When Sarah, a staff member at Gambill’s Pastaria, arrived for work one morning, she noticed someone waiting patiently outside the front door.
It wasn’t a customer.
It was a small orange cat, sitting neatly as if he had a reservation.
Unsure how he’d react, Sarah approached him carefully. But the little visitor had no intention of being shy.
“He was super friendly,” restaurant owner Hunter Stone Gambill later shared.
The cat eagerly accepted pets, attention — and, it seemed, his new role.
The team quickly named him Cheeto, a nod to his bright orange coat. Before long, he’d also earned the nickname “Garfield,” after the iconic pasta-loving comic-strip legend Garfield. After all, what better place for an orange cat to show up than an Italian restaurant?
Over the next few days, Cheeto made himself completely at home on the patio. He greeted guests like a seasoned host, weaving between tables, soaking up affection, and curling up beside diners as if it were part of his official duties.
“Cheeto … loves attention, and seems to think he’s part of the staff,” the restaurant shared on Instagram.
And honestly? He wasn’t wrong.
Customers adored him. Staff members looked forward to seeing him. For a little while, it felt like the restaurant had gained its most charming employee yet.
But as much as everyone loved their furry greeter, they knew patio shifts weren’t what Cheeto truly needed. The restaurant sits along a busy Tulsa street, and his safety was a growing concern.
That’s when they contacted local rescuers Emily Shelton Gamel and Terry Gamel, who specialize in trap-neuter-release and foster work.
“When I saw Gambill’s post about feeding a cat at their front door, I got concerned for its safety due to the restaurant being on a busy street,” Emily explained.
They shared Cheeto’s photo in lost pet groups, hoping someone might be missing him. But no one came forward.
Fortunately, Cheeto didn’t have to wait long for his next opportunity.
Two Tulsa locals, George and Derek, had been searching for a calm, older companion for their own cat, Qai. The moment they heard about the affectionate orange stray-turned-host, they knew he was the one.
“Super chill. Super attentive,” Derek said.
When Cheeto met Qai, the connection was instant. No awkward introductions. No territorial drama. Just quiet acceptance — and plenty of cuddles.
Now, instead of clocking in for patio duty, Cheeto spends his days exactly how he prefers: lounging, snuggling, and being adored full-time.
“He is beyond our wildest dreams,” George shared.
Cheeto may have shown up looking for a meal, but he left with something much better — a forever home where he’s still treated like part of the family staff.
