In the Dayton Arcade at 37 W. Fourth Street, an innovative café hosts countless solutions for any craving: tacos, burritos, delicious lattes and even cocktails. Guests can sit inside and take in the vibrant surroundings with funky artwork or enjoy the historic ambience of the Dayton Arcade.
Lucho features a Mexican-inspired menu that goes beyond what a traditional taqueria has to offer.
I stopped in, itching for a coffee. The spot was buzzing with lunchtime activity as patrons were looking to shelter themselves from the afternoon heat and enjoy an on-trend dining experience.
A staff member kindly pointed me to the Miel Auténtica – a honey latte with hints of cinnamon. I enjoyed it iced and paired it with their Tiramisu de Mezcalito, which featured churros, café mezcal espresso and whipped mascarpone.
The toasty notes of the Miel Auténtica paired beautifully with the dessert. With me, dessert comes first…and up next were the tacos.
After starting off with a classic chips and queso, I gave their Gordito Feliz and El Clasico tacos a try. The Gordito Feliz was a flavorful pork carnitas taco with queso fresco and patata asada and packed a slight kick.
El Clasico is a juicy barbacoa taco with tomatillo, and it was bursting with flavor. If you’re not enthusiastic about tacos, you can even turn these options into a salad bowl or a burrito.
Lucho is a convenient spot between campus, the RTA hub and downtown parking, making it a great place to sit down after class and treat oneself. They also offer a 20% discount for students.
I spoke with Taylor, one of the managers on site. She told me about the immersive experience that is unique to Lucho.
Formerly known as the café Gather, Lucho is one of the many restaurants in the Dayton Arcade. The Arcade a beautiful interior, with reflective tile floors and an airy open concept.
Guests can enjoy a trendy, modern lunch surrounded by beautiful classic-inspired architecture, which she stressed was one of Lucho’s highlights. I am looking forward to trying the Espresso Libre, a daring latte that the manager considers to be a unique spin on a root beer float, when I drop by next.
“Customers are scared to try it at first,” she explained to me amidst the steady commotion of the lunch rush. “But once they do, they love it.”
I enjoyed every bite at Lucho. The experience was sweetened by a quick walkthrough of The Contemporary Dayton afterward.
Customers can expect a fun yet relaxing experience, though they should remember to grab several napkins as they unleash their inner luchador and sink their teeth into what the menu has to offer.
Josofine Addison, reporter
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