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.

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 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 all 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.

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.

Terry opens a brand new Don’s Original location on Monroe Avenue, just down the street from the formerDon and Bob’s. Like Don, Terry expands the menu and creates a very successful year-round location.

Long time Don’s Original employees and Penfield residents, John and Karen Cipro take ownership of the Penfield Don’s.

The Pub opens at the Penfield location, with a full-service bar, table service, High-definition TV’s, expanded sports bar menu and a patio. Don’s Original Restaurant and Pub is a family-owned and operated, local favorite!