In 1962, Donald and Veronica Latchman started Diego Martin’s first roti shop.
Now, Chef Brad Latchman, owner of Don’s II Roti Shop and grandson of the Founders, celebrates the expansion of his business to a new location, bringing the same culinary legacy to San Juan locals through Don’s II Roti Shop.
“I’ve always wanted to venture out of Diego Martin. I think Don’s II Roti shop is synonymous with Diego Martin, and I just wanted to showcase that culinary experience outside of Diego Martin and environments.”
Brad took over the shop from his father, Brian, in 2022. He reflected on the Latchman family’s legacy and the commitment required to keep their food tradition alive.
“Me taking over the mantle means that I have to maintain that structure. Saying that, with using my own knowledge and my culinary experiences, I can now elevate their recipes, creating my own, developing my own, and just going up on that flavour profile.”
The journey wasn’t always smooth for the Founder, Donald Latchman. Chef Brad’s father, Brian, reflected on the family’s struggles in pursuit of their dream.
“In those days, there was a war, what we would call today turf war, but in those days it was just rivalry between Petit Valley and Diego Martin. People from Diego Martin couldn’t go into Petit Valley, and Petit Valley couldn’t go into Diego Martin, and he was from Diego Martin and came into Petit Valley to open this roti shop, and the guys from the Valley would spit in his face and tell him they don’t want no c—– in the valley and they threw a cocktail bomb to burn down his place. But the place catch afire. And he started to run and when he looked back and saw his place engulfed in flames, he went back and out that fire. Because had he not done that, as we said, his dreams and vision would have gone to nothing.”
Like his grandfather, Brad has a bold vision for the future. With respect for family traditions, he is dedicated to preserving his culinary legacy.
“It’s been a journey of proud moments that I saw my father from where he came to now. I mean people already know the name Don’s. The name speaks for itself. My food speaks for itself. It could very well be that we would be looking at going international.”