Word on the Street: Samurai Sam's comes to Fresno

Published online on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

Dave West sold his Quizno's-affiliated fast-food business in 2008 and is back in the game a year later -- this time with Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill.

West and his brother Gene are area developers for the Arizona-based quick-serve chain. The restaurant serves Japanese favorites such as teriyaki bowls and wok-stirred vegetables over a steamed rice bowl.

The brothers own two restaurants -- Samurai Sam's at Kern and M streets in downtown Fresno and one being built at Palm and Nees avenues -- and are selling franchises.

The first Samurai Sam's opened in 1994 in Scottsdale, Ariz., and was acquired nine years later by Kahala Corp., which also owns Cold Stone Creamery, Blimpie and other brands. There are 87 locations, according to its Web site.

"It's not hamburger and it's not sandwich," West said of the menu. "It is cooked-to-order food that is healthy. It has great-tasting teriyaki sauce, which we bottle and sell."

Samurai Sam's also caters events.

It competes with other Asian and teriyaki restaurants, including Panda Express and Pick Up Sticks.

Frankly speaking

The Coney Island Restaurant, 1906 Tulare St., has been around for years.

Now, at least two upstarts hope to add to Fresno's fondness of franks.

Steve Duquette and Chester Neville have opened Tower Dogs at 809 E. Olive Ave., next to the Tower Theatre box office.

Duquette said the Tower needed a place for hot dog lovers, especially those who get the late-night munchies.

Tower Dogs is open until midnight Thursdays and until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

"There are places like this in other parts of the state, but we didn't have one here, and the Tower seems like a perfect place for it," he said.

Among Tower Dogs' specialities is the California Dog with bacon, avocado, brown mustard, grilled onions and cheese. It packs its 100% beef hot dogs in buns from Max's Bistro and Bakery.

Also jumping onto the hot dog cart is Chili Dog Diner, 1760 E. Barstow Ave., across from Fresno State.

Owner George McNeal also sells 100% beef hot dogs, along with chili dogs, corn dogs, hamburgers, and specialty hot dogs.

Investor interest

Officials at Fresno County Housing Authorities are heaving a sigh of relief after receiving offers from investors interested in buying tax credits that, if sold, would help finance an innovative housing project in central Fresno.

Parc Grove Commons, a 464-unit complex at Fresno Street and Clinton Avenue that is to include live-work units and some of the greenest technology available, received $2.5 million in federal tax credits and $8.3 million in state tax credits from the state treasurer.

Officials at the Housing Authorities were afraid the tax credits could be a tough sell in this recessionary environment, but Community Development and Communications analyst Angela Dundore said that didn't prove to be the case.

Surveyors were at the site last week, and the agency will soon select a contractor.

About 200 World War II-era public-housing apartments were razed in 2007 to make way for the new housing, but the project was delayed when the national economic crisis shut off financing.