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So it's goodbye . . . Don Battles farewells a fan on Saturday night

Phuket Legend Don Grills, Grins And Moves On

Monday, March 15, 2010
Photo Album Above

THE Last Supper at Don's Mall on Saturday brought a big turnout as Don's disciples gathered for one final time to enjoy Phuket's most significant southern treat.

Other Phuket restaurants may think they are unique, but there truly was only one Don's. With a mix of home-style cooking, southern charm and Thai hospitality, Don's Cafe in the mall defined an era for the island.

Casual, convivial, never too serious . . . always tasty. Those were the hallmarks that made Don's a success while scores of other restaurants opened and closed, with their owners wondering what they did wrong.

Don's Mall is to make way for a housing project and Don Battles, at 76, is moving on to other innovations in his inimitable scientifically- minded style.

Last night there were plenty of families among the diners, and plenty of youngsters who will be able to tell their grandchildren one day: ''I dined at Don's.''

Beginning with a quirky restaurant deep in the heart of a Rawai that was once surrounded by jungle, the last stand at Don's Mall saw it finally surrounded and outgunned by the constantly sprawling Phuket Mall. That's progress.
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Comments

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Best wishes for the future Don, I'll miss the 'Guacamole King'. Just have to try and source it somewhere else now but it won't be the same.

Always a gentleman with a good word for everyone who visited. Not a bad job for a Rocket Scientist!

Posted by Mister Ree on March 15, 2010 11:35

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Yes best wishes to Don, did prefer the old one, though. Guacamole nearby . . . the mexican restaurant near Reggae bar is also good though I am going to miss my veggie Burrito at Don's

Posted by Michael on March 15, 2010 15:21

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Halleluiah

Posted by lord jim on March 15, 2010 15:43

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Over-rated, under-flavored and over here. Well, not any more. Now Fashion Cafe has gone, too, the American attempt at culinary invasion my soon be over!

Posted by Carol Leeson on March 15, 2010 17:31

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What a charming comment, Carol - I could say the same thing about you but I'm far too much of a gentleman. Even if you didn't care for the food, Don is a pleasant guy. American culinary invasion - Don was hardly a threat. Go to Patong and count the number of KFCs, McDs Subways and BKs - but I'm sure you don't approve of sin city, either.

Posted by Mister Ree on March 16, 2010 00:27

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Carol Leeson, Thanks for you opinion, I wonder what nationality you are? It's not about being American etc its about being a human being.

Don was a gentleman and a scholar who has left his footprints in RAWAI.

RESPECT is earned, it's not given. Don has certainly earned mine.

Posted by barka on March 16, 2010 06:39

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Halleluiah. Don was the beginning of the end of a pleasant Rawai. He put many restaurants out of business with his less than cost price beers and cheap charlie food. Now he has got a dose of his own medication. Too much competition for the old Gent. Nice guy, crap food.

Posted by Lord Jim on March 16, 2010 09:07

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Seems like a bit of sour grapes there Lord Snooty. Was he undercutting your 'generous prices'? Don must be crying about the competition - all the way to the bank with the increase in land values.

Posted by Mister Ree on March 18, 2010 19:58

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I hardly think he will be laughing all the way to the bank whilst they rip down the business he has spent 10+ years of his life building up because people think the land is worth substantially more without his business on it...

Posted by Benjie on March 19, 2010 12:33

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Hmm Benjie. 'Don's Mall' ever think that could have equated to 'Don's Land'? Maybe worth thinking things through in future unless you know something others don't; and before you start with 'Farang can't own land', ever think his wife might?

Posted by Mister Ree on March 19, 2010 23:10

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Mister Ree, Of course I understood that he owned the land, he'd been trying to sell the business as a going concern but nobody was interested so I guess he finally had to accept an offer on just the land. It's really not that complicated.

Posted by Benjie on March 20, 2010 13:12

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I'm not convinced that 'progress' is the right word. Phuket, like a troubled teenager, seems intent on self abuse, grotesquely mutilating itself at every opportunity. Load the gun, point at the foot and fire. How sad.

For every condo/shop house construction an equal number of rai of roadside/beach land should be deemed 'Natural Park' land, with a complete ban on development for the next 100 years.

Good Luck to Don. Have a super life. Thanks for the Tea Bags.

Posted by Tony Kelsey-Stead on March 28, 2010 14:22

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Some people get jealous of a successful man, all the best Don.

Posted by titch on March 29, 2010 10:09


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