The iconic San Diego restaurant Kansas City BBQ, known as a filming location in “Top Gun,” opened its doors to active-duty service members on Thanksgiving.
“Family and friends, mostly thankful to God, for keeping us here every day,” Navy man Freely Jenkins said he was thankful for.
Jenkins is thankful for many other things, as well, including the many Thanksgiving memories he’s celebrated with family.
“I celebrate at home, you know: We do family gatherings, we do games, food games, you know … stuff like that,” Jenkins said.
This is the first year Jenkins is spending away from home.
“We’re out here for some training,” Benjamin Tellez told NBC 7.
Tellez among the many active-duty service members who couldn’t spend Thanksgiving with their loved ones.
“It’s tough, but you keep going,” Jenkins said. “It’s part of the military.”
The San Diego restaurant has spent the past 40-plus years making sure San Diego’s servicemen and -women have a place they can call home away from home.
Kansas City BBQ offered them a Thanksgiving buffet and multiple TV screens to catch the football game.
“Turkey is like the first thing, but obviously, seconds, being thankful,” Tellez said.
“Sweet potato pie, that’s what I’m looking for, sweet potato pie,” Jenkins said.
The tradition originated with the restaurant’s owner, Martin Blair.
Growing up in San Diego, Blair watched his parents invite enlisted sailors to share a Thanksgiving dinner and he’s carried on the tradition ever since.
“Our military gives us our freedom every day,” Melissa Edenfield said.
“I think that’s an awesome opportunity to have, especially for the veterans who don’t have family around, who don’t have anything to do, they’re able to come and have a good Thanksgiving meal and not have to worry about paying for anything,” Kia Comstock said.
The buffet will be open again on Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — or until the turkeys run out.