Popbellies honors military members with a free buffet every Wednesday
A chance encounter with veteran at a dumpster near the cellphone store he owns led Danny Mitchell to offer a weekly gesture at his Waycross restaurant to repay others for their service.
Every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Popbellies Seafood Steak & Grill, 1159 Ossie Davis Parkway, offers free food to those with a military or veterans ID.
“If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be here to do this,” Mitchell said. “We’re more than happy to do it.”
With restaurant staff and some local veterans and first responders looking on, veteran Steve Kiser presented Mitchell with an American flag, commemorative military coin and framed certificate of appreciation Thursday, September 3 for his attention to vets.
Kiser, a veteran of the U.S. Army and now a part-time paramedic with Ware County EMS, came up with the idea to recognize Mitchell after seeing a notice about the restaurant’s action.
“Places will do a small discount, but I don’t know anywhere else where a meal is free,” recalled Kiser, who said he was among a handful of veterans in his family. “I stopped in a couple of weeks ago and there were other guys there. I felt compelled to show (Mitchell) some appreciation in some way.”
Mitchell, who’s owned the restaurant since 2021, began the service about six weeks ago after his encounter with the Army vet. He discovered the soldier served 22 years before receiving an honorable discharge.
“I saw this guy digging for food out of the trash,” recalled Mitchell, who was moved to tears relating the story. “I spoke with him a few minutes and brought him down (to the restaurant) to get him something to eat. Everybody goes through hard times.”
Mitchell said he spent time talking with the man while he ate. He said their conversation included stories of the man’s service, which included action in Desert Storm.
When the man left, Mitchell said he remembered thinking, “if he’s in that position, how many other guys are like that? We need to take care of these guys.”
He said he talked with his wife on the best way to do that, including taking a percentage off a menu order or the buffet. They finally decided to make the buffet free all day once a week.
“Every night after we close, whatever food we have left we give to the homeless,” Mitchell said.
Offering the buffet during hours to vets would be an extension of that gesture. He also said being able to gather with others of similar backgrounds also might be therapeutic for them.
“They have a special bond by just serving,” Mitchell said.
The opportunity to again experience the camaraderie military service provides also was among the reasons that moved Kiser to recognize Mitchell and his restaurant.
“There’s a connection among everybody (after their service),” Kiser said. “What (Mitchell) has done is part of that.”
During a subsequent visit, Kiser also noticed the restaurant didn’t have a flag outside, hence one was included in his presentation.
“(Restaurant) needed a flag as part of what they’re doing for veterans,” Kiser said. “(Mitchell) is just a good, very giving guy.”
Beginning Thursday October 1, veterans will have a second outlet owned by Mitchell where they can get a buffet on the house. That’s the day he’s opening a restaurant in Patterson at 6475 E. Hwy. 84.
“That way (vets) can eat in (Waycross) on Wednesday, and if they want, in Patterson on Thursday,” he said.
Mitchell said he saw the man who provided the spark for his restaurant’s gesture to vets just two days before Kiser’s presentation.
“He came in and ate,” Mitchell recalled, smiling. “He said, ‘I’m spending my money today.’ He said he wanted to thank you. I was happy that maybe he was doing better after a little help.”
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