Don's Original History

History of Don's Original was compiled by the employees of Don's Original at Sea Breeze upon the opening of the Don's Original in Brighton at 2545 Monroe Ave. in May, 1997.

The year was 1945 and World War II was almost over. A few months earlier, Donald J. Barbato received an honorable discharge after serving his country in the Pacific theatre. He returned to his hometown of Rochester, NY, in hopes of pursuing his dreams and starting a career. He was an eager and diligent man, and wanted to get back into the automobile business that he had been in prior to, the War. However, the war effort had limited the auto industry, and his opportunities were few. His brother-in-law, Robert (Bob) Berl, had recently inherited the Zweigles Sausage Products business from his uncle, and he persuaded Don to, help him out one day at a hot dog concession at a local dog show. Not many of us would have recognized this as a calling, but Don became quite imbued with this hot dog business that day. Bob also told him, about a roadside hot dog stand at Sea Breeze that was available. Back then, the stands were seasonal concessions on Lake Ontario, and Don agreed to lease the stand for the 1945 summer season. With his brother-in-law's support, Don named it DON & BOB's. Rochester's landmark eatery had been born.

Bob Berl soon returned to his Zweigles business, but Don and his wife, Ann, proceeded to set the pace at Sea Breeze. Don was an innovator, and his refreshment stand not only set the trend at Sea Breeze, but for an entire industry that would come to emulate many of his ideas. Don's standards were ahead of his time., He was the first to remove the hot dogs from a sweaty cook's arm and place them on paper plates. Messy self-serve condiments were put behind the serving counter and kept impeccably clean. He bleached the floors and polished the cooking equipment. The typical fare of hot dogs and ice cream was not enough for Don. He single-handedly developed the "ground round steak sandwich" which became his signature menu item. He traveled to Canada to learn about making french fries and was the first one to put them on his menu. His great service, quality food and immaculate atmosphere made heads turn, and the smart patrons took notice of his dedication. The crowds were heading to Don & Bob's for the preferred reputation.

The seasonal aspect of Sea Breeze left Don with some idle time. And then New York State built Route 47 (Now 1-590) which took away a large portion of his parking lot. Don and Ann, along with their two sons, Don Jr. and Bob (of course!) were now living in the beautiful suburb of Brighton. Don loved the area, and after purchasing a farm house on what was then a rural stretch of Monroe Avenue, made plans to build a new Don & Bob's there, expanding his core business down at Sea Breeze. This, would be a larger showcase restaurant that would be open year-round. Don had some opposition with neighboring properties and town codes, but he persevered, and in 1953, he opened what was to become the number one fast-food eating emporium in the Rochester area. The facility was heralded by the restaurant industry as ultra-modern. The equipment was state-of-the-art and the menu was extensive. Don was extremely loyal to his employees. Mel Lame, Cliff Lawson, Roger Varela and Nello Nucelli were diligent in their efforts to provide customers with three primary ingredients; quality food, expeditious service and an immaculate atmosphere. With Don's brother, Joe, at the helm at Sea Breeze, the organization, was firmly rooted.

In May, 1972, a young high school student and neighbor of Don and Ann Barbato, came to the counter at the Monroe Ave. location looking for a job. His name was Terry Klee, and Don initially told Ann to tell him that he was too young, and to come back after school was out, hoping he would go elsewhere for employment. Don was reluctant to hire neighbors and family friends, thinking that if things didn't prove successful, he would have an additional problem. Terry was heartbroken. However, his mother told him to do just as Don instructed and return when school was out. "Show Mr. Barbato that you are sincere," was her advice. And that is exactly what he did. Don was a bit surprised when Terry returned that June. But reluctantly, he hired him as a busboy in the busy dining room. A mentoring relationship had just begun that would later provide for a continued legacy of restaurant ownership and dedication.

In October, 1973, upon the urgence of Ann and his family to slow down and enjoy life, Don negotiated a transaction to sell the Monroe Avenue establishment. It was a bittersweet decision for Don, as the business was his life. However, the idea to relax a bit was appealing, and a small investment group was put together by a commercial realtor by the name of Max Springut. Don severed his ties with the Monroe Ave. Don & Bob's, but retained his interest at Sea Breeze. The business at Monroe Ave. floundered over the next several years. It changed hands from different owner to different owner, losing a11 identity and affiliation with the management of Don Barbato. Because Don felt he no longer had control over the struggling reputation created by the new owners, he changed the name of his original restaurant at Sea' Breeze to DON'S ORIGINAL.

Over the next several years, Don and Ann devoted more of their time to Don's Original at Sea Breeze. Some of the loyal employees drifted to the Sea Breeze location, also, including Ann Cardile, Roger Varela and Terry Klee. Because of Don's renewed presence at Sea Breeze, many patrons also returned to Don's Original. In 1982, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, Don Barbato passed away, leaving Ann and his two sons to carry on his business at Sea Breeze.

For a brief period of time, there was another Don's Original. Don's son, Bob, together with Terry Klee operated Don's Original at Charlotte, which they bought together in 1986. Two years later, Bob relinquished his interest in that location solely to Terry. Sometime later, Bob contacted Terry, who was then operating the Charlotte restaurant under the name of FRITZBURGER'S, and asked him if he was interested in purchasing the Sea Breeze Don's Original from the Barbato family. Bob explained that he and his brother had other interests; Don Jr. operated a Carvel Ice Cream store in Pittsford and Bob was a professor at R.I. T. Terry was very interested and in May, 1991, became the new and sole owner of Don's Original at Sea Breeze. Owning and operating Don's Original seemed an almost predestined event in Terry's life. His love of the business, and respect for Don Barbato's ideals and philosophies made him the natural successor. He immediately began cleaning and refurbishing the Sea Breeze location to reemphasize the strict allegiance to the quality; cleanliness and good service that Don's Original, always portrayed. Like Don, he knew that he could not do it alone. He called on long-time employees such as Roger Varela and Patricia Brinkman as well as new employees such, as John Cipro and Tina Gift to carry on the tradition. These employees are proud of the restaurant they help operate and it shows. In 1995, under the ownership of Terry Klee, Don's Original recognized it's 50th Anniversary of being in business, truly a testimony that quality does predominate here.