Iconic PCH Restaurant Takes Heavy Damage During Mudslides
Pacific Coast Highway has partially reopened following the Palisades Fire and subsequent mudslides, but access remains restricted to emergency responders, contractors, and utility crews, according to Caltrans District 7. The roadway, buried under debris flows earlier in the week, is now open to a single lane with a 25 mph speed limit. Traffic signals in the affected area are flashing red as cleanup efforts continue.
The stretch of PCH between Santa Monica and Malibu had already been closed due to the fire when heavy rain triggered landslides, leaving Topanga Canyon Boulevard covered in several feet of mud. Utility poles and road signs were partially buried, further complicating recovery efforts.
The mudslides have pushed back the reopening of Duke’s Malibu, the beloved beachfront restaurant that had miraculously survived the Palisades Fire only to suffer extensive damage during the storm. In a Valentine’s Day update on Instagram, the restaurant reassured the community that no one was inside at the time of the disaster.
“We have been closed since January 7th, so no one was in the building, and all of our ‘ohana is safe,” the statement read. “The cleanup effort will be extensive, but we look forward to the day we can be open for our community. Mahalo for the outpouring of support we have received during this time.”
Josh Morgan, vice president of operations for TS Restaurants, described the impact of the slide. “Within literally a matter of minutes, the restaurant was—both ends, the entire parking lot—full of mud and debris,” Morgan said.
Duke’s employs approximately 132 staff members, many of whom are now out of work as the restaurant assesses the damage and begins the recovery process.
