Mountain View Restaurant Continues Thanksgiving Giveaway Tradition
MOUNTAIN VIEW (KCBS) – The owner of an upscale restaurant in downtown Mountain View is continuing a holiday tradition by offering a free Thanksgiving meal to all comers.
This is the 23rd year Don Giovanni owner John Akkaya has offered the complimentary meal.
"It's a traditional Thanksgiving meal – turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, peas, corn, gravy and stuffing," he said.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Akkaya, a Kurdish immigrant from Turkey, said he puts on the massive free feeding to show his appreciation.
"America has been so good to me. I have to say that I'm really very appreciative of America," Akkaya said. "I appreciate the community around me. It's just a wonderful community and everything is so beautiful."
He said that even though it is the one day of the year his restaurant doesn't make a dime, he wouldn't change that for the world. "This is my best day of the year."
Last year, more than 1,500 people showed up to the restaurant.
Don Giovanni is located at 235 Castro Street in Mountain View. No reservations are accepted and the meal takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Thursday.
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