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    Big Kitchen Cafe

    3.9 (879 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

    Big Kitchen Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    BIG KITCHEN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Big Kitchen Cafe

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    Big Kitchen Cafe If you're looking for a true San Diego gem, this is it. Big Kitchen Cafe has been open since the 70's and you can feel the history the second you walk up to the sign. It has that cozy, neighborhood vibe that just feels good. The owner is one of the kindest people you will ever meet. You can feel her heart in the way the café is run. It doesn't feel corporate or rushed. It feels welcoming and real. We ordered the biscuits and gravy, French toast, a waffle and the breakfast potatoes and everything was so good. The biscuits were soft and fluffy with rich, savory gravy poured all over. The French toast was perfectly golden and not overly sweet. The waffle had that crispy outside with a soft center that you hope for. And the breakfast potatoes were crispy, well seasoned and completely addicting. This place isn't trendy and that's exactly why it's so great. It's authentic, full of character and clearly loved by the community. In a city like San Diego where things change all the time, Big Kitchen feels like a comforting constant. Definitely worth a visit if you want a classic breakfast made with heart.

    Megan G.

    I had wanted to come here for so long & my friends and I finally stopped in for breakfast one morning. We had no idea what to expect which I think made our experience that much better! We were sat in the back which felt comfortable and private. It was like a lovely jungle back there. The service was so friendly and fun. I loved how everyone was helping each other out. Judy was so welcoming and just a great presence to be around. You can tell this place is her everything and she just wants those visiting to experience a little bit of that. I ordered Whoopie's Breakfast and it was incredible. Such a hearty, classic breakfast. You can't go wrong. Also, one of the best cups of orange juice I have ever had, so fresh. I left here feeling politically emboldened and nourished in my mind, body and soul (to say the least). My friends would agree as well. Thank you, Judy!! I can't wait to come back to this special place.

    2 Egg , 2 Strips of bacon combo
    John R.

    I decided to try Big Kitchen Cafe after seeing it open, when I'm usually in the area it's closed. I expected a cozy old-school diner but got something quite different. Seating was limited to a small patio with wooden tables or metal fold-up tables in the front and while the decor was interesting, the ambiance felt lacking. The staff were friendly often yelling each other's names across the restaurant, but the service was disappointing waiting nearly an hour for cold eggs and a pancake wasn't ideal. For the price, I expected much better. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but I wasn't impressed and would not recommend this place to any friends as there are many other places in the area. I would give the place another try if someone was treating. Management please get it together as I know this place has lots of charm and potential!

    Israel G.

    There's something nostalgic about this place. The old photos of celebrities, the worn floor where thousands upon thousands have paid homage to a simple concept: live in a small world and a big kitchen. Life is a good with a big kitchen where people feel welcomed like family, where the portions are as big as the smiles, where no matter who you are, you'll walk away satisfied and just a bit wiser because of the time you spent with friends and loved ones eating, laughing, and chopping it up. I had the combo with bacon and eggs and potatoes. Those potatoes had so much good flavor as if it was made on Christmas morning with everyday spices. My daughter brought me here and I loved it. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

    Coffee cake
    Candace C.

    Our go-to no frills classic breakfast diner spot for delicious plates. Equivalent to your favorite neighborhood dive bar but make it breakfast/brunch. If you're not in the mood for waiting hours for mimosa flights or glitzy interiors, we've got a recommendation for you. Judy is a true gem and the servers are very nice. We would come here every weekend when we lived in South Park. The coffee cake is a staple. Indoor and outdoor seating (bar seating and booth seating inside) and they've got everything from hasbrowns, potatoes, pancakes to bacon and eggs, country fried steak, omelettes and more. Also some specials on the menu. Large portions and fair prices.

    Me with my breakfast, a delicious Mexican cheese omelette
    Gabriella V.

