3003 Grape St.
(by 30th Street - South Park neighborhood)


Average Overall Rating:

(3 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(4 out of 5)

(3 out of 5)

Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 3/10/2010

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Judy the Beuty's Big Kitchen is a San Diego tradition!

Big fluffy Pancakes! Awesome Biscuits & Gravy! Homey Cozy Atmosphere! They'll make you what you want.... Sure things are on the hippie side - which just makes the place that much more human and comfy!

Now, if you are formal and want all the fancies or if you want something grand-- go downtown to the Westgate! It's all done in faux Louis IVX and $65 a person! If you want great food and great people -- try the Big Kitchen!

I think the detractors here might be cheap Republicans from small towns freaked out about California prices in general....

Award Nomination: Most Comfortable

Review #19536Review by: Sheepish on 9/16/2009

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My daughter raves about this place but I was not impressed. The food was okay but I think it is too pricey for the portions and quality. Also note, it takes cash only. Nice atmosphere though.

Review #18049Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 1/1/2008

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My boyfriend and I had heard nothing but wonderful things about this breakfast eatery...and being HUGE breakfast fans we thought we'd try it. Boy were we disappointed. As soon as we walked in the door our noses were overwhelmed with a bad smell. It's the kind that usually goes away but even after 10 minutes it was still there...enough to make us wonder if we should stay. We did and the food was only ok. Nothing spectacular like all the reviews we had read and heard. I have to say we won't make a second visit.

Review #12298Review by: LisaSD on 11/26/2007

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I hate to say anything bad about this place because Judy is such a sweetheart but the food was mediocre at best. Nothing to bring me back to the fold, I'm afraid. Very generic food - no special preparation at all. Sodas are served in a can, I prefer fountain sodas...

I'm afraid my last visit was the 2nd time (and last time) I'll be visiting this place.

Review #11995Review by: MrBreakfast.com Visitor on 9/7/2007

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One of my favorite restaurants of all time!
I believe go there 2-3 times a week.
Very friendly, neighbourly place.
Amazing ambiance.
Pancakes the size of your head at a reasonable price, cheap vegetarian options, best biscuits and gravy.
Also there is always something to keep you entertained.

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #11313Review by: Rnizzle on 8/23/2007

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My sister and I ate at the Big Kitchen cafe today. We both ordered two simple salads. It took the kitchen 30 minutes to throw together some lettuce and cucumbers. We finally got our food and were very disappointed. My bbq chicken salad was swimming in bbq sauce and the vegetables tasted like dirt. We were ready to pay when we learned that the cafe does not accept debit/credit or personal checks; they only accept cash. I had to run across the street to a shady liquor store and pay a $1.50 withdrawal fee for some cash.

The restaurant may have had it's hay-day in the 80' but it's a dirty, cramped "cafe" that serves mediocre food for a price that is not worth it. It may be a good time to note that the salad made my sister sick and diarrheal after we drove home only 5 minutes later.

Award Nomination: Hugest Dump

Review #11181Review by: joymarv on 6/28/2007

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Was expecting a lot from this place after reading glowing reviews about their omelets, homefries and coffee cake and having seen it on Rachael Ray's $40 a Day on the Food Network.

First of all, Judy was great. Very attentive and friendly. Brought our 3-year-old a bucket of toys right away. And if you are a liberal "child of the 60's" (which I am not) you will probably like the ambiance with lots of anti-war and pro-feminist bumper stickers on the walls. Lots of old knick-knacks and pictures of current and former patrons adorn other walls. It is pretty homey.

Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the food. It was just average. The sausage omelet my husband ordered was very small and came with just a sausage patty stuffed inside and not mixed into the omelet. It looked like a 2-egg omelet. The homefries were just okay for me but my husband did like them. The bacon was big and thick and very good and my son liked his big plate-sized pancake. I didn't see coffee cake on the menu, though.

I ordered a Diet Coke and was brought a can of it with a glass and ice (that cost $2.00). What I like most was actually the organic apple juice that my son got with his meal. Tasted as close to fresh squeezed as apple juice can get.

Another small inconvience, they don't take credit cards, only cash and checks. I didn't see anything posted about it but I might have missed it. My husband had to run across the street to the ATM for cash.

Overall, it was okay and, I think, a bit expensive for being just okay. I don't think I'd go there again with so many other places to try in the San Diego area, but it was fun to try.

Review #10701Review by: hwyisalive on 9/15/2006

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Having breakfast at Big Kitchen is a little like going to a 1960's or 70's protest rally - where everyone favored such outdated concepts as democracy, peace, love, justice, and brotherhood - the only difference being that at Big Kitchen you leave stuffed to the gills with the most amazing pancakes you've ever tasted (try them with bananas and tons of melted butter and you'll thank me), and deliciously wonderful thick slices of bacon. The owner (Judy) has run this beacon of freedom since 1980 and her crowd is regular and loyal. As property values have soared in the once dumpy, now trendy South Park neighborhood - more and more yuppies and self-absorbed upwardly-mobile wannabe's (like me I suppose) are bound to populate the place. Hopefully - they'll pursue trendier A.M. eating establishments - so there'll still be room for you at the counter. Big Kitchen is famous because years ago - Whoopi Goldberg worked here. But it could be famous for it's awesome food, huge portions - and marvelous chutzpah.

Oh - and get this. You can go behind the counter and grab the coffee pot anytime you want to pour your own refill - but doing so obligates you to fill the empty cups of other diners at the counter. Is this place neighborly - OR WHAT?

Award Nomination: Best Breakfast Ever

Review #8509


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of San Diego, California - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for The Big Kitchen.