Rochester's People's Choice Kitchen Celebrates 25 Years with Free Meals

Owner Evangela Stanley has made community service a priority at her restaurant.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

People's Choice Kitchen, a Rochester restaurant, celebrated its 25th anniversary on Sunday by providing free meals to longtime customers. Owner Evangela Stanley has been praised for her commitment to the community, regularly holding events to help those in need, including food and toy giveaways around the holidays and raising money for survivors of domestic violence.

Why it matters

People's Choice Kitchen's 25-year milestone is a testament to its owner's dedication to serving the local community. In an era when many small businesses struggle to stay afloat, this restaurant has thrived by putting community service at the forefront of its mission.

The details

To celebrate the 25-year anniversary, People's Choice Kitchen offered free meals to its longtime customers on Sunday. Several local political and nonprofit leaders attended the event to congratulate owner Evangela Stanley on her accomplishments. Stanley emphasized that her priority is ensuring everyone has access to a 'decent, great meal,' regardless of their ability to pay.

  • People's Choice Kitchen opened in 2001.
  • The 25th anniversary celebration took place on Sunday, March 1, 2026.

The players

Evangela Stanley

The owner of People's Choice Kitchen, who has been praised for her commitment to the local community and her efforts to provide meals to those in need.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“My customers, they are my extended family. So when a mom comes in or a dad or a kid and they're short on money, it's like a family. It doesn't matter how much money they have. I'm going to make sure they eat. It's pay what you can afford here. So it doesn't matter that the bottom line is. I want to make sure everyone has a decent, great meal.”

— Evangela Stanley, Owner, People's Choice Kitchen (whec.com)

What’s next

Stanley is currently collecting bikes to give away to kids for Easter.

The takeaway

People's Choice Kitchen's 25-year anniversary celebration highlights the importance of community-focused businesses that prioritize serving those in need, even in the face of economic challenges. Evangela Stanley's commitment to providing affordable, high-quality meals to all customers is an inspiring example of how small businesses can make a meaningful impact on their local communities.