Rams that keep us running: Mike Miles and Amir Minas’ friendship and fRAMily pride

By Dylan Pichnarcik

Associate Editor

Black pants, black shirts, and a black baseball cap - no, they aren’t Hollywood stars trying to avoid the paparazzi. However, they might just be campus celebrities. 

If you’ve been to Ram’s Den Grille - chances are you’ve met Mike Miles and Amir Minas, both campus restaurant supervisors for FSU’s Dining Services. 

Mike has worked for Dining Services for 16 years. Amir joined him at The Grille eight years ago after owning a convenience store in Boston for 14 years. 

A typical day for the two begins at 3 p.m. starting with restocking and preparation for the evening's dinner service. 

During the evening, both work to take orders, prepare late-night snacks, and serve students who need a late-night study spot or a place to hang out with friends.

In addition to his tasks at The Grille, Mike makes cold brew on Sundays for the on-campus Dunkin’ and Red Barn Cafe. 

If you haven’t been to The Grille, it is tucked next to the McCarthy Center Forum and is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

The Grille is an à la carte dining option on campus that accepts cash, credit cards, Ram’s Cash, and Dining Dollars. 

Its extensive menu features popular items such as a campus favorite - the chicken bacon ranch quesadilla - along with burgers, fries, chicken tenders and wings, and a Thursday night special - fried dough. 

Mike said he was grateful for his schedule at The Grille, and it gave him the opportunity to have the summers off, spend time with his wife, and raise his son. 

Mike and Amir - self-proclaimed best friends - said they have enjoyed working together and see each other frequently during semester breaks. 

Mike said, “He’s my best friend, he really is.”

He added when Amir joined Dining Services, he trained him on how to work in food service. 

“Amir came in halfway through my 16 years here, he was great. He followed me around for two weeks, and our relationship became not just work, but we hang outside of work.” 

Amir agreed with Mike that their friendship blossomed during his weeks in training. 

In addition to their friendship, Amir and Mike said they value the relationships they’ve formed with students. 

“It makes me feel very happy, especially after you serve students something that you like. It's that ‘Oh, thank you, it looks very nice. It looks great.’ It makes me happy - It makes me very happy,” Amir said. 

Mike said, “The first year, freshman year, sophomore year, they’re just learning. And then before you know it, you get to talk to them and it's like in a restaurant, a regular customer or whatever. You know what they eat, you know what they like.”

He added the two met and formed a connection with a student who during his freshman year wore a Philadelphia Eagles jersey. “We started saying ‘Oh jeez, you’re an Eagles fan.’

“Now, he comes in every day and we know everything about him,” Mike said. 

Amir added he enjoys talking with the student about football and the student now wears Patriots gear.

If you’re looking for a recommendation on what to order at The Grille take Mike and Amir’s advice, a grilled buffalo chicken quesadilla with American cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. 

When asked what the most popular menu item at The Grille was, Amir was hesitant. However, Mike chuckled and nudged Amir, “Come on, you know. Which one?” he said. 

To which Amir responded, the chicken bacon ranch quesadilla. 

Kianna Bauer, equal opportunity and Title IX specialist, said her order at The Grille is a buffalo chicken quesadilla, which was recommended to her by a dispatcher in the FSU Police Department.

Bauer said she met Mike and Amir while working at The Snack Bar and they are “the best!” 

Sabrina Grammatic, program coordinator for the Center for Student Experience & Career Development, said her favorite menu item at The Grille is three chicken tenders. 

She said Mike and Amir are very nice and she always enjoys her time at The Grille. 

Senior César Matos said his favorite meal at The Grille is a chicken bacon ranch quesadilla, and that Mike and Amir “do a phenomenal job.” 

Junior David Singh said he orders the grilled chicken quesadilla. 

Senior Oscar Rubyck said he switches his order at The Grille, alternating between a chicken bacon ranch quesadilla or boneless buffalo wings with barbecue sauce. 

He said Amir and Mike are “awesome and make really good food, so I really recommend them.”