By Meg
Filed in: American

AJ’s Burgers and Beef
124 S River Rd

If there’s one thing in this life I really love to eat, it is authentic Chicago Dogs and Italian Beef sandwhiches. Lucky for me, you can find a true taste of Chicago at AJ’s Burgers and Beef right here in West Lafayette. Forget the two and a half hour drive to Chicago and stop by for burgers, beef, chicken, and more. While I was studying for finals the other night I ordered AJ’s for delivery on HungryBoiler.com. It wasn’t long before I had the ultimate brain food at my door step: a dipped Italian Beef sandwhich and a huge salad. I usually would have gone for AJ’s waffle fries, but I’m trying to get that summer bikini bod. I love that AJ’s has healthy and more indulgent options.
If I had an Italian mother, I imagine I would say that this sandwich was like Momma used to make. Layers of slow cooked, spiced and seasoned slices of beef atop a sweet hoagie bun that’s been dipped in au jus. It’s a sweet, savory masterpiece that will leave you craving more.

The salad was a great portion size, filled with fresh lettuce, tomato, carrots and onions. It filled me up and gave me my vegetable serving for the day.
I also recommend the Chicago Dog complete with pickle and peppers. They even have the neon green relish! It’s really a nice way to get a bite of the magnificent mile without the commute.
Another great thing about AJ’s is that it’s locally owned and operated. The employees and the owners really put in a tremendous amount of effort to create delicious fresh food close to campus.
So, help me be a trendsetter and follow my lead – order AJ’s on HungryBoiler.com right now!

http://hungryboiler.localupmenus.com/order-online-ajs-burger–beef-west-lafayette-burgers/step1.aspx

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By Nick
Filed in: Italian

Puccini’s
300 Brown St

If you’re looking for affordable Italian with a home cooked taste, your next dining stop should be Puccini’s. Located on the Landing, Puccini’s offers a menu with great variety and flavor. I ordered mine for takeout on HungryBoiler.com and it was hot and ready when I arrived to pick it up. The staff was helpful and inviting. The kitchen, which is easily surveyed through the pickup window, was clean, filled with fresh ingredients and sizzling pans.
I couldn’t keep my mouth from watering when I took my food home. What was on deck for dinner? Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, garlic bread and a huge salad.

Their Chicken Parm wasn’t run of the mill in slightest. Instead of tons of breadcrumbs covering the entire chicken and filtering out the taste, Puccini’s throws thick slices of cheeses on top of a juicy chicken breast and covers the top of the cheese with the breadcrumbs. It allows you to enjoy the crispy, melty elements of Chicken Parm without over powering the main ingredient: chicken breast. Spaghetti underneath the chicken was cooked perfectly covered in a homemade red sauce. The salad that came with my dinner (that’s right – included!) was GIGANTIC. Fresh greens, lettuce, tomato, cheese and carrots in a very delicious ranch dressing made this salad refreshing and satisfying.
This dinner also came with a few slices garlic bread which was absolutely delicious.
I was really satisfied with my whole Puccini’s experience overall.
Check HungryBoiler.com for exclusive deals, to order online, & to view Puccini’s entire menu.

http://hungryboiler.localupmenus.com/order-online-puccinis-smiling-lafayette-italian/step1.aspx

By Meg
Filed in: Italian

Noodles & Company
102 N Chauncey Ave

There are few chain restaurants that can really offer you quality taste and Noodles is one of those few. Located conveniently near campus right at the edge of Chauncey Hill, Noodles is the self-explanatory restaurant that offers a wide variety of cuisines and nice atmosphere. Of course, everything you’ll get at Noodles has one common ingredient. Whether you want Mac and Cheese or a classic Asian dish, whatever entrée you order will have noodles in it. Noodles also offers great soups, salads, beers and wines.

On a night out with some girlfriends, I grabbed a Caesar Salad with Noodles fantastic and popular Parmesan Crusted Chicken on top. I even grabbed a super sweet and refreshing glass of Riesling to go with.
The Caesar dressing was spot on. A delicious mix of flavors, minus the anchovy! The romaine lettuce was crisp and dressed just right, not too soupy and not too light.
If you haven’t tried this chicken, you really need to. Whether you’re eating it with Wisconsin Mac and Cheese, a Caesar, or another pasta dish, it’s really something to savor. The golden brown parmesan crust really brings out both the sweet and savory notes in the chicken. The thin chicken slices make it extra crispy. A Chicken Caesar can seem boring, but the Noodles version is not dull in the least.
Check out their menu on HungryBoiler.com now!

