Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts closes in the Heights after just 2 years

Sam's Fried Chicken & Donuts in the Heights has closed. Sam's Fried Chicken & Donuts in the Heights has closed. Photo: Lisa Gochman Photo: Lisa Gochman Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts closes in the Heights after just 2 years 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

Only two weeks after Sambrooks Management Company closed its Pi Pizza shop, it has now shuttered another one of its Heights assets. Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts at 601 Heights is now closed too.

While “Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts was a fun concept with tasty and Instagram worthy fare,” the company announced Tuesday that it has decided to close the operation to concentrate on its other restaurant assets, which include The Pit Room, The Patio at The Pit Room, 1751 Sea and Bar, and Candente.

“Several of our Sam’s employees are moving to our other concepts and we wish the best to those talented folks that are going off to other opportunities,” the company said in a brief statement.

Sambrooks Management Co., headed by Michael Sambrooks, acquired both Pi Pizza and Lee’s Fried Chicken & Donuts, in 2018 when it purchased the assets of the failed Cherry Pie Hospitality restaurant group. In that deal it also got Star Fish, which it has since turned into the successful 1751 Sea and Bar. While Lee’s Fried Chicken was relaunched as Sam’s Fried Chicken & Donuts in December 2018, Pi Pizza never gained traction under new management even with plans to rename and reconcept it. It closed Feb. 21.

Divesting itself of two brands that were never original Sambrooks ideas allows the company to focus on operations of four popular restaurants that each has found its own fan base.

Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.