, billed as the rudest waiter in America. He insulted customers, threw menus, refused to bring extra napkins, and people came specifically for the abuse. Fong died in 1984 but his shadow still hangs over the place.
Practical Info
Price: Most dishes under $12
Address: 713 Clay Street
Hours: Open daily, lunch through dinner. Confirm via samworestaurant.com.
Reservations: Not needed
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What to get
Jook (congee), barbecue pork noodles, wonton noodle soup, beef chow fun