[4] Sam Wo was primarily well known by San Francisco locals for its "famous ... no-frills, late-night food and its you-get-what-you-pay service" and 3 am closing time.

"[1] The unique layout of the original location at 813 Washington had patrons enter through the street-level kitchen after which they would ascend narrow stairways to dining rooms on the second and third stories.

[8] In April 2012, the San Francisco Health Department ordered the restaurant closed for rodent activity (rat feces in the kitchen) and other food safety and fire code violations.

[2] At a subsequent hearing on April 24, Ho listened to the "long history of repeat health code violations" and immediate actions to remedy them listed by city inspectors, which included the need for a commercial refrigeration unit; separate sinks for hand washing, dish washing, and food preparation; eliminating rodents; fixing the fire escape; and removing excessive extension cords.

The extra expense, coupled with unfavorable lease cost and timing, meant that Sam Wo was unable to reopen in its original location.

[15] The new Sam Wo was reviewed in December 2015 by Michael Bauer of the San Francisco Chronicle, who said "[the new space] feels like it's been there for decades, but those in the know can see this is a sanitized, spruced-up version.

Fortunately it retains its special character and will begin to feel even more like the original when the windows fog over with layers of grease and the already well-worn stools become as creaky as their predecessors.

Some notable examples include author Armistead Maupin, journalist Herb Caen, and late night talk show host Conan O'Brien (featuring a cameo by Martha Stewart)[21] in their various reports of the experiences with the eatery.

"[3] Legendary California poet Gary Snyder recommends "congee at Sam Wo" among other "Things to Do Around San Francisco" in his book Mountains and Rivers Without End.