Mia Za’s, the over-the-counter Italian cuisine restaurant located on 609 E. Green St., is expanding its services to the lower cafeteria level of the Illini Union in the Spring 2024 semester.
While the upcoming Mia Za’s Express is planned to specialize in pizza-by-the-slice options, it will continue to offer full pizzas, pasta and other Italian eats similar to its main location.
The current storefront offers unique and customizable dishes across all four of its central food options, which include pasta, pizzas, salads and paninis. Customers can order online and in person.
“I think (Mia Za’s Express would be) really nice, because for a while, the basement didn’t have as many food options,” said Jennifer Chen, senior in Engineering.
Fellow students Aditi Gurudutt and Kriti Mathur, juniors in Engineering, shared Chen’s sentiments. Gurudutt noted how she consistently gravitates toward Starbucks and Tropical Smoothie Cafe due to their storefronts in the Union.
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“That would be really convenient in between classes,” Mathur said.
The Union is considered a prime location among the many buildings on campus, according to Abby Stiefvater, president of the Illini Union Board. With its variety of study spots, support systems and events, the Union ensures that a dependable and consistent student population trickles in and out of its doors, she said.
“It is easy to access and provides so many things in one place,” Stiefvater said. “We are extremely excited to welcome Mia Za’s to the Union. We hope it will bring more students to our lower level and provide them with some great food choices.”
