04/15/2026
‼️Sorry for long post…Please Read‼️
Today I had the cops called on me and another employee and I want to share our experience with SS Express Mart and the owner, Sam!
I want to start off by saying I’ve known Sam for over twenty years, and I would have never thought he would do what he did to me and the other staff. When I was in Hitchcock, Sam called me for help, and I assisted him in picking out all the kitchen equipment and helped him pass his health inspection after he initially failed.
While I was in Dickinson, he called me and asked if I could come run his kitchen. I told him no because I already had enough on my plate, but I introduced him to another chef who was looking for a place. They connected, but later Sam called me and said it didn’t work out. I didn’t ask why at the time, but when I later heard the chef’s side, I was shocked—especially because I had known Sam for so long. As it turns out, everything the chef told me was true.
Over the years, Sam kept asking me to come work with him, and I kept saying no. Eventually, I decided to step away from the restaurant business to focus more on catering and events. I was also struggling with the business paperwork side and had relied on a CPA, which ended up putting me in a difficult financial situation. However, I knew my strengths as a general manager and chef. I felt it would be better to work under someone with business ownership experience to reduce stress, especially since I was also dealing with health issues.
Sam knew everything I was going through and told me he wants to help. We had a meeting, and I decided to move forward with him. During that meeting, he said he would keep 15%, and the remaining 85% would go toward food costs and payroll only. I told him that wasn’t enough for his end, but he insisted, saying he wanted to help me get out of the financial hole I’m in and that we could revisit the agreement after a year.
I also told him I wanted some of my staff to come with me. Initially, he agreed to put me and only one on payroll. Once we opened, and before they closed 1765, we were selling out every day. Eventually, he agreed to put three employees and myself on payroll. We were making $1,300–$1,700 in just two to three hours, and he was so happy. Even after 1765 closed business went to $600-$1500. Before I came, the store was extremely slow—you could hear a pin drop—but business picked up significantly once customers started coming in for the food.
My first check was good, and I didn’t question anything because I trusted him. Some customers warned me to be careful, but I believed I knew him. The next few checks were not the same, even though my production stayed consistent because catering orders were processed under him and it made up for slow days.
I asked for a breakdown and my paycheck stubs, but he kept putting me off and instead would ask what I needed. Then one payday came where he paid all the employees except me. I remained patient, but I started tracking the deli’s revenue, food costs, and catering income myself.
April, still no check. He finally gave me a breakdown and said he would sit down and explain it, but I still hadn’t been paid. He claimed I was in the negative, which I knew wasn’t true. In his breakdown, he charged me—as an employee—for payroll taxes (including those of other employees), credit card fees, sales tax, utilities, and other expenses that were never part of our agreement.
I told him that was not what we agreed on. That same day, I packed up all my equipment and left. He kept asking to talk, but I had nothing more to say after realizing he was not treating me fairly, especially after all these years knowing him.
Fast forward to today: one of the employees went to pick up their final check, and Sam refused to give it to them. I went up there, and I told him we were going to contact the labor board. Keep in mind, I am still waiting on my checks as well.
I explained that he still owed one more check to the other employees, but he and Abdul both claimed all employees had already been paid. I told the employee we should just leave because I caught myself getting angry and we will contact the labor board.
As we were outside, I’m giving the labor board number to the employee three police officers arrived, saying they received a call accusing us of stealing. I was confused. I explained everything to the officers, and Officer Welch from La Marque handled the situation professionally and I showed him all my proof. The others left once they realized Sam made a false report which he should’ve been held accountable for. He spoke with Sam, the officer then came out with a document and told the employee that if they signed it, he would release the check.
The employee signed and received a check that was supposed to be close to $1,000, but it was only $360. He still refused to pay the correct amount. Only one employee received the correct pay. Another employee had to go through three corrected checks and going back and forth before it was right. I still have not received my check.
Due to these circumstances, I am sharing my experience to prevent others from encountering similar issues. I do not recommend that anyone shop or go in business at this store.
He once called me his sister, and after knowing him for over 20 years, he treated me very poorly. He saw an opportunity to profit from my name, and he still owes me over $5,000 from catering payments he received through Square invoices.
