By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All!!
HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH
And for those of you who follow it - HAPPY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!
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| 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
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| Gloria DULAN-Wilson |
