Brian Miller: Part-Owner, “Panino on Central” (Brian is also featured under: “Accountants/Accounting Services”)

WHO HE IS: I (Bill) have known Brian since about 1999, when we met at an Entrepreneurial CPA Network (ECPAN) function. I knew I liked him when most of what we talked about had nothing to do with tax or accounting. We ended up serving together for three years on ECPAN’s Board of Directors, and Brian and his wife, Carol, have become friends of my Carol and me. I have had the opportunity to work with Brian and several of his clients with home purchases and refinance transactions (THANK YOU, BRIAN!). Something I have noticed while working with each of Brian’s clients is how much they appreciate his involvement in their financial well-being, and speak of Brian more as a friend than just their accountant.

WHAT HE DOES: Brian and Carol are part-owners in “Panino on Central”. Knowing how Brian works with people, and his long-time interest in cooking, it is no surprise that his restaurant exudes such friendliness and features such fine food. A September 2003 article in the Arizona Republic had this to say: “Year old 'Panino on Central' is bringing a smile to … neighborhood diners. What gives Panino most of its panache is the unhackneyed menu, a well-conceived document that treats diners as something other than lowest common denominators. And the prices are reasonable. Imagine an appetizer list without a single, deep-fried crunch.” And, “'Panino on Central' does what an independent neighborhood restaurant ought to do: It provides a nice setting, a welcoming staff, reasonable prices and a chef-driven menu that hasn’t been focus-grouped and market-tested at corporate headquarters to suit the chain-restaurant masses. Abandon hope? No way. You can enter 'Panino on Central' in complete confidence.”

Enjoy, and be sure to tell them bill@twomortgageguys.com sent you!!

HOW TO REACH:      Address:           5202 N. Central Avenue
                                                    Phoenix , AZ
                             Telephone:        602-336-1198
                             Hours:              Lunch, 11 am – 3 pm , M--F
                                                    Dinner, 5:30–10 pm , Tues--Sat

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Rob Roach:  Owner, “5 And Diner”, Chandler Pavilions (SE corner of I-10 and Ray Road )  

WHO HE IS: I (Bill) have known Rob since about 1986 when I started working at FFCA. As sometimes happens, we didn’t really hang out too much until after I left FFCA in 1997. Since then, Rob, much to his credit, has been one of few who have made the effort to keep a relationship going. As a result, he and I have become good friends through hikes, hockey games, family outings and even sharing each others’ 50^th Birthday parties together.  

WHAT HE DOES: Having known Rob for over 15 years, and seeing his level of hands-on involvement in the day-to-day operation of his restaurant, it comes as no surprise what a pleasant experience it is to visit his “5 and Diner”. For example, when I mentioned to another friend, Ken Garrett (See Accounting-Tax), that Rob was the new owner of the restaurant, Ken told me that he had gone to the restaurant in the past and found the food and service to be lacking. That is not the case, anymore. Next time you are in the area, stop in for a bite to eat. Chances are pretty good that Rob will stop by your table to make sure everything is as you would want it. Or, maybe his daughter Aubrey, who is helping him to establish a family-friendly atmosphere, will be the one. 

Either way, be sure to say “hello” for me!!