Sam Choys - Honolulu

On Oahu working this week, so that means I am eating on the expense account! My first night in I was starving after traveling all day and headed toward Waikiki for some grub. I stopped at Sam Choys near the industrial harbor area of Honolulu. I had eaten there many years ago but didn't recall it being good or bad, this time it was both.

First let me say that my glass of their home-brewed beer was most excellent. I had the Kiawe Honey Porter brewed with local honey, this dark masterpiece went down smooth and had a rich sweet flavor.

It was getting late so I didn't want to order and entire meal, so I ordered a bowl of clam chowder and a grilled 8 oz Garlic Crusted New York Steak that was listed in the appetizer section. The steak had toasted garlic on it and it added a nice flavor. It's a good thing because the steak needed it. I almost asked for steak sauce, and if you knew me, that is something I never do. The cut of beef was mediocre (not bad) but it was not cooked evenly, well done in spots and not medium rare anywhere like I ordered it.  The grill marks tasted burned and due to the overdone-ness of the meat it was chewy.

The clam chowder was not bad, but not that great, and had almost no clam pieces in it. I had to add salt and pepper to enhance the flavor and it tasted almost like it came from a can, though I do think they made it from scratch.

The restaurant is expensive, most meals over $30, and with all the competition in the area, I doubt I'll be back.

Had I checked the recent reviews, I may have skipped, it. Many are giving it a "just Okay" for the food these days. I agree.