Known affectionately as "Judy the Beauty on Duty," Forman suffered a heart attack following the pandemic, which sidelined her from regular operations at The Big Kitchen. Compounded by mounting tax penalties that led to a government seizure of funds from her personal bank account, Forman now finds herself in dire financial straits, struggling to cover rent and living costs. Despite the hardship, The Big Kitchen remains open, still dishing out its famously hearty breakfasts and soul-nourishing hospitality.
The GoFundMe page, titled Très Bien Fund for JUDY FORMAN, makes clear that the need is urgent. "Her recovery has been long and difficult," the page explains, "and impacted her ability to manage the business." It also describes Judy’s iconic eatery as far more than a breakfast joint, noting that for over 45 years it has served as an "unofficial social service agency without the benefit of nonprofit status."
The Big Kitchen has always been more than a restaurant - it’s a beacon. Since taking over the funky Fern Street lunch counter in 1980, Forman has cultivated a haven for San Diegans of every stripe: activists, artists, drag queens, nuns, musicians, misfits, and even a young Whoopi Goldberg, who washed dishes there before her Broadway debut.
In fact, a 1986 article captured just how legendary Forman’s café had already become only a few years into her tenure. At the time, Judy was not just feeding the neighborhood - she was organizing peace marches, hosting fundraisers for AIDS awareness and environmental causes, and rallying Golden Hill behind a progressive vision of community engagement. She dubbed herself the "Mayor of Golden Hill," and her café doubled as a clearinghouse for ideas, activism, and relationships. "If you need something," one regular said, "first thing you do is come to the Big Kitchen. Chances are you’ll connect."
The Big Kitchen became the kind of place where you pour your own coffee - and everyone else's - where regulars ran tabs on the honor system, and where you might sit elbow-to-elbow with an opera singer, a tarot reader, or a city council member. Judy offered meals in exchange for murals, music, or even sweeping the sidewalk. One customer recalled: "You don’t get your soul fed at Denny’s."
Today, Forman still lives in the same modest Golden Hill apartment she moved into in 1979, when she was a Detroit social worker seeking a fresh start. Her commitment to social justice and grassroots community-building has remained unwavering through the decades, even as the neighborhood around her has gentrified and transformed.
The fundraising campaign describes Judy as “one-of-a-kind,” and it’s no exaggeration. Her kindness, eccentric charm, and fierce dedication to inclusivity have made The Big Kitchen a San Diego institution—recognized not just for its massive omelets and quirky decor, but for its role in fostering a more compassionate, connected world.
In launching the GoFundMe, her supporters are now hoping the community will return the favor. The page encourages fans to donate, drop by for a bite, or share their Big Kitchen memories. More than anything, it’s a chance to support a woman who has fed both stomachs and spirits for generations.
To contribute, visit the Très Bien Fund for Judy Forman on GoFundMe or stop by The Big Kitchen Café at 3003 Grape Street in San Diego's South Park. Because at The Big Kitchen, everyone’s a star - and right now, the star who made it all possible needs a little help to keep shining.
In fact, a 1986 article captured just how legendary Forman’s café had already become only a few years into her tenure. At the time, Judy was not just feeding the neighborhood - she was organizing peace marches, hosting fundraisers for AIDS awareness and environmental causes, and rallying Golden Hill behind a progressive vision of community engagement. She dubbed herself the "Mayor of Golden Hill," and her café doubled as a clearinghouse for ideas, activism, and relationships. "If you need something," one regular said, "first thing you do is come to the Big Kitchen. Chances are you’ll connect."
The Big Kitchen became the kind of place where you pour your own coffee - and everyone else's - where regulars ran tabs on the honor system, and where you might sit elbow-to-elbow with an opera singer, a tarot reader, or a city council member. Judy offered meals in exchange for murals, music, or even sweeping the sidewalk. One customer recalled: "You don’t get your soul fed at Denny’s."
Today, Forman still lives in the same modest Golden Hill apartment she moved into in 1979, when she was a Detroit social worker seeking a fresh start. Her commitment to social justice and grassroots community-building has remained unwavering through the decades, even as the neighborhood around her has gentrified and transformed.
The fundraising campaign describes Judy as “one-of-a-kind,” and it’s no exaggeration. Her kindness, eccentric charm, and fierce dedication to inclusivity have made The Big Kitchen a San Diego institution—recognized not just for its massive omelets and quirky decor, but for its role in fostering a more compassionate, connected world.
In launching the GoFundMe, her supporters are now hoping the community will return the favor. The page encourages fans to donate, drop by for a bite, or share their Big Kitchen memories. More than anything, it’s a chance to support a woman who has fed both stomachs and spirits for generations.
To contribute, visit the Très Bien Fund for Judy Forman on GoFundMe or stop by The Big Kitchen Café at 3003 Grape Street in San Diego's South Park. Because at The Big Kitchen, everyone’s a star - and right now, the star who made it all possible needs a little help to keep shining.
