No.10: Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Located in 700 Sagamore Pkwy North in Lafayette, Great Wall is one of the very few Chinese restaurants that satisfy Chinese and Taiwanese students at Purdue. Unlike other Asian restaurants near Purdue campus, Great Wall has plenty of rooms for various group sizes. Great Wall is most famous for its Saturday brunch buffet that serves authentic Taiwanese local food and drinks. Usually there’s no waiting line, but if you want to check out the Saturday Taiwanese buffet, be sure to go before noon or be prepare to wait at least 30 minutes. In other days, Great Wall provides all-day buffet as well as regular orders. Take my advise, if you are curious of what the real Chinese food is, go with the regular orders, because you will find out Chinese food is so much more than just Mo Shu Pork and Orange Chicken. 
Price wise, Saturday buffet costs about $12 per person plus tax and tips, but if you go with a large group of friends and have the regular orders, you will be surprised how satisfied you are by $10 per person including tax and tips. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.9: Maru Sushi
Located at 111 N Chauncey Ave of West Lafayette, Maru Sushi has been popular ever since its opening in 2008. As its name can’t make it more obvious, Maru is most famous for the sushi and rolls, and it’s a must-go place if you are a sushi lover. You can find almost any kind of sushi and rolls made by any ingredients here, except for some special seafood that can only be found in Japan. In addition to sushi and rolls, Maru also serves lunch box sets in Japanese style, just for people who would like to try something more than just raw fish and sushi. 
The prices are comparatively high to students especially if you can’t be satisfied by just one California roll. In average, Nigiri (raw fish on top of rice) costs about $3 per piece, and each roll ranges from $8 and up. Depends on you appetite and your budget, you may find Maru Sushi very expensive or worth every penny. Maru is a very small restaurant with very limited seats, so if you plan to go with a large group of people or if you plan to go on a Saturday evening at dinnertime, be prepare to wait a little longer. Yelp review: 4 1/2 stars by 21 reviewers.
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No.8: Heisei Japanese Restaurant
Located in 1048 Sagamore Parkway of West Lafayette, Heisei is one of the most authentic Japanese restaurants in the area. With the price ranged from $10 up to $40 per person, Heisei serves a variety of sushi, rolls, Sake (Japanese beer), and regular Japanese dishes. Heisei is most famous for its sushi and rolls. With a sushi bar right next to the seating area, you can see how your rolls are being made by their licensed chef, and you can be sure the raw fish you order won’t cause you any stomach discomfort.
However, they have very strict opening hours, and it can be inconvenient for students. They only open for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to that, they close on Sunday, so make sure you call and confirm before you and a group of friends drive all the way just to find out they’re closed. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.7: Blue Nile Mediterranean Restaurant
Located in 117 Northwestern Ave, West Lafayette, Blue Nile is one of the closest restaurants that students can go to just by walk. a. For people who don’t have much time to sit down or students who are in a hurry for school, Blue Nile serves small to medium sizes of Shawarma sandwiches with the price of no more than $10. If you have time to sit down and enjoy your meal, Blue Nile has various Middle Eastern entrees that come with homemade Mediterranean soup or salad. Understanding the difference of people’s appetites, there are two portions available for most of their dishes. Usually a half portion is good for lunch or for girls, while you can always go for full portion if you’re really very hungry. One thing worth mention is their rice. Different from the usual Chinese or Thai rice you eat in most restaurants, all the rice served in Blue Nile is steamed or fried with different Mediterranean spices, which adds extra stimulation of tastes on top of whatever comes with your dish.
As seen in picture, they are half chicken Biryani with Middle Eastern spice and half lamb Sharwama. Due to their recent resize, there’s no longer much space for large groups. Also, with only one server, you sometimes have to be patient with food and everything.Yelp Review: 4 stars with a total of 8 reviews.
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No. 6: Gaza Korean Restaurant and Grill
Located in 3457 Bethel Drive in West Lafayette, Gaza is most famous for its Korean Barbeque and traditional Korean dishes. Operated and owned by Koreans, it serves the most authentic taste of Korean food in greater Lafayette area. Since the change of ownership in 2008, Gaza provides more options for Purdue community. For meat lovers, you can get limited grill starting the price of $15 per person or unlimited grill starting at $25.
