When a regular at his restaurant stopped showing up, the chef went looking for him

[progree]

Last edited Sat Dec 13, 2025, 08:23 AM - Edit history (2)

CBS, 12/12/25
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/when-a-regular-at-his-restaurant-stopped-showing-up-the-chef-went-looking-for-him/ar-AA1SfHMJ

Pensacola, Florida — At the Shrimp Basket restaurant in Pensacola, Florida, one customer has been a constant presence. For lunch, he always orders a cup of gumbo, light on the rice, and asks to hold the cracker.

He also puts the same order in again for dinner. Charlie Hicks, 78, has had the same standing order, every day, twice a day, for 10 years.

Shrimp Basket chef Donell Stallworth says you could set your clock by Hicks.

"Mr. Hicks don't miss no days," Stallworth told CBS News. "We open the doors up, Mr. Hicks is there to greet us."

Hicks was omnipresent at the Shrimp Basket until September, when he suddenly didn't show up for several days.

There's a video along with the full text story. The video has segments showing the chef hospital bed-side with a cup of gumbo, and the new apartment about a stone's throw from the restaurant, and with chef and staff installing new appliances.

[Tanuki]

1. Makes me want to go to Pensacola,

just to eat at the Shrimp Basket! Thanks for posting this lovely story.

[Lochloosa]

2. They have really good food. Definitely try the Gumbo.

[Tanuki]

12. I see that they have three locations.

Do you know which one is featured in the story?
https://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&client=ms-android-att-us-revc&source=android-browser&q=shrimp+basket+pensacola

[Lochloosa]

15. I've only gone to the one off I-10. Navy Blvd. My brother and I ate there when my father was in the hospital.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. 💧❤️

[ms liberty]

4. K&R

[justhanginon]

5. A beautiful way to start my day and I thank you for posting that. There is hope!

[niyad]

6. Damned onions!

[Martin Eden]

7. THIS is what makes America truly GREAT

Not skin color, religion, or where you were born.

What these people did for Mr. Hicks enriched the lives of all who were part of it, regardless of any out-of-pocket expenses.

I love the feel of onions in the morning.

[Farmer-Rick]

11. It's what I use to love about Vegas

I'm not much of a gambler. If I lose money, it no way motivates me to keep playing a game.

But going to Vegas was more than just playing a game you are going to lose. It was the crowds, the friendly staff, the people who cared how you were doing. Don't get me wrong not everyone cared. There were plenty of sore losers and surly waiters but overall, the caring nice people out weighed the grumpy, ignorant snobs.

Not anymore. Man I hate the place now. It feels too posh for me. It has been gentrified. And the prices, the hidden fees the gloomy looking players are all too uncaring to even notice you unless you are the only one in the place .. which happened several times. The crowds are gone and Los Vegas feels like a fancy outdoor mall now.

The Shrimp Basket reminds me of Vegas when it was fun.

[patphil]

22. They didn't need stupid red hats, all they needed were big hearts.

[OldBaldy1701E]

8. If you have not been there, you should.

I lived in Mobile for a year and we went to Pensacola all the time. (It was more fun to hang out there than in Mobile, at the time.)

Admittedly, this was almost forty years ago, but the area is just not like the rest of the state.

(This was true to a lesser extent along the western tip of the panhandle. But again, this was forty years ago.)

[GiqueCee]

9. Good news is rare these days...

... Thanks for this, and hats off to Mr. Stallworth and the wonderful people of the Shrimp Basket!

[karin_sj]

10. What a wonderful story

This is what our country is all about. Most Americans are good, caring people.Thank you so much for posting this story. I needed it this morning.

[MIButterfly]

13. What a heartwarming story.

There are still loving, caring, decent people left in this world.

Boy, do I need stories like this, especially during these dark days. It serves to remind me that all is not completely lost.

Thank you, progree, for posting this.

[appalachiablue]

14. What a great, uplifting story. Thanks much for posting! 🌞

[justaprogressive]

16. K'n'R!!!

[kimbutgar]

17. Wonderful story

Got a little tear in my eye.

i miss having a country and leader with humanity so it’s nice to remind me we still do have some humanity in this country !

[Wild blueberry]

18. Lovely tale of kindness

Chef's kiss!
Thank you.

[AllaN01Bear]

19. made my day.

[AllaN01Bear]

20. make him a employee as a greeter or something !!! dang nabbit.

[progree]

21. Thanks all for the thanks 😊❤️, I'm glad so many enjoyed. It also underlines the importance of being looked after

[GreenWave]

23. Great story!

[MustLoveBeagles]

24. What a great story

A nice reminder there is still good in this country 👍

[SunSeeker]

25. This is the Shrimp Basket at 709 N. Navy Boulevard (there are 5 Shrimp Basket locations in Pensacola).

https://www.pnj.com/picture-gallery/news/local/pensacola/2025/11/27/pensacola-man-saved-by-shrimp-basket-employees/87414219007/

https://shrimpbasket.com/locations/

[Tanuki]

28. Thank you!

[Deuxcents]

26. This was an On The Road episode with Steve Hartman..the only reason I watch CBS nightly news on Fridays

90 seconds of human interest stories that are heart warming, inspiring or just beautiful.

[JohnnyRingo]

27. What a remarkable story!

I needed that right now.
Thanx for posting