Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Burgers & Root Beer for Two
Indiana's oldest drive-in, perched on the hill below Purdue since 1929 — chopped-sirloin burgers, all-day breakfast, and the famous orange Triple XXX root beer in a frosted mug. A Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives stop. Cash only, and two eat for well under $20.
Bruno's Pizza
Pizza & Bruno Dough for Two
A West Lafayette family institution since 1955 — hand-tossed pizzas cut with scissors and the legendary Bruno Dough, fried bread bites tossed in garlic butter and Parmesan. Split a small pizza and an order of dough and two eat for around $20. Closed Mondays.
Nine Irish Brothers
Tenderloin or Pub Plates for Two
A lively Irish pub voted USA Today's best fried tenderloin in Indiana — a hand-breaded pork cutlet that swallows the bun — plus shepherd's pie and half-size entrées that keep the bill down. Two can share and stay near $20.
The Black Sparrow
Pub Sandwiches for Two
A downtown Lafayette mainstay since 2007 with an upscale-grunge vibe — in-house pub sandwiches, fish and chips, salads, and a deep beer list, just off Main Street. Two split sandwiches and fries for under $20. Closed Sundays.
Chaparritos
Tacos for Two
A family-run taqueria with locations on both sides of the river — birria, al pastor, tortas, and burritos, with taco-day specials as low as $1.50 each. Two eat well under $20. Closed Sundays.
Westside Diner
Breakfast for Two
A no-frills west-side diner where college athletes and regulars pack the counter — hearty omelets, buttermilk pancakes, and the famous fried potatoes, all at honest prices. Two get a full breakfast for under $20.
Greyhouse Coffee
Coffee & Crepes for Two
A big, cozy specialty coffee house in the heart of campus — espresso drinks, around 40 loose-leaf teas, and a food menu of crepes and bites. Two grab coffee and a snack for well under $20.
Mad Mushroom Pizza
Cheesestix & a Slice
A late-night campus mainstay famous for its Original Cheesestix plus pizza and grinders. An order of cheesestix runs well under $10 and splits easily, so two can share a snack-meal and drinks for under $20.
Grilled Chicken and Rice
Shawarma for Two
A budget Middle Eastern spot doing chicken-and-rice plates, shawarma, falafel, and fresh hummus by campus. Plates land in the single digits, so two can build a full meal for under $20.
Hala's Grill
Halal Wraps for Two
A halal Middle Eastern grill near campus serving shawarma wraps, kebabs, and falafel with veg options. Chicken shawarma wraps run about $10, so two wraps come in right at or under $20.
Noodles & I
Dumplings & Noodles for Two
A small Chauncey Village noodle shop doing pho, Thai dishes, and braised-beef noodle bowls. Dumplings run about $7 and a noodle bowl around $10, so two can mix and match a shareable meal under $20.
Las Brazas Taquería
Taco Tuesday for Two
A family-owned taquería known for al pastor street tacos and a signature red salsa. Tacos drop to about $2.50 on Tuesdays, so two can split a generous taco spread for under $20.
Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh
Stuffed Pitas for Two
A fast-casual Mediterranean spot near campus building pitas, gyros, falafel, and rice bowls to order. Stuffed pitas are budget-friendly, so two can each grab a pita and share sides for under $20.
Eating cheap around Purdue: West Lafayette's deals cluster on the hill by campus and along Sagamore Parkway, while downtown Lafayette across the river has its own walkable strip on Main Street. A few spots take a day off — Triple XXX is cash-only and typically closed Tuesday, Bruno's closes Monday, and Chaparritos and the Black Sparrow close Sunday — so check before you go. And don't leave without trying Indiana's signature cheap sandwich, the breaded pork tenderloin; Nine Irish Brothers' version was named the best in the state.
Arni's
Pizza & Salad for Two
Born right here in Lafayette in 1965 and now a Pizza Hall of Fame Indiana chain — thin-crust pizza loaded edge to edge plus the famous Arni's salad. Split a pizza and a salad and two eat for around $20.
Steak 'n Shake
Steakburgers & Shakes for Two
An Indiana original (since 1934, now Indianapolis-based) griddling thin Steakburgers and hand-dipping shakes off a deep value menu — two eat for well under $20.
Jimmy John's
Subs for Two
Freaky-fast gourmet subs and the cheaper Slims line, a Purdue late-study staple — two subs run well under $20.
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