A local legend has found new life serving up comfort food in the heart of Westbrook.
Long before food trucks lined city streets, Don's Lunch was making history. Starting out as a humble white truck in 1976, it quickly became the go-to lunch spot for mill workers and night owls searching for a bite to eat.
Several years ago, the current owner of Don's Lunch, Craig Bernier, faced health challenges that required him to take a step back from operating the business. His battle with leukemia required his full attention, leading to a pause in operations.
Despite this hurdle, Craig's deep-seated connection to both Don's Lunch and the Westbrook community couldn’t be easily severed. He missed the daily interactions and the sense of purpose that came from being a business owner in his hometown. So after a period of focusing on his health and contemplating his options, he made the decision to reopen.
Craig's personal connection to Don's Lunch stretches back to his childhood, as he grew up in Westbrook and has memories of bonding with his family and friends at the location. His passion for connecting with the people of Westbrook has been a driving force behind the revival of the business.
The transition from a mobile operation to a brick-and-mortar location came after much deliberation and was driven by Craig's desire for stability amidst the challenges of finding a permanent spot for the van. Craig says the community's response to the reopening was nothing short of ecstatic, with patrons sharing stories of how Don's Lunch held special significance to them all throughout their lives.
He and his team, including his stepson Will "on the grill," are dedicated to providing the same warm, welcoming experience that has made Don's Lunch a Westbrook staple.
Their menu still continues to boast familiar favorites from its inception, including the "The Big One," a double cheeseburger that customers love. Craig says that many people have expressed appreciation for his decision to keep tradition alive, and love that the location still brings them a familiar sense of nostalgia and taste.
Craig’s love for Don’s Lunch and its patrons shines through — you can see it in the way his face lights up when he meets new people and in the way his smile spreads from ear to ear. Craig, along with his employees, would like to extend a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the Westbrook community for their unwavering patronage.
Together, they ensure that Don's Lunch remains not just a place to eat, but a place where memories are made and the spirit of an era lives on.
