At Sunnyboy Biscuit Company, Gabe Ferguson Makes Dining Out for Life Personal

By Cesar A Reyes

For Gabe Ferguson, Dining Out for Life is something he’s built a rhythm around, first as a participant and now as a restaurant owner. Long before Sunnyboy Biscuit Company became a Hillcrest staple, the event was a yearly tradition among his friends. “Each year, my friend group would look to support a new participating restaurant,” he says. “And each year our numbers grew.” What started as a simple night out turned into something more meaningful—a way to show up for the community while celebrating it at the same time. “It quickly became a beloved tradition,” he adds.

That sense of connection is what makes Sunnyboy’s involvement feel so personal. For the past five years, the restaurant has participated as a donating partner, turning plates of biscuits and comfort food into direct support for The San Diego LGBT Community Center. For Gabe, that mission hits close to home. “Like many young LGBTQ people, my family did not support me and left me to care for myself when I was very young,” he says. “My sexuality was a major factor.” During that time, organizations like The Center were lifelines. “I’ve had to turn to organizations like The San Diego LGBT Community Center for services and support,” he says. “That’s why it’s so important, especially right now, that we continue to support the critical services they provide.”

Dining Out for Life creates a simple but powerful exchange: restaurants feed their community, and in return, the community helps sustain vital resources for those who need them most. For Gabe, that exchange is deeply tied to his own story. “I experienced food insecurity as a child,” he says. “One way to find a meal was to offer my help to organizations that were feeding others.” That memory still shapes how he sees his role today. “Part of what makes me so happy to feed people is to satisfy that inner child,” he explains. On Dining Out for Life, that feeling is amplified—every meal served carries a little more weight, a little more intention.

This year, as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary, Sunnyboy Biscuit Company is taking its commitment even further by donating 100 percent of the day’s proceeds. For Gabe, it’s both a celebration and a statement. “We wanted to show how much we value the Center and the work they do in our community—my community,” he says. It’s also a reflection of how the event itself has grown. What started for him as a night out with friends has become something woven into the identity of Hillcrest. “It holds a special place in the heart of San Diegans,” he says.

Now, when guests walk into Sunnyboy on Dining Out for Life, they’re stepping into more than just a restaurant—they’re stepping into a story that’s come full circle. Gabe once moved through this event as a supporter, choosing where to dine. Today, he’s the one opening his doors, creating that same sense of welcome for others. And through it all, one WORD sticks with him: “CHERISHED.”