ESPN writer was only 75% sure he’d tipped his LA waitress. Then a letter from 800 miles away moved her to tears

ESPN feature writer Roberto José Andrade Franco had already driven hundreds of miles from Los Angeles when a small doubt began eating at him: had he forgotten to tip his waitress at Langer’s Deli? Though he was "75% sure" he probably had left one, the possibility that he hadn’t bothered him enough to act. Convinced there was still a chance he had forgotten, Franco mailed the waitress a handwritten note with $50 from 800 miles away in El Paso, Texas. On August 14, 2026, the deli posted a photo of his letter on Facebook, drawing praise for his unusually thoughtful gesture. The story was also shared by CBS LA on August 22, 2026, which has received over 70,000 views since.

Heart-winning apology

In the letter, Franco explained that while he was eating out at Langer’s with his friends, he chose to pay the entire amount by himself since it was easier. But the talk and "math" among his friends on who would pay how much left him confused, and he left the deli without giving a tip. As he was driving to El Paso, he wondered if he left a tip. "I'm 75% sure I did. Of course, that leaves a 25% chance I didn't," Franco wrote. So, he slipped $50 in the envelope, along with every detail he could recall about the table he sat at that day, so the restaurant could track down the server and give her what she deserved.

Franco also elaborated on other details of his visit in the letter, including the time of day, information about the table where he sat, and a physical description of the server who served them. “Sending cash in an envelope is probably not my smartest idea, but I figured it was the easiest way to get this resolved,” Franco wrote in the letter. “I kindly ask that you give these $50 to our waitress along with my apologies.”

Standing in others' shoes

In the caption, the deli shared that Franco’s empathy stems from his previous job, where he worked as a server. “He knows exactly what that money means to the person carrying the plates,” the deli wrote, and added, “This letter made our whole week.” While speaking to TODAY, Franco admitted that as a former server, tipping is important to him. “I do remember it sticking with me when somebody would not tip, or when they would undertip,” he told the outlet. “You always remember the rude customers, and it really bothered me. I didn’t want to be that for somebody.”

Only if there were more people like Franco. A survey of 2,000 customers by Talker Research revealed that Americans spend nearly $500 tipping in eateries every year, but only a small number agree that they do so without any reluctance or obligation. Forbes cited research, according to which 95% of the surveyed customers reported tipping at least sometimes, and 76% said they tip always or often. Only 36% reported feeling happy, and only 33% reported feeling grateful after tipping.

'She remembers'

As for Franco, he is being lauded as an epitome of thoughtfulness and generosity. Casey Wolfe commented, “There is hope for the human race.” George Geary, CCP, said, “The best customer is someone who has/had worked in food service. They understand how difficult a job it is. Bless Roberto and Norm Langer.”

The funniest part is that nobody in the restaurant, including the owner Norm Langer or the server Sue, remembers the interaction they might have had with Franco. But when Langer gave Franco’s letter to Sue along with the $50, she was floored. “She really didn’t remember the whole interaction. Don’t forget, she waits on several customers every day, and this letter didn’t come in till a week later,” Langer told TODAY.

More on Scoop Upworthy

Waiter couldn't believe customer's $500 tip on a 65-cent bill — until he read her heartbreaking note

Man explains why it is important to tip the garbage collectors: 'I got a little tip for you'

Woman 'asked' to tip at a self-checkout counter in Los Angeles, sparks intense debate