He Ate At The Same Restaurant Every Day. When He Didn’t Show Up, The Chef Went Looking

December 15, 2025

At a restaurant in Pensacola, Florida, one man’s daily lunch order quietly became a sign that something was wrong.

For nearly 10 years, 78-year-old Charlie Hicks followed the same routine at the Shrimp Basket. He came in twice a day—once for lunch and once for dinner—and ordered the same meal every time: a cup of gumbo, light on the rice, no cracker. The consistency was so reliable that staff members didn’t need to ask what he wanted.

So when Hicks didn’t appear one day, the absence was impossible to ignore.

Donell Stallworth and Charlie Hicks / CBS News

Chef Donell Stallworth had grown used to seeing Hicks at the door as soon as the restaurant opened. When days passed without him, Stallworth knew it wasn’t normal. Trusting his instincts, he left work during his shift and drove to Hicks’ apartment to check on him.

When repeated knocks went unanswered, Stallworth was about to leave—until he heard a faint voice calling for help.

Inside, he found Hicks on the ground. It wasn’t clear how long he had been there, but he was severely dehydrated and had suffered two broken ribs. Stallworth immediately got him the help he needed, likely saving his life.

Hicks was hospitalized, but he wasn’t forgotten.

Employees from the Shrimp Basket began bringing his favorite gumbo to the hospital, making sure a familiar comfort stayed with him during recovery. The support continued once he was ready to leave. The restaurant staff helped find him a new apartment located right next door to the restaurant, allowing them to check in on him regularly. They also helped furnish the space with new appliances and made repairs to ensure it was safe and comfortable.

Three months after his fall, Hicks returned to the place that had become his second home.

As Stallworth put it, “He’s that uncle. He’s that grandfather. He’s that best friend. He’s all in one.”