Lafayette Christmas Shopping

Every year my sister and I spend the day after Thanksgiving scouring Lafayette, Indiana for a little Black Friday bargains. It's been a tradition for us for awhile now, and one we look forward to every year.

On Thanksgiving, we pull out the store flyers and methodically go through each one searching for the best deals. Lucky for us, we already know where the best deals can be found.

If you're looking for places in Lafayette to do a little budget Christmas shopping, check out this article...

Budget Christmas Shopping in Lafayette, Indiana

Crawfordsville Lunches Under Ten Dollars

Times are tight, it's obvious. People are having to cut back everywhere, and that includes eating out.

I know I've recently started to bring my lunch more often to help cut back on expenses. But there are some days when you just open the fridge or the cupboard and nothing looks good. Or you end up pressed for time in the morning. Or you got half way to work and realized that your lunch is still sitting on the counter at home.

For those days, I offer you my top four favorite places to eat in Crawfordsville for under ten bucks. Some may even be under five if you don't have a big appetite like I do.

1. Stacy's College Street Deli - Located on East College Street, Stacy's College Street Deli has awesome deli sandwiches. A few of my favorites are the Turkey Panini, Ruben and the Little Giant. Yum! These sandwiches are sure to fill you up, but if you're looking for a little something extra, make it a "boat" for $2.50 extra. This will include your choice of sandwich, a side of homemade salad, a bag of chips, a pickle spear and a 16 oz. fountain drink. Dine in or carry out is available.

2. China Inn - If your in the mood for Chinese food, consider the China Inn on Green Street. Lunch is served from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Most of their lunch menu is priced at under five dollars and includes your choice of rice and your choice of egg roll or crab rangoon. No drink is included in that, so that will probably take the price up over five dollars depending on what you get. They have dine in or carry out.

3. Subway - Subway restaurants nationwide have really turned into a bargain since they introduced their five dollar foot long menu. If you don't think you can finish a foot long, go with a six inch. Crawfordsville has three Subway locations - 231 South, Darlington Avenue and the truck stop located off I74 exit 39. Menu choices can be seen on their website at subway.com.

4. Arthur's - Located on East Main Street, Arthur's has quite a selection of lunches for under ten dollars. Most of the menu leans towards deli-type selections, but they are definitely not limited to that. I can personally vouch for their chicken salad and Wisconsin Cheese soup...delicious! Choose your entree wisely and you may still have room in your wallet for dessert.

In addition to these great places, you also have a selection of fast food restaurants such as McDonald's, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, etc.

Treating yourself to a lunch out every once in awhile doesn't have to cut deep into your wallet...just choose wisely.

Good To Go Xpresso - Crawfordsville

I have often thought Crawfordsville was long overdue for a coffee shop. Good To Go Xpresso finally stepped up and filled that void.

They have two drive-thru locations now open, with one on the south side of town and another on the north side on 231.

I love this place, I really do.

The service is very friendly. That's a big plus with me. Too many places these days provide their service in an impersonal manner. They just take your money, hand you whatever it is you bought and the deal is done. I've stopped by Good To Go Xpresso a few times now, at both locations, and the service is always great.

The coffee is very good, also. Since they just opened up this summer, I've only gotten iced coffees, but each time it has been excellent. My personal favorite is the mochaccino, a slushy concoction topped with whipped cream and drizzled in chocolate. It really hits the spot.

If you stop by Good To Go Xpresso, try a half pound of their chocolate covered coffee beans. They are a great choice for a quick and decadent pick me up. If your not sure you'll like them, they will gladly offer a sample. They also offer several choices of pastries.

Both locations also offer a customer card that supports local schools. You choose which school you would like to support...Crawfordsville, Northmont or Southmont. For each coffee you purchase, they will stamp your card. When you buy eleven coffees, you get a dollar off the twelfth one and they will make a donation to the school of your choice.

Reasonably priced coffee, excellent service and local support will keep me going back again and again.

Stop by Good To Go Xpresso if you're in the area and grab of a coffee to go. You'll be glad you did.