About Don
The Retired & Disabled Police of America (RDPOA) is a fraternal organization formed in October, 1990 and incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia as a non-profit corporation, and is managed by a Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Director.
I’m far away from this place but always eat here when the opportunity presents itself. Authentic (I haven’t been to Japan, but…) japanese experience with perfectly prepared meal. Excellent noodles made in house.
THEY DON'T TIP THEIR STAFF. IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE OWNERS. This is the main reason why it goes from two to one star. I find this very serious as it is a scam for customers and unfair to their staff. *See bottom of review for more details* I had high hopes for Don on Tate Street, but my visit was pretty disappointing. The hot stone bowl looked great at first, but the amount of shrimp they gave me over the amount of rice they gave me was ridiculous. It was not worth the price listed. The food itself was fine but bland. I got the hibachi shrimp don. I had to drown it in sauce to make it flavorful. The freshly cracked egg that cooks in the hot stone bowl was honestly the highlight — everything else felt mediocre. Service-wise, it was oddly overbearing. Staff kept checking in a bit too much. The check came out almost immediately after we finished eating, making us feel rushed and unwelcome, even though the restaurant wasn’t busy. The older woman who seemed to be the manager or owner was particularly overattentive — it felt more forced than friendly. I appreciated the attempt at hospitality, but it came across as disorganized and pushy rather than caring. Between the poor food balance, uncomfortable pacing, and awkward service, I left disappointed and unlikely to return. *Note about tipping: I was told by someone who used to be a staff member that tips at Don do not go to the servers but instead go directly to the owners.* Bad vibes all around, especially with the tip situation. If you do decide to eat here, I’d suggest paying only what’s necessary and being cautious about where your “tip” actually goes.
I tried bimbimbap here for the very first time, and it was amazing! The dish came out sizzling hot, fresh, and full of flavor. Everything tasted really well-preserved, and the presentation made the experience even better. Definitely worth stopping by if you’re looking for a satisfying and authentic meal on Tate Street.
This is our favorite in Greensboro. They hosted my son’s rehearsal dinner recently, and everything was perfect. We had 48 people and we ordered off the menu—not easily done for the cooks, but everything was smooth and delicious. Mr. & Mrs. Lee are amazing team of host and chef. The food is always fresh; I highly recommend the salmon stone bowl. We are so fortunate to have such a restaurant like Don in our city.
I genuinely don’t understand the hype around Don. For what this place charges, the experience is flat-out disappointing. Let’s start with the portion sizes, because they’re borderline insulting. The bowls are small — not “light” or “refined,” just not enough food. You’re paying full restaurant prices for what feels like a half portion. If you have a normal appetite, expect to leave hungry unless you order extra, which conveniently drives the bill even higher. That brings me to the pricing. This place is overpriced for what it offers, plain and simple. The food isn’t bad, but it’s nowhere near good enough to justify the cost, especially when comparable spots offer larger portions, better value, and more satisfying meals. You walk away feeling like you paid a premium just for the aesthetic, not the substance. The most troubling part, though, is what I learned outside of my visit. I have direct confirmation from a former employee that tips are kept by the restaurant and not distributed to servers. This is not made clear to customers at all. Most people tip assuming it goes to the person serving them — not to pad the restaurant’s revenue. If this is accurate, it’s a seriously unethical practice, and it’s something diners deserve to know before leaving gratuity. Bottom line: Small portions, inflated prices, and alleged tip practices that raise serious red flags. There are far better places to spend your money where you’ll actually get a full meal and know your server is being treated fairly. I won’t be returning.