ON The DELO EP 177: How to Build Places Locals Love | Mikis Troyan on Hospitality & Design

Step into Episode 177 of On the Delo as David DeLorenzo sits down with hospitality builder Mikis Troyan—the behind-the-scenes operator who helped launch American Junkie, co-founded Clive Collective, and now steers concepts like CALA, Tell Your Friends, and Neon Spur. 

From Phoenix roots and a real-estate grind (think 600–700 foreclosure homes a year) to design-driven restaurants and bar programs, Troyan lays out the unvarnished reality of building places locals actually love—and what’s next: Kuza (robata + hand rolls) and a downtown Phoenix trio (Love Call, Ada, Kuza Tori).

Chapter Guide (Timestamps):

(00:15 - 01:36) Intro & long ties: Episode 178, decades-long friendship, and fathers who’ve known each other ~50 years.

(01:46 - 04:09) Origin story: Phoenix-born; real name Michael; family called him “Matthew”; nickname “Mikis”; Chaparral → SDSU → LA (PA gigs, CAA) → back to help dad; foreclosure wave (600–700 sales/yr).

(04:09 - 06:23) Jump to hospitality: American Junkie → Ride Hospitality Group → founding Clive Collective (CALA, Tell Your Friends, Neon Spur); why he prefers staying off-camera.

(06:23 - 07:52) Family & leadership: 15-year marriage (March), kids Asher (9½) and Ivy (7½); team-first ops.

(07:52 - 11:20) Design lens → CALA: Value-engineering (“if you can’t touch it, it doesn’t have to be real”); hotel partner Tyler Kent; vibey Mediterranean gap; patio built from scratch; opened in ~4 months; PV Mall #2 targeted next.

(11:27 - 12:22) Food matters: Chef Bo’s role; why timing made the partnership click post-Sanctuary.

(13:30 - 15:29) Neon Spur & Tempe’s revival: A country-lean dive on Mill Ave; landlord vision + Mayor Corey; why the opportunity was a no-brainer.

(18:08 - 19:34) CALA reality check: Open 7 days (hotel F&B), breakfast/lunch/dinner daily, brunch daily; seasonal menu updates.

(21:24 - 23:06) Tell Your Friends: Basement lounge under The Americano; partners Dave Sellers & Bob Agahi; designer Paul Basile; global Bar & Restaurant Design Awards nod; Thu–Sat live music; Americano menu available downstairs.

(23:31 - 25:32) Kuza: Robata, sushi, hand rolls in the former Chauncey Social space; aiming for October; Bo is crafting the menu.

(25:43 - 27:44) Downtown trio: Love Call (dark neighborhood bar), Ada (mostly outdoor, seafood-lean), Kuza Tori (alley-entry listening bar with hand rolls) with Intersection Development (see “Rainbow Road” apartments shout-out).

(28:25 - 31:55) People, seasonality & habits: Why summer slumps test Phoenix operators; his 6am news + breakfast routine, kids at St. Francis, Thursday date nights.

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