Students walking past the newly revamped Max Mexican on GCSU’s campus may notice more than just a fresh sign, as the dining experience itself has been given a major makeover and now features a rotating menu with new dishes every two weeks under the name “The Mini,” offering another location for students to use dining dollars.
“Over time, we have seen that students are looking for more variety and new experiences in campus dining,” said Anika Dadhich, marketing manager with Sodexo and GCSU Dining. “That idea led to the creation of The Mini, a pop-up restaurant concept where the menu changes every two weeks.”
The pop-up concept allows students to explore new flavors, seasonal dishes and menu options that mix things up from what’s offered at other campus dining locations. Right now, The Mini is serving as a potato bar, giving students the chance to customize their meals with a variety of toppings.
“Every two weeks there’s something different and we’re expecting students to just come over and find whatever they like,” said Maya Moore, a senior creative writing and education major who works with GCSU Dining. “It’s definitely something that’s new and exciting to try.”
Involvement from students was important to the development of The Mini, from the concept to the naming of the location.
“Student input has been central to this process from the very beginning,” Dadhich said. “In fact, students have been involved since the inception of the idea. We even hosted a naming contest for the revamp, and ‘The Mini’ was chosen by one of our very own Bobcats.”
The winning idea came from Anna Ten Kate, a freshman psychology major. She was celebrated for her contribution and received a Bobcat plushie in recognition of her role in shaping the new dining concept.
“I decided on the name on a whim,” Kate said. “My first thought was that if we have the MAX, we could have The Mini. I thought the names fit together well and were relatable. I simply didn’t see a better fit. It also represented how small the little order window was. A lot of people miss it when walking by, but hopefully this revamp will attract more students.”
The new menu at The Mini expands beyond the original Mexican dishes to include a wider range of options that accommodate dietary preferences and restrictions.
“I’m all for it, especially in menu items,” said Loren Sheffield, a junior exercise science major. “People have preferences and especially restrictions, and the institution should be willing to accommodate that the best they can.”
According to Dadhich, the rotating menu format allows GCSU Dining to keep things fresh and exciting while responding to student feedback.
“We want students to feel like they’re part of the process and that their opinions are valued,” Dadhich said.
Moore also noted that the new concept encourages students to explore different options each time they visit.
“Every two weeks, students can expect something new, and that keeps people coming back to see what’s being offered next,” Moore said.
For students eager to participate in shaping the campus dining experience, GCSU has made feedback opportunities easy and accessible. Students can share their feedback and suggestions by texting the keyword ‘GCMAX’ followed by their message to 55744. Any student with a meal plan can also register to join the monthly Culinary Councils, where they receive a complimentary special dinner in exchange for feedback, plus some fun giveaways. Students can share suggestions anytime through the GCSU Dining social media pages on Instagram and Facebook, or via email.