In March of 2025, a new and improved Din Tai Fung is expected to open at University Village this summer. The old Bartell Drugs is now being replaced and currently in construction.

In an email, Alison Barrett, the U Village press manager, gave insight into this change.

“Together with Din Tai Fung, we look forward to a shorter wait time for customers with an enlarged capacity restaurant and a beautiful new design consistent with the quality of the center,” Barrett said.

Eighth grader Raiya Zaveri eats at Din Tai Fung.

“I like their variety of food and how fast everything comes,” Zaveri said.

Sixth grader Parker Sternfeld loves Din Tai Fung. She eats at Din Tai Fung around once every two months. Sternfeld goes to U Village but thinks Din Tai Fung is unique.

“I would say it’s a really nice restaurant and expensive. Because I feel like all the other restaurants at U Village are either fast food or just casual, like bar-type places, but Din Tai Fung is sit-down and fancy,” Sternfeld said.

While Parker enjoys Din Tai Fung, she also has an appreciation for the building it is replacing.

“I was excited, but also nervous slash sad, because Bartell Drugs was there,” Sternfeld said. “It was like your go-to pharmacy.”

Currently, there is a Din Tai Fung at University Village on the south side on the upper level of the parking garage. It is moving because Din Tai Fung would like to have a larger space, according to Barrett. The location of the old Din Tai Fung will be the home of a different restaurant, she said.

Seventh grader Frances McCullough, a Din Tai Fung enthusiast, is excited for the new building.

“I think it’ll bring a lot more people because Din Tai Fung is a big attraction to a lot of people because it’s a really good restaurant. If you go to U Village and then to Din Tai Fung, people will be like, ‘Oh now I want to go shop,’” McCullough said.

Parker thinks the surrounding area will be affected by Din Tai Fung.

“I think it will bring a lot more traffic and more people,” Sternfeld said.