By Meg
Filed in: American

It seems like every good college town needs a classic eatery, rich in history and in flavor. As you drive up Chauncey Hill and onto campus, you’ll pass a restaurant that is not just a part of Purdue’s history, but of it’s present and it’s future. It’s the place my parents beg me to take them whenever they visit, and the first stop when I am showing a visitor around West Lala. It’s the restaurant that sounds a little dirty, but is a little slice of heaven: Triple XXX Family Restaurant.

This small dinette is a Boilermaker favorite for the two B’s: Breakfast and Burgers. Triple X’s full menu, breakfast, lunch and dinner, is available all day, everyday, 24 hours a day. The walls are plastered with pictures of Purdue heroes and history makers. Their facility is clean and inviting.

Nick and I, while we’ve eaten at Triple X more times than we can count, figured a blog was a good excuse to treat ourselves to this Purdue tradition. I admire Nick’s bravery as he ordered the Duane Purvis…you know, the peanut butter burger. I still haven’t had the guts to order this Midwestern delight. If on the day I graduate I still haven’t tried it, I’ll march my ass down there in my cap and gown and devour one. I stuck with my usual – an order that the ladies of Triple X no longer have to even ask for — a Bert Burger with no tomato and real mayo. The Bert is a far-from-standard bacon burger.

Nick loves the mix of savory and sweet in the Purvis. The great texture of this burger is something worth mentioning. I know plenty of people who swear by peanut butter burgers and, while the recipe sounds crazy, they say you’d be the crazy one not to try it. The veggies on the burger are fresh and crispy. I’ve always been very impressed by the freshness you get at Triple X, something most burger joints have let go by the wayside.

Mine was as heavenly as usually. Crispy, smoky bacon on top of a fresh chopped steak patty – what could be better than that? My burger had the same fresh veggies, but I do deviate with my real mayo. I know some go for the miracle whip, but I need my real mayo.

Have I mentioned the fries? How could I forget these golden treasures? Triple X fries are hot and fresh, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Think if a McDonald’s fry was actually made fresh and not frozen. It’s got that classic fry flavor you crave without compromising freshness. Although, if you’re feeling crazy, get hash browns instead of fries with your burger. The hash browns are to die for.

Nick topped the meal off with a caramel milkshake that he finished in record time. I barely had enough room to finish my burger. Triple X is definitely the place to head if you have an appetite. You’ll leave full and then some.

Want to know more about Triple X and it’s menu items? Go check out their menu of www.HungryBoiler.com right now.

By Meg
Filed in: American

I’ve been hearing a lot about Backyard Grill, a new restaurant on Chauncey, and their insanely cheap food. Since I haven’t made a trip to the grocery in 2 weeks, I decided today was the day to try them out. I hopped on HungryBoiler.com and placed a takeout order for 3 Mini Burgers and a Hot Ham and Cheese Rollover.

The burgers were similar to sliders, but with much fresher ingredients. The juicy beef patty was decorated with fresh cut tomato and lettuce. The Rollover was something I’d never seen before. It looks similar to an eggroll, wrapped and deep fried, but the ingredients were way cool. The Rollover I ordered, a Hot Ham and Cheese, was basically a ham and cheese sandwich. The ham was flavorful and the cheese tasted similar to queso. It had a heat about it that I really dug. They have many other Rollover flavors including a sloppy joe filling and spinach dip. My Rollover came with big crispy steak fries and dipping sauce. I went with ranch – the end-all of condiments.

I was beyond satisfied. The staff was friendly. It was so easy and fast to order my food online and to pick it up. The food was fresh and kept things interesting.
I definitely recommend this spot as a great quick on campus meal in between classes.
Oh, did I mention I got all that food for around 6 dollars? The deals from this place are insane. They have 3 meals for under 3 dollars. Yeah, you heard me right — 3 freaking dollars.

Order some right now on HungryBoiler.com!

http://hungryboiler.localupmenus.com/order-online-backyard-grill-west-lafayette-wings/step1.aspx

By Nick
Filed in: Italian

La Scala

312 Main St, Lafayette

I popped in for lunch at La Scala last Friday with a good friend of mine. Now celebrating over 10 years of serving Lafayette, La Scala is a local favorite amongst townies and Purdue students alike. It’s certainly one of the more affordable fares in the downtown’s upscale lineup.

