What Happened to Don's in Livingston?
I hadn't been to Livingston in ages, then about 2 years ago (Have no clue as to why I only thought about posting this today)but...I was driving by the place that was Don's on Livingston Ave(?), and it was gone, nothing in it's place, no signs, just an empty weed filled parking lot.
They had great hotdogs, shakes, and onion rings. Don's was around for years, then they moved to the larger location, now they are gone? Anyone know the story?
By Michele Cindy
on Jan 31, 2003 01:48 PM
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Don's has been gone for years. It was sold, run for awhile by the new owner, then taken back by Don. A branch of a Florida restaurant went in to the location and then a school.
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Thanks - I wonder what the story was behind the sale and why the new owner failed at keeping such a great place going?
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Don's was an institution!!!
I thought there was some type of partner or legal problem. I remember they had a steakburger, great pickles and a cheeseburger with the cheese in the middle.
There were always lines.
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They also had the best onion rings, and hot dogs. mmm! I'm getting very hungry just thinking about those days...
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Don's is sorely missed.
There was no place quite as good for a burger, and they had the best damn coleslaw.....
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Never knew it as Don's , but if it is the same place it is now a Tutor Time Day Care Center. (corner of S O Avenue and Hobart Gap, across from a Mobil or Exxon gas station - one light east of JFK Parkway).
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Wow. How sad to learn of their sad demise after all these years. I used to go there all the time as a little girl then I worked there during high school in the bakery 20 years ago. It was a great place... I would like to add the FRIED CHICKEN to the BESTEST list. I loved the table treats too especially sitting in that little raised area off to the left. Mmmm.
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Oh Don's is sorely missed. For 30+ years Don;s gave the neighborhood the best hot dog, hamburgers, cole slaw, pickles, and let's not forget their cakes, and most importantly their chocolate cake. Once the Claremont Diner closed, Don's grabbed the bakers and the rest was the best. Then they had their multi-colored drinks, green, red, all kinds of crazy colors. Seated around the room were people ranging in age from 1-80 all looking at those B&W photos of their friends, what a way to decorate, take pictures of people in the neighborhood with a hamburger or hot dog in their hands.
And whenever anyone was in a bind for a kid's party, Don's always opened his heart to the kids, roped off an area and the kids would have their party.
There was only one Dons.
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the only thing even somewhat comperable to don's on any level would have to be Pal's Cabin. they're a true institution like don's was, rest in peace
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everyone is wrong... don roth closed up don's in the late 90's, and moved to florida. it was never don's again.. various different things went into that location, such as Max's grille, also originated in south florida, and a drug store. it's currently a "Tudor Time". My picture was in one of the booths at don's for years, wearing a birthday hat and holding a big ice cream cone.. haha..
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That's the kind of attitude jfood misses after leaving NJ, not.
No one said anything that was wrong.
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everyone is wrong... don roth closed up don's in the late 90's.....jorddddd
No one said anything that was wrong........jfood
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I would have to say (jorddddd) said something that was wrong ......Don's was closed slightly earlier than the late 90's....more like 95-96. The reason why I know this? I attended the liquidation auction for Don's and purchased a good amount of supplies and kitchen equipment for a restaurant I opened in 1996.....:-)
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That timeline is much more accurate since jfood left SH in 96 and Don;s was gone (for the last time) a few years earlier.
But you can still buy the dogs in Newark, thank you Hotdoglover. And if you bought the recipe for the chocolate cake, jfood is all ears.
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I want the recipe for the onion rings.... anyone???
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Oh crap jfood forgot abpout the rings.
The perfect meal, Don;s cheeseburger (gotta have the cole slaw with the carraway seeds), Don's HD, some rings and that fruit drink combo. And always thank Richie on the way out or you will never get a seat the next time.
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We need a time machine.
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Anyone know why Don's closed its doors (rather than selling the business, etc.)? Curious if it was a rent issue, lack of business, etc.
