By Craig Anderson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
November 7, 1997

Still doing it his way

Leigh-Anne Brown Arizona Daily Wildcat Rick Acedo (far right), owner of Señor Sammy's restaurant, jokes with a few of his patrons while cooking on his outdoor grill. Acedo is a UA alumnus who has found success in the restaurant business.

What do you get when you combine a basketball court, several cartoon bears, Mexican food and a famous Tucson pioneer?

Stumped?

Just ask Rick Acedo, University of Arizona alum and owner of Señor Sammy's Mexican restaurant, 2500 E. Sixth St.

"This place is dedicated to fun," said Acedo, a third-generation Tucsonan. "I put a lot of love into this business."

"Economic drive is not my priority."

Instead, Acedo said he strives to provide UA students with a fun place to escape from the everyday pressures of college life - a life he knows well.

Acedo, the restaurant's best kept secret, spent nine years as a UA student, from 1972 to 1981. He admitted he was not exactly a model student at the university. He bounced around from major to major before finally graduating from the College of Business and Public Administration.

Acedo said his inability to sit still was a source of problems at school.

"I had the biggest attention deficit disorder you'll ever have," he said.

Acedo was also a walk-on member of the 1973 UA varsity football team, but he never played. He came down with hepatitis during the season and lost almost 70 pounds in two weeks, putting an end to his short-lived UA football career.

But Acedo's excitement over UA sports remains. In front of the cash register, Acedo has a framed picture of himself, his sons and the 1996 UA basketball team.

Acedo developed his own menu from scratch, and all his seasonings and sauces are homemade. Sammy's has the only outdoor Mexican grill in the city, on which Acedo usually grills carne asada, chicken and "catch of the day" seafood.

However, Acedo said he's happy to accommodate all tastes, even weird ones.

"If they want to grill a 30-pound shark stuffed with butter ...we can do that," he said.

The best thing about the menu is that every meal comes with a complimentary warm smile, firm handshake and sincere "How are you doing, brother (or sister)?"

Acedo said he cares about his customers. They become his friends. He sees them often. According to Acedo, about 70 percent of his daily business comes from regulars.

"Once people come in, they come back," he said.

The building itself, completed in 1995, was Acedo's labor of love. While Acedo had been involved in previous business ventures, he said Sammy's was always a dream of his. His intention was to build a place where his sons, Ricky, 8, and Allen, 9, could play.

Acedo converted a run-down gas station built during the 1930s into Sammy's - a shrine to relaxation and recreation. Inside are video games, a pool table, air hockey, a piano and more. Outside, there's a basketball halfcourt nestled right between the patio tables.

A closer look at the building reveals bears everywhere. A far cry from the Mount Lemmon variety, the brown bears painted all over Sammy's play sports, fly planes and welcome all of Sammy's guests.

Acedo says they represent the joy and gregariousness he wants to pass on to his customers.

Inside, Acedo has painted a memorial to the man who bears the restaurant's name: Samuel Hughes, the 19th-century pioneer who helped establish the City of Tucson. Hughes also spearheaded local civic and educational programs, making him Acedo's personal hero.

Acedo said it took him and a friend a year and three months to refurbish and decorate Sammy's by hand. A quick look around the inside reveals Acedo's personal touches. The restaurant is brightly painted or decorated with pictures and messages that have personal meaning to Acedo. His soul is in the structure.

Sammy's also separates itself from other area restaurants with his Bring Your Own Beer policy.

Sammy's has an unusual restaurant liquor license that allows customers over 21 years old to bring and consume their own alcoholic beverages in the restaurant. No alcohol is sold at Sammy's.

Acedo said the reason for the alcohol policy is that he doesn't like to see people drink and drive.

"I think people are more conscientious when they bring their own," he said. "You can't just come over and get soused."

But don't think for a second that parties at Sammy's are tame.

Acedo said he loves to be a host, and he has indeed hosted some notable individuals and groups. Sammy's has held reserved parties for the UA basketball team, the AIDS Foundation, several local youth groups, the Harlem Globetrotters and Rep. Jim Kolbe's 1996 election celebration.

Acedo said he still remembers the difficulties of being a UA student. He advised current students not to forsake fun for profit in their future careers.

"When you graduate, you can do something fun. You can have a passion for what you do. Success doesn't have to be about dollars and cents."