A self-titled “Willies Addict,” Todd Winters, considers himself a regular diner at Willie’s Locally Known. Unfortunately for him, he’s one that no employee ever recognizes. On his last trip he had hoped to change his fate. “I was sure to make small talk with the staff last week,” Winters said, “and I even got a high five on my way out, so I was sure they’d know me this time.”

As luck would have it, Todd failed to make an impression again. “How’s your little boy?” he asked his waitress, who immediately reported him to the manager.

“What seems to be the trouble, Brian?” he asked the manager as he approached.

“Sure it might be hard to know what Willie’s is really known for. As it could be their signature blackberry habanero sauce or their slow cooked fall off the bone ribs or even their great till their gone burnt ends, but I mean my name’s Todd,” said the man who, a few moments previously, was assuring the manager that he wasn’t a threat to any of the staff. “I come in every Tuesday. I ask for a water with lime. I’m water with lime Todd.”

We asked some of the other staff if they recognized the alleged regular. “He sorta looks familiar. Why? Did I go to high school with him or something?” said Bethany, a server. “Some people stand out more than others. Like that guy,” she pointed to a man seated in a booth tossing peanut shells onto the floor. “He brings a bag of peanuts with him every week. Says he likes the way we do things here. I have to sweep it up ’cause it’s in my section. I’ve told him this isn’t Texas Roadhouse but he keeps on doing it. Classic that guy.”

As for Todd, this isn’t a new experience for him. He frequents several restaurants that don’t recollect him ever being there. “I got pretty close at Bourbon and Toulouse. They had a punch card where you’d get your 10th gumbo or jambalaya free, but when I turned it in they just asked me where I’d got it. ‘Who gave this to you?’” He showed us the punch card that he had taped back together.

Todd continued. “One time I was waiting for my dessert at O’Charley’s and they sat a booster seat next to me.  Then I had to spend another hour with a party of four from Covington. They ate most of my brownie.”

As we are waiting for Todd’s check to arrive, his server tells him that his debit card has been declined and that they need to see an ID.