PCR Clients Flourishing in The Community: Dulan’s Soulfood Kitchen Re-Opens
Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen stands alone in South Los Angeles. Operating in the Crenshaw District for 30 years, it is a cultural landmark for the city’s Black community and a must-stop-shop for tourists, politicians, and celebrities alike.
The key to longevity is knowing when change must be made. For Greg Dulan, owner and operator of Dulan’s on Crenshaw, that time came during the COVID-19 pandemic. It goes without saying, however, that this was a risky time for restaurant businesses. Supply shortages led to increased operating costs and adapting business models to adhere to public health regulations weren’t always successful. Despite the challenges, Greg took a risk and closed the Crenshaw location in 2021.
Making such a bold move required a bold vision and after two and a half years, Dulan’s on Crenshaw reopened with a vibrant look and feel. Greg revealed, “I just wanted to create something nicer for the community because I know what the community needs. I know what they want.” The refreshed space welcomes customers new and old with a modern yet comfortable dining room, a front patio, and a back patio that guests can book for private events. Completing Greg’s “dream restaurant” is a second kitchen for to-go orders and those placed via food delivery apps. Acknowledging his feat, Greg told reporters, “I had to go through the coronavirus for three years — that wasn’t helpful at all. You know, to be going through a restaurant renovation when the whole country shut down. To survive that, I think it’s a miracle in itself.”
There’s also a nod to the Dulan family within the new space, acknowledging their 50-year legacy of feeding hungry Angelenos. Greg’s father, Adolf, opened the family’s first restaurant in the 1970s. “We’re just trying to capture the Dulan’s family legacy through historical photographs from our family’s history and representing just a positive African American family, culture, and history.” This rich cultural and culinary heritage is clear for all to see.
A graduate of Howard University, Greg naturally used this renovation as an opportunity to lift as he climbed. The development of a new Metro line along Crenshaw Boulevard and rising home prices nearby have sparked a lot of conversation about the future of the community and those who’ve made it what it is today. With so much change in the area, the renovation of Dulan’s on Crenshaw stood as something more. It was a welcome symbol to long-time patrons that there’s still something for them, even as neighbors move and longstanding establishments close for good. “We give back, we support. We are active. We are a part of the Crenshaw community, part of the neighborhood.”
Having first met Greg Dulan through our SBDC workshops in 2008, we at PCR are proud to have had an up-to-close view of his growth over the last 15 years. In addition to his apparent dedication and passion for serving good food, that commitment has extended to the Crenshaw area at large. “To have a business in the neighborhood where I grew up is a blessing. A lot of people, including myself at times, didn’t think I would ever reopen. But by God’s grace…” he did.
