Favorite restaurants?

nikki_dw

What are your favorite restaurants for healthy choices? I hate having to find the one not-awful dish at a restaurant. Of course we still have to be vigilant about food choices no matter where you eat, but what restaurants can you be confident in your decisions?

Chain restaurants and local Atlanta/north Metro restaurants encouraged :drinker:

_jayciemarie_

Definetely not The Varsity!!! (I miss Georgia. Lived there 16yrs).

Francl27

I like Applebee's healthy choices. On the Border has pretty good options too in the 'pick 2' menu, and you can replace the rice with veggies. We went to Roman's macaroni grill and the lasagna was delicious (700 calories or so). And all the 'skinnylicious' stuff at the Cheesecake Factory (although it can be a pain to find the nutrition information).. I've had the ragu pasta, the turkey avocado sandwich, and the soft tacos a couple times. Uno Chicago grill has a good vegetables/goat cheese wrap. Red Robin has good grilled chicken burgers. Chili's had some mango salsa chicken that was good too, and a chicken burger but I think they took it off the menu sadly.

Most of those have nutrition info online.

The one I want to try now because it just opened is Brio Tuscan Grille, but it's more $$ so it's going to be a while.

Of course I have no idea what's in your area...

eblakes93

McDonalds. A quarter pounder with cheese is 520 calories, a grilled sweet chicken chili wrap is 360 calories, a classic crispy chicken sandwich is 510.

I really like panera (the seasonal wheatberry turkey salad and autumn squash soup are delicious), and of course they have all of the nutritional information.

Mr_Knight

Definetely not The Varsity!!! (I miss Georgia. Lived there 16yrs).

Ramblin' Wreck alum here - with very fond memories of The Varsity! :laugh:

Kevalicious99

I love Red Robin .. something about some disgusting and terrible for you burger that is just awesome. But I only do it probably about once a year. So .. it is not a regular thing.

wertgirlfor

Well my favorite restaurants are probably diners lol. But for chains, I like Applebee's. I usually get the veggie burger or a pasta dish (which I eat half of and then save the rest). I suppose some of their salads might be healthy, but sorry, I do not go out to eat to get a salad haha Eating out is a treat and I don't care too much about being "healthy"

DatMurse

Well you wouldnt know my favorite restaurant. Favorite one for chain is chilis or buffalo wild wings XD

MysteriousMerlin

Ha.....healthy. Well...I love this local Mexican place. I just nix the sour cream and cheese, and get corn tortillas instead of flour. They offer fresh made salsa and guac, and the meal I usually order is full of protein (grilled chicken).

I like Denny's, I can get eggs whites, oatmeal, whole wheat pancakes, that sort of thing.

nikki_dw

Thanks for all the ideas! Keep 'em coming.

Mexican food is definitely a weakness for me. I love queso and have a hard time turning that one down.

lisa35120

Most Mexican restaurants can be somewhat healthy, if you get corn tortillas instead of flour and stay away from the chips! I like Chipotle and Taco Bueno.

Someone else mentioned McDonalds.. if you need something quick, a kid's meal really isn't all that bad in calories. A serving of the kid's meal French fries is only 100 calories, and the cheeseburger I think is 300.

Francl27

Someone else mentioned McDonalds.. if you need something quick, a kid's meal really isn't all that bad in calories. A serving of the kid's meal French fries is only 100 calories, and the cheeseburger I think is 300.

Yeah but you're hungry one hour later! I'd rather have the sweet chili mcwrap for 360 calories.

TheresaTester

I like the Applebees chain. They have a great variety/selection on their menu, the food is reasonably-priced, and I've always had great service from the wait staff. My favorite selection is the Santa Fe Taco Salad.

DorisInTheDena

Chili's has Light Salmon, Light Steak , and a dish called Margarita Grilled Chicken. All are very good!

1longroad

Chipotle - burrito bowl

Cracker barrel - has a new 'healthy' menu, some great choices

Longhorns steak house, or other steak house - can easily control calories with steak and a sweet potato and vegie side

autumnpennell

Applebee's! If you're concentrating on calories, they have a "550 and under" menu that is really satisfying! E.g. Steak and shrimp and a side of veggies = yum

Subway - they have an online generator that you can make our sandwich and the toppings and it will calculate calories

I think potbelly also has a "skinny" menu too

.

Mr_Knight

If I was in Atlanta and could only eat at one place, it would be Waffle House.

I love that place!

2stepscloser

I love Zoe's Kitchen.

nikki_dw

Thanks, all!

Ironically, after I posted this my boyfriend suggested we eat at Jason's Deli. I'd never been. It was delicious and the food was pretty healthy! My meal did come in high in calories (though I managed to fit them in) but because of dressings. I had salad dressing on my salad and another dressing to dip my sandwich in. But they had a yummy organic salad bar, fruit and sandwiches that aren't bad calorie-wise!

1longroad

Jasons Deli is awesome, but you just need to be aware of the calories in what you order as if varies widely!! Healthy, frsh food, well prepared and consistent!!

KeepGoingKylene

Boston Pizza has quite a few good choices. The salmon dish and the steak dish are super yum and low calorie and theres other stuff too!

mteague277

A local chain here (socal) called "native foods cafe"- It is vegan (not all the options are healthy though) but wow is it good! As far as chain restaurants, many of them have "light" or "low cal" options (one that comes to mind is cheesecake factory). I know anything that is a large chain in California has to label the calories in everything now, it definitely makes you think twice about what you choose.

I personally don't go to large chains unless I have to for family events and whatnot. Usually you can find healthier, authentic food at local family owned restaurants.

vanguardfitness

John Harvard's. Think they have 1 in NYC and some in Mass or Conn. I really love their salmon + veggies or sweet potato fries. They also have a good chick pea "burger" that's got a bit of a kick to it. Although they put it in between 2 huge pita breads and I usually take 1 off.

Chipotle ain't too bad either

rileyhunter169

Chinese Buffet..... 5.000.000 calories on the daily.

BennettV72

I love Outback Steakhouse. I can have a small (but delicious) steak with a side for under 600 calories. AND they are one of the few chain restaurants that don't have gluten in their cheaper cuts of steak.

Krav_Maga

Jimmy John's and Pita Jungle are two of my favorites for eating out on the healthy side.

wonderiss

Panera Bread, Chik-fil-a, and Chili's

asianmonkie

Sweet Tomatoes! Their salad options are endless and I their soups are healthy and fresh.

youdontknowwhatyousaw

Chipotle, Noodles, Leann Chin's and Quizno's, depending on what I want to eat for fast food.

matchbox_girl

My FAVORITE is Applebee's Sirloin with Garlic Herb Shrimp.....OMG. So yummy, and it's on their under 550 menu. Comes with steamed and seasoned veggies which are surprisingly delicious, sprinkled with almond slivers. Try it, especially if you're a shrimp/steak person. Won't disappoint. I get it every time regardless of the low calories just because it is so yummy.

loriq41

I had the bbq grilled chicken salad at Burger King a few nights ago and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty damn good (or maybe I was just starving)..also, I really like the Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad at McDonalds.