Recent TV exposure boosts business
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 08/23/2007
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The Triple XXX Family Restaurant has seen a 43 percent increase in business during the past month.
Owner Greg Ehresman attributes the hike to his debut on the Food Network program "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." It was featured on June 11 and ran consistently through the end of the month, just before the onset of the West Lafayette smoking ban.
Ehresman said sales are up for items that were featured on the national network, including the double cheeseburger, grilled tenderloin and the infamous Duane Purvis burger.
During the program, Ehresman tinkered with the dish. He put "a little bit too much" peanut butter to get a reaction out of the show's host.
"It's pretty much a love/hate relationship," he said. "You're either in love with it or you hate it."
On the menu for customer Scott Crone was a Boilermaker Pete, no pickles, no onions. Crone and his friend Corey Swartz have been coming to the State Street eatery for at least 17 years. They can be found in the restaurant almost every day with a cup of coffee in hand.
"I've pretty much eaten everything here," said Swartz.
Although Crone is pleased to hear about the business surge, he says things could be even better.
"I think the breakfast has fallen off, to be quite honest with you," he said. "Not because of the Food Network, but because of the west side officials."
He says bartenders and patrons are opting for places where they can light up a cigarette � a practice banned inside most public places in West Lafayette.
Although several patrons said the only reason they are at the Triple XXX is because of the smoking ordinance, Crone said: "As many people who are coming because it's non smoking, there's that many who are not ..."
Whether smoking is permitted or not, class of '70 alumnae Nancy Teal will return to the Triple XXX each time she visits her three sons who are enrolled.
"It's part of West Lafayette; it's part of Purdue. This is awesome."