By BETSY LILEY
Summer Editor

You haven't really made it until a sandwich is named after you,

Triple "XXX," 2 N. Salisbury St., has a slightly different way of serving up its blue plate special or hamburger du jour. The Purdue tradition named its platters, a sandwich served with french fries and a pickle, after Purdue legends and those involved in the history of the restaurant itself.

Greg Ehresman, owner and manager, says most of the sandwiches were named about 10 years ago by then owner Norm Kamer and his son.

The restaurant needed something to make it unique, he says. So Kamer's family sat down one night and created a series of platters named after Purdue greats and people who had a special relationship with Triple "XXX."

'Most of the people were regulars at the restaurant or had a direct relation with Purdue," he says.

Some of the namesakes still come in to the restaurant, Ehresman says.

First on the menu at Triple "XXX" is the Boilermaker Pete, named for the Purdue mascot.

This prime third pound of ground sirloin with melted cheese and grilled onions on a sesame bun is "guaranteed to end all hunger pains."

Next is the Duane Purvis All-American, billed as a "very special taste treat." Purvis played at the full-back and half-back positions during his three years on the roster at Purdue, from 1932-34.

The 1932 team was undefeated, but were second in the conference due to a tie with Northwestern University. The team also played at over the .500 mark in 1934. Purvis was named an All-American in 1933.

Melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, spanish onion cover a quarter-pound of beef on a sesame bun. Peanut butter added to the lower deck of the sandwich makes this commemoration to Purvis' years at Purdue extra-special.

The Bert Burger is a tribute to Bert Wright. "He was the one who got Triple "XXX" started. This was back in 1924," Ehresman says, The grill was the first drive-in in Indiana.

Although Wright didn't have a direct relation to the University, the platter creators felt the eatery had become such a local landmark that the originator should be honored.

His name is tied to a quarter pound of sirloin covered with cheese and bacon, served on a toasted sesame bun with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

Bernie Flowers was an end for the Boilermakers from 1950-52, making All-American in 1952.

After graduation, he played football with the Ottawa Roughriders. After two
years in the Navy, Flowers joined the Baltimore Colts organization, but left
after his first season because of an injury.

A Lafayette resident, Flowers has his own insurance agency. Ehresman says, "He still comes in."

The burger features spanish onion, lettuce, mayonnaise on a ground beef patty and a sesame seed bun.

Leroy Keyes is also commemorated with a sandwich. A half-back from 1966-68, he was All-American for the Boilers in 1967. Keyes was named most valuable player of the Big Ten in 1967, under then coach 'Jack the Ripper" Mollenkopf.

Ehresman says, "He was really good when he was here."

Keyes went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1969-72 and the Kansas City Chiefs, 1973-75.

A tenderloin with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise is the combination of flavors which bears Keyes' name.

Bob's B.B.Q. starts with ground pork and barbeque sauce, and is served with melted cheese. This sandwich is the namesake of former Purdue star Bob Griese, who also played for Mollenkopf.

Griese's credits include Big Ten most valuable player in 1966 and All-American in 1965. He went on to play for the Miami Dolphins as quarterback from 1967-80.

The most recent christening was for a long-time Triple "XXX" employee, Gerald Sibrey. Ehresman says Sibrey goes by Barney, thus the Barney Burger was named.

"He cuts our meats for us," Ehresman says. "He has been working here since about 1931."

Sibrey, now in his mid-80s, still works at the State Street burger shop. A .choice cut" served ala carte without fries and relish, the Barney Burger sports cheese and grilled onions.