Restaurants to Avoid!

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  • kriggs1976
    kriggs1976 Posts: 117
    There is a Bennigan's at the Galleria Mall in Dallas, TX. It's right next to an ice skating rink. At least it was in 1998. I had my heart broken in that restaurant. Don't go there.

    Really? Huh. I ate there once and met a great girl! Said she was just getting out of a relationship.. It was the late 90's...


    :tongue: :laugh:

    Ummm. I am from Dallas area...Didn't this Bennigan's close down?
  • sfh0wrd
    sfh0wrd Posts: 82
    We like getting the KFC Grilled Chicken for super bowl parties, etc, when we don't feel like grilling. We just take it home and make our own sides.
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
    Well I'm officially going to start a 'restaurants to avoid' list. #1 on the list right now is Champps Americana.... I've eaten there several times in the past and honestly enjoyed my experience EVERY time. Today, to pre-plan my attack (having lunch there with a friend) I found out that they have almost nothing under 1,000 calories... They have 'lite' portions of 3 different meals, they are almost 700 calories each too. Even their kids' menu will get you darn close. WTH???? I just sent them an customer comment e-mail suggesting that it is something they should work very hard on. What are they doing to get those types of calories in these meals???

    Are there any restaurants that you avoid?

    But to be fair, their portions are HUGE and should be 2-3 meals each. I had a chicken fajita salad there a week ago....around 860 calories for the whole thing - but I could only eat half at a time because it's HUGE. So only 430 for my meal. That's not bad at all.
  • NicoleElen
    NicoleElen Posts: 86 Member
    5 Guys Burgers and Fries....I haven't eaten there in almost a year but I can eat like a thousand pound man if left to my own devices but that place will always hold a special fat place in my heart :brokenheart:


    My very favorite place to eat EVER, I am so brokenhearted I miss it so :(

    Cajun Fries are the stuff that dreams are made of.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Applebees varies wildly from location to location.
    There are three near me and two are horrible, one is really nice and has great service.
  • MattGetsMad
    MattGetsMad Posts: 429 Member
    Only gonna blast this place because I called ahead specifically to make sure I had my dietary needs met without having to argue.

    Kobe Japanese Steak House. While, I'm sure there are several dishes that would meet many dietary needs, they did not have anything that would meet mine. When I called ahead I was assured by the manager that it would not be a problem.

    It was a problem as there was little to no communication between the manager, the table chef, the waitress and the kitchen. I basically had to explain myself to everyone, again and again, and was served the wrong food 3 times.

    I won't go to any restaurants that will not meet or will lie about being able to meet my specific dietary needs.
  • GoldspursX3
    GoldspursX3 Posts: 516 Member
    texas road house :/ i just cannot pass up the buns!! :embarassed:

    HAHA...I took my fiancee there for Valentine's and she tore up those rolls. I think she could live off of those things.
  • Bikini27
    Bikini27 Posts: 1,290 Member
    I avoid any restaurant that forces me to get the high calorie items, and forces me to eat the whole thing.

    :happy:

    Honestly, most of the portions are 2-3 times larger than a "normal" portion. When ordering, simply request they bring a to-go box along with your meal and place the extra into the box instead of consuming it because it's right there on your plate.

    Then give the box to someone else to eat :devil:
  • lpeace2u
    lpeace2u Posts: 94 Member
    Also Red Robin, it has an online menu to specifically help you customize and tailor your sandwich to your nutritional content. It works pretty well and you can get a decent hamburger for a decent amount of calories. Of course that excludes the limitless fries. :embarassed:
    I LOVE this about Red Robin's site. You can add or delete any ingredient in your dish to completely customize your order, and it will give you the calories and nutritional info for only what you consumed, rather than trying to figure it out when you specialize your order. And, as most restaurants will do these days (even the fast food ones), you can get their burgers bunless, which comes with lettuce on the top and bottom of your burger instead of the bun. Cuts WAY back on calories.

    Wow I had no idea you could do this. I never get a cheeseburger always a hamburger but since I didn't know the calories saved I would just count the whole calorie count.

    I just ate at Red Robin on Valentines Day and got the lettuce wrapped turkey burger - no bun. It was FABULOUS! They served it with a side salad instead of the fries.
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
    Chilli's is awful. I can barely find anything to work with when we go there. Most stuff is well over 1k calories.

    When getting a sandwich at Chili's you can save several hundred calories by subbing in broccoli instead of fries, fyi.
  • BAMFMeredith
    BAMFMeredith Posts: 2,810 Member
    Do all American restaurants list out the calories? that must be so helpful.

