Restaurant Name: Wings Etc.

Location: 2060 US 52W Suite T, West Lafayette, IN  (map it)

Phone: 765-588-6740

Cuisine: American, Pub Grub

Review: A friend recently told me about a new place in West Lafayette called Wings Etc. He raved about how good the wings were and how often he’d been there for lunch since it opened. Today we were deciding what to have for lunch and wings sounded good, so we headed over to Wings Etc. to try them out. They are located way west on US 52, just past Baja Peninsula in a newish strip mall.

We arrived and the parking lot was pretty full and I was worried that it might be too busy since the Colts game was about to start, but there seemed to be plenty of tables. The inside has a regular seating area and a bar area. Neither were huge, but ample. Large flat screen TVs were hung along every wall with sports playing on each one. It was very typical of any sports bar. We were seated and after a few minutes a waitress arrived to take our drink order. We were all starving so we went ahead and placed our orders at this time.

And then we waited. And waited. And waited. I was about to start chewing on the table when, just over thirty minutes after our arrival, our food came out. I understand it takes time to make food, but I think thirty minutes is excessive in any restaurant. I was getting cranky, the kids were whining, and even my husband was getting annoyed. It was a long wait.

As for the food, it was fine. The menu consists of things like wings and ribs, but also burgers, wraps and salads.  I ordered a BBQ chicken wrap. I was starving, so I may have eaten it so fast I couldn’t tell, but it was really pretty good. My husband reports that the wings really were quite good, better than BW3 wings. The kids seemed happy with their meal. So while the service was extremely slow, the food was acceptable in a pub food kind of way. I’m hopeful that the slow service was a fluke and I’m definitely willing to give it another shot. I’ll just make sure I’m not starving before I head over.

Kid friendly: Yes

Restaurant Name:  DT Kirby’s

Location:  605 Main St Lafayette, IN 47901  (map it)

Phone: (765) 429-6666

Cuisine:  Hot dogs, hamburgers, sandwiches

I may have just had the best hot dog of my life at DT Kirby’s. And, I don’t say that lightly. I’m a big fan of the genre. There may have been others that compare, but memory of them escapes me at the moment. I had the Sonoma dog. I can’t remember what all was in it, but in addition to the dog, there were jalapenos, lettuce, and, I think, bacon and tomatoes.  In any case, it was phenomenal.

The venue is unassuming. It’s a bar. In addition to the main bar, there are several tables along the opposite wall. Napkins are in the form of paper towels on a roll set on the table. There are plenty of big screen televisions, so you can see what is on. And, they appeared to have a decent selection of beer – though I was on a lunch break from work, so I didn’t indulge. In addition to the hot dog, I got a side of onion rings. They appeared to be homemade, and they were delicious as well.

If you’re looking for great tasting food and maybe a beer or two, this is a good choice. If you’re looking for healthy cuisine and a fancy setting, not so much.

Kid friendly: No.

Methods of payment: Cash or credit

Restaurant Name: Black Sparrow Pub

Location: 223 Main Street, Lafayette, Indiana (map it)

Telephone: 765-429-0405

Cuisine: Upscale Pub Grub

Review: The Black Sparrow is a nice addition to downtown Lafayette. I suspect it is best enjoyed in the evening as more of a pub, but my experience has been limited to its lunch offerings. At night, its solid beer selection would be an advantage. It has a nice bar, and the wait staff has always been friendly. They aren’t really set up for take out, but have been more than happy to let me call in an order to carry out for lunch.

For lunch, it has a good variety of sandwiches. For me, the BLT&E is a standard – Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Egg. It runs about $7 and, despite what you might think, the egg is an excellent addition to the time honored favorite.

In addition to sandwiches, the Black Sparrow offers salads and what I suppose I would describe as Mediterranean plates involving variously hummus, dates, olives, and goat cheese. I have not been so adventurous as to try these things, but if they are as good as their sandwiches, they are probably worth trying out.

Kid friendly: Not particularly. I wouldn’t say it’s kid unfriendly, but it’s a bar and not really geared for kids.

Methods of payment: Cash or credit.