    My boyfriend and I visited my old neighborhood today and our visit would not be complete without a trip to The Big Kitchen, a staple and treasure of South Park. With great food, excellent and friendly service, and a wonderful host and owner, the Big Kitchen is a not so hidden gem of South Park. The ambience is beautiful, with a neighborhood experience making it friendly and inviting, the walls of The Big Kitchen are filled with artwork and autographs from celebrities who have found themselves at this local treasure. The owner, Judy is lovely and a delight, a true legend. Growing up a few streets down from the Big Kitchen, I basically grew up at The Big Kitchen and coming back after twenty or so odd years away was like walking into a delightful time warp as nothing had changed and I found it exactly as it had been from my memories. Judy made the experience even more special and memorable and the live music every Saturday and Sunday was exceptional, I will say that going to The Big Kitchen is an experience you will treasure, but don't just take my word for it though. I highly recommend you come on down and see for yourself, you'll thank me later :) The Big Kitchen is truly a gem of San Diego's South Park. Thank you Judy and the staff at The Big Kitchen.

    Ham eggs and home potatoes
    Groyper G.

    We came on a Saturday morning and only had to wait for about 5 minutes. Outside seating only I think. We split a pancake, eggs, ham and home potatoes. Pros - the pancake was big. Filled up the entire plate. It was one of the better pancakes I've had. The ham was really good. Can't compare it to much because I don't really get breakfast ham. The salsa was really good. I had it with the eggs. Idk what they added to it but it gave it a tiny bit of sweetness I think. The potatoes were also very good. - friendly owner and staff Cons - none really. Could of had More potatoes maybe. -$31 (no tip) for what we got. You can be the judge if it's worth it from the pictures. (It's San Diego so it's expected I suppose.) Overall 8/10

    Rozie's Special

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    The food is amazing , Judy the owner is the sweetest human ever, and the vibe in here is sooo cute and homey!

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    3 months ago

    Great food and servers! Loved sitting outside in the Sun and supporting local small businesses.

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    7 months ago

    Good food and decent service I've been here a few times, and it has been consistently good

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    Yes! It is close to the back patio, really rustic.

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    Morning Glory - Japanese soufflé pancakes

    Morning Glory

    4.0(5k reviews)
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    This restaurant was wild in the most wonderful way. The architecture and decor were over the top…read moreand fabulous. The food was to die for. The soufflé pancakes were delicious and the Turkish eggs were amazing. I've been trying to recreate both at home but with no success The staff was extremely friendly throughout the restaurant. Our server Lucky was knowledgeable about the menu and sweet. Jacob was also charismatic and engaging when running our food. If I lived in the area I would definitely be a regular here. The vibes are great and the food is even better

    I've been before and had a great experience so I decided to take a friend who was visiting San…read moreDiego for the day. The wait was an hour which was expected. I told my friend the food was worth the wait. After an hour we got sat at the bar and our first server was friendly. There was a transition of servers (not sure if he left for the day or went on lunch) and the new server would check on everyone at the bar except us. My water remained empty for most of the meal. The bartenders in front of us were clearly having a conversation and I didn't want to interrupt. My friend claimed her Irish coffee was sour? And didn't realize cheese came on a side of eggs (she should've checked when she ordered but the server never clarified either). We weren't checked on during the meal until the bill came and by then we just wanted to leave. I ordered the fluffy pancakes and found an egg shell inside. The cracking of eggshells in my mouth made me loose my appetite. We paid (still tipped of course) and left. It was great the first time and mediocre the second time. I prefer consistently in service, especially if I'm waiting an hour to be seated.

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    Books & Records - Table setting

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    4.4(398 reviews)
    1.8 miBanker's Hill
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    beautiful restaurant, i went there for my bday celebration and it was the right choice…read more the service is fast and friendly ! it was happy hour so there was some mix in the appetizers that were ordered but they were nice enough to waive the cost for the one that arrived late. overall every delicious i love coming here !

