It was the summer of 1999 and I had left the office to meet a new restaurant owner in town. This restaurant was located where El Encanto is now but when I stepped in to meet the owner I was intimidated because of the tough guy New York look he had.

I put my hand out and said, “hi, I am Brent Cruikshank of The Fountain Hills Times” and he said with a big smile “Nice to meet you I am Phil”. This was Phil Rodakis of Phil’s Filling Station. We sat down and talked about ads and just about where he came from and what he did before he bought the restaurant.

November of 1999 I was in a jam for money. I had a full time job with the paper but I was also in my early 20’s going to clubs and bars in Old Town Scottsdale, which at that time was starting the night life scene. In addition, to I was traveling to Vegas and just living it up when I could but what comes with that and the lifestyle I was living was money.

I decided to approach Phil for a part time job after learning he was looking for help. He said come in next week and start. I can’t recall if I filled an application out but he started me right away and my serving career took off.

I worked at Phil’s 3 to 4 nights a week and I loved it. I would come home with cash in hand but it also true what they say “When you make more you spend more”. I was also responsible to pay my bills but I still made sure I had my restaurant money on hand when the weekend arrived.

My biggest memory when I first started working at the restaurant was when I was balancing a tray of waters to deliver to a table. Phil was standing there talking to the table so I got real nervous. My nerves took over as I took two glasses off the tray to set down and the rest of the waters fell over onto a man’s head.

Luckily Phil had plastic cups but Phil looked at me and laughed and said Brent, Brent, Brent. Many owners would probably take you in the back and give you a talk but this was not Phil. Phil made sure the customer was ok and took care of them but he also takes care of his employees.

This is who Phil is. Phil is a giving person who goes out of his way for customers as well as his staff.

Phil opened at a new location and i tagged along. I was living in Mesa so I left for my full time job at the paper at 7:30 a.m. and worked at Phil’s at night returning back home around 10 p.m. three days a week.

Phil later moved his restaurant to his current location across from the Fountain. He did asked me if I would be interested in still working for him and of course I said yes. When he moved to his current location, I had worked there for 11 years.

I have met so many people working as a server including my wife, Gina. I contribute the restaurant job for helping me grow because of all the people I met over the years. The interactions you have with people while working helps you learn of all the different personalities in this town and the chance to know them on a personal level.

Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017 after working at Phil’s Filling Station for 18 years, I clocked out and locked the doors of the restaurant for the last time.

My father is retiring so I am taking on more responsibilities at The Times meaning I would have to give up my part time job with Phil. I walked into Phil’s office a few weeks back and that the time has come that I will have to be done there.

Phil said with a big smile, “I knew this day would come, but I am proud of you Brent”. Phil, to certain people who meet him, comes off as quiet, and some people even say rude. This is not Phil at all. Phil’s cares for this community, and he will go out of his way to make sure he takes care of you.

Fountain Hills has many great restaurants to choose from and I know all of the owners who work at these restaurants and they all go out of there way for their customers.

Phil’s Filling Station is different for me because it’s been a part of my life for 18 years. Phil’s daughter, Alyssa, said to me that she couldn’t believe I wouldn’t be working there forever but I will always be a part of the Rodakis family.

Phil always told people I was the brother he never had. I want to say thank you for giving me that chance, Phil. I really loved working at the restaurant. The people I met along the way and the experience in general will be a memory I will never forget.

People always say “wow how did you work there for 18 years, that’s crazy”. I don’t think I was crazy I think I was lucky to.