As the Downtown Phoenix campus expands, nearby restaurants are seeing their seats filled by hungry students who are looking to fill their stomachs with cheap, convenient food.
The new Taylor Place residence hall has room for up to 576 students to live downtown. Many of its first residents are on the prowl for a bite to eat close to where they live.
“Yes, definitely, we have seen a big rush of students coming in,” My Big Fat Greek Restaurant server Yuliana Cruz said. “We usually get a lunch rush around 12 [or] 12:30 p.m. and then a dinner rush at around 6:30 p.m.”
Cruz has worked at the Valley chain’s location in Arizona Center — which is near to the ASU campus — for more than a year and said business has picked up since the beginning of August.
My Big Fat Greek Restaurant is also encouraging more students to walk through their doors through different incentives.
“Right now we are handing out our to-go menus with 15-percent-off coupons,” Cruz said. “We also can deliver to the students in their dorms, if they want.”
Sophomore nursing major Carrie Jones is on the Downtown Phoenix campus twice a week and goes to eat at the nearby Arizona Center once a week, she said.
“I go to different places in the Arizona Center,” Jones said. “I like the smaller, more cheaper places, like smaller cafe places.”
South of the campus, Hank Elzal has not seen many students come into his Coney Island restaurant, but he says he has definitely opened his door to welcome them.
“From what I have seen, I am closing a little too early at 2:30 p.m., but I am definitely willing to keep my doors open for students coming out of their afternoon classes,” Elzal said.
Elzal also wants to give ASU students a discount.
“I would like to drop off menus with 10-percent-off coupons,” Elzal said. “I really welcome the students, not only for my business, but because I know the tight budget they are on and we like to offer affordable food.”
Not only are the residents of Taylor Place going out to eat, but also students from other campuses who have classes downtown.
Sophomore public relations and creative writing major Allie Marconi lives at the Tempe campus and is at the Downtown Phoenix campus on Monday and Wednesday.
“I would like to go out, but I really don’t what’s around here,” Marconi said. “I think they should definitely use it as an opportunity to build their businesses.”
Reach the reporter at erica.m.rodriguez@asu.edu
