A Florida chef is credited with saving one of his restaurant’s regular customers — and the details are like something straight out of a movie!
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Charles Hicks ate the same thing – a cup of gumbo, light on the rice, no cracker – at the Shrimp Basket for lunch and dinner every day for the past 10 years. Chef Donell Stallworth says the 78-year-old was a constant fixture at his Pensacola restaurant.
“Mr. Hicks don’t miss no day. We open the doors up, Mr. Hicks is there to greet us,” Stallworth told CBS News.
But in September, when Hicks didn’t show up for lunch or dinner several days in a row, Stallworth knew something was wrong and left the restaurant to check on Hicks at his home. He knocked several times and got no answer, but as he was turning to leave, Stallworth heard a faint voice on the other side of the door cry for help.
He opened the door and was shocked to discover his beloved customer on the floor.
“I didn’t know what his conditions was. That was the scariest part right there,” Stallworth said.
According to CBS News, Hicks was severely dehydrated and had two broken ribs when he was found inside his apartment. Fortunately, he was successfully transported to the hospital for treatment and has since been released.
Since his fall, the staff at the Shrimp Basket has made sure their favorite customer doesn’t miss another meal again. In addition to delivering Hicks’ go-to gumbo to him while he was in the hospital, they helped him find an apartment next to the restaurant so they can continue to check in on him regularly.
Hicks told CBS News that he has made a definite connection with the staff at the Shrimp Basket. Chef Donell Stallworth said they’re glad they were able to help some they consider part of the family.
“He’s that uncle. He’s that grandfather. He’s that best friend. He’s all in one,” Stallworth said.
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