Newly opened Taziki’s offers Greek food in Lair

Hungry West Virginia University students, faculty and staff have another dining option.

Taziki's, a national chain of Mediterranean restaurants, had its soft opening Thursday.

The latest addition to the Mountainlair is located in the space previously occupied by Chinese restaurant D's Express.

The restaurant, which offers Greek-inspired dishes, is "fast-casual," according to Taziki's President Keith Richards.

"Taziki's is a great fit for WVU," said Richards. "We can satisfy the hungriest basketball player to the freshman not wanting to gain the ‘Freshman 15."'

Everything is made to order, Richards said.

The restaurant currently serves fresh Greek salads with grilled chicken, a pork sandwich with tomato chutney aioli and other light items.

Vegetarian options include a tomato-basil sandwich and a grilled eggplant sandwich with homemade tapenade, roasted red peppers and feta cheese.

The restaurant also has daily specials from spanakopita roll-ups to their own Taziki's Taco.

Each item typically takes two to three minutes to prepare at current stores, Richard said.

Customers typically get a number and take a seat while waiting for the order, but the noise in the Mountainlair limits that option.

Richards said they're currently exploring ways of how to best organize lines at the location.

Meal plans are also accepted at the restaurant, though for what meal periods is not yet clear.

Richards started the chain in 1988 after traveling to the Greek Isles with his wife, Amy.

"Our mission was to give families a better alternative than just fast food," Richards said, adding the couple wanted "to give (customers) upscale fare without upscale prices."

WVU is the first campus location for the chain, though their Birmingham restaurant caters to the nearby University of Alabama-Birmingham.

The same location has received recognition as "one of the top places to dine in Birmingham" and a "best new casual restaurant" award for its Little Rock, Ark., location.

Richards said the restaurant's menu offers a healthy alternative to other burger, pizza and sandwich options.

"We have no fryers. No freezers. Everything is fresh," Richards said. "To me, that's the healthy way of eating."