Located in a historic downtown building, La Scala is a cozy restaurant that really makes you feel at home. The mismatched wooden furniture and skylights make for a interesting atmosphere that takes you away from the drab of the Laf/West Laf lifestyle. The white table cloths and classic cuisine make for a fancy dinner that doesn’t seem …well, stuffy. If you didn’t know any better, you might just think you were in your grandma’s dining room waiting for comfort food from out of this world.

I decided to go for a pasta dish I could enjoy with an afternoon glass of white wine. My waitress, who in my opinion turned out to be a great new addition to the La Scala experience, was able to perfectly pair a dish with a wine I like. Honestly though, for me La Scala has always been a place with great grub and less than ideal service. The past two times I’ve visited I’ve had this waitress and everyone working at that place should take a leaf out of her book. She’s attentive, positive, and respectful.

I chowwed down on the Pasta Francesco, a luscious mix of asparagus, chicken, and fettuccine pasta tossed in a lemon cream sauce. The chicken was tender and juicy, not a bit dry. The asparagus was crisp and light. It was exactly what I wanted in a lunch. The portion was gigantic, which made for awesome leftovers late that night. The dish came to me hot out of the pan and the ingredients were very fresh.

I wish La Scala had an open kitchen, but what can you do?

While my meal was satisfying and delicious, it wasn’t a showstopper. I still recommend you stop by the Lafayette staple and show support for local food and local chefs.

More information on this restaurant can be found on HungryBoiler.com

By Meg
Filed in: Bar & Grill

Nine Irish Brothers
119 Howard Avenue
3520 St. Rd. 38 E

It’s not often I crave a meal over again the next day. After paying a visit to Nine Irish Brothers on Thursday evening, I cannot get their fish and chips out of my head. I’ve been looking for excuses to go back for the last two days just to have this special dish all over again.
Nine Irish is one of the coolest pubs in Lafayette, with true traditional and pub fare and drink. Be transported to the green isle as you sit down in this locally owned and operated treat.
I started with a Strongbow Dry Cider. I really didn’t care for it, but I’m also just not a beer person. I know. I’m a girl. Give me a break.
I wasn’t sure what to expect on my entrée. I’ve had plenty of fish and chips at restaurants around the world. I’ve had classic strips of cod at the harbor in my home town. I’ve had a entire fried fish, bones and all, along the Thames river in London. This was something right in the middle and I can’t get enough.

Here comes a full fish filet, deboned, in the most fabulous batter I’ve ever tasted which was made with Harper lager. It was the crunchiest. My mouth is watering thinking about it. The fish was perfectly tender. As if it couldn’t get any better, it came with these gnarly pub chips – think round French fries or Buffalo Chips at BDubs.

I was visiting Nine Irish on the occasion of my good friend’s birthday, and the waiter decided to help us celebrate with a complimentary Bread Pudding. This thing was dessert heaven.
Honestly, my visit to Nine Irish has me questioning every rating I’ve given other restaurants both on this blog and off. This was a 5 star, no question. Best place I’ve eaten at for Boiler Bites so far.
So, who’s hungry?

For more information view their menu at www.HungryBoiler.com

By Nick
Filed in: American

Boiler Market
320 W State St

With BMOC just an hour away, Meg and I knew we needed some good eats before heading to the show. We decided to head to Boiler Market. Boiler Market has a college student-friendly menu: salads, pastas, sandwiches, pizzas, and, of course, beer. Lucky for me, the gal opening my beer accidentally picked the wrong brand and I ended up with two bottles. Legit, right? I love when a restaurant works to make it right when they make a mistake. Customer service is something we pride ourselves on at HungryBoiler.com, and I am so happy when I see local restaurants that have your happiness in mind.

I went with a Buffalo Chicken Wrap and Meg went with a Pete’s Favorite Salad, which is basically just a BBQ chicken salad. While my order wasn’t quite how I remembered it tasting when I’ve had it in the past, I still really enjoyed it. The tortilla was fresh and there was more than enough chicken to leave me feeling satisfied.

Meg really enjoyed her salad as well. She said the BBQ sauce and dressing were really spot on and the lettuce was really fresh. It was a mammoth of a salad. She barely finished it and luckily for me I was able to snag her bread stick which put be exactly where I needed to be.

Overall we were pretty satisfied with our meal. The atmosphere was great and this place is definitely a Purdue original that has the students wants in mind.

Afterward, we headed over to Elliot for Big Man on Campus which HungryBoiler.com and Boiler Market are both supporters of. I want to personally thank the ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha for a really great night and for allowing me to be a part of such an amazing event. Our Skip-A-Meal was a great success and everyone at HungryBoiler was stoked to take part in supporting Breast Cancer awareness and research. Defend the Twins!