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Deleted, see my next post.
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I don't think it is for Don's of Livingston, NJ
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http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/gro...
Sorry, brainfade fourunder.!
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Don Roth passed away this past Wednesday, Nov 25,2009. I worked in and eventually ran the bakery for Don in Livingston. I started there in '74 and was with him on and off for 20 years. He co-signed my first car loan and helped me buy my first house. Don was larger than life and a big influence to me. I spoke with him about a year ago, and his sense of humor was sharper than ever. There was actually talk of some of us opening a small Don's with 5 or 6 of his top items (no waitress service) with Don's blessing (he wanted to cut the ribbon). God rest his soul. You'll be sorely missed!
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thank you for posting. don saved one of little jfood's birthday parties. it was supposed to be outside and a big storm came. a quick call to Don, the back of the place reerved and Bill the Guitarist entertained friends and family. nd jfood got to eat a dog and a burger.
Rest in Peace Don.
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Thank you for letting us know.
I have many fond memories of Don (who was friendly with my grandparents) and of the restaurant.
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Sad news. I grew up a stop and yield sign away from Don's. Double burger cheese surprise for me. RIP Don.
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I grew up in Livingston. In high school (1970) I worked as a soda jerk at the soda fountain at the front counter, and back in the kitchen after the restaurant underwent it's final expansion. I made the best damned lime rickeys EVER.
When I was first hired, Don had had his stroke and was recovering, so he was absent from his usual spot at the door when I started. The hostess was Judy (forget last name). Her husband was a cop in town. Anyway, when Don returned from his illness I had become pretty good at the soda fountain. One particularly busy Sunday I must have really impressed him because when the crowd finally died down he came over to the soda fountain and gave me an immediate raise, on the spot. Despite the age difference (27 years), we began a long friendship.
I had an interest in the horse races, and Don owned horses at that time. They usually raced at Monmouth Park, and Don was there every Monday. My folks had a house in Beach Haven in those days, and I would spend the weekends there. I had to be at work at 5pm on Mondays. I usually left Beach Haven around 11 am, stopped for the Daily Double at Monmouth and was at Don's by 5. I'd run into Don at the track. Remember, I was 17 and too young to officially be at the races. He was 44, and I worked for him. Nonetheless, I'd give him money for me to bet after I was gone. Then, he'd show up at the restaurant around 6-ish. Sometimes I'd won and he'd hand me my winnings. But, we always got to talk about the horses and the day's races.
I went away to college and returned to the area a few years later, roughly 1978-79. I was married and living in West Orange. One day I went in to Don's and he was there. It was winter time and Monmouth was closed for the season. But, he still went to the races every Monday, but he went to Aqueduct. He drove a van, and he invited me along. So, we'd load up the van with Don, his father-in-law Augie, an assortment of his other friends, and me, along with 2 lbs. of cookies from the bakery to tip the Matre'D at the track. I went to the track with Don almost every Monday until he sold the restaurant and moved to Florida.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but great memories. RIP my friend, and condolences to his family.
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I really enjoyed reading it. Don't apoligize. It's a wonderful memory.
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FYI, I just made a visit to Livingston Bagel, on Northfield Ave above Livingson Ave on the northbound side. They sell Don's hot dogs (a Best brand dog), Don's hamburger patties, and several sides like Don's Red Relish. I just a burger for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it.
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oh man have to get there and the bagels are great as well.
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So's the rugelach!!!
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baker56 : Do you recall what type of cake the lemon fluff cake was and if the filling was just buttercream? thanks
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Is this Kevin the baker? I loved don's and was so happy that you had continued to bake his wonderful desserts at your bakeshop. I used to work at Sinclaires when Ryan was the owner. Would love to catch up.
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FWIW, I had a conversation with Don during his second run with the restaurant. What was killing the place at that time, he said, was competition from the Short Hills Mall restaurants and the decline of their lunch business when large firms such as Foster-Wheeler disappeared.
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