‘He’s part of the place’ : North Fort Myers restaurant celebrates beloved employee’s 25 years

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — In a world that moves fast, restaurants rebrand and menus get a makeover.

But at Smoke N Pitt Barbeque in North Fort Myers, you know what you’re getting: good barbecue and Adam Philippon.

“He was a little kid right out of school," Manager Trina Stubbe said. "His brother got him the job. It’s hard because he’s a fixture of this place. You come in here, you see Adam run around, he’s got a job for you, he misses you. It’s just — it’s just Adam.”

Twenty-five years ago, Adam started bussing tables and never left.

Stubbe says over the years, he’s become more than an employee.

“He’s like my son," she said. "He’s everywhere you want him to be and everywhere you don’t want him to be."

Customers, like Anna and Robert Hingson, say Adam feels like family.

“He sits down and talks to us before our meal comes, and he teases us a lot,” Anna said. “He always tells my husband if he gives him $5, he’ll take me.”

On Friday, the community Adam has served for two and a half decades decided it was his turn.

On his 25-year work anniversary, customers and coworkers surprised him with a celebration inside the restaurant. When Adam realized what was happening, the man who makes everyone else smile had the biggest grin in the room.

“If the world had the attitude that Adam has about work ethic and just getting along with people, we would all be so lucky,” Robert said.

After the party ended, customers left the way they always do: full of barbecue.

This time, customers we spoke to say Adam serves as a reminder of how to treat the next person they see.

When asked if he plans to stay another 25 years, Adam didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” he said.