diff --git a/random-menu.rb b/random-menu.rb
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+# creates a randomize food menu item based on food types inputed by user
+# laura barrera
+# last edited: August 6, 2018
+
+adjectives = [] #"hot", "cold", "spicy", "plain", "bitter", "delicious", "creamy", "sweet", "salty", "tart"]
+styles = [] #"seasoned", "baked", "pan-fried", "steamed", "grilled", "smoked", "caramelized", "casserole", "curied", "creamed"]
+foods = []
+oldfrase = []
+
+# get user input
+puts "how many menu items would you like to see?"
+max = gets.chomp.to_i
+
+puts "now we are going to collect some information about food types, food adjectives, and food styles"
+# store user input about food type
+puts "\nplease tell me #{max} food types:"
+(1..max).each do |num|
+  print "food item #{num}:"
+  foods.append(gets.chomp)
+end
+
+# store user input about food adjective
+puts "\nplease tell me #{max} food adjectives:"
+(1..max).each do |num|
+  print "food adjective #{num}:"
+  adjectives.append(gets.chomp)
+end
+
+#store user input about styles
+puts "\nplease tell me #{max} food styles:"
+(1..max).each do |num|
+  print "food style #{num}:"
+  styles.append(gets.chomp)
+end
+
+puts "\nwe are done collecting info \ngenerating food menu....\n\nHere are the #{max} menu items!"
+(1..max).each do |num|
+  # create random string
+  index = Random.rand(0...max)
+  newfrase = "#{adjectives[index]} #{ styles[index]} #{foods[index]}"
+
+  # check if we have created that string before
+  while oldfrase.include? newfrase
+    index = Random.rand(0...max) # does not include max because if food items were 3, it will be stored as 0, 1, 2
+    newfrase = "#{adjectives[index]} #{ styles[index]} #{foods[index]}"
+  end
+
+  # add new string to the created strings array
+  oldfrase.append(newfrase)
+  print " #{num}. #{newfrase}\n"
+end