Hi, my name is…
Mike Russello, the proud owner and operator of Kasai Japanese Steakhouse, a teppanyaki restaurant company where food, fire, and fun make for an unforgettable experience.
I chose to open my newest location in Peoria because… Since we already have the Scottsdale area covered, Peoria stood out as the perfect next step. It’s one of Arizona’s fastest-growing cities, and I wanted to be part of that momentum. I also love being in the Park West shopping center, with a variety of restaurants working together to foster a strong sense of community. It’s an environment where businesses thrive by creating energy and excitement for visitors. I firmly believe that restaurants grouped together help each other succeed, and Park West exemplifies that perfectly.
A typical day in my life includes… From managing staff and ensuring our guests have unforgettable dining experiences to fine-tuning the details of the business, my tasks are endless. Honestly, I’d need an entire article to cover it all! It’s a lot of work, but I am so proud of what we have accomplished so far.
My family is… My beautiful wife, Janeen; our wonderful daughter, Emma; and our son, Mike Jr. Of course, I can’t forget Leia and Rey, our beloved English Cream Golden Retrievers. And yes, their names are Star Wars-themed.
One thing I cannot live without is… The obvious answer is my family. They are my biggest support system, inspiring me to be a better business owner, husband, and father every day. But let’s be real—when I’m on a diet, what I really crave is pizza! Who could live without it?
My favorite movie I could never get tired of watching and why… It’s hard to choose just one, so I’ll go with a series: Star Trek, II, III, and IV. They form one cohesive story and capture the imagination and adventure of exploring the unknown. I’ve been a huge Star Trek fan since I was a kid.
When I was younger, I wanted to be… An astrophysicist. I’ve always had a love for math and science, and my fascination with the universe and sci-fi made this dream even more appealing. While my career took a very different path, I still carry that same curiosity and passion for learning.
The song I would sing at karaoke night is… “Yesterday” by The Beatles. I’ve been a lifelong fan of their music, and this song in particular is timeless and has always resonated with me.
The one person who motivates me is… My late business partner, Greg Cutchall. He was a true icon in the restaurant industry and one of my greatest inspirations. Greg had an incredible vision for Kasai and always pushed me to take the restaurant to the next level. He called Kasai his favorite restaurant he was ever involved with, and I strive every day to honor that.
The last thing that made me laugh out loud was… I was just at a wedding with some college friends, and we couldn’t stop laughing reminiscing about our fraternity days at Bloomsburg University.
The perfect day is… A day when my cell phone doesn’t ring at all. Add a win for the Mets and the Cowboys, and it’s truly perfect.
My favorite local nonprofit is… Arizonans for Children. Through golf tournaments at our Scottsdale location, we’ve raised over $40,000 to support this incredible organization. Their mission is “to facilitate opportunities that provide effective solutions to alleviate hardships and improve the fragile lives of abused, abandoned, and neglected children in foster care.” It’s an honor to support such meaningful work.
My life is… An adventure every single day. I never know what challenges or opportunities will come my way, but that’s what makes it exciting… right?
The best gift I’ve ever received was… This is an obvious answer, but it’s the truth: my two children. They’re gifts from God, and nothing compares to the joy they bring to my life.
My dream vacation would be… Sitting on a second-floor balcony in Turks & Caicos overlooking a pristine beach, reading a great book, and sipping a cocktail. And, of course, no cell phone in sight—that’s non-negotiable!
The best piece of advice I’ve ever received is… Hire people who are better than you. It’s the secret to building a great team.