    My wife and I took a day trip down to San Diego to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and somehow we…read morestumbled onto one of the highlights of the whole trip. We had spent most of the day around Bankers Hill and decided to grab an early dinner at Books & Records. Getting reservations was easy, but from the moment we walked in, the ambiance alone already had us sold. The place was still pretty quiet when we arrived, and to our surprise it was happy hour, so naturally we ordered a bunch of items off the menu along with drinks. Everything was ridiculously good. Not one miss. What really stood out though was the attention to detail. The host brought us a complimentary glass of champagne after hearing we were celebrating our anniversary. Small gesture, big impact. Stuff like that matters. As the night went on, the restaurant filled up, live music started playing, and the whole atmosphere just came alive. Our waiter never rushed us once, which made the experience feel even more intentional and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the moment instead of feeling pushed through dinner service. Good food is one thing. Great hospitality is another. This place gave us both. Next time we're in San Diego, we're absolutely making it a point to come back. Lovely spot. Lovely experience.

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    2.2 miHillcrest
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    Wow! Everything about this place was phenomenal. The atmosphere, the food, and the service…read more The inside gives western diner in the absolute best way possible! It's got the decor, chairs, and art to match. Jessica was our server and she was amazing! She gave us lots of suggestions on what to try and what is on the menu since it was my first time here. She recommended the bloody Mary flight so did grab that to try! We also ordered the biscuits and gravy to share and orange juice. The portions are so large! So I am glad we decided to share the biscuits and gravy but let me run down each thing. Bloody Mary Flight: Honestly every single one was amazing. My favorite was definitely the pickle Mary! Everything tasted so delicious and was garnished beautifully. Well worth the 22 dollars. Biscuits and Gravy: Absolute perfection of comfort food. The biscuits were so fluffy and well seasoned. The gravy was also soooo good, just like my mom makes. The sausage in it was also cooked so well and juicy. I've never tried mashed potatoes with the biscuits and gravy but it worked very well! Orange Juice: Not a fan really, not pulpy enough and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Overall this is definitely a must visit! I will definitely be back.

    It's definitely a novelty breakfast/brunch spot with tons of options and massive, and I mean…read moremassive portions. Service is great and atmosphere is very nice as well. But, the food.... "Over medium" eggs came barely cooked, still had clear egg gel floating around. The table next to us had the same issue. The fried chicken, which is beautiful looking, was strangely flavorless. Another table was also talking about this issue. Bacon was way overcooked as well. I also really dislike when food timing for a table is way off. I rather it stay in the kitchen under a heat lamp and come together rather that spend 5 minutes staring at my food being polite. So, for a fun "wow that's a ton of food" experience this is it. But I much prefer quality ingredients and attention to detail and flavor over unfinishable portions at a premium price point ($100 after tip for 2 ppl).

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    Richard Walker's Pancake House - The pancake

    Richard Walker's Pancake House

    4.0(4.5k reviews)
    2.3 miDowntown
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    Came here for Mother's Day brunch and, predictably, the place was absolutely buzzing with families!…read moreEven with the holiday crowd, the vibe was great and the energy was high. You can't come to Richard Walker's and not get the Dutch pancake. We went with the Apple Pancake (the fan favorite for a reason) and it was honestly out of this world. It's got that perfect contrast with super fluffy in the middle but with those amazing crispy edges. We also tried the Belgian waffle, which was exactly how it should be: crunchy on the outside and delicious throughout. What really blew me away, though, was the service. Despite it being one of the busiest days of the year, the staff was absolutely superb fast, friendly, and totally on top of it. If you're in Downtown San Diego, this is a must-visit for a solid, convenient breakfast. Highly recommend!

    You can't miss the sweet apple aroma when you walk by Richard Walkers Pancake House. It's simply…read moreambrosial! That's the delicious smell of their famous baked pancakes! An absolute must when dining here! Everything is made to order (just the way I like it). The baked pancake takes about 20 min, but totally worth it! Overall, service was on point- from start to finish! And the staff are friendly and pleasant! Very informative about the menu, making great recommendations for our table! The apple baked pancake was light and airy with an outer crisp! This house specialty is slow-baked to golden perfection with Granny Smith apples and a warm cinnamon glaze-chef's kiss! I will definitely be back for more!

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    Big Kitchen Cafe - breakfast_brunch - Updated May 2026

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