For those who like their Mexican food au naturel, your time is now.

Construction is underway for Valdosta’s first Chipotle Mexican Grill, which is slated to open later this fall, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.

As of Wednesday afternoon, construction workers were on-site, as Valdosta’s newest restaurant begins to take shape.

The restaurant will be on one of Valdosta’s busiest streets, St. Augustine Road in front of Lowe’s and across from Red Lobster.

Despite the fast-casual chain’s general popularity across the country, the news of its arrival hasn’t yet spread to all areas of campus.

“No, I haven’t heard about the new Chipotle opening up,” Griffin Conroy, a freshman exercise physiology major, said. “I think it would be a good meal for after a workout.”

According to the company’s website, one of the guiding principles of the corporation is investment in the natural environment. The website boasts that Chipotle is one of the first national companies to commit to local and organic produce goals.

As of June 30, Chipotle has over 2,850 restaurants found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

The California-based restaurant will join an already crowded array of Mexican restaurants in Valdosta, including Barberito’s, Surcheros, El Cazador, Margaronas, Rodeo, El Toreo, and El Barrio and others.

Some students see the arrival of a new Chipotle as an economic opportunity, such as David Bassford, a freshman engineering major.

“I’d get a job there if I had the opportunity to,” Bassford said.

Others don’t see employment at the new restaurant as a viable option.

“I wouldn’t really work at a fast food place unless the pay is good,” said Conroy.

Some on-campus welcome a new entry to the Mexican food choice in Valdosta.

“I really enjoy Moe’s,” said Madison Basham, a freshman biology major at VSU. “I’ve never tried Chipotle, but I definitely love Mexican food, so I’m willing to try it out.”

Written by Imani Washington. Photo by Bailey Storey.