    A LOT of places are beginning to now, and if it's not listed on the menu you can usually find calorie count online. Makes going out to eat sooo much easier.

    It's a step in making America less fat...because let's face it, America is fat.
  • stone307
    stone307 Posts: 85
    Any place that has a buffet
  • nerdyandilikeit
    nerdyandilikeit Posts: 2,185 Member
    I don't avoid restaurants. I avoid GOING to restaurants every day. Works like a charm.
  • EPICUREASIAN
    EPICUREASIAN Posts: 147 Member
    5 Guys Burgers and Fries....I haven't eaten there in almost a year but I can eat like a thousand pound man if left to my own devices but that place will always hold a special fat place in my heart :brokenheart:

    I have a great affection for their cajun fries.
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    Avoid Olive Garden
    20 years ago it was pretty good, certainly for what you paid, then the meat wasn't great, then everything just went to crap. I haven't been there in about 15 years, but I have no desire to go back.

    Doesn't it seem silly to say a place has crappy food when you haven't been there in 15 years? Especially one of the most popular places in the US?

    Don't get me wrong...its not gourmet...or even Italian for that matter...but I've really never had a problem with the quality...and I'm pretty picky.
  • Brilliantbritt27
    Brilliantbritt27 Posts: 66
    Olive Garden, never really eat there but I remember reading something about only a couple of options under 1,000 cals there too. I used to love Panera, never would've thought though that a simple turkey sandwich would get my close to 1,000 cals... until I started logging on here, to say the least I'll never eat there again. xD I here a lot of sammy shops are like that, you would expect it to be healthier but it's even worse.

    Actually Olive Garden has several healthy options that are under 500calories each including soups, a few appetizers, and entrees. Eat one breadstick, salad without the dressing, and one of those entrees or an appetizer as your entree (the ones under 500 calories) with a glass or two of water and you should feel full and happy.

    If you dont remember to look up their nutrition information online before you go out then feel free to ask the host for a nutrition menu.

    (I was a server at Olive Garden so if there's anything you need to know feel free to ask.)
  • _Shelley_
    _Shelley_ Posts: 206
    I avoid any restaurant that doesn't have a full bar selection.
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I don't like to think anything is off limits. It is a lifestyle change, not a diet so I can't imagine completely giving up every restaurant there is. I don't want to have the perfect body and not be able to go out and enjoy it over dinner with friends.

    It is all about portions. You can order that high calorie meal, JUST DONT FINISH IT. You can always get grilled chicken wherever you go. Ask that they cook it differently or take off the sauce/dressing. Be prepared before you go.

    It is all about adapting to your surroundings and making healthy choices wherever you are and in whatever situation you are in :)
  • lukeout007
    lukeout007 Posts: 1,237 Member
    Olive Garden, never really eat there but I remember reading something about only a couple of options under 1,000 cals there too. I used to love Panera, never would've thought though that a simple turkey sandwich would get my close to 1,000 cals... until I started logging on here, to say the least I'll never eat there again. xD I here a lot of sammy shops are like that, you would expect it to be healthier but it's even worse.

    Actually Olive Garden has several healthy options that are under 500calories each including soups, a few appetizers, and entrees. Eat one breadstick, salad without the dressing, and one of those entrees or an appetizer as your entree (the ones under 500 calories) with a glass or two of water and you should feel full and happy.

    If you dont remember to look up their nutrition information online before you go out then feel free to ask the host for a nutrition menu.

    (I was a server at Olive Garden so if there's anything you need to know feel free to ask.)

    Last time I checked the nutritional info about 3 weeks ago there wasn't a single entree under 1000 cals...in fact I don't remember a single one under 700...

    One breadstick...possible.
    Soup...good stuff.
    Salad without dressing? Why eat the salad at all then?
    An appetizer is not going to be filling.
    There are no entrees under 500 cals.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    I ate at Five Guys this weekend. I had a little burger with mustard, no cheese, and a few of my husband's fries. It wasn't THAT bad, and it tasted soooo good!
  • CheleLynn44
    CheleLynn44 Posts: 339 Member
    Go out to have a meal that tastes delightful. Enjoy it. Budget your calories if you need to (you can average over two days, you know). Split a meal if you need to.

    It it doesn't fill you with glee, cook for yourself. Quit being lazy and eating cheap greasy food that makes you feel bad about yourself because you can't be bothered to cook dinner or pack a lunch.

