diff --git a/random-menu.rb b/random-menu.rb
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d5c8bda
--- /dev/null
+++ b/random-menu.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,109 @@
+#ORIGINAL VERSION - did not accept user input
+#three arrays of ten words each
+#descriptor = ["frozen","broiled","baked","steamed","fried","molten","crispy","crunchy","smooth","velvety"]
+#flavor = ["chocolate", "vanilla", "strawberry", "pistachio", "orange", "lemon", "banana", "cherry","pineapple","mint"]
+#food_type = ["ice cream","cookie","cupcake","muffin","bread","sandwich","lollipop","souffle","soup","salad"]
+
+descriptor = []
+flavor = []
+food_type = []
+
+puts "Let's make a random menu!  First we're going to set up our word banks.  We'll make three lists: descriptions (such as 'raw' or 'broiled'), flavors (such as 'cherry' or 'banana'), and type of food (such as 'sandwich' or 'cookie').  How many choices would you like in each list?"
+items = gets.chomp
+items = items.to_i
+
+until items > 0
+  puts "Please enter a number greater than 0!"
+  items = gets.chomp
+  items = items.to_i
+end
+
+puts "Ok, please enter your first description:"
+first_desc = gets.chomp
+descriptor << first_desc
+i = 1
+while i < items
+  puts "Next description:"
+  next_desc = gets.chomp
+  descriptor << next_desc
+  i = i + 1
+end
+
+puts "Ok, please enter your first flavor:"
+first_flav = gets.chomp
+flavor << first_flav
+i = 1
+while i < items
+  puts "Next flavor:"
+  next_flav = gets.chomp
+  flavor << next_flav
+  i = i + 1
+end
+
+puts "Ok, please enter your first food type:"
+first_type = gets.chomp
+food_type << first_type
+i = 1
+while i < items
+  puts "Next food type:"
+  next_type = gets.chomp
+  food_type << next_type
+  i = i + 1
+end
+
+
+puts "How many items would you like to see on your menu today?"
+show = gets.chomp
+show = show.to_i
+
+#verify that user entry was valid
+until show <= items && show > 0
+  puts "Sorry, I can only show between 1 and #{items} items.  How many items would you like?"
+  show = gets.chomp
+  show = show.to_i
+end
+
+puts "Here is your random menu!"
+
+#create arrays to store used numbers so we do not repeat any selections
+used_descriptors = []
+used_flavors = []
+used_food_types = []
+
+#pick one item from each array without any repeats.
+#to check for repeats, make an array of already-used numbers for each item.
+#keep generating new random numbers until you get one that wasn't already in the array of used items.
+#would slow down the bigger the array gets - LATER improve this part
+i = 0
+while i < show
+
+descriptor_select = rand 0..items-1
+  until used_descriptors.include?(descriptor_select) == false
+    descriptor_select = rand 0..items-1
+  end
+  used_descriptors << descriptor_select
+
+flavor_select = rand 0..items-1
+  until used_flavors.include?(flavor_select) == false
+    flavor_select = rand 0..items-1
+  end
+  used_flavors << flavor_select
+
+food_type_select = rand 0..items-1
+  until used_food_types.include?(food_type_select) == false
+    food_type_select = rand 0..items-1
+  end
+  used_food_types << food_type_select
+
+puts "#{i+1}. " + descriptor[descriptor_select] + " " + flavor[flavor_select] + " " + food_type[food_type_select]
+
+  i = i+1
+end
+
+#ORIGINAL VERSION - did not account for repeats
+#select one random item from each array (in order)
+#i = 0
+#while i < num
+#  puts "#{i+1}. " + descriptor[rand 0..9].capitalize + " " + flavor[rand 0..9] + " " + food_type[rand 0..9]
+#  i = i+1
+#end