From Father to Son: Dick's Restaurant Celebrates Grand Reopening

It was more than just a sign when Donald (Don D.) Dick bought Dick’s Restaurant with his father, Herbert, earlier this year.

Donald, 51, felt like he was helping make his father’s dream a reality to revitalize and keep the San Leandro institution alive.

“Our last name is also on the sign, ironically,” Donald said about the restaurant located at 3188 Alvarado Street.

However, just months after buying and running the restaurant together, Herbert unexpectedly passed away, leaving Donald the sole owner and executive chef.

Built in 1969, the restaurant underwent several ownership changes before Donald and Herbert took over. Dick’s will celebrate a “Father to Son” grand reopening on July 13 — the day Herbert would have turned 76 years old. 

“He died with a smile on his face,” Donald said about Herbert. “He knew I could handle this with no problems.”

Donald, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, brings with him 40 years of experience in the restaurant and catering business from various places in both California and Texas. 

It isn’t unusual to find a longtime customer walking in through the establishment's doors. Donald said for the past 40 years, his father ate at the same spot in the restaurant’s dinning area — an end seat at the counter that circles around the kitchen.

Since the late 90s, Donald said he had been coming to the restaurant with his father to enjoy his favorite menu item: the veggie omelet. 

He hopes to bring customers back by focusing on fresh, quality ingredients — something he said the restaurant lacked with the previous owner and what he felt drove away customers.

When he first bought Dick's in January, there were 70 frozen boxes in the fridge. He said there are now only three. 

“We brought everything to a fresher state,” he said.

The grand reopening will highlight a new simplified menu, much of which will be presented for attendees to sample. New menu items will include freshly-made soups, empanadas, meatball sliders, ravioli, sandwiches and pizzas.

With 10 employees who help run the restaurant, bar and banquet room large enough to seat 200 people, Donald is currently hiring. He said potential servers and bartenders should come into the restaurant and apply.

"This place pretty much means everything to me," he said. "It's all I'm doing. This is my life."

The grand reopening will be held on Saturday, July 13 from 2 to 8 p.m. A live band will be playing in the banquet room for the crowd’s entertainment. For more information, call (510)614-8818 or email dicksrestaurantandbar@yahoo.com

Dick’s Restaurant is open 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. The bar opens at 11 a.m. till closing.