By Francis Taylor, Executive Editor
The original Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood was launched by the patriarch of the Dulan brothers, Terry and Craig, in 2001, at the age of 40, when he took a leap of faith into the restaurant business. He opened the second location in Los Angeles on Century Boulevard in 2012, and the Los Angeles Century Blvd. location in 2012. 45 years later they are still going strong with three restaurants in what they describe as a family-owned restaurant chain.
All three Dulan’s restaurants are essentially the same, offering the same menu. One difference is in their catering offerings with the Manchester and Century locations providing catering for up to 300 to 400 people. Brother Greg’s restaurant on Crenshaw Boulevard, slated to officially open in August following a major beautiful renovation, will feature a wider range of catering offerings to numbers in the thousands. For example, they fed 3,800 and 1,500 construction workers at the SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, respectively. When and if necessary, all restaurants collaborate to help each other.
The Manchester location has hosted several private events offering beer and wine with small plates and buffet options in their newly acquired dining area and event space, adjacent to the food preparation area. They recently hosted a fundraiser for Heather Hutt with local VIP’s and several government and elected officials in attendance.
The brothers ascribe the success upon which they continue to grow and flourish to their father. “My father’s secret first and foremost was to make delicious fresh soul food served in abundance.” Terry said. Every morning they cut mountains of collard greens and peel boxes of yams in the old school way for our customers. Their father was able to draw upon his 30 plus years of experience with one of the original soul food restaurants in Los Angeles, the famous Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch in Marina Del Rey.
That experience provided a strong foundation in making delicious food. The family grew up as a restaurant family and the brothers started working in the family business at an early age. Another lesson the brothers gleaned from their father was the idea of giving back to the communities they serve by making donations to churches, schools, and individuals. They continue this tradition, often giving back to the community to keep the legacy their father established. “We believe that in some way. giving will always come back to you somehow.” he said.
Dulan’s has earned numerous awards and are currently nominated for the prestigious James Beard award which will be announced on June 5th for outstanding restauranteur. They have also received the: The Los Angeles Times Top 100 restaurants two years in a row, Thrillist Magazine top 10 in the USA, Eater Magazine top Soul Food, and Conde Naste Traveler, top places near SoFi Stadium, to name only a few. The family-owned restaurant chain is also frequently featured on local news programs and was proud to garner a spot on, Good Morning America during the Superbowl.
“The economic development in the City of Inglewood has helped for sure,” Terry said. “We see an influx of new customers from the Forum and SoFi Stadium during the various events, but it is our loyal customer base that continues to sustain the business. Hopefully, the future events, like the Olympics, will ensure local businesses get more representation.”
The brothers enjoy ongoing relationships with SoFi Stadium and the Intuit Dome. They fed 3,800 workers during the construction of SoFi stadium, and they are a Rams House restaurant, a program the Rams launched to help support minority-owned restaurants in the area. The Rams came to the restaurant and presented the owners with a signed jersey and handed out T-shirts for the staff. Similarly, they fed 1500 workers during the Intuit Dome Topping Off Ceremony. attended by the Los Angeles Clippers owner, Steve Balmer, Clippers players and Inglewood Dignitaries. In addition, the Clippers brought Bones Hyland to the restaurant for a promotional video which was displayed at several games, and the brothers were recognized at halftime of a game during Black History Month.
The restaurants offer specials that keep new and repeat clients coming back for more. Every day the restaurants offer lunch specials at a lower price which ends at 4 p.m. For the price of an omelet at many breakfast establishments they offer you get an entrée with freshly made greens, yams, mac n cheese, and cornbread, all made from scratch.
(Dulans Dining area and event pace on Manchester Blvd. Photo by Francis Taylor)
Terry closed the interview by saying, “we are considering expanding to additional locations in the future.”