    But do not "do without". There is nothing in this world that would keep me from having my favorite Ike's Place sandwich which I conservatively estimate to have 1,100 of the most delectable, drippy, ooey gooey, run down your arm kind of calories. Nothing.

    Whether you're into wings or foie gras, you should be able to eat them without guilt. Otherwise life is not worth living without your favorite foods.

    I agree with this!! I gave made a lifestyle change and REFUSE to eat anything I do not enjoy. I plan and budget and get what I want, evevn if it's a few bites or a whole meal. I want to be able to do this forever.

    I just hit my 100 days today and I can honestly say I DO NOT feel deprived in anyway!!
  • billgiersberg
    billgiersberg Posts: 163
    Cheesecake Factory seems to show up on a lot of listing as being loaded with calories but the food is great. The problem is the portion size. Answer: Eat half of what they give you and have the other half the next day. The problem was always me trying to eat it all at once. Now that I realize that I can go to any restaurant and eat my allotment of calories for that meal.

    That being said then, I have to agree with Golden Corral (Hog Bar) being the worst. They charge you for sliding up to the trough 4 or 5 times and they don't let you take any home which is the case with any hog bar. However, the hog bars are a great place to go if you need to see a lot of "before pictures". Do you really want to have the gut a lot of those men have or the 3-level rear-end those women have? No.... that's why you are here on MFP to count the calories.
  • AngelsDream4Peace
    AngelsDream4Peace Posts: 116 Member
    I don't avoid anywhere due to calories, fat, or sodium.
    If I want it, I eat it. Within reason and not daily.
    It's called life.

    What I DO avoid are:
    Places that just feel "dirty".
    Places with crappy service.
    Places that are overpriced for the product and service you receive.
    (I'll pay anything if it's awesome and worth it)
    Places with sh!tty selection (of food AND beer)
    Places that refuse to customize if you ask a special request.


    Have to add: if you're looking for a good beer selection, go to Buffalo Wild Wings! Never seen so many taps in one place!

    Absolutely Agree!
  • Mustangsally1000
    Mustangsally1000 Posts: 854 Member
    gotta go with Olive Garden and Chili's~~High calories, high sodium, no flexibility.
  • 10_M
    10_M Posts: 22
    Red Robin (Yum...love it but its a calorie/fat killer)
    Arby's
    The only thing I eat there is a veggie burger wrapped in lettuce with no sauce :P
  • 7fin7
    7fin7 Posts: 3 Member
    Panera's website also has a nutrition calculator that allows you to modify your meal to figure out what different choices will mean. It gets specific enough to tell you how removing the cheese or condiment from a sandwich will affect the nutirition.
  • mello
    mello Posts: 817 Member
    Raising Cane's, *sigh* love, love, love it.....but no choices other than the beloved fried strips and sauce. Oh, and that BREAD.....*BIG sigh*:sad:
  • alicia2601
    alicia2601 Posts: 42 Member
    Buffalo Wild Wings! My once favorite place to eat. I have been there once without ordering wings and it was torture. I know if I go there today, I won't have the self-control to not order 8 boneless garlic wings and potato wedges. I'm sure I could substitute the wedges for a side salad but i would have to have the wings. The fat and sodium content is probably thru the roof, especially since i have to eat more to feel satisfied! Knowing that, I just avoid the place all together. Sigh
  • Captain_Tightpants
    Captain_Tightpants Posts: 2,215 Member
    I'm not sure how true it is, but the "Eat This Not That" books award Cheesecake factory for having the worst high calorie offenders. Supposedly even their healthy looking shrimp and pasta plate has a whopping 2000 cals or thereabouts.

    Surprised at the Taco Bell comments. I know they're not healthy but their fresco menu has some of the lowest cal foods in the whole fast food industry.

    And Panera? They're awesome! I love how they list the cals right up on the menu board. If you get a Pick 2 combo of the chicken noodle soup and the turkey sandwish you're well under 500 cals - a tasty tasty lunch!
  • KLK1986
    KLK1986 Posts: 89
    I eat at Golden Corral probably about 6x a year. It's doable if you have self-control. I eat from the salad bar first, then grab any other veggies I want. After that - meat. I eat little or no really carby things (mac and cheese, etc) and don't even look at the desert bar or just grab fruit (they usually have several kinds of melon). Really, anyone could eat there and stay under calories if they wanted to. Some people see potatoes, rice, deserts etc and feel like they have to have them. Train yourself to eat the other more healthy things and a buffet is a perfectly fine place to go for dinner once in a while.
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