Good morning all!

As I have posted, I am in my second month of LCE! For the first time last night, my DH did not feel like cooking, so we tried to go out to dinner. We sat down at Applebee's (its right down the street from our house) and proceeded to get anxiety about what to eat. I found the menu full of carbs and undetermined "sauces" that I was sure had added sugar!

My DH ended up choosing a cheeseburger, no bun and a salad. I do not eat red meat, so I picked a chicken breast, sans rice and flour products. I ended up with a unappealing breast of chicken, thrown on a plate and covered in an "unknown sauce" and cheese (ok). My side dish was a sorry pile of over-steamed vegis.

Ok, enough of my sob story.... Can I get some advice on restaurant eating? Are there any "chain restarants" that people have good luck with? Other than TGIFridays (of course we dont have one in our area! Rats!) At this place, the waiter looked at us like we were crazy upon hearing our strange requests! Needless to say, wont be going back there again! As we were choosing our restaurant, we joked about Hometown buffet. But, after our bad expierience, maybe that is not such a bad choice? At least we could get unadulterated meat and a carb free salad?

Thanks for any advice you may have!

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Heather

Hi Heather!


I know I am not an expert, but I found the following site for women doing low-carb:

http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/5586.asp

It has some reviews that look really fair.

Thanks!

Missi

Hey Heather. Do you have a Chilis? I have had GREAT luck there. They have really good veggies, and use to have a lowcarb menu, I don't think they do anymore, but you can ask for what was on it.
good luck!
heather

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Heather
182-2/27/08

Applebee's has never been a favorite of mine so I'm not surprised at your experience.

The problem with Hometown buffet salad is the dressing. It's LOADED with sugar. We tried going there about a year ago and while I was surprised at how fresh the salad fixings were, I about gagged on the blue cheese dressing.

As for veggies, they mostly had corn, peas and carrots! So, I was stuck with a slice of ham and peeled the skin off a couple pieces of chicken.

If you try the buffet, BRING YOUR OWN DRESSING. Then, I think you may fare alright in the salad department.

As for other restaurants, I would check around your area for the people who offer nightly specials. Especially fish specials. Usually they offer it broiled or grilled as one of the options.

Another option for chicken breast at a chain restaurant is to bring your own sauce. You could easily mix up a hot wing sauce (Franks Red Hot and butter) and bring it along in a small container. Ask for a PLAIN chicken breast and when it comes (after the waiter leaves) pour your sauce over it and enjoy.

Another option at many decent chain restaurants are the salads. Usually, they're quite large and if they contain some type of protein like chicken, along with a little cheese, boiled eggs, etc. then that will be plenty sufficient to call a meal.

Honestly, we hardly ever go out any more because we find that our food at home is FAR, FAR, FAR superior to anything we can buy out at a "regular" restaurant. Sure, if you're talking 5 star dining, there are lots of quality choices but who can afford $300 for dinner every night? Certainly not me!

__________________
It is always necessary to leave some part
of cooking to improvisation. - Paul Bocuse
Member since 2001

Whenever I eat out I always sub an extra side of veggies for any potatoes or rice, or I simply order one of the many salads on the menu. Even when the chicken or fish comes with a sauce, I find that if I scrape the sauce off there is still plenty of flavor left with a minimum of carbs.

I do this in almost any sit down restaurant. If they say no, I ask to speak to management and explain why I am leaving and they are losing my future business.

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Libby

2004 174/142/138

Begin Again 2007

164/159/142

TGIFridays has a carb friedly menu thats worth a try. I found it acceptable but thats been a long time since i have been there.

Cindy

Outback - Steak and veggies
Red Lobster - Shrimp Scampi and salad
Denny's - Omlet and salad

Yeah, I eat out a lot!

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Re-start 1/2/05
I'm back :silly: Chase

Uno's also has a few lower carb selections along with a not-so-good cauli mash which I order anyway. They have chicken breasts rolled up with cheese and broccoli.

Elsewhere, I usually will order a chicken ceasar salad as long as the chicken is not breaded and bring my own dressing. Cobb Salads are a good choice, too.

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Alida
5'1" ~ 59 years old
Highest weight: 165
Atkins 7/10/2004
160/126/125
RE-DO, January 2008:
167/162/135

OH MY.....I had a horrible experience at our Applebee's and made it clear we were following the LC WOL to the waitress. I gave a bad review on a comment card and received a refund from the manager when I refused a return visit on him (and RARELY do I complain!)

Places we go when we can...

Outback
Bennigan's (they'll substitute anything at no cost)
Beef O'Brady's (local wing hangout that doesn't bread the wings)
Ruby Tuesday's

Amazing....I just realized how much LESS we eat out now!

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LC Since January 04
Highest Weight: 340
Rededicated 1/1/07: 295/ /240

“Self-delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales”

Thank you to everyone for your advice and tips! My DH and I will have a better strategy thanks to your help!

Heather
236/223/180

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Heather

when i go to applebees, i normally get a steak, make sure i'm getting either veggies with the steak, or maybe salad, and ask them to hold the bread. usually any kind of steak, salad or grilled chicken dish can be eaten as-is or just eat the part that you're cool with. mexican, for example, i get some wrap stuff and eat everything but the wrap! it's more an awareness than anything else, at least for me. grilled stuff whenever possible, salads, sometimes at places i have them sub cottage cheese for potatoes, etc.

hope some of the ideas may help anyway.

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EatSmart Nutritional Scale Review

Modesto isn't too far, right?

Chili's
3401 Dale Rd
Modesto, CA 95356-0502 US
209-526-5985


Outback
(209) 577-2410
2045-D W. Briggsmore Avenue, Modesto CA 95350

__________________
It is always necessary to leave some part
of cooking to improvisation. - Paul Bocuse
Member since 2001

hello,
I know exactlt how you feel. with 4 kids mcdonald's seems to be the stop. but as for dining i found o'charley's (blackened trout), outback (awesome salmon), red lobster (stay away from the biscuits), hooters (naked wings), etc. the important thing is to make wise choices. i bought some software for my pda called weigt by date pro. it has a database of foods so you can make choices based on accurate info. this is especially important if you didn't plan for eating out when you began your day.