There's a small, unobtrusive framed quote hanging on the wall of the new Dialo's Cafe of Benton Harbor that talks about the sheer volume of failures in life that came about because somebody gave up on their dream just one step before success was ready to strike. Owner, operator and Chef LaShunn Dialo Harper is living proof that dedication and determination will win out every time, and success comes to those who hang tough.
That is exactly what the dynamic young entrepreneur has done in the course of his culinary career. Hang tough. His newest venture in the newly relocated and recently re-opened Dialo's Cafe at 1924 M-139 across from the Fairplain Plaza in Benton Charter Township held a formal ribbon cutting ceremony this morning, as the wafting smoke from a fired-up barbeque pit at the back door enticed onlookers with the promise of great things to come.
While Mr. Harper actually opened the doors to the new Dialo's Cafe back on March 2nd, he's just now getting around to celebrating the occasion with a formal ribbon cutting as he preps for a strong summer season of his best homemade dishes with a twist of soul.
The grand opening celebration began yesterday, Thursday, June 9th and will continue through tomorrow, Saturday, June 11th, from 11am to 9pm. Dialo's Café is known for its delicious Bar-B-Q and will have two specials during the grand opening: $5 Rib Tips and $5 BBQ Chicken Dinners, both served with home-made baked beans and coleslaw. The full menu is also available, including their home-made desserts: Sweet Potato Pies, Banana Pudding, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, and Strawberry Cake.
LaShunn told a small audience of folks this morning, “You can say that cooking is in my DNA. My mother used to cook for the entire community and my father was always grilling food for our large family. Both of them taught me the art of cooking and their secrets. My maternal grandmother, Pearlie Mae Harper, was also a fantastic cook – desserts were her specialty. She and my grandfather moved to Benton Harbor in the late 1920s and were married in Benton Harbor in 1937. I have been here for many years and this community is part of me. I am very proud to re-open my business in a community full of spirit, culture and soul.”
Harper, who is also a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, opened his first restaurant on Wall Street in downtown Benton Harbor. Later they moved to the former Holiday Inn on M-139 in Benton Harbor. Eventually, he decided to focus on catering only. Dialo’s Catering provides homemade food and full-catering services.
Former Benton Harbor Mayor Wilce Cooke, a veteran of four decades in the medical profession says, “To my knowledge, Dialo’s Café is the only soul food restaurant in the Michiana area. Besides traditional soul food, he also serves fish and the best Cajun Pasta around." Cooke adds, "What I love the most is that their food is homemade; not processed or prepackaged, and they use produce from local farmers when available to provide the best quality, nutritional value and taste.”
Benton Township officials including Supervisor Kevin White, Treasurer Debbie Boothby, and Clerk Carolyn Phillips all attended the ribbon cutting ceremonies and welcomed Mr. Harper and his crew to the busy M-139 commercial corridor.
For more information about Dialo’s Café, you can contact them at (269) 757-7200 or follow along on Dialo's Café Facebook page where they regularly post menus, specials, events and more.
