It’s no secret that my favorite place in Brooklyn to hang out is Applebee’s. From the atmosphere, to the great food – to the awesome staff – I was once told by a hostess named Debbie that I should just fill out an application and work there. In the last few months, I have become friends with almost everyone who works there. I have hung out with them outside of work, gone to dinner with them – and even had them over my house. And while all of that is a lot of fun – it is the honor I received last Friday that made me realize why I love Applebee’s so much.

I was driving with my friend Lisa passed Applebee’s last Friday afternoon when she suggested that we stop in for a drink. When we entered the bar, we realized that it was Hawaiian Day – and that the entire staff was decked out in Luau regalia. After greeting everybody I knew and sitting at a table, Lisa and I were joined by Matt, a server and friend, who gave me one of his Hawaiian shirts that he brought with him so I could look more festive. After a few drinks and some wings, Sal, the restaurant’s general manager, came to our table and said hello. He then told me that each Applebee’s restaurant has decided to choose their best customer – and honor them with a name plaque that will be placed on the bar by the seat of their choice…

…he then told me that the managers and staff chose me for that honor.

In complete shock, I thanked him profusely and told him how honored I was by that gesture. Since the first day I walked into Applebee’s, I knew that it would be my new hangout, since I no longer have a homebar of my own. And from day one, I have developed a great relationship with the staff members to the point where they know me as well as I know them. I have brought so many friends to the restaurant and spent so much money there that I should have a set of keys to the place. In fact, when I showed up one night after they closed to meet some staffers to attend a party at Jim’s Marina in Gerritsen Beach, Keith, one of the managers, let me in and gave me a few cold ones – and told me that everyone thinks that I am their best customer.

Until the plaque is placed on the bar, Sal gave me a nametag that says, “Paul: Honorary Neighbor.” And when my name is engraved into the bar, I will clearly invite all of my friends to attend the event, which will be followed by plenty of good food and cold drinks. I am truly touched by the fact that the staff chose me as their best customer, and I genuinely appreciate it. I love to meet people and make new friends, and it means the world to me that everyone who works at Applebee’s considers me their friend too. To me, the best part about life is the experiences that are truly unique and are worthy of remembering. And while going to Applebee’s is always one of those experiences – I can’t wait to see my name placed on my favorite bar – where everybody will now, truly, know my name.

Thanks guys...very, very much.