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IHOP hostess doesn't recognize Adam Sandler, comedian reacts on Twitter

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Updated  May 4, 2021 4:25pm EDT
People
FOX 5 NY

Adam Sandler on Long Island

Adam Sandler has been popping up around Nassau County. People don't always recognize him.

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. - Dayanna Rodas never thought a video she posted online would get 10 million views and counting. The 17-year-old hostess at IHOP in Manhasset lamented on TikTok about not having recognized celebrity Adam Sandler when he came into the restaurant on Sunday.

"He had a mask, obviously it's hard to recognize people, also he had a beard," Rodas said. "I've never seen Adam Sandler with a beard so I was like, 'I don't think it's him.'"

Surveillance camera video shows Rodas telling a very casually dressed Sandler that there was a 30-minute wait, so he decided to leave. She didn't realize until after that it was him but she still got some flak on social media for sending him away. Still, she says she'd do it again if she had to.

"I'd be like, 'Oh my god, you're back, I'm so sorry to tell you, but it's still going to be a 30-minute wait!'" Rodas said. "Obviously, it's not fair for anyone else, for anyone to cut the line, no matter who you are."

This isn't the first time Long Islanders say Sandler made a humble appearance. Just last week, Sandler showed up at a neighborhood basketball court in Port Washington to shoot hoops with local teens.

College student Alexander Longworth said Sandler was really nice to everyone.

"I see someone walking out of the car with a hood on and baggy shorts and I was like, 'No way — it's Adam Sandler,'" college student Alexander Longworth said. "He was guarding me and I was guarding him. He kept making funny comments to me about how tall I am and how strong I am, how he's getting too old for this. He's got a lot of ball fakes, he's a nice guy."

High school student Trevor Amalfitano said Sandler didn't act like was famous.

"He was like a total normal person, just playing basketball," Amalfitano said. "He didn't want anyone to be like, 'Whoa, you are Adam Sandler.'"

The boys on the court didn't ask Sandler why he was in town or if he lives around here. But they and the staff at IHOP all have the same message for him: Come back again soon!

On Monday, Sandler joked about the attention his IHOP experience has created.  He tweeted, "For the record, I only left the IHOP because the nice woman told me the all-you-can-eat deal didn't apply to the milkshakes."