GDW ICYMI: DULAN FAMILY NAMED LA FIRST FAMILY OF SOUL FOOD ON GMA and are SPECIAL GUEST AT SUPERBOWL LVI

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All!!

HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH

And for those of you who follow it - HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!

 

 

My Uncle Adolf DULAN started a Soul Food Empire in LA

This Super Bowl Sunday is especially special for me and my cousins in Los Angeles, the other members of the DULAN Family - who were featured Wednesday, February 9, 2022 on Good Morning America as DULANS LOS ANGELES FIRST FAMILY OF SOUL FOOD, AND THE LA RAMS FAVORITE SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT.

The restaurants, started by their dad, my Uncle Adolf DULAN, the youngest son of my grandparents, Zady and Silas DULAN, born and raised in Luther, Oklahoma, were based on my Grandmom's wonderful recipes.  She only had a woodburning stove, in a one room home that housed 16 kids - including my Dad, Warner, his sisters Alene and Zethel, and my uncle Adolf - plus my granddad's orphaned siblings whom he took responsibility for and raised until they could fend for themselves.

As a kid we all loved "helping" our grandmother in the kitchen.  In fact, it was mandatory that we all learn to cook growing up - just as it was mandatory that we all get a college education.  Each Christmas we'd gather and share our dishes in a great Christmas feast, that rotated between each other's homes.  Apparently, my Uncle treasured Grandmom's recipes and cooking to take it beyond just a memory, to establishing one of the most prominent soul food restaurants in Marina Del Rey in the 70s, called AUNT KIZZY'S BACK PORCH.  It was the first (only) Black owned restaurant and Soul Food restaurant in the Marina, and was there for 20 years, until he and his former wife, Mary DULAN, decided on an amicable divorce. 

Later, in the 90s, Adolf DULAN started a new genre of restaurant that specialized solely in Soul Food - Adolf DULAN'S King of Soul Food was opened on LaCienega Blvd.  followed by my cousin Gregory DULAN's DULAN'S ON CRENSHAW - and later DULAN'S SOUL FOOD KITCHEN.  When Adolf made his transition in 2017, my cousins, Gregory and Terry DULAN continued the tradition of fine Soul Food cuisine inspired by our Grandmom's recipes, as well as other family members who had developed unique recipes of their own.  My personal favorite is short ribs,  with Black eyed peas, collard grees, rice and REAL CORN BREAD (from scratch) washed down with fresh squeezed lemonade.  The restaurants have been a staple in Los Angeles for more than 20 years - but many don't realize that prior to their establishment, Adolf also had HAMBURGER CITY - which was in Inglewood - it was the best hamburger in the world - with fresh ground beef, secret sauce, and oversized sesame seed buns - there were lines around the block for them as well - however, it was during an period when the area was experiencing serious gang turmoil, making it relatively safe to maintain the business.  Nevertheless, the popularity was such that Arsenio Hall used to frequently refer to them on his Talk Show. 

Now, fast forward to today - and we are so proud of our cousins - and so elated that the Los Angeles Rams have recognized DULAN'S SOUL FOOD AS ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE HERITAGE RESTAURANTS. 

Talk about CONTEMPORARY BLACK HISTORY - My Uncle Adolf DULAN is a fine example of what happens when Black people take something ordinary and does something special with in an extraordinary way.  It's not the first time the DULANs have made history, and won't be the last.  The wonderful thing is that my cousins are carrying forward a tradition that has long been established by our family and our OKLAHOMA ROOTS!!

If you're in LA, you might want to stop by and experience the magic.  I used to go by the restaurant on the way LAX  airport and have my cousins prepare me a "ToGo box" and sit on the plane and eat, while everyone else was trying to make do with those jive peanuts and other junk they give for a five hour flight back to the east coast.  Talk about people's mouths watering.  LOL

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE VIDEO:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/video/gma-surprises-inspiring-family-super-bowl-tickets-82795288

So while you're enjoying the SUPER BOWL today keep an eye out for my Cousins in the VIP Box - or go by DULAN's Soul Food Kitchen and try it for yourselves!!

 

While you're watching SUPER BOWL LVI - WATCH FOR MY COUSINS - TERRY, GREGORY AND TIFFANY DULAN - who are special guests of the LA RAMS  - GO RAMS!!

 

 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

 

STAY BLESSED &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

 

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson