Restaurant Frustration!

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Replies

  • Thriceshy
    Thriceshy Posts: 708 Member
    I now stay away from places that withhold that info. I ate at Maggiano's once, couldn't find the info, they didn't have it..............then found an obscure copy on the internet from a Maggiano's in Pennsylvania that someone had scanned into the web. It was astounding. Each dish had 2-4 THOUSAND calories. 1 dish could have 600+ grams of carbs (as a Type 1 diabetic who needs insulin for my carb intake I just about had a heart attack when I saw that). Their sodium content in a few dishes was enough for a WEEK.

    Disgusting.

    No wonder they don't want people to know.

    The Cheesecake Factory is somewhat similar (though not as bad).

    Found it. Check out the full-size spaghetti and meatballs. Almost 14000g of sodium and over 700 carbs...and 5000 cals. How is that even POSSIBLE?

    http://caloriecount.about.com/maggianos-little-italy-nutritional-info-finally-ft166219

    Exactly my point. What person in their right mind would even imagine that a 700 calorie dish when made at home would become a 5,000 calorie dish in a restaurant? Horrifying, and any restaurant that resists sharing this information is sending the message that it knows what crap it's serving, it just doesn't want US to know.

    Kris
  • wanttogetskinny
    wanttogetskinny Posts: 194
    I guess I just have a really different attitude to most of you - I don't have any sense of entitlement to a detailed nutritional breakdown for every dish on a restaurant menu. Or that they are deliberately "withholding info" if they don't have it.
    The only places (I can't call them restaurants!) that provide this info that I know of in Australia are McDonalds and Subway. I think it is another one of those differences between USA and the rest of the world.
    For me, if I go out to dinner I expect to eat good food that won't be cooked as I would do it at home. I fully expect that they will use more butter and oil and salt than I do. I also expect that the food will be fresh and tasty and will change with the seasons.
    I just don't expect that they will provide me with a menu with a nutritional breakdown. If it's important to you, by all means seek it out.

    I think more and more people are feeling entitled to them. I certainly do. I have Type 1 diabetes and I HAVE to know the carb content to give myself insulin. Either that or I can't eat there. End of story. As all types of diabetes become more common and the number of people on insulin increases, more and more restaurants/chains are discovering they are being asked for this information. If they want insulin-dependent diabetics to eat at their restaurants, they better give that information to customers.
  • milehighcritic
    milehighcritic Posts: 199
    Check if they post the information on the company website. My group where eating at On the Border Mexican Restaurant. I was able look up nutritional information online. It will shock you what some of standard plates have for calories,fat, sodium, etc.
  • capricorn57
    capricorn57 Posts: 7 Member
    I can relate to how frustrating it is when trying to eat out and the nutritional info is not available. I also avoid those restaurants however, I don't always get to pick if we are going out with friends or family. Or the dreaded office luncheon. The only restaurant near my office building is Dave and Busters and it is always challenging. If I know in advance where I am eating, I study the online menu and figure out my options. Or do what has already been suggested...add each ingredient separately and guess on the high side measurements like olive oil/salad dressing, etc.

    Always ask for salad dressing on the side, baked potato dry, etc. I request salsa and use that for dressing. It's low cal and dresses up a salad while giving it a little zing.
  • stilettolife
    stilettolife Posts: 7 Member
    Have you written to the company?

    I tried that with TGI Fridays and got some bull**** about how they strive to use only fresh ingredients ( before flash freezing them prior to being deep-fried) and that specific dietry needs can be catered for by contacting the chef at each restaurant.

    basically this tells me they couldn't care less about letting ME know what i am PAYING for to eat at THEIR restaurant.

    Very very shabby.

    I always have a hard time trying to see what to eat at TGI Fridays. I just stick with a salad or whatever fish they have to be on the safe side. Other than that, I avoid TGI Fridays like a plague.

    O'Charleys is good about offering meals under 550.
  • lejess
    lejess Posts: 63
    I now stay away from places that withhold that info. I ate at Maggiano's once, couldn't find the info, they didn't have it..............then found an obscure copy on the internet from a Maggiano's in Pennsylvania that someone had scanned into the web. It was astounding. Each dish had 2-4 THOUSAND calories. 1 dish could have 600+ grams of carbs (as a Type 1 diabetic who needs insulin for my carb intake I just about had a heart attack when I saw that). Their sodium content in a few dishes was enough for a WEEK.

    Disgusting.

    No wonder they don't want people to know.

    The Cheesecake Factory is somewhat similar (though not as bad).

    Found it. Check out the full-size spaghetti and meatballs. Almost 14000g of sodium and over 700 carbs...and 5000 cals. How is that even POSSIBLE?

    http://caloriecount.about.com/maggianos-little-italy-nutritional-info-finally-ft166219

    Exactly my point. What person in their right mind would even imagine that a 700 calorie dish when made at home would become a 5,000 calorie dish in a restaurant? Horrifying, and any restaurant that resists sharing this information is sending the message that it knows what crap it's serving, it just doesn't want US to know.

    Kris

    To the ladies I just quoted, OP, and anyone else curious, I recommend you check out this book:
    http://www.amazon.com/End-Overeating-Insatiable-American-Appetite/dp/1605297852
    I received this book, and Im about 3/4 of the way through it. It talks in depth about what the chain restaurant industry does to our food. Which explains the 5,000 calorie dish. Im not done with the book yet, but what I've read so far has dramatically changed my choice in restaurants and what I will order.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    I now stay away from places that withhold that info. I ate at Maggiano's once, couldn't find the info, they didn't have it..............then found an obscure copy on the internet from a Maggiano's in Pennsylvania that someone had scanned into the web. It was astounding. Each dish had 2-4 THOUSAND calories. 1 dish could have 600+ grams of carbs (as a Type 1 diabetic who needs insulin for my carb intake I just about had a heart attack when I saw that). Their sodium content in a few dishes was enough for a WEEK.

    Disgusting.

    No wonder they don't want people to know.

    The Cheesecake Factory is somewhat similar (though not as bad).

    Found it. Check out the full-size spaghetti and meatballs. Almost 14000g of sodium and over 700 carbs...and 5000 cals. How is that even POSSIBLE?

    http://caloriecount.about.com/maggianos-little-italy-nutritional-info-finally-ft166219


    goodness me..that is simply DISGUSTING on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL. I'd compare it to involuntary manslaughter if they fail/refuse to disclose this.
  • wanttogetskinny
    wanttogetskinny Posts: 194
    I now stay away from places that withhold that info. I ate at Maggiano's once, couldn't find the info, they didn't have it..............then found an obscure copy on the internet from a Maggiano's in Pennsylvania that someone had scanned into the web. It was astounding. Each dish had 2-4 THOUSAND calories. 1 dish could have 600+ grams of carbs (as a Type 1 diabetic who needs insulin for my carb intake I just about had a heart attack when I saw that). Their sodium content in a few dishes was enough for a WEEK.

    Disgusting.

    No wonder they don't want people to know.

    The Cheesecake Factory is somewhat similar (though not as bad).

    Found it. Check out the full-size spaghetti and meatballs. Almost 14000g of sodium and over 700 carbs...and 5000 cals. How is that even POSSIBLE?

    http://caloriecount.about.com/maggianos-little-italy-nutritional-info-finally-ft166219


    goodness me..that is simply DISGUSTING on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL. I'd compare it to involuntary manslaughter if they fail/refuse to disclose this.

    What concerns me the most is A)diabetics like me going in, not knowing, and giving themself insulin for a NORMAL amount of carbs found in pasta........and then having an extremely high blood sugar that may result in a hospital stay and b)those who need to be on a low-sodium diet due to heart problems who have NO CLUE that this food has THAT much sodium in it.
  • bluefox9er
    bluefox9er Posts: 2,917 Member
    I now stay away from places that withhold that info. I ate at Maggiano's once, couldn't find the info, they didn't have it..............then found an obscure copy on the internet from a Maggiano's in Pennsylvania that someone had scanned into the web. It was astounding. Each dish had 2-4 THOUSAND calories. 1 dish could have 600+ grams of carbs (as a Type 1 diabetic who needs insulin for my carb intake I just about had a heart attack when I saw that). Their sodium content in a few dishes was enough for a WEEK.

    Disgusting.

    No wonder they don't want people to know.

    The Cheesecake Factory is somewhat similar (though not as bad).

    Found it. Check out the full-size spaghetti and meatballs. Almost 14000g of sodium and over 700 carbs...and 5000 cals. How is that even POSSIBLE?

    http://caloriecount.about.com/maggianos-little-italy-nutritional-info-finally-ft166219


    goodness me..that is simply DISGUSTING on EVERY SINGLE LEVEL. I'd compare it to involuntary manslaughter if they fail/refuse to disclose this.

    What concerns me the most is A)diabetics like me going in, not knowing, and giving themself insulin for a NORMAL amount of carbs found in pasta........and then having an extremely high blood sugar that may result in a hospital stay and b)those who need to be on a low-sodium diet due to heart problems who have NO CLUE that this food has THAT much sodium in it.

    yep..involuntary manslaughter...AND gross negligence. I hate people who do this.
  • fattymclardass
    fattymclardass Posts: 14
    Tonight I actually decided to go to Applebee's tonight versus my favorite restaurant Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse because at least at "The Bee's" I can get the calorie info where I cant get squat out of the people at "The Rang" on whats in their food!

    Im still going to eat the bazillian calorie spinach dip - but at least its MY decision. Turning 30 is bad on the waistline in a lot of ways - lol
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