Restaurant Name: Buffalo Wild Wings

Location: 360 Brown St, West Lafayette, IN (map it)
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Phone: 765-743-1188

Hours: Sun-Mon: 11am to 12:30am, Tues-Sat: 11am to 2am

Cuisine: American

Review: I have eaten a meal or two at a variety of BW3s over the years. Apparently they aren’t called that anymore, just Buffalo Wild Wings. I guess people didn’t get the Weck part. Anyway, we popped in over to the West side location last night to have some dinner. There were several new things on the menu, which is always a nice.

Food here is always pretty decent. Good wings if you like wings, although I can’t get any hotter than mild. Loads of appetizers, and as a person who would rather eat appetizers than a meal, its perfect for me. Mini corn dogs, nachos, onion rings, wings, and mozzarella sticks to name just a few. Some of the new menu items included mini-hamburgers and pulled pork sandwiches. Healthy food it isn’t, but you can get a simple garden salad if you are looking to cut a few calories.

Of course, a wide selection of beer and mixed drinks is available as you watch your favorite sports team on one of the big screen TVs or play a little trivia. I might have played a little trivia last night, and I need to add here that I won! I got in the lead on the first question and no one could pass me. I love trivia, I don’t know why it’s been so long since I played.

Since they moved from a order at the counter place to also doing ordering at your table, service can be hit or miss. Last night though, we had most exceptional service from a young man named Alex. He was friendly but not overbearing. He was knowledgeable about the menu but not pushy. He regularly checked on us to see if we needed refills, napkins, or just some plates removed. He didn’t rush to turn over the table, and really impressed every last one of us. My hat’s off to Alex at BW3. Give that boy a raise.

Kid friendly: Yes. They have a nice kids menu (chicken tenders with smiley fries, mini corn dogs, etc.) and have high chairs, boosters, and offer crayons and coloring pages. There is a bar on the premises, but on the far side of the large restaurant. I don’t know that I’d take my kids there on a Saturday night, but we regularly enjoy lunch there as a family.

Methods of Payment: Cash or Credit.

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Restaurant Name: O’Bryans Nine Irish Brothers

Location: 119 Howard Avenue, West Lafayette, IN (map it)
Phone: 765-746-4782

Hours: Sat-Fri 11am-1am, Sun 11am-12am

Cuisine: Irish

Review: Jerry and Jan O’Bryan have truly outdone themselves! This place evokes the feeling of being in a traditional Irish pub, without having to make the trek overseas. Family photos and Irish memorabilia can be found throughout the pub, and the furniture was actually brought over from Ireland. They don’t miss a beat on the food either. Daily specials are always a hit, but the Fish & Chips and Guinness Stew are my favorite. We usually get a couple meals and share them, and we love everything we’ve tried. A pint of Irish beer is the perfect complement to the meal, but they do offer a wide variety of beer, wine, whiskey, and mixed drinks. Oh, I guess they have non-alcoholic drinks, too, but come on – this is an Irish pub! The Guinness Stout is great, but you’ve got to try the Smithwicks Irish Ale (pronounced Smiddicks).

Guests are, without fail, welcomed by a warm smile and greeting from the attentive kilt-wearing staff. Everyone is treated like family, and Jan and Jerry are almost always there to show you around.They will lead you to a cozy table, where you can peruse the menu and check out the O’Bryan family story. If you’re by yourself, or in the mood to meet some new people, the bar is an ideal location. The bartenders are very friendly, and happy to serve your meal right there. Look above the bar, and you’ll see the words “Five Irish Sisters,” paying homage to the ladies of the family – yes, Jerry actually has five sisters, not to mention the nine boys in the family!

If you’re looking for a unique place to have lunch or dinner, or a fun night out, this is the place to be. Live bands on the weekends provide some great music and entertainment. They also offer whiskey and spirit tasting events, and St. Patrick’s Day festivities that shouldn’t be missed. The patio is a great place to enjoy your visit to Nine Irish Brothers, too.

One final note; While I have listed this as not a kid-friendly establishment, they do allow children during lunch and all day on Sunday. They are quite friendly to kids, but they do not offer a children’s menu, crayons, or other items that families would expect at a kid-friendly restaurant.

Kid friendly: No.

Methods of Payment: Cash or Credit.

Related Sites: Hungry Hoosier Review, My Space Page