El Rancho Grande closes near UD, new Mexican grill and cantina to take its spot

After operating at the corner of Brown and Stewart Streets near the University of Dayton for 10 years, El Rancho Grande has closed its doors.

Marketing Director Nathan Taylor said they decided to sell the location to someone else because El Rancho Grande is more of a family-oriented restaurant.

“That area/location was more for the college students,” Taylor said.

Credit: Natalie Jones

Credit: Natalie Jones

There appears to be a new restaurant opening at 1200 Brown St. Suite 180 in Dayton called, “Don Juan Mexican Grill & Cantina.”

This is not the first El Rancho Grande restaurant to close in the Dayton region.

In December 2024, the owners rebranded the restaurant at 7375 Old Troy Pike in Huber Heights to El Asadero Bar & Mexican Grill — a Mexican restaurant concept featuring a party-like dining experience with entertainment such as a dancing robot, DJ and drinks delivered with sparklers.

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The owners of El Rancho Grande have several other restaurant concepts including Sonora Grill Seafood Steak Bar & Grill and King Corona Latin Kitchen & Cantina.

Taylor said they recently opened an El Rancho Grande in Milford, with more coming soon.

El Rancho Grande has 17 restaurants in the Cincinnati and Dayton regions.

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About the Author

Natalie Jones

Natalie Jones is an All Media Journalist with Dayton.com focusing on food and dining, pop culture and lifestyle. She is a Wright State University graduate with over seven years of experience in the media field.