After narrowly escaping the Palisades Fire, Duke’s restaurant in Malibu has now suffered extensive damage from a mudslide triggered by recent heavy rainstorms. The popular Hawaiian surf-themed restaurant faces further delays in reopening as cleanup efforts continue.
Mudslides Devastate Duke’s Restaurant
The powerful Thursday storm unleashed torrents of mud, water, and debris from the fire-ravaged hillsides. The mudslide flowed down Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and straight into Duke’s restaurant, leaving the property buried in debris.
According to Josh Morgan, VP of Operations for TS Restaurants, the damage happened within minutes, covering the entire parking lot and both ends of the restaurant in mud and debris.
A Second Setback for Duke’s
Duke’s had already been closed since January 7 due to the Palisades Fire, which left the restaurant coated in smoke and ash. Now, with mud and debris inside the restaurant, the reopening timeline has been pushed back even further.
“We have about 132 employees at Duke’s, and for them to be out of work is a very difficult thing,” said Morgan, emphasizing the impact on staff.
Mudslides and Road Closures in Malibu
The mudslide also forced road closures along Pacific Coast Highway from Chautauqua Boulevard in Los Angeles to Carbon Beach Terrace in Malibu.
- By Saturday morning, Caltrans managed to reopen one lane of PCH, though the highway remains under a “soft closure” for emergency responders, contractors, and those with special passes.
- Topanga Canyon Boulevard also experienced mudslides, leading to its closure during the storm.
Hope for Reopening
Despite these setbacks, Duke’s remains committed to reopening and serving the Malibu community.
“We just look forward to getting back open, serving our community, and seeing all of our friends back in the restaurant,” Morgan said.
Duke’s Malibu has endured fire and flood within weeks, delaying its long-awaited reopening. While cleanup efforts are underway, the damage serves as a reminder of how natural disasters continue to impact businesses and residents along the California coast. Malibu remains resilient, and the community looks forward to seeing Duke’s welcome back its patrons soon.
