This Christmas Eve marks GLIDE’s first without Joe Betz, and our hearts are heavy as we honor his life and legacy.

As the owner of the iconic House of Prime Rib, Joe shared more than just meals with our community — he shared dignity, care, and joy. For more than 30 years, he and his family volunteered at GLIDE each Christmas Eve, serving hundreds of prime rib dinners to guests of our free meals program.

Because of Joe, thousands of people who could never afford a fine dining experience were treated to one — complete with warmth, respect, and generosity. When we think of Christmas at GLIDE, we think of Joe. He brought the same attention to detail, pride, and heart to our kitchen that he brought to his restaurant. When Joe walked down the stairs into the kitchen, you could feel it immediately: Joe was in charge and everything was going to be beautiful.

Joe was also a cherished friend of GLIDE co-founders, Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani. That friendship, nurtured over decades, reflected GLIDE’s deepest values of radical inclusion and unconditional love. In that spirit, we are honoring him by naming GLIDE’s free meals service line “Joe Betz Lane,” celebrating his lifelong generosity, hospitality, and compassion.

His legacy lives on. Today, our community will once again be feasting on prime rib, as his family continues this beloved tradition. Over the decades, we have served more than 75,000 prime rib dinners — and thanks to the Betz family, we’re just getting started.

This Christmas Eve, we send holiday peace and joy to our House of Prime Rib family. It’s never easy to lose a legend, but Joe will never be forgotten. His light continues to shine in our hearts — and now, forever, through every hot meal served at GLIDE, surrounded by love.