I'm kinda the same, only for me it's been decades. But I will forever remember Applebee's fondly because that's where I first discovered fried mozerella sticks and marinara sauce. It was a religious experience, and for a couple of years I went whenever I had money and opportunity just to eat those. Can't say I remember eating anything else there; I must have, at least the first time.

Applebee's mozerella sticks are like Taco Bell tacos: they may not be the best quality, but if that was your introduction, nothing else can be quite as good in quite the same way.