Day 5: Sam’s Super Burgers

Now we come to one of my last regular haunts, where I know the food is going to be good, and I know what I want. I've always described my restaurant eating habits as eating like a 90 year old man.  I tend to find one thing that I love, and then order that every time I go there. I know what I likes, and I likes what I know!  Not to say that I won't try something new every now and then at a new place, and I am trying to break my habits for you: the reader.  

The menu here is delightfully simple. Burger, double, chicken, fish, add cheese or bacon, hot dog, corn dog, taco, fries, sodas and milkshakes. That's it, and they've ben doing this for over 20 years it appears. Details are sketchy on the inter-webs about the exact age of Sam's, but even its website implies that it's been around a long time. There are a few awesome black and white photos implying that the place used to be "Sam's 1/4 Burgers." There is also some fan art available for purchase of this fine burger joint, for a mere $450.  

So being the curmudgeonly old man that I am, I get what I always would get — a double cheeseburger. Wait, what was that I said about trying new things?  Oh ok, I'll try the taco, if I can get a bite or two of my dinner companions burger. I know, I know, you are all saying "Hey didn't you just eat at two mexican restaurants? What gives? Isn't this America?" The answer is simple, I didn't plan ahead, and had a burger for lunch with my Mom for Mothers's Day ok? Happy now?  

My taco was good, filled with ground beef (certainly the same burger meat) sliced cheese, tomatoes and lettuce served in a crispy, delicious deep fried shell. The man at the counter was honest that maybe one taco wasn't enough to qualify as dinner, and that I should probably get two. At $2.50 each, why not? The fries were good too, nice and hot, not too salty, and just crispy enough.

The main course was the burger, with bacon and cheese with the usual fixings. The quality of this burger would rival that of a fast food place like In n' Out Burger. It was so juicy that it required a few napkins, or a dog to lick your fingers. But then the dog will ask, "Do fries come with that?" We also got a milkshake, which I tried, but just couldn't bring myself to try more than one sip of this artificial-flavored banana milk shake. Don't get me wrong, if you love banana flavored Laffy Taffy, this is for you. I prefer the chocolate, even though this might be the last place in California that still serves them in styrofoam cups!

The folks even gave our dog a free hot dog to munch on while we ate at the tables outside, probably to shut her up, but maybe they were just being friendly like everyone is in San Leandro. While we sat we got to watch the world go by, and reflect on our upcoming journey into the unknown world of San Leandro restaurants.  

Good times were had by all, especially by the dog, and we left full and with plenty of cash left over in our wallets. We did go for a long walk afterwards, to hopefully counter the large amount of fat we had just eaten.  

Side note: They've had a sign up ever since we moved to San Leandro that they are "Now hiring." Maybe they'll still be hiring when my wife finishes grad school.

BTW you should totally eat here.

Originally posted at: broadmoortobayfair.tumblr.com