Local Restaurant's Regular Customer Leaves Town, Chef's Loyalty Proves Unbreakable
For a decade, Charlie Hicks, an 78-year-old man from Pensacola, Florida, walked into the Shrimp Basket restaurant for lunch and dinner every day. His order remained unchanged - a cup of gumbo, light on rice, with no cracker added. The chef, Donell Stallworth, had grown accustomed to Hicks' daily visits and could easily set his clock by him.
But in September, Hicks vanished from the scene, leaving Stallworth worried sick. The chef took matters into his own hands, driving to Hicks' apartment to check on him. What he found was alarming - Hicks was lying on the ground, severely dehydrated, and had two broken ribs. Stallworth immediately called for help, and thanks to prompt medical attention, Hicks survived.
However, the incident only strengthened the bond between Hicks and the Shrimp Basket staff. The restaurant's employees rallied around him, helping him find a new apartment right next door, so they could keep a watchful eye on him. They even gifted him with new appliances and fixed up his place to ensure his comfort.
Three months after his accident, Hicks returned to the Shrimp Basket, where Stallworth welcomed him back with open arms. The familiar routine resumed, with Hicks sitting down at his favorite table, ordering his favorite dish, and receiving a warm greeting from Stallworth.
"We made a connection," Hicks told CBS News in an interview. "We made a connection."
For Stallworth, having Hicks living next door has been a blessing. "He's that uncle, he's that grandfather, he's that best friend - he's all in one," the chef said, highlighting the depth of their relationship.
The Shrimp Basket staff has proven that loyalty and dedication can transcend even life's most challenging moments. As Stallworth put it, "Having Mr. Hicks next door is the best thing going."
For a decade, Charlie Hicks, an 78-year-old man from Pensacola, Florida, walked into the Shrimp Basket restaurant for lunch and dinner every day. His order remained unchanged - a cup of gumbo, light on rice, with no cracker added. The chef, Donell Stallworth, had grown accustomed to Hicks' daily visits and could easily set his clock by him.
But in September, Hicks vanished from the scene, leaving Stallworth worried sick. The chef took matters into his own hands, driving to Hicks' apartment to check on him. What he found was alarming - Hicks was lying on the ground, severely dehydrated, and had two broken ribs. Stallworth immediately called for help, and thanks to prompt medical attention, Hicks survived.
However, the incident only strengthened the bond between Hicks and the Shrimp Basket staff. The restaurant's employees rallied around him, helping him find a new apartment right next door, so they could keep a watchful eye on him. They even gifted him with new appliances and fixed up his place to ensure his comfort.
Three months after his accident, Hicks returned to the Shrimp Basket, where Stallworth welcomed him back with open arms. The familiar routine resumed, with Hicks sitting down at his favorite table, ordering his favorite dish, and receiving a warm greeting from Stallworth.
"We made a connection," Hicks told CBS News in an interview. "We made a connection."
For Stallworth, having Hicks living next door has been a blessing. "He's that uncle, he's that grandfather, he's that best friend - he's all in one," the chef said, highlighting the depth of their relationship.
The Shrimp Basket staff has proven that loyalty and dedication can transcend even life's most challenging moments. As Stallworth put it, "Having Mr. Hicks next door is the best thing going."
cant wait 2 see wut other crazy good things happen @ dis restaurant!!!
, but honestly, I think Donell Stallworth was being a bit too clingy by checking on him at his apartment and gifting him with new appliances 
. Like, personal space, man! And what's next? Showing up at people's birthday parties uninvited? 
It's just weird.
. Newsflash: you can be friends with someone without needing to know every single detail about their life, including their medical history and living situation 
. It's just too much.
The story of Charlie Hicks and Donell Stallworth is just amazing 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to be part of a community like that? It's so heartwarming to see how they all came together to help each other out in a time of need 
. Stallworth's dedication to his customers is inspiring - 10 years of knowing Hicks' order down to the cracker-free gumbo must've been no easy feat, but he made it work 
.
.
But what's even more amazing is that the staff rallied around him and helped him get back on his feet 
They even fixed up his place so he could live right next door 
It's like they say, loyalty knows no bounds and this story just proves it 
. I mean, can you imagine how worried that chef must've been when he found out what happened to Mr. Hicks? Thankfully, it all worked out for the best! 
The fact that Shrimp Basket staff rallied around him and helped him get back on his feet (literally) is just incredible 
. It's clear they genuinely care about each other as a family 
. So, yeah, loyalty and dedication really do exist in this world, and it's beautiful to see 
. I love how the staff took it upon themselves to help Hicks get settled after his accident - talk about community vibes 
.
but in a good way! 
. It's proof that good vibes and kindness can get you far 
. Shrimp Basket has definitely earned itself a loyal fan base 
!