There’s one place in Bowling Green I can always go. It might be 4 a.m., I might be bored or just hungry. I might want to chat with a good friend, or two, or 10. And this one place can fill any of these needs any time of the day.

That place is Steak ‘n Shake.

I can’t even count how many times I’ve strolled into the 24-hour diner with one, two, five or 10 friends on a late night. Actually, I’ve only gone during the night since I’ve been in college.

When I first came to Western, we just went there because it’s pretty much the only thing open late. The 1950s-like diner is just the place to be to get out of the house at 1 a.m. or to satisfy late-night hunger. Well, it’s pretty much the only place to be at that time. I used to think that if I lived in a bigger city, these late night cravings would be fulfilled at a classier establishment. But since then, I’ve really grown to like the place.

Last week, a friend of mine and I got a free meal. A few weeks before our midnight visit, he had come with another friend and had an awesome server. One thing led to another and soon enough, they had talked to the server for more than a half an hour. They joked that they pretty much learned her life story that night.

Last week when my friend and I ordered our milkshakes, fries and chili, she was again our server. She had forgotten my friend Andrew’s name. She claims it’s because she was working third shift and all thinking had gone out of the window. I gave her hints.

“A shortened version of it is part of an old show, a very family-oriented show,” I said, referring to “The Andy Griffith Show.”

She just looked confused.

“Oh, come on, everyone knows this show,” I said. “It’s set in a town called Mayberry.”

She still looked confused.

“Andy Griffith,” I said.

“Oh, Andrew,” she exclaimed. “I knew that.”

She and Andrew went on to discuss work, namely her job and his. I listened, as what you’re reading right now is my only job. They talked for a good while … after all, it was a weeknight and it was third shift.

Then, she gave us our meal for free. She said it was because she enjoys customers like us who keep coming back. We were pretty pumped.

I’ve also found entertainment at this late night diner. Sometimes, you run into the drunk crowd that pops in after 1 a.m. Around Halloween, a guy dressed as a nun mistook my friend for a local stripper named Charity Jones. His table and some of the rest of the restaurant chanted Charity’s name in hopes of her giving them a lap dance. Yeah … that was an interesting night.

Or take my freshman year, for example. Some friends and I wandered into the establishment at about 2 a.m. and took a booth conveniently located in front a drunk guy. The guy began to hit on one of my friends. It was two years ago, so I don’t remember every word that was said. I just remember he was really persistent … like, more than a normal person would be when trying to get some action. She was pretty creeped out. We, however, thought it was hilarious.

And there have been all those other times in between. Nobody mistakes my friend for a stripper, no drunk man hits on someone and we don’t get a free meal. Instead, we just have a normal dining experience.

I order some sort of a milkshake and french fries with honey mustard sauce. I have to have the honey mustard or I just don’t eat my fries. My one, two or 10 friends also order.

Steak ‘n Shake is the best after event. After long production nights, the Herald staff sometimes frequents the place. Or, after a party or some other social event. Or when there’s nothing better to do and I just want out of my apartment.

Then we discuss life. This is probably my favorite part. Steak ‘n Shake has provided me with more bonding experiences than I can count.

I think I want to take this last part to profess my love to Steak ‘n Shake.

At first, you were some funky diner with waiters wearing paper hats. But you never closed and my friends and I took full advantage.

Then, your french fries dipped in honey mustard sauce soon became a craving. In fact, your french fries are pretty much my favorite french fries. And those milkshakes … who could resist?

Closer friendships and bonds have been formed over the paper menus and ketchup racks. I don’t think I’d be as good of friends with some people if it weren’t for you.

Steak ‘n Shake … I love you.

Reach Nina Bosken at diversions@chherald.com.