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Sam Choy’s BLC to close March 31

HONOLULU PULSE STAFF / honolulupulse@staradvertiser.com

The popular Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab restaurant on Nimitz Highway is set to close on Easter Sunday, March 31.

Good Eats USA Inc., the owner of Sam Choy’s, decided not to renew its lease.

“It was a good 15-year run through some of the toughest economic times,” said Chef Sam Choy. “Locals and visitors kept coming back for the diverse menu of island-favorites and we sincerely appreciate the overwhelming support that we received from our loyal customers.”

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab opened on Nimitz in 1997, offering its original local-style menu items, including Sam’s Original Fried Poke, Sam’s Kahuku Luau Crab Dip, Bumbucha Alaskan King Crab Legs, Sam’s Onolicious Babyback Ribs, Papa’s Beef Stew Omelet and Poke Omelet and Crabmeat Stuffed Island Fish. Choy no longer has an ownership interest in the restaurant, which has continued to use his name and recipes under a licensing agreement.

The estimated 50 employees of Sam Choy’s BLC have been invited to apply for jobs at the neighboring Aloha Beer Company, co-founded by Good Eats owner James H.Q. Lee.

But don’t expect Sam Choy’s to close its doors without a bang.

Five “charities of choice” benefit dinners will be held during the restaurant’s last week of operation, featuring Choy’s legendary appetizers and entrees including Sam’s “Asian Style” Lamb Chops, Sam’s Famous Osso Bucco, Brie Cheese Won Tons, Kapahulu New York Steak and Seafood Lau Lau.

The restaurant will donate 25 percent of all food sales from dinner as well as a portion of breakfast and lunch sales from March 25 to 29 to the following non-profits:

» March 25, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Honolulu

» March 26: YMCA of Honolulu

» March 27: Ronald McDonald House

» March  28: Na Koa (University of Hawaii Foodball)

» March 29: Honolulu Professionals Foundation to benefit the Hawaii Intermediate Schools Athletic Association.

Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch & Crab is located at 580 Nimitz Highway. Reservations are recommended; call 545-7979.