ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - In South St. Petersburg, a colorful restaurant is making a bold statement - best food in town.

“Collard greens, baked beans, lima beans, steamed rice, potato salad," said Eric Atwater, listing off some of the sides he makes to a customer. He owns Atwater's Best BBQ & Soul Food.

Atwater is a hands on owner. He is always ready to serve a customer, especially if they have kids.

“Babies eat free, so they good. We got ‘em," he said to a family of four walking up to his restaurant. "Welcome to St. Pete, welcome to the St. Pete!”

'Kids eat for free' is spray painted on another sign for anyone to see. The idea came to him when kids were told they would not be returning to school thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Look baby J," said Sunshine Hawkins, with her five kids beside her. "You got a lot, look.”

“My mom used to tell me when I was a little boy, it’s better to give than to receive," said Atwater.

Giving is his secret ingredient.

“Honestly I was going to retire this year, but because of Corona and all the hype, I stayed to feed the people," said Atwater.

Many people in this part of St. Petersburg were hit hard by coronavirus. Many are still out of work, so a free meal for their kids goes a long way.

“I think that is really good, because some parents struggle, some on a daily basis," said I'Esha Snell, 13. “We usually get ribs, because they are really good.”

“I have been coming to Atwaters a lot. He has been feeding the community for years. That is who he is," said Hawkins. 

Atwater's has been in businesses since 1952. Eric's grandparents opened the place and it's been past down now three generations. He said his grandparents and parents took care of many people in the community by giving free meals. The act of giving is now a legacy Eric will continue, and so will his kids when they take over.

“We feed everybody, not just the kids," said Erica Atwater, his daughter.

"Something I believe is a very good thing. And I am glad we stopped, Because it saved us a few dollars, laughs. Kids eat free," asid James Webb, who stopped by his kids when he saw the sign.

“He likes to ask us how our day is going, he just treats us friendly," said Snell. "Sometimes some people are having bad days, and they don’t really want to talk to people, and just a smile and a good old comment will just make someone’s day.”

Atwater does not have an exact count on meals, but he puts it well above 1,000.