[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         IN HONOR OF SABU SHAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like to memorialize an 
exceptional man, Mr. Sabu Shake, who passed away December 5, 1998 at 
the age of 76.
  Sabu Shake was born in Karachi, Pakistan in 1922. After his service 
during World War II in the Merchant Marine, he immigrated to the United 
States in 1950. Sabu moved to Monterey in 1954 and began working as a 
dishwasher on the wharf. In 1958, after learning the necessary cooking 
skills, Sabu bought a small restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf which grew 
and prospered as the Old Fisherman's Grotto, greatly due to the spice 
mixtures he created and his famous clam chowder. Over the years, Sabu's 
holdings grew and prospered as well, including the Monterey Sport 
Fishing fleet, Marine Beach Inn and a cattle ranch in Gonzales.
  Sabu Shake expressed his creative side through the rose garden which 
he developed next to the family mansion in Monterey. With his wife 
Isabella, and his six sons, Benji, Christopher, Sabu Jr., Angelo, David 
and Tene, the family home was filled with activity. Sabu became a 
recognizable character on the Wharf. In 1968 Sheriff Jack Davenport, in 
appreciation for his support, gave Sabu a white cowboy hat which became 
his trademark. A life-size redwood statute, complete with the cowboy 
hat, stands as a sentinel beside the door of the Old Seafood Grotto.
  Sabu received many commendations from the community including being 
named Fisherman's Wharf Person of the Year in 1991 by the Fisherman's 
Wharf Association and being named restaurateur of the Year in 1993 by 
the Best of the Best.
  With his passing we have lost a prominent entrepreneur and a colorful 
character who added his own special flavor to Fisherman's Wharf and the 
Monterey area.

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