Earlez Grille chef and owner talk relocating and cooking with common sense

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There’s something special about a place that conforms to changing times while remaining true to its authenticity. For over 25 years, Earlez Grille, in Crenshaw, has done just that.

Chef “Big Will” has been working at Earlez Grille for over 15 years now, and said the restaurant owes their success to the “love” put into grilling.
“Nobody can see our dogs and burgers, man. We are off the chart,” said Big Will.  Earlez Grille Owner, Duane Earl, said their secret recipe is “paying attention to how you cook” and “cooking with common sense.” “There are so many places out there that are great,” he said. “But some common sense cooking and some love… people can tell when you don’t put love in food.”

The Crenshaw neighborhood can certainly tell Ealrez Grille keeps the love in their grilling.  Earlez Grille has never left the confines of the Crenshaw area. For nearly 30 years, they’ve been giving back to the Crenshaw community.  Owner Duane recalls a time where they closed off the block and had gave free dogs and burgers to about 2,500 people.  Recently, the restaurant expanded their menu to include vegetarian options. From Turkey dogs, to Turkey burgers and vegan chili, the brothers recognized the need to meet the changing demands of the community, an entrepreneurial quality which attributes to why they’ve been successful.

However, success hasn’t come without bumps in the road. The restaurant has relocated several times and just recently, they received news from the Metropolitan transportation authority that they would have to relocate once again. After being at the corner of Crenshaw and exposition for seven years, the Exposition location will soon re-open at a new location, just two blocks down Crenshaw Blvd. The new location is in a thriving shopping plaza, which Duane hopes will bring more traffic to the restaurant.  “This location is going to give us the jump we need. We’re going to move from a ‘ma-and-pa’ feel to a more corporate look,” said Duane. “It’s exactly what we needed.”

In the meantime, the brothers continue to serve the community via a portable catering truck while they await the opening of the new Earlez Grille.