Paw and Honey, a Mediterranean restaurant, joined ACU Dining with its official opening date being Wednesday, Aug. 19. It will offer students a chance to eat healthier at a more affordable price.

ACU Dining received about 1,300 responses from their annual dining feedback form, “Voice to Vision,” and most of them were requesting a cheaper, and more fulfilling, option for their dining experience.

Vishnu Koripalli, marketing manager for ACU Dining, gives the backstory on why Paw and Honey was a great option. Koripalli believes that this new restaurant will allow the students to make the most out of their meal plan.

“We don’t want to have something that is already in Abilene, for example, a taco place. There are so many taco places in Abilene,” said Koripalli. “We wanted to bring a unique cuisine so that’s why we have chosen Mediterranean and it also matches with students’ interest from the ‘Voice to Vision’ annual dining survey.”

Since it is the first Mediterranean cuisine quick service restaurant in Abilene, it will be available to the entire Abilene community, not just ACU students.

The Bean Bucks given to students at the beginning of each semester are a valuable part of ACU’s meal plan. With Mediterranean food being a big request, students are encouraged to use their Bean Bucks to enjoy a Mediterranean meal.

“Students are going to Chipotle to grab a healthy bowl even though they have a meal plan,” said Koripalli. “[Paw and Honey] is a very healthy concept.”

Koripalli explains how Paw and Honey not only benefits the students, but also ACU Dining, due to it being owned by Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, who operates and collaborates with ACU Dining. ACU receives the full profit off of Paw and Honey purchases because they don’t need to pay royalty or commissions to a certain brand. Fortunately for students, this means that the prices are much cheaper.

“The best part is that the price starts from $7.50. Can you imagine getting a bowl full of food for $7.50?” said Koripalli. “At the end of the day, we are committed to provide a good dining experience for incoming students. We wanted to give them the value for their meal plan.”

Paw and Honey opened this past Wednesday and they served $5 bowls for the first three days. Students were prompted to give more feedback upon purchasing their bowl and in exchange they received a free bowl for their next visit.

Seanna Lillis, sophomore nursing major from Frisco, doesn’t eat at the restaurants that ACU dining provides.

“I’m a picky eater so I don’t really care for the options that we do have.”

Lillis has heard about Paw and Honey and is ready to try it.

“I am super excited for it, I love Mediterranean food,” said Lillis. “I’m really excited to try it, hopefully it’s good.”

Gabby Briseno, sophomore nursing major from Azle, likes the restaurants that ACU dining provides and visits them frequently. 

“I really like the Chick-fil-A. I use it very often,” said Briseno. “And the Einstein’s – I eat Einstein’s, like, genuinely, probably multiple times a week.” 

Briseno made good use of her dining plan last year but had to eat off campus often because her work schedule didn’t always line up with the Bean’s hours.  

“I’m excited, I think it’ll be good,” said Briseno. “I heard that it’s kinda like Chipotle but Mediterranean, and I’ve never really had Mediterranean food.” 

If ACU dining gets new restaurants in the future, Briseno would enjoy a sandwich place like Jersey Mikes. 

“A Jersey Mikes would be pretty yum. I already like the idea of Paw and Honey though, like the whole bowl situation.”

ACU Dining doesn’t plan on stopping expansion with Paw and Honey. If more buildings or spaces are built, ACU Dining will be more than happy to welcome more restaurants.