Favorite Restaurant Meals

These are a few of my favorite meals to order when I go to various restaurants. Calorie counts are in parentheses. All counts are approximations.

  • LONE STAR:

    Chicken Caesar Salad (457).

    Grilled Chicken (186 for two breasts) with Texas Rice (102) and Chili (138 for 4 oz).

    Lone Star doesn't provide calorie information online.

  • OLIVE GARDEN:

    Minestrone (100) and one breadstick (150) with either 1/4 serving of Capellini Pomodoro (480) or Venetian Apricot Chicken (290).

    Calorie counts from Olive Garden's lunch menu. Dinner portions are higher in calories.

  • PANERA BREAD:

    Pick 2: Low Fat Garden Vegetable Soup (100) and Half Smoked Turkey Breast on Country (210).

    Pick 2: Low Fat Chicken Noodle Soup (120) and Half Classic Salad (80) with Half Portion Reduced Fat Balsamic Dressing (60).

    Pick 2: French Onion Soup without croutons (110) and Half Tomato and Mozzarella on Ciabatta (380).

    Calorie counts from Panera Bread's Nutrition Calculator.

  • RED ROBIN:

    Ensenada Chicken Platter with no customization (558 for one breast, 704 for two breasts).

    Cup of French Onion Soup with Bread (208) and Side Caesar Salad (217).

    Calorie counts from Red Robin's Meal Customizer.

  • RUBY TUESDAY:

    Chicken Fresco Petite Plate (430).

    Barbeque Grilled Chicken (372).

    Petite Sirloin Steak (537).

    Sliced Sirloin Petite Plate (469).

    Spaghetti Squash Marinara (177 for Petite Plate, 257 for regular portion).

    Calorie counts from Ruby Tuesday's lunch menu. Dinner portions are higher in calories.

There are a few restaurants that have mostly good options for when I'm watching calories. These include Saladworks, Subway and Zoup. I typically go with salad options at both Saladworks and Subway, and I always get broth based soups and a ciabatta roll at Zoup.

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