Low Carb Dining Out
BrittaniMyChelle
Posts: 45 Member
One of the many great things about low carb is that there are so many options when it comes to dining out. I wanted to start a thread for places and tips when eating out. Feel free to add any places that you know of that have low carb options.
Hardee's - only because I'm eating one right now, but they have a Low Carb thick burger. When I was logging I noticed other burgers such as their Monster Thick burger labeled as Low carb so it may be an option for all sandwiches.
Chipotle- I ate here ALOT when I went Paleo last year. Skip the rice and beans(and cheese if Paleo) and just get lettuce, meat, and salsa. Plus, I believe they still do the 3 pointer where if you only get 3 items you pay a lower price. Be advised that extra or half and half meat counts as an extra point and will not qualify as a 3 pointer.
Jimmy Johns- you can make any sandwich and "Unwich" where they sub out the bread for a lettuce wrap.
Panera Bread- even though they got rid of their Secret Menu, they still have salads that are low carb friendly. One of my Paleo favs is the Chicken Cobb with Avocado.
Please add to this post if you know of other places offering low carb/Paleo options.
Hardee's - only because I'm eating one right now, but they have a Low Carb thick burger. When I was logging I noticed other burgers such as their Monster Thick burger labeled as Low carb so it may be an option for all sandwiches.
Chipotle- I ate here ALOT when I went Paleo last year. Skip the rice and beans(and cheese if Paleo) and just get lettuce, meat, and salsa. Plus, I believe they still do the 3 pointer where if you only get 3 items you pay a lower price. Be advised that extra or half and half meat counts as an extra point and will not qualify as a 3 pointer.
Jimmy Johns- you can make any sandwich and "Unwich" where they sub out the bread for a lettuce wrap.
Panera Bread- even though they got rid of their Secret Menu, they still have salads that are low carb friendly. One of my Paleo favs is the Chicken Cobb with Avocado.
Please add to this post if you know of other places offering low carb/Paleo options.
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Even though it's fast food, my favorite is Arbys. I get the Max roast beef sandwich and just toss the buns. I make my own sugar free BBQ sauce, so I put some of that on the meat. It's damn tasty and there is enough there to satisfy.2
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In and Out Burger - you can get it "protein-style" which means it is in a lettuce wrap instead of a bun. Also, if you want something larger than a double as their burgers are not that large, you can order up to a "four by four" which means four patties and four pieces of cheese. They won't go larger than that. I tried.5
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Wendy's will do anything in a lettuce wrap or you can order things a la carte to save money if you don't eat veg.5
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Most Thai curries are low carb. (The thickener is coconut cream, rather than corn starch.) Some Indian restaurants use potato starch. It is supposed to be resistant starch, and my system definitely treats it that way.7
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Most Thai curries are low carb. (The thickener is coconut cream, rather than corn starch.) Some Indian restaurants use potato starch. It is supposed to be resistant starch, and my system definitely treats it that way.
I love Thai food and lucky for me there is a restaurant next door to my work that specializes in Thai food. I have their Tom Kai Gai soup often
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I'm not particularly low carb, but rather SLOW carb. But protein and veg is my go to virtually everywhere. And, if possible, a salmon caesar or a chicken caesar (yes anchovies, no croutons).
(adding the NOT fast food perspective)2 -
My go-to is seafood with a veggie side, but I've also had luck with these options:
Fast Food: The grilled chicken at KFC is wonderful. Same skin and seasonings as their fried chicken, just none of the breading. The breasts can sometimes be dry, but if you order legs or thighs you'll be rewarded with a crispy outside and a moist and tender inside. I actually prefer it to the original!
BBQ Joints: You can do really well at most barbecue places. I order grilled chicken or pulled pork (no sauce/no bun) with the lowest carb veggie they offer (usually collard or mustard greens).
Mexican: Order fajitas without the tortillas and sub salad/guacamole for the rice and beans. And, if you're able to find a place that doesn't batter dip their chile rellenos, those can be very low carb (and incredibly delicious).2 -
I wish KFC did unbreaded chicken here in the uk!
In the UK:
McDonald's:
Some may not approve but McDonald's is often a lifesaver for me when I'm on the go and need something cheap and filling and especially in winter - warm. A double cheeseburger is my standard - no ketchup and I eat it out of the bun without eating any of the bun itself!
Five Guys
Pricier but nicer than maccys, if you ask for your burger without the bun they give you the option of having it wrapped in lettuce or in a foil bowl. I get the bowl and have a bacon cheeseburger with grilled mushrooms. GBK also do bunless burgers happily, though I've never gotten them takeout.
