Owners cater menu to customer requests

When Sam's Deli Diner first opened in 1975 off I-10 near Kirkwood, there was a high demand for cold-cut and toasted deli sandwiches. As customers began asking for burgers and fries, brothers Sam and Henry Huie adjusted their menu accordingly. With his older brother now living in California, owner Henry Huie offers his guests a variety of choices.

For more than two years, the second location on Pin Oak Road has brought Sam's traditional burgers and deli sandwiches to Katy. Huie found a few regular customers had also relocated to the area and, on occasion, these dedicated patrons take their seat at the counter to reminisce about times spent enjoying his popular Blue Bell milkshakes.

"Once I served three generations at the same time when a grandmother brought her daughter and grandchild," Huie said. "She told me she remembered eating at [the original location] when she was younger. I enjoy these family re-gatherings. I've seen people grow up, get married and have kids. I'm very thankful for them and for this long stretch I've had."

For Huie, staying in touch with his community is on the front-burner. With walls adorned in local school colors, Sam's has become an establishment within the Katy community. Huie says he wants the location to be a second home to high school students and their families, and he enjoys hearing feedback from guests.

"The menu is broad enough that customers can come in and find what they want," he said. "We get all kinds of requests, so we customize whatever we can by adding new items to the menu when people continue to ask for them."

Huie recently added the increasingly popular Katy Burger ($10.60) , which features three one-third pound burger patties, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. For the hot summer months, he offers guests shaved ice ($1.95) with flavors like Tiger's Blood—named for the Katy High School mascot. When his guests asked for something spicy, Huie added the habanero cheeseburger ($4.30) made with pepper infused cheese.

"This [business] is about natural evolution and is ever-changing," Huie said. "[We] adapt by bringing something new in—even for just a limited time—just to give it a shot."

By responding to the desires of his guests, Huie's menu continues to grow and accommodates appetites of all sizes.

Owner recommendations

• Bacon Cheeseburger basket: A one-third pound patty, bacon strips and choice of cheese with mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. Served with a soda, fries and two large onion rings. ($7.10)
• Shrimp Po-Boy: Regular or Cajun shrimp lightly battered and fried served on a hoagie roll with tartar sauce, tomatoes and lettuce. ($6.35)
• All Day Burger: This properly named item contains three burger patties, two sausage patties, a fried egg, three strips of bacon, sliced ham and all the fixings on a toasted bun. ($8.35)
• Peppermint Milkshake: Owner Henry Huie's personal favorite shake features hand-scooped Blue Bell peppermint ice cream. ($3.05 sm, $3.95 md, $4.80 lg)

New menu items

• Reuben on rye: Layers of corned beef served with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island on grilled rye bread. Comes with fries and a drink ($10)
• Habanero Cheeseburger: Traditional one-third pound patty paired with habanero infused cheese with mayo, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and onions. ($4.30)
• Katy Burger: One pound of beef and four different cheeses—Swiss, American, Colby Jack and Monterrey Jack served with fries, two onion rings and a drink. ($10.60)

Sam's Deli Diner, 1251 Pin Oak Road, Ste. 141 Katy, 281-574-5041, samsdelidiner.com

Hours:

• Mon.–Sat. 7 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Sun. 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Closed the last Sunday of every month