Concern grew quickly when longtime customer Charlie Hicks missed a meal at his usual Florida spot.

Once you discover a restaurant that feels like home, it is easy to fall into a routine that brings comfort every day. Many people end up visiting the same place often because it becomes part of their daily rhythm, and that is exactly what happened with longtime customer Charlie Hicks.

After trying the Shrimp Basket in Pensacola, Florida, Charlie became such a fan of the seafood spot that he began dining there twice a day for the next ten years. At lunchtime, he always ordered gumbo with light rice and no cracker. Then he returned for dinner and enjoyed the same meal again, making it a true daily tradition.

“Mr. Hicks don’t miss no days,” one of the restaurant’s chefs, Donnell Stallworth, told CBS News. “We open the doors up, Mr. Hicks is there to greet us.”

Because Charlie had eaten two meals a day at the restaurant for a full decade, the staff immediately sensed something was wrong when he did not come in for several days in September 2025. His absence stood out quickly, and everyone grew uneasy as the days passed.

After he missed the first day, employees called his home. Charlie answered and explained that he was sick. A staff member then drove over and dropped off his gumbo at the door, just as he requested, because he did not want to risk getting anyone else sick. But on the third day, when the team called again, the phone rang without an answer and went straight to voicemail, which made their worry spike.

Feeling that something was off, Chef Donnell stopped what he was doing in the middle of his shift and drove straight to Charlie’s apartment. When he knocked, he heard no response, and that silence made him even more concerned.

By December 2025, Charlie was strong enough to return to his regular visits. Donnell was thrilled to see his “buddy” come through the doors again, and the close call only strengthened their bond even more.

Determined not to let him recover alone, staff continued bringing his usual gumbo order straight to the hospital. They wanted him to keep the comfort of his favourite meal while he healed.