Nandos
The easiest low carb option in the world, you can get a whole chicken if you like and chow down. My personal favorite is a chicken butterfly. I ask for no regular sides (though there is a vegetable one which is ok) and instead I get toppings of halloumi and avocado on the side.
Pret a Manger
Protein egg pot added to chefs chicken salad. Not very exciting but ok.
Chipotle/tortilla/mission burrito etc
I get a salad with lettuce, some peppers, double carnitas, Guacamole and cheese.
At most higher end restaurants I end up with steak or chicken and a side. I'd never risk getting eg a Thai curry unless it came with a carb count.
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McDonald's is my low carb place of choice that I eat at almost daily.
Fresh round egg cooked in real butter 80 cals each, total 160 cals
Fresh round sausage patty fried 170 cals each, total 340 cal
Half and half 20 cals each. 9 per senior cup of coffee x 2-4 cups total cals 360-720 cals.
Best cup of coffee in town for $0.59
Cost $4.84 for 860-1220 LCHF calories with great service.
Not sure why but my desire for red mean fell like a rock after going LCHF for a while so I seldom get a burger patty.
I do eat at other places but McD's is my place of choice especially when on road trips.5 -
Carl's Jr.: most of their burgers protein style...same thing with some of heir chicken burgers / sandwiches.
Denny's: build your own burger, and some of their salads
Marie Calendar's: salad bar (or basically any place with a salad bar like Sizzler)3 -
I'm glad I'm back on the East Coast, hurricanes and all, but I DO miss In-and-Out.
I used to hit the salad bar whenever possible, until my husband was so ill from eating at one that I had to drive home. And feed him various remedies. And listen to him moan all night. In doing our research we found out that certain chains mist their salad bars with some sort of stay-crisp preservative. Not every chain does it and not everyone is sensitive to this mystery crop dusting. But that once was enough for us; too bad.1 -
Subway will do al a cart meat and veggies in a bowl. Don't ask for a salad - ask for whatever meat/cheese you want "I want the meatballs for a footlong with pepperjack cheese" then they will give you the veggies you ask for as well.8
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RowdysLady wrote: »Subway will do al a cart meat and veggies in a bowl. Don't ask for a salad - ask for whatever meat/cheese you want "I want the meatballs for a footlong with pepperjack cheese" then they will give you the veggies you ask for as well.
I didnt know that!1 -
silverfiend wrote: »RowdysLady wrote: »Subway will do al a cart meat and veggies in a bowl. Don't ask for a salad - ask for whatever meat/cheese you want "I want the meatballs for a footlong with pepperjack cheese" then they will give you the veggies you ask for as well.
I didnt know that!
I do this because I want just enough lettuce to garnish, not a full salad's worth. I do the italian BMT meat 6", shredded monterey-cheddar and throw in one to two chicken breasts depending on how hungry I am. Instead of dressing, I get them to do like the sandwich: mayo, mustard, oil and vinegar, salt and pepper. A little tomato and onion, maybe some banana peppers and all of it chopped up together, it looks a hot mess, but it's tasty.4 -
I eat out more than I care to admit.
At fast food chains, it's a burger or chicken, with no bun, no ketchup, no onions.
At Arbys it's the meats and bacon and I just ditch the bun.
I have to know before I go, so that I don't mess up. I've found that I think I'm being good by ordering a salad or steak, but the chain has added seasonings and such that increase the carbs more than I thought.
Olive Garden - this is for the whole plate as described in the menu
Chicken Piccata lighter Lunch - 12g carbs, 3g fiber.
Herb Grilled Salmon Lighter Dinner - 8g carbs, 4g fiber.
Carrabbas - this is for just the item - the sides would be calculated separately
Chicken Marsala - 3g carbs
Pollo Rosa Maria - 3 carbs
Tuscan Grilled chicken - 1 carb
Salmon Cetrolini- 2 carbs
Tuscan Grilled Sirloin (6 OZ) & Prosciutto Wrapped Shrimp - 1 carb
Wood Fired Italian Wings - 3 carbs.
Panera Bread
1/2 Romaine & Kale Caesar Salad with Chicken - 5 carbs
1/2 Caesar Salad with Chicken - 6 carbs
Fridays
Bourbon Barrel Mahi Mahi - 4 carbs
Rib Eye - 3 carbs -- if you get the Jack Daniels Ribeye it becomes 57 carbs
NY Strip 10 oz - 4 carbs
Millers Ale House
Steaks are 1 - 3 carbs depending on the cut.
