An Indian restaurant, a Jewish deli, an African hideaway, a Lebanese lounge, a French dining room, an ice cream parlor and an Italian pizzeria.
Now add a Mexican grill to the list.
The University announced yesterday that it has signed a lease with Qdoba Mexican Grill, a sit-down chain restaurant, to fill the vacancy at the corner of 40th and Locust streets -- a vacancy that has existed for the past three years.
"We are thrilled that 40th Street will have a Mexican restaurant as part of its retail mix," Executive Vice President spokesman Tony Sorrentino said. "We know that the Penn student has been clamoring for another Mexican option on campus for some time."
Sorrentino said he expects the grill to open within the next few months and attributed the long period of vacancy to the various construction projects that took place around the location.
"Fortieth Street was under siege for a while," Sorrentino said.
"They were redoing the Dental School... [the] Freshgrocer and the cinema were also under construction. [It was] not the easiest place to market."
Sorrentino added that the Bridge: Cinema de Lux movie theater located at 40th and Walnut streets -- which suffered its own share of delays -- has served as a "magnet for people doing entrepreneurial business."
"This is pretty exciting for 40th Street," Sorrentino said. "This is pretty exciting for Penn's campus."
Last year, a Ben and Jerry's ice cream shop opened on the 40th Street corridor replacing the vacancy left when Papaya King, a smoothie and hot dog shop, closed its doors in fall 2001.
Founded in Denver in 1995, the Qdoba chain now has more than 100 locations in 23 states nationwide, according to the company's Web site.
Qdoba specializes in burritos, but offers other fare such as tacos, nachos and salads.
In February of this year, the chain, in conjunction with the company Philadelphia Fresh Foods, announced that it is planning to open 14 restaurants in the Philadelphia area.
Currently, Qdoba's only Pennsylvania location is in Pittsburgh.
The Philadelphia Fresh Foods company has backed various other franchise openings in the city, including Popeye's Famous Fried Chicken, Chili's Grill & Bar and Houston's Restaurant, according to the Denver Business Journal.
Qdoba is managed by Jack in the Box, Inc.
With the addition of Qdoba, University City will be home to three Mexican-influenced restaurants.
Until now, Mad 4 Mex, at 34th and Walnut streets, and Zocalo, at 36th and Lancaster streets, have been the only competitors.
"Basically Zocalo is already in the area," Mad 4 Mex manager John Rosina said.
"We already have competition. We welcome more competition. Anything that makes us quest to provide a better product and a better service is good."
He added that he thinks Mad 4 Mex "already [has] a steady crowd that enjoys our restaurant, and we enjoy their patronage, too."
Employees at Zocalo, however, do not believe that Qdoba's presence will be beneficial to their establishment.
"Knowing the University, it's probably not going to be helpful," said Mike Fereoto, a Zocalo employee.
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