The Big Kitchen
20 ratings since posting on Sunday, November 14, 2004
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in San Diego
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Overall Rating  based on 20 ratings |
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Unsu...
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 Went there about a year ago, got a table, super food, good vegetarian options etc.... Called on a sunday asked if they were open, they said yes and for another 2 hours at least, drove there (25 minute drive) and they were "closed" very bad, I make better breakfast - Unsubscribed , posted 09/29/08 |
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I have gone there many many times with my husband and in the beginning I was willing to just go with it when eggs were hot everything else was frigid. Then more frequently everything would be cold. It is so crowded that I feel that no one knows what is going on. We have been over looked on the reservation sheet because friends of "hers" have shown up. Not good business when the food is just mediocre. I hate to say it but you gotta have an "in" there or you wait forever. :( - Boozy Susy , posted 01/08/08 |
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Love The Big Kitchen's philanthropy, community and kind vibe. Being from San Francisco, very little in SD compares to the City by the Bay's authenticity. However, The Big Kitchen is birthed from the same league! Thank Jah for little Havens! - Allison saja , posted 01/04/08 |
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**Great food. Great atmostphere. Unique dining experience. Lots of Vegan/Vegetarian options!** There's nothing like this restaurant anywhere else! It's not only a great homstyle restaurant, it's also a community center. It's warm, laid back (no, the wait staff are not like fine dinning robots, they are unique wonderful people), and the decor is a collage of pictures and paintings all given to Judy as gifts by people over the years. Two walls are covered with personal photos of customers that span the last 27 years (my baby pictures are up there somewhere!), and also signed pictures by the celeberty clientelle. These walls are so precious to Judy that when she decided to expand the restaurant years back, she decided not to knock down the wall to make room, but instead everyone has too travel through the kitchen to reach the other dining room. The most noteable ex-employee of the Big Kitchen is Whoopie Goldberg. She washed dishes there years back, and right before she left for Hollywood, she signed her name above the sink. They re-painted the kitchen eventually, and painted over the signature. When Whoopie made it big, and came back to visit years later, she saw her signature was gone. So she signed the wall again, and this time it's been lovingly preserved, just peek your head into the kitchen and you'll see it. If you go to the Big Kitchen on Thursday-Sunday, you'll meet Judy the Beauty, a wonderful, lively, singing hippie lady. She is the owner, and one of the waitresses, and she'll charm you and make you feel right at home. Now, about the food: My personal favorites are the Damians Breakfast Burrito, and Judy's scrample (it has spinach, sherry, and mushrooms), the potatos are fantastic, or, if your in the mood for a lighter option, you can always substitute fresh fruit. The tofu rancheros is fabulous, and the pancakes are huge and delicious. They also have amazing coffee cake, and muffins. The salsa is homemade and delicious, and should be applied liberally to most dishes. Most of the food is homestyle and filling, with large portions. Be in the mood to eat! Geez, I'm getting hungry writing this! Anyway, go eat there! Try it on a non-rush time so you can kick back and enjoy! - Drea , posted 09/17/07 |
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I have eaten there 3 times. I tried to keep an open mind since my friends raved about it. All it gave me was a heartburn and lethargy later. - Tara , posted 06/22/07 |
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we went there for our ritual sunday morning breakfast outing this morning after reading the reviews on here, and by gum the food is good! i was so stuffed half way through i couldnt lick the platter clean, however much i wanted to! Judy was always hustling by singing along to the music playing, joking with the customers truly great! so glad we went! and so should you! - DRUM , posted 01/07/07 |
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The food is great! This little joint sure gets packed though. On weekends be early or come a little late if you want to avoid the crowd. Oh, and one extra star for the "coffee while you wait"! - Gerardo , posted 12/29/06 |
