Food Finds and College Memories

I suppose how one feels about where they went to college will vary from person to person. For me, happiness, fond memories, pride and a bit of longing for times past come to mind. I may have had my complaints from time to time when I was there, but now that I’ve experienced other campuses and various forms of academic life I appreciate Purdue University more than ever.

We visited West Lafayette, IN this past weekend to see a basketball game with my brother –in-law and his wife and I was once again reminded of what a great place Purdue is. It’s been about four years or so since our last visit and now that my trips tend to be a bit more food-centric, it made the weekend even more fun.

A few months ago we saw an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and were surprised to see the Triple XXX featured on the show. It does claim to be Indiana’s first drive-in restaurant, but we were surprised because this is a place I think I went to once during college. Why? Well, because it was sooooo unhealthy and I viewed it as an overcrowded, dirty diner.

Yes, I lacked appreciation for local culture back then, despised fat and needed floors I could eat off of. Well, I’ve changed a lot. Travel has led me to incredible food in places a lot less sparkling and my personal bubble has been known to disappear from time to time. I have a newfound appreciation.

We were cheerfully greeted by the cashier and we waited in our car (no space inside) about 20 minutes for a bar stool. Yep, this is a true diner. Only stools around a winding bar and it was beyond packed, shoulder to shoulder.

Since the beginning of the year I’ve only been eating non-meat options when dining out unless I know the source of the meat. I made a bit of an exception at Triple XXX, but not a big one. We felt the option of meat without fillers or additives was the second best choice. You know that gray stuff they showed in Food, Inc. Yeah, there is none of that. The diner grinds their own sirloin and I’m going to be honest. It was one of the best burgers I have had in a very long time.

They are perfectly grilled and thin. I love my burgers thin. I got the Barney Burger which was topped with grilled onions.

Going in my husband said he wasn’t going to order it, but caved at the last minute. I’m talking about the Duane Purvis All-American (many of the menu options are named after Purdue athletes) which was featured on the show – a burger with peanut butter on it.

Wait. I encourage you to practice the don’t-knock-it-until-you-try-it rule. I was surprised at how good the slightly sweet spread of pb was with the burger. However, my husband did admit that my burger with the grilled onions was more his style. No regrets in trying it though.

Our next stop we had really been looking forward to, but ended up disappointed. Lafayette Brewing Company was a favorite when we lived in the area and we made a point to go back. Perhaps it is because we’ve had the opportunity to visit many more microbreweries since then or maybe we are just upset they took the fried pickles off the menu, but we found both the food and beer somewhat mediocre. We did have a very friendly server though. Always want to mention the positive.

I ordered the Wit Bier which was made of 100% organic ingredients, but I really just ordered it because I love wheat beers . It was okay, not the best wheat I’ve had. It lacked the sweeter flavor I prefer in a wheat. I did really enjoy the Piper’s Pride Scottish ale and the Eight-Five my husband ordered though.

We shared our entrees and I got the bison burger. Yes, we had a lot of burgers, but I wasn’t too thrilled with the veggie options here. I was also pleased that the burger was Indiana-raised, grass-fed, organic American bison. My husband got the fish and chips of which the tartar sauce was excellent with a strong dill flavor. Otherwise the meal was good, and that is about the highest rating I’d give it.

We weren’t completely disappointed, it just reminded us of how fortunate we are that we can make all of these food comparisons among places we’ve lived and traveled.

On Sunday we walked around for part of the morning and I was reminded of one of the reasons I love Purdue’s campus so much. There are so many areas just like this where we could always gather and study. The tables and chairs in the Union alone have such character.

We met a friend at Noodles & Company for lunch. We don’t have any noodle places like this that I know of in Lexington as of yet. Not sure if this is a good or bad thing, but we did enjoy this place. Apparently, everyone else does too because it was packed. I had the Indonesian Peanut Sauté. The rice noodles were a bit too sticky, but it was nice and spicy with a great peanut flavor. My husband had the Japanese Pan-fried noodles with lots of udon and sprinkled with black sesame seeds. He enjoyed that as well.

Before heading out we stopped by Greyhouse Coffee. This place used to be called The Village Coffeehouse when I was on campus and I loved studying there as much as I loved their raspberry mochas. The place has only gotten better. The inside is a mix of modern and traditional with an upscale, cozy feel. I’d be studying here daily if I was still in school.

Fortunately for me, the raspberry mocha of sorts is still on the menu as the Raspberry Truffle. Although, I will admit I was tempted by the Dr. Strangelove as well. It was a coffee drink made with Mexican Oaxacan sauce infused with Sri Lankan cinnamon, orange and cloves.

My husband and I have both promised ourselves that we will make it back more often. Even with all this great food, there were several favorite places we didn’t get to visit and we’ve learned of many more we need to try. When all is said and done, I really do miss Purdue’s campus and the surrounding area, I do not, however, miss being in school.

Learning? I love it. School? Glad I’m done, but college towns have some of the best food around and the Lafayette area is no exception.

Triple XXX Family Restaurant
2 North Salisbury Street
West Lafayette, IN 47906-3027
(765) 743-5373

Lafayette Brewing Company
622 Main Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
(765) 742-2591

Noodles & Company
102 N. Chauncey Ave.
West Lafayette, IN. 47906
(765) 743-4444

Greyhouse Coffee & Supply Co
100 Northwestern Avenue
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 743-5316