Saborijos: A Student-Driven Dining Option in the Union

Published: September 28, 2025

Author: Liz Dowell

When students walk into the renovated Union at Greenville University, they’re greeted with the warm scent of grilled tortillas and the sound of sizzling vegetables.

In the space sits Saborijos (sah-bo-REE-khos), a vibrant, kiosk-driven restaurant concept created not in a corporate test kitchen, but in direct response to the voices of GU students.

For Dawn Mull, director of dining at Greenville, the project is proof that students shape the campus culture.

“We surveyed students to ask what they really wanted,” she explains. “I was shocked by the results – nearly forty-five percent asked for a Mexican-inspired option. We had tried it before, and it didn’t last. But this time, the students were behind it. That makes all the difference.”

Photo by Loryn O'Neal

FROM SURVEY TO SERVING LINE

The idea originated from GU's partnership with Fresh Ideas, the food service company that manages Union dining. Rather than impose a standard menu, Fresh Ideas invited students to weigh in through app-based surveys and comment cards.

The overwhelming request for customizable, fresh, Mexican-style meals became the foundation of Saborijos.

Mull and the campus chef got to work. The challenge? Limited space.

She says, "So we designed a four-item menu that would be manageable and delicious."

Students can choose from burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and taco salads, all of which are built to order with fresh toppings.

What makes the concept stand out isn’t just the food, but the way it’s served. Inspired by another campus Fresh Ideas account, Mull advocated for a self-ordering kiosk. “I saw one and thought, how cool would this be for GU? Now students step up to the kiosk, customize their meals, and it feels like their own space, their own brand.”

Photo by Loryn O'Neal

A FRESH IDENTITY

Naming the concept was another creative step. Because Saborijos is unique to Greenville, Mull and her team had the freedom to brand it specifically for GU. Colorful signage, printed menus, and a bold new logo distinguish the space from other Union options.

“We wanted something that felt fun and authentic but also ours,” Mull says. The name was chosen to reflect both flavor and community. Saborijos isn’t a standard Spanish word, but it plays off sabores, which means “flavors” or “tastes.” The root, sabor, means “flavor” or “taste,” and in some settings it can even describe the “vibe” or “feel” of a place, song, or moment.

The plural form, sabores, simply means “flavors.” Some restaurants or brands even adapt the word to sound more like “savor,” such as the restaurant Savorez in North Carolina. In the same way, saborijos carries the idea of “flavors,” reimagined with a creative spin. It’s an invitation to savor food together while giving GU students something that feels like their own.

“It’s super fun to see it branded in a way that really belongs here,” Mull adds.

Photo by Loryn O'Neal

STUDENT RESPONSE

The impact was immediate. At peak times, more than 250 students swipe in during a lunch period. Lines move quickly thanks to the kiosk, but Mull says what matters most is that students are excited.

“You can see it in the way they order. They’re customizing, they’re trying new combinations. It’s interactive, and they’ve made it theirs.”

That sense of ownership is exactly what GU hoped to cultivate. In surveys, first-year students consistently say they want more choices and more gathering spaces on campus. Saborijos answers both by offering variety and creating a hub of energy in the Union.

LOOKING AHEAD

Mull admits the excitement won’t last forever – every new concept eventually becomes part of the routine. But the team is ready.

“We’ll keep listening,” she says. “If students ask for change, we’ll adapt. That’s the beauty of working with Fresh Ideas and with GU. We have the freedom to dream, and students have a voice in shaping what happens here."

Future additions may include smoothies or other grab-and-go options, depending on student input. For now, the quesadillas are flying off the grill, and Mull is proud of what’s already been accomplished.

“I think the students love it. And honestly, I do, too.”

A TASTE OF BELONGING

In the end, Saborijos is more than a dining option. It represents the way Greenville University listens, adapts, and builds experiences around its students. It’s a place where flavor meets community – where students can see their input come to life, one taco at a time.