Heard anything recently about Samoa Cookhouse?

Question

I loved this great old place. and I wondered if any of you good folks from Humboldt County could give an update on how the remodel is going. What have you heard lately on a reopen date?

Answer

Good question. Yes — there’s been some recent (2024–2025) news and local chatter about the Samoa Cookhouse renovation, but overall, the picture is still pretty uncertain.

Here’s what I’ve heard / what’s been reported:

Renovation Plans Are Big: The Samoa Cookhouse is undergoing a major overhaul under Danco / Samoa Pacific Group. The plan isn’t just to reopen the restaurant — they want to build “Camp Samoa”: hostel rooms upstairs, roughly 40 new cabins on site, outdoor seating, picnic areas, and a dog run.
Timeline Is Delayed: Initially there was a banner promising an “updated dining experience” in 2024, and some Yelpers have listed a May 10, 2025 reopening. But according to Danco’s owner, Dan Johnson, the real timeline is slipping: construction hasn’t even started yet (as of mid-2024), and he now expects ground-breaking in early 2025, with the work taking about 18 months — which would push reopening to spring 2026.
Permitting Is Part of the Hold-Up: There have been issues with planning / permit approval. Johnson said the original permit design didn’t satisfy all Coastal Commission conditions, and revisions were required.
Plans to Keep the Character: Despite the renovation, the owners say they want to preserve the historic, “lumber camp” character of the cookhouse. They’re also planning to expand the menu somewhat and include a liquor license, but they intend to retain the communal tables and family-style serving.
Mixed Local Sentiment: On Reddit, locals are skeptical. Some say there’s been *no visible construction* since the closure, and suggest that Danco isn’t especially motivated to run a restaurant. > “Absolutely no work has been done … Maybe in the coming years, maybe never.” Others echo that “it’ll likely be at least a few years and won’t resemble what you remember.”
No Firm Reopening Date According to Locals: On community boards (like TripAdvisor), locals confirm that as of mid-2025, there’s “no anticipated date of reopening.”
Samoa Master Plan Support: The broader Samoa Master Plan supports the redevelopment: it calls for renovating the cookhouse, building new cabins, and adding parking, among other things.

Bottom Line — What to Expect

It’s very encouraging that there *is* a plan and that Danco is serious about preserving the historic feel, but the reopening has been delayed. Based on the latest from the owner, spring 2026 seems the most realistic target — though that depends on permits, funding, and construction progress.