For ten years, one man followed the same routine at a small restaurant in Pensacola, Florida. Every day, twice a day, he walked into the Shrimp Basket and ordered the same meal. His name was Charlie Hicks, and he was 78 years old.
For lunch and dinner, he always asked for a cup of gumbo, with less rice and no crackers. The staff knew his order by heart, and his seat was always waiting.
A Familiar Face at Every Meal
Charlie was more than just a regular customer. To the staff, he felt like part of the restaurant. Chef Donell Stallworth said Charlie never missed a day. When the doors opened, Charlie was already there, smiling and ready to eat. His routine was so exact that workers joked they could tell the time by his arrival. Sources stated, Charlie’s presence was as reliable as the restaurant’s opening hours.
One day in September, everything changed. Charlie did not come for lunch. Then he did not come for dinner. The next day, he was still absent. The staff began to worry. This had never happened before.
When Silence Felt Wrong
Chef Stallworth knew something was not right. After several days, he decided to act. In the middle of his shift, he left the restaurant and drove to Charlie’s apartment.
He knocked on the door many times, but there was no answer. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a weak voice calling for help.
A Door Opened Just in Time
Inside the apartment, Charlie was lying on the floor. He had been there for days. He was badly dehydrated and had two broken ribs.
Stallworth immediately got help. Doctors later said that if no one had come, Charlie might not have survived.
Care That Did Not End at the Hospital
After Charlie was taken to the hospital, the restaurant staff did not forget him. They brought his favorite gumbo to his hospital room.
Later, they helped him find a new apartment right next to the Shrimp Basket. They wanted to be close, so they could check on him every day. The team also helped fix the apartment and bought new appliances to make it comfortable.
Back to the Same Table
Three months later, Charlie walked back into the Shrimp Basket. The staff welcomed him like family. He sat at his favorite table and ordered the same gumbo once again. The routine continued, but something had changed. The connection between Charlie and the people around him was stronger than ever. For them, he was no longer just a customer. He was family.
The restaurant has received widespread acclaim for their exceptional service and compassion.
Watch the video here:
@nothing.but.the.news man ate at the same Florida restaurant every day for a decade. When he stopped showing up, the chef went looking for him.
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