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RowdysLady wrote: »Subway will do al a cart meat and veggies in a bowl. Don't ask for a salad - ask for whatever meat/cheese you want "I want the meatballs for a footlong with pepperjack cheese" then they will give you the veggies you ask for as well.
Jersey Mike's does something similar - I think they call it a "Sub in a tub." Just their regular subs in a bowl. You choose the toppings just as you would when you order a traditional sub.1 -
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Waffle house was LC friendly today too. Got the steak and eggs, didn't eat the toast, subbed tomato slices for my hashbrowns. Salted everything generously and drank 2.5 mugs of coffee with 4 of those individual half and half creamers. Very nice.3
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Last night I went to Chilis for dinner and had the steak with a side of shrimp. Their steak normally comes with a potato item, but I always ask to sub it for an extra serving of vegetable.3
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BrittaniMyChelle wrote: »
Hardee does any of their sandwiches "low carb" style. I've gotten hungry after reading this thread! Lol!4 -
Dominican restaurants/delis - pernil, chicharones, ribs without sauce, roasted chicken - all so fatty and yummy!1
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My fav local Mexican place does an unbreaded chile poblano, stuffed with either beef or chicken. They let me get this with guac and sour cream instead of rice and beans.
My fav local breakfast place has a 3 egg omelette, smothered with their green chili (3 net carb) that is on the early bird special menu.
Smashburger, you can order them all without the bun, works for an on the go lunch.
I am finding most places are happy to skip any of the side things, like fries, biscuits & gravy, pancakes or toast. I even get eggs benedict from a Le Peeps that will hold the English muffin, just putting the meat and eggs with the sauce on the plate, they give me some sliced tomato and lettuce instead, cause I am a regular there.
It is amazing how many places will gladly hold items for you, just ask with a smile. After all they don't have to put product on the plate, which helps them out too.
Someone has already posted Carrabba's, I just want to add they are one of the few places that serve spinach that is worthy of eating, it is sauteed in EVOO, with garlic slices.1 -
I owe this thread and its particpants a big thank you. Reading it gave me the idea to go to Five Guys and I ate a bunless lettuce wrapped little bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, mayo and ketchup. It was the best thing I've ate in five months, ha! Under 500 calories and 10 g of carbs.5
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I owe this thread and its particpants a big thank you. Reading it gave me the idea to go to Five Guys and I ate a bunless lettuce wrapped little bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, grilled onions, mayo and ketchup. It was the best thing I've ate in five months, ha! Under 500 calories and 10 g of carbs.
If you get a lil or regular bacon cheese burger, extra cheese and extra bacon are FREE! Just ask for it along with your other toppings. Also, an additional patty is $1.80 or so. Omnomnomnom.1 -
I usually get a steak, or fish or a steak/salmon salad, or bunless burger when we go out. Often a restaurant has perfect low carb stuff if you ignore the potato or rice -- last night I had ling cod covered in macadamia nut crust with roasted cauliflower, broccoli, red pepper and beans. It was good enough that I didn't feel jealous of the Spousal Unit's taglliatelle with seafood and chorizo sausage.1
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Ooh five guys was my suggestion and I'm getting one TODAY! Glad it helped x3
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Just went to my favorite Mexican restaurant Sunday and had a great guacamole salad. It comes on lettuce with a heavy dose of 2 kinds of cheese. I wasn't very hungry, but next time, I think I will get some of the fajita meat a la cart to go with it.2
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Red Robin (and most places) will lettuce wrap their burgers if you ask. You can also get broccoli for a side instead of fries, and if you want an app they will swap tortilla chips out for celery or mixed veg of some sort. I got the spinach dip with celery sticks.
The only low carb thing at the old spaghetti factory is their brown butter broccoli dish but OH MAN is it good. Their meatballs have bread so stay away!
Jimmy johns unwiches are GREAT, one of my favorite options hands down. The gargantuan is like 9 bucks but it's a huge sandwich and very filling.
Most mexican restaurants offer fajitas - I always get the biggest order of steak/chicken fajitas they have and just don't bother with the tortillas. Sub the rice/beans for whatever mixed vegs they have.2 -
I should be ashamed, but I'm not... there are SEVERAL mexican restaurants in town that are oblivious if I order their yummy food and bring my own low carb tortillas. sometimes I order burritos and unwrap and rewrap them, sometimes I just order the guts and then wrap them. It violates "policy", but meh.
YMMV (which usually means your mileage may vary, but here means your macros may vary, ha)6
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