A staple of Thanksgiving celebrations in Orange County will not happen for the first time in nearly 40 years, as owners of the beloved La Casa Garcia restaurant made a tough decision to temporarily suspend the event that has fed thousands.
Frank Garcia has made a spot at the Thanksgiving table for anyone without a place to go, but this year the 80-year-old has his own battle with health issues to deal with, leading to the ultimate decision to discontinue the “We Give Thanks” community dinner.
“I can’t do none of that, but I can’t be there. It hurts me,” Garcia said, speaking about his beloved wife Sylvia, who is recovering from a stroke. “I can’t be there. Family is first.”
The two have been side-by-side every Thanksgiving since he opened his restaurant La Casa Garcia. In the years since, Garcia and his staff would stay up late into the night to prepare turkey and all the fixings for the guests that lined up for the feast.