Check Boiler Market’s menu out on www.HungryBoiler.com

By Meg
Filed in: American

Scotty’s Brewhouse
352 East State Street

After chatting with Scotty himself on Twitter yesterday, I decided it would be a great night to visit his restaurant at the Landing. Scotty’s is a bar and grill with something special: personality. From the menus that look like a classic sports publication to the Mug Club Mugs hanging from the bar, you’re bound to notice something new every time you visit.

While some of my peers complain that Scotty’s can be a bit pricey for a college budget, I say it’s worth it. It might be a few extra bucks, but I’ve never had a bad meal there. I can name plenty of places in the area where I’ve paid a similar price and have been extremely disappointed in my meal. If you need a damn good meal, don’t mess around with cheap competitors—Scotty’s is your best investment.

While I’ve tried everything from the burgers to the wraps, I decided to try Monty’s Frisco last night. It was by far the best thing I’ve eaten there. A Frisco burger is a half pound grilled burger served with sautéed red onions and Swiss cheese on sourdough toast with a side of thousand island dressing. The patty was perfectly cooked to order, juicy, and not greasy. The sourdough toast was nice and crispy. I opted out on the cheese, but loved the caramelized grilled onions.

I usually have the mashed potatoes or corn-on-the-cob when I’m at Scotty’s, but last night I decided to try the onion rings. I’m beyond glad that I did. I am kind of wishy-washy on my onion rings. Sometimes they are too soft. Sometimes the breading falls of when you bite into it. The onions on the inside are usually too chewy. I don’t know. I just rarely have a good experience with onion rings. So, I was dreading the worst. Though, I got a big surprise. Scotty’s has the best onion rings I’ve ever had. I mean it. Crispy on the outside and the inside and the breading stayed intact when I bit into it. Great flavor. Love every bite of them!

So, I originally went in with the intention of doing a beer tasting last night, but saw something on the drink menu that I couldn’t resist. A Mo’Fo’ Mary. Now, I had tried other Mo’Fo’ items at Scotty’s and the name doesn’t lie. It is one of the hottest sauces I’ve ever tried. So, I took this super spicy Bloody Mary as a challenge. Good drink. I prefer my Mary’s a little more peppery and less spicy, but it was still good. It certainly cleared my sinuses.

A tasty ice cream sundae was the perfect end to the meal — compliments of Scotty himself! Thanks again man!

If you haven’t tried Scotty’s yet, I really encourage you too. It’s a great atmosphere with great food.

Check out their menu on www.HungryBoiler.com now!

By Meg
Filed in: Bar & Grill

When you think of Harry’s, you probably don’t think of food. Your first thoughts are probably of Green Dragons and Baltimore Zoos. Well, today I want to tell you about their food, namely the Harry’s Lunch Special.

This was my first Harry’s lunch, and it took place the day after my 21st birthday. After walking by the window so many times over the past three years and taking a look at the special menu for that week, it was a real treat to walk in, be carded, and sit down at a table looking out at State street.

Anyone who has been to Harry’s knows that the atmosphere is one that can’t quite be replicated. The place seems alive with students, but haunted by Purdue history. I took the liberty of carving my initials into the table, a familiar action in the graffiti covered dive. It reminds me very much of Gino’s in Chi-Town – everyone wants the world to know they’ve been there because there’s no other place like it.

It wasn’t the most interesting of menu items: a simple double cheeseburger. Though, I’ll tell you what, it was a great one. It certainly wasn’t a Bert Burger from Triple X, but I could eat it just as often. It was served with all the fixings on a delicious bun. What did I enjoy most about this burger? It wasn’t horribly greasy. While I understand West Lafayette has come to worship the Five Guys burger, personally I have grown less and less found of them with every drip of grease. Harry’s burger was juicy, but not dripping in fat.

The fries were GNARLY. They were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The flavor was particularly delicious. It tasted to me that they were cooked with some sort of batter or a particular type of oil. What it was, I have no clue—but I loved it.

Alright. Now I know I said I was only going to talk about food, but, with my new found legal rights, I must rave about the Bloody Mary I had with lunch. This is my favorite drink (not that I’d had one before wink wink) so this Harry’s Mary had big shoes to fill. The mix was perfectly spicy. It definitely stole my heart. It had enough alcoholic kick to relax you, but not so much that you couldn’t head to class afterward.