A neighborhood favorite on San Pablo Dam Road is closing its doors.
Mike and Renee Rowland, the owners of Sam’s Dog House, announced they are closing the restaurant for good this month in order to “begin a new chapter in our lives.” The small hot dog spot has been open since October 1984.
The Rowlands expressed their deep thanks to every customer and employee who supported them over the years. They shared the news on social media, and hundreds of local residents quickly responded with memories and thank-you messages.
Before it sold food, the building operated as a barber shop. Local customer Jeff Armstrong stated, “Sam Lesti was my uncle. Good memories at the Doghouse, I remember when it was the Sportsmen’s Barbershop!”
Another patron, Melanie Johnson, remembered the original setup, noting, “My husband got his haircut there as a tiny little boy when it was Sam’s Barbershop.”
Local residents also remembered the transition from cutting hair to selling food. Steven Ziem mentioned having “a great time with Scott Johnson turning a barber shop into a dog house,” while Heather Dolan wrote that she “watched you go from my Dad’s Barber shop to Sam’s Dog House.”
The Rowlands took over the business 30 years ago, writing in their announcement that they have had the privilege of running the restaurant for over three decades.
In their farewell note, the Rowlands stated that the business was always about the people, the friendships, and the conversations across the counter rather than just the food. They wrote, “Running Sam’s Dog House has never just been about the hot dogs, the chips, and the milkshakes. It has always been about people.”
Customers appreciated that steady menu. Regular patron Greg Thompson thanked the owners “for keeping it simple to dogs, chips and a shake.” Mary Harper Odahlen said she “loved the Banana Milkshakes with a good old fashion Chili Cheese Dog.” Anthony Pezzola called the Root Beer Freeze “the greatest.”
The restaurant was a regular stop for local law enforcement. Chris Thorsen, a retired law enforcement professional, stated, “You were always great to the deputies who patrolled El Sobrante. A clean safe place to grab a meal and take a break.”
Many people praised the staff who worked there over the years, such as Pat Turley, who owners called the “star of Sam’s Dog House for many many years.”
“Pat always asks about our girls (now adults) and reminisces with us,” Francie Dean Kunaniec stated on Facebook. “You will be dearly missed.”
As of this writing, Sam’s Dog House remains open. An exact date for the closure has not yet been announced.
The owners requested that patrons share any photos of Sam’s taken over the years by sending them directly through Facebook. They noted that these collected images will be posted on their page throughout the following week.
