Michael Drilling

Mike Drilling is a Greendale native with strong ties to the community. He is the owner of three Greendale restaurants: Panther Pub, Día Café and Noche Restaurante. Drilling’s Panther Pub & Eatery, opened by Mike in 2013, has a Greendale athletics theme and offers a family experience. They often participate in fundraising and sponsorships to directly benefit Greendale community programs.

In January 2021, Mike opened Día y Noche. Día Café is a casual daytime coffee shop and bakery, while Noche is a restaurant & bar open in the evenings that focuses on the food and beverage of South America, Central America & the Caribbean.

Thank you, Mike, for bringing us great food and fun places to socialize with friends and family in Greendale!

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I graduated from Greendale High School in 1981. I got married to my wife Erika in 1983. We have a son, Joe, and a daughter, Allison, and 3 grandsons, Cash, Desi and August. I have lived in Greendale for the last 37 years. I have been self employed for the last 34 years. Drilling’s Amoco, Drilling’s Automotive, Inverbrass LLC, Drilling & Sherman LLC, M. Lloyd Property LLC, Drilling Enterprises LLC, Drilling Restaurant Group LLC, M. Lloyd Spirits Llc, Drilling’s Panther Pub & Eatery LLC, Día y Noche LLC and Día Brands LLC. Right now, our focus is primarily on food and beverage and our Día Coffee brand.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Erika and my daughter and son-in-law, Allison and Devin Rogers, are heavily involved in the restaurant operations.

Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
Primarily the restaurant operations and Coffee brand, Día Coffee.

Q: Please tell us about any volunteering that you have done or currently do.
I have done a considerable amount of volunteer work but I prefer not to talk about it much. The reward is in doing it. Not telling people about it.

Q: Please tell us about any interesting or unique hobbies that you have?
Playing baseball at my advanced age! After 40 years of playing a kids game, baseball doesn’t owe me anything!

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in Greendale? What do you love there?
Ha, ha! I’m biased!

Q: How long have you lived or worked in Greendale?
Total,45. The last 37 continuously.

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Greendale?
Probably Roy Reiman.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Phoenix. It’s warm and there are plenty of golf courses.

Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Sling Blade. The Sopranos.

Q: What advice would you give to people?
Life’s too short to be a #!&@. Treat people with respect.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Nothing really.

Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Hank Williams Sr

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Greendale?
Dobner’s

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
The Dalai Lama. Because he’s the Dalai Lama. Probably go to Dia Cafe so I could comp him.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Greendale?
The Village Center. Most suburbs don’t have a downtown.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Probably with more restaurants.

Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m pretty transparent. Not much mystery.

Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Either Puerto Rico or Del Mar California.

Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
August. Easter. June 21st. (Summer solstice)

Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Giannis is a basketball 10 out of 10.

Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My father, John Drilling. He’s the best man I’ve ever known.

Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lilacs

Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, safety, comfort