In average, each customer spends a total of about $20 per visit with orders of traditional Korean dishes. However, if you order Korean barbeque or hotpots, the price per person can go up to $40 including tax and tips. If one person wants to have unlimited grill, the whole table has to order unlimited grill as well.It can cause some inconvenience for a group of people who want different dishes. Also, with unlimited grill, 18% gratuity will be added to your bill automatically, so be careful when you tip!
Yelp Review: 4 1/2 stars with a total of 4 reviewers.
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No. 5: El Rodeo
This restaurant is a student favorite for any occasion. While the food more resebles "Tex-Mex" cuisine, flavor is equally up to par with such food made in the Southwest. If you are looking for a great meal to share, a fajita platter carries many options. With this you are able to eat the beef or chicken alone or turn them into pieces of an amazing taco that you can assemble yourself with the garnishings provided.
For those looking for something a bit lighter, the taco salad is a great option. This meal resembles any salad except for that it is placed in a tortilla shell bowl and accompanied by taco meat and the typical taco garnishings. It is just as filling as any of the other meals offered but definitely remains light for those worried about eating too many actual tacos.
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No.4: Nine Irish Brothers
At Nine Irish Brothers, located on Howard Ave. just before the Levee Plaza, there is much to choose from. Although it is not a meal, a glass of Guinness seems to be just as filling as any appetizer and can be found in the hands of many of the patrons of this restaurant.
But if you are looking for a real meal here, the shepard's pie is the way to go. This dish resembles a small caserole filled with beef, veggies and mashed potatoes. Truly, this could easily resemble one of the best homecooked meals away from home. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.3: Toscana Italian Bar and Grill
Toscana Italian Bar & Grill, located just across the brige into Lafayette on South Street, is the go-to spot for wonderful Italian food. The first dish that we recommend is the lasagna. Lasagna, a classic, is filled with flavor that is sure to please all. Meats, cheeches, noodles, mushrooms and veggies all blend for a filling meal.
In addition, Toscana also carries a goo shrimp scampi dish. For those looking to shy away from the typical marina dipped dishes, the shrimp scampi is just right. Shrimp, noodles and alfredo sauce are put together in a well sized portion leaving one to hope for more.
The next location on our top pick is El Meson. It is located close in Lafayette on Sagamore Parkway. Of all the local "Mexican" themed restaurants, this one in particular holds true to its Mexican roots in the way that the food is prepared and presented. A best-seller is any enchilada combo plate. Most combo plates come with rice and beans are the enchiladas are perfectly balanced with tons of melted cheese.
In addition, Toscana also carries a goo shrimp scampi dish. For those looking to shy away from the typical marina dipped dishes, the shrimp scampi is just right. Shrimp, noodles and alfredo sauce are put together in a well sized portion leaving one to hope for more. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.2: El Meson
The next location on our top pick is El Meson. It is located close in Lafayette on Sagamore Parkway. Of all the local "Mexican" themed restaurants, this one in particular holds true to its Mexican roots in the way that the food is prepared and presented. A best-seller is any enchilada combo plate. Most combo plates come with rice and beans are the enchiladas are perfectly balanced with tons of melted cheese.
Another authentic Mexican dish that this restaurant does well is the shrimp cocktail. In it you will find dozens of shrimp, cocktail sauce, lime juice, cilantro, avocado and a bit of onion. If there were one meal I could describe as mouth-watering it would be this one. Customers have even been noted to say that the shrimp cocktail "tastes like a perfect summer day on a beach". I agree that yes, it is that good.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No.1: Egyptian Hookah
The Egyptian Hookah bar on Northwestern Ave. is a local hang-out mostly known for its large varieties of tobacco. But did you know that this local favorite actually carries some pretty unique and delicious food? First I would like to note the lamb kabobs. So delicious! Not many places in West Lafayette serve such a dish so it is truly a unique meal. Tender and blended with spices, this dish is perfect for one or for sharing. If you haven't tried lamb before, I would recommend that you give these kabobs a try.
Next at The Egyptian that I would recommend is the pita bread that is available. Though it is simple, when served fresh and warm it easily becomes a favorite. Not only that, pita bread seems to fit with any other meal that is offered.
