This post is about Sam’s Sushi. If you’ve been around Nashville for a while you have probably heard of or been to Sam’s. It closed in 2014. I had changed office buildings by then and didn’t get a chance to go by one last time before he closed.
https://www.tennessean.com/story/life/food/2014/04/30/sams-sushi-bar-nashville-closed/8527313/
About Sam
Sam is a unique individual. He had a tiny sushi restaurant next to Printer’s Alley. There were about 20 seats in the place and at lunchtime downtown, it filled up quickly.
You could get 2 huge sushi rolls for about 5 dollars.
Sam ran the place by himself. He had a reputation around town for being like the “Soup Nazi” guy on Seinfeld. He did have rules. The first time I went there, I was scared. I just knew I was going to do something wrong and get us all yelled at or killed. Sam was always very nice to me. I can’t speak for anyone else. He would kid around and even make us laugh. He was also very soft-spoken when he wasn’t yelling.
Sometimes my friends and I would go and peek in to see if there was a seat. If it looked full, we’d walk away and he’d come running out to tell us to come back. I’m sure he made somebody move so we could have a table.
The Rules
There were unwritten rules when you went to Sam’s.
“I’m ok. Thanks” was a sign he had at the sushi bar.
Rule #1
Don’t talk to Sam. He didn’t want or have the time to chit-chat.
Rule #2
If you are by yourself, don’t sit at one of the big tables, because if you do, you will get asked–told to move.
Rule #3
Know what you want. Don’t stand around looking at the menu. Some people came in one day and were looking at the menu. He said “You don’t have a big order do you?” they said “No” and he told them something like they needed to hurry and order because he had regular customers to take care of.
Rule #4
Pay in cash, exact change.
Rule #5
Don’t pay with a debt/credit card, see above rule. Sam was very busy and he had some exorbitant fees on the card machine because he didn’t want to run the machine. I was in there one time and a guy wanted to pay with a card. I heard Sam say “You want to pay with a card?!” My friends and I looked at each other because we were scared that knives would begin flying. He said, “Can’t you go to the bank and come back?” I don’t remember what the man ended up doing.
Rule #6
You may or may not get what you order. I remember my friend sitting down and saying “This is not what I ordered….”. Once I ordered edamame and didn’t get it with the rest of my order. Sam asked me when I was leaving if I wanted it to go. I figured he forgot or didn’t want to make it (probably the latter). I told him I was full and he laughed.
Rule #7
Clear your table and leave when you are finished eating! No sitting around enjoying the ambiance. One time a table full of people finished and they were talking. I was thinking, they are going to get it….Soon Sam yelled “Hey! Are you through?” They said yes and he motioned for them to come up there and pay.
Rule #8
When you pay, you make your own change from what he had out on the counter. He had dollars, quarters and other change. Don’t tip him. He’s watching.
Rule #9
His prices would change at a moment’s notice. I remember he asked me how much my order was. I’m trying to add it up in my head and I give him a figure and he says ok. I think he wanted me to do the math for him. I don’t think I ever paid the same price when I went even though I got the same thing. (He didn’t like me getting the same thing all the time either).
Rule #10
Eat your food correctly or you will be questioned. I was opening my edamame and eating the beans out of the pod. He asked me what I was doing then showed me how to do it correctly. Sam was the Gloria Vanderbilt of Sushi.
Rule #11
If he was busy, he’d tell you to come back later. One day he was busy as usual and he told someone to come back at two or three. They said, “I’m on my lunch break now”. He said “I have to take care of my regular customers. Come back later”. They said “You really are the sushi nazi”. He said “I’m no Nazi, I’m nice”.
A lady I know was in there one time and some people at the next table had some green tea. She asked Sam if she could have some. He said yes and gave her a mug then told the people with the tea to share with her.
If you ever went there, I’m sure you have as many stories as I do and an opinion of the place. I miss Sam and I hope he’s happy whatever he is doing and I’m sure wherever he is, he’s keeping them in line.
Sam sounds like a real gem….and I mean that in a good way. I would have liked him, too.