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One of the best breakfast spots in SD, and Judy the Beauty on Duty, who levitated the Pentagon and catered my wedding reception, does great things for the community by hosting benefit dinners (she's done this for several organizations). Substitute the coffee cake for the toast. The potatoes are wonderful, and so are the omelettes. True, the service is sometimes quite flaky, but if you can slide into the hippie vibe, this is the place to be. - Kingsley Tigger , posted 01/04/06 |
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Quite possibly some of the greatest breakfast food in San Diego county. My husband and I love to try different restaurants, but we always go back to Judy's. When they get busy (and they're ALWAYS busy) the service can get pretty slow, so don't go there if you're in a hurry. The potatoes are incredible-try them and you'll be hooked. And it's not the cleanest place in town, so if you're super picky about cleanliness you might want to consider another place...but you won't be able to bask in the fun and glory of The Big Kitchen. - Valera , posted 09/30/05 |
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I'm as charmed by the place as the next person but when your waitress hands you your coffee and it already has cream in it - WORRY - My Body is a Temple , posted 06/13/05 |
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I went on Mothers Day, I live in the neighborhood. Love it! Its pretty busy, lots of satisfied customers, and lots of menu options! Yummy everything! Cool staff too, lots of young servers who are really down to earth! And if your a vegetarian they have tofu, and lots of fruit! Hope to see ya there! - DragonfLy , posted 05/10/05 |
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Truly the heart of the city. Judy the Beauty, owner extraordinare, is a woman of grace and beauty always and all ways. The atmosphere and the food reflects her beautiful soul. It doesn't get better anywhere in San Diego! - Susan , posted 04/03/05 |
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Wonderful food, great people... Just make sure to get there early and put your name on the list if you go on a weekend, the lines can get a little long. The patio/plant dining area totally rocks with its booths and lots of greenery. Check it out and say "Hi" to Judy! - Chia , posted 03/22/05 |
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True Story: My wife Nicole and I move to the South Park neighborhood in June of '04. On my 30th birthday, June 18th of the same year, we decide to finally check out The Big Kitchen. We walk in and the place is a-buzz ... long story short, it was Judy's (the owner's) 24th anniversary for the joint, and myself and *three other people* in the place all shared the day as a birthday. Yes. We all tripped out. And the portions are great, the prices are reasonable, the coffee is good, and the atmosphere is excellent. Unless you can't hang with the hippy vibe. No hippy vibe, probably not your place. Open minded? Welcome to your breakfast joint in South Park. Don't forget to hug the homemade Garcia cut-out on your way out. - Dave , posted 03/12/05 |
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awesome food, crazy history, cool folks, outstanding experience. - erraticBehavior , posted 02/27/05 |
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I didn't hang out long enough to get my picture on the wall at Judys but the big kitchen is on my wall here in Asheville and definately in my heart. Its definately very missed. - Beth , posted 02/16/05 |
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Now that I'm hundreds of miles away from The Big Kitchen, I long for the ambience and the friendship of Judy the Beauty on Duty and the rest of the gang. We'll see you at the Oregon Country Fair!!! - Inca , posted 12/13/04 |
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Leisurely service and comfort food in a socially connected and activated environ. It could be the epicenter of the death of the evangelical poison that is trying to kill the moral base of our country now. - Mudgely , posted 11/28/04 |
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Judy and I go way back...She rocks...and the food is great, too. I was part of the Women's Monthly...a women's support network...I moved to South Park thanks to Judy... - Terrie , posted 11/21/04 |
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Unsu...
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Judy at the Big Kitchen has made this place the center of the south park universe. She is auntie and more to many local kids and is an activist in every way. The walls are covered with thousands of pictures of her friends and in one corner is a cutout of Jerry Garcia. She can be found romancing guests out front in francais or inside singing some Bob Dylan. Ton of character, a good atmosphere and they got eggs too. (veggies are catered too). i'm there every sunday, i just wished they had bloody mary's and a nice curried scramble. 3003 Grape Street (between 30th Street and Fern Street), South Park, 619-234-5789 - Unsubscribed , posted 11/14/04 |
The Big Kitchen was recommended for:
- Tribe: San Diego
