Taziki’s: Mediterranean with a high-tech twist

A week after launching, Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe is serving more than 300 customers a day, according to general manager Jesse McNeely.

The restaurant, located by Quiznos in the Mountainlair, launched with a soft-opening Aug. 19.

Taziki's offers a range of Mediterranean dishes, including grilled tilapia salad to roasted pork loin with tomato chutney aioli among many other dishes – something different from other restaurant menus.

"I'm glad there's a change of pace available. It's good to get away from the burgers and fries every so often," said Hesper Nelson, sophomore psychology major.

Dubbed "fast casual," McNeely said the goal is to offer healthy meals in a timely manner.

"Our goal as a restaurant is to get the food from our kitchen the customer in under five minutes," McNeely said. "We make all of our dishes fresh, and we cook them to the customer's wishes. We like to think that gives more opportunity for the kids to stray away from the popular fast food trend."

The ordering system is different at Taziki's, too.

At their other locations nationwide, Taziki's customers are assigned a number and are called on when their orders are ready.

Due to the acoustics of the Mountainlair and heavy walking traffic, the restaurant has an alternative method to alerting their customers: text message.

"When a customer completes their order, they enter their cell phone number into our electronic keypad.

After their food has been prepared, they are notified via text with a simple push of a button," McNeely said.

"This way, our lines aren't backed up, and we can receive new orders quicker and easier."

Freshman biology major, Robert Berons, who ordered a chicken pesto basil gyro Wednesday, liked the system.

"I think the text message feature is incredible," he said. "You can go get other things done rather than waiting in line for your food."

In an effort to raise awareness of Taziki's, McNeely gave away free food to incoming students during move-in weekend.

"With all of the buffets and free food being passed out to incoming students, we figured it was our move to offer some free food, and it definitely paid off," McNeely said.

Meal prices range from $6 to $9.

Though the restaurant has been open for a week, the system needed to accept meal plans is not yet in place. It is expected soon, McNeely said.