Brown Street Resturaunts Aim to Attract UD Students
Photo via Grant LaCombe Facebook
Olivia Gabel | Contributing Writer
New restaurants have opened in Dayton, giving University of Dayton students more off-campus dining options. Still, students say price and distance will determine whether they become regular customers.
Several new restaurants have opened around Dayton, including two concepts in the Dayton Arcade — Lucho and The Dessert Room — and Prime BBQ Smokehouse on Brown Street near campus. While these restaurants represent economic growth for the area, students represent a key audience who will shape the success of these restaurants.
An unofficial survey of some UD students found that over 50% were unaware of the new restaurants. Though these restaurant openings signal an exciting expansion for the city, it is their ability to market that will determine student turnout.
Only 14% of the students surveyed have visited the new dining options, 35.7% said they would like to, and the remaining said they do not plan to visit. Many respondents cited cost and distance as key factors in their decision to eat off campus.
Among these restaurants, The Dessert Room generated the most interest, with nearly 40% of students identifying the restaurant as the one they want to visit most. Some students described the dessert-focused dining as something good for special occasions, but questioned how often they would visit as opposed to more casual options.
Meagan Peters, Dayton Arcade Marketing and Community Partnerships manager, said this variety in dining options is intentional.
“The Arcade is intentionally built to support a diverse mix of businesses,” she said. “Our goal is to create a vibrant, multi-dimensional destination where visitors can have a different experience every time they walk in.”
Peters said Lucho, a fast-paced casual restaurant that opened in August 2025, fits into this strategy by offering an additional option for those who don’t have time for a slower, more leisurely dining experience.
“Lucho fits perfectly into our dining strategy by offering quick, high-quality options that meet the needs of students, workers, and event-goers on tight schedules,” Peters said.
College students have played a key role in the success of Lucho, with Peters noting that UD students and other nearby campuses pass through the Arcade regularly, whether for class or to explore downtown.
Survey results suggest cost will be the biggest issue for turning general interest into repeat visitors, with over 75% of respondents citing pricing as their most important factor for choosing an off-campus dining option. Some students said they would be more likely to consider these alternatives if they were offered discounted rates or promotions for students.
While those same students said the new options feel promising, many noted they are waiting to see if the food, prices and locations make the trip worth the effort.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Olivia Gabel, a sophomore, is enrolled in Reporting (CMM 338), a course in journalism offered through the Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences. The course, which aims to teach students real-world research, reporting and writing skills, is offered in the spring.