Someone said on another post, "Ain't it great when restaurants have low carb options?" Can anyone recommend any chain restaurants that have low carb options? Or do most of you just order ala cart?


CIsco

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Mostly we go to restaurants with gluten-free menus (because of my Celiac Disease) and then we order low-carb a la carte from that. It's not too difficult to do once you get used to it.

The only restaurant chain I know of that has a low-carb menu (and has had it for at least eight or ten years) is Cracker Barrel. If you don't know what Cracker Barrel is, you don't live in the southeastern U.S. -- they're all over this area.

TGIFridays had lc options on the menu. Haven't been there in awhile and they change menus often.

I usually ask to substitue say fries for a small salad or veggies.

Yeah, ask for gluten free. I was on a business trip with a guy that couldn't have gluten and you would be surprised at the good quality food on those menus.

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Cracker Barrel is about the only chain left with a specific low carb menu section. TGIFridays still has (or at least had the last time I was there only 1 item advertised as low carb on their menu. I usually get their sizzling chicken w/onion and green pepper and substitute broccoli for the potato. I have not found a restaurant that would not substitute a l/c veggie or a salad for a potato, so I have not had a problem eating out when I travel.

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Henry

The Grilled Steak Salad at Cracker Barrel is a favorite of mine.

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We've gone to Denny's for breakfast and told them no bread or hash browns, and usually we'll be offered sliced tomatoes. If you are at a point that you are eating more tomato with your meals, this is a good option. Sliced tomatoes with eggs & bacon is surprisingly good. They are pretty good to offer options if you don't want bread or potatoes.

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Nita

Pizza Pizza offers classic chicken wings, they have 0 carbs , since they are dry spice rubbed and deep fried......mmmmm...

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I was just at TGI Friday's Sunday and there were 2 low carb menu items. Sirloin 10oz. with broccoli and the other was Grilled shrimp with broccoli. The wait person was very nice and brought me butter for the broccoli.
Old Chicago has Chicken Rustica that is really one of the best meals, it comes with broccoli. You have to tell them no bread.

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Deb 5', 57 yrs., Atkins 6/9/03:175
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During my transition to Florida and the unmarried life, I've had move than a little opportunity to eat out, and while the suggestions above are excellent, and one's I go to, I have also found a few others I will share. Here is my rundown on eating out:

1. Do your research! Almost every chain restaurant has their menus and nutritional information on their website, though you may need to dig a little for it. If it's not there, send a request to their customer service email addy.
2. Unless you visit the places above with actual low-carb offerings, assume your net carb count from that meal to probably be a little higher, and adjust your intake for the day. PLAN!
3. Drink water always, not sodas when dining out. Saves money, too!

Here are some examples of things I've found to be fairly reasonable:

1. Wendy's - Double cheese with everything but ketchup, Caesar side salad instead of fries. They offer the salads as a replacement in their value meals, and you get a soda, too (see above tho). Toss the bun and croutons and use a fork/knife on your sandwich.
2. Chic-fil-a - has a good grilled chicken salad, I even use the sunflower seed topping, though its got some added sugar. They're just good! Omit to save 2 grams.
3. Ci-Cis Pizza. The nice folks there will make you a "crustless pizza" for the buffet price if you just ask! They take a foil pan, put some sause in the bottom then all the topping and cheese you want, then bake it. In my experience they tend to use too much sauce, so tell them to go light on it. Have a nice salad while you wait. I love this place!
4. Chipolte - OMG!!! They're salad bowls are low-carb paradise! Tell them you want extra lettuce and you want "fajita" instead of beans and they'll put some nice green peppers and onions on there. I have them put medium or mild salsa, sour cream, cheese, and if I want to splurge guac on top. Holy cow!
5. If you have a few grams to spare, Panda Express (yeah, I said Panda Express!) Have the Mixed veggies (5g net) the Kung Pao Chicken (7g) or Mushroom Chicken (5g) String-bean Chicken (6g), Broccoli Beef (7g).
6. Chili's - Their fajitas, especially with portebello are to die for! I sometimes take along a couple of my own LC tortillas, and ask them to warm them up. I've never been refused. If not, I just pile all the goods on a plate, add the sour cream, guac, sala, cheese, lettuce, etc. and dive in.
7. Not really dining out, but in emergencies, if you need lunch and a Wal-Mart is close, they have big salads in their deli coolers for $3.50 or so. They have chicken caesar, chef's, 7 layer (my fav). All the dressings in the packets are acceptable for low-carbers... And these salads are HUGE for $3.50.

Hope that helps!

Mikey

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Mikeyrat

Thanks, Mikey. I'm going to run that off and put it in my purse! I miss eating out!

Cisco

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Great info!

Thanks, Mikey.

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Hardees has a low carb burger that I order without ketchup and a low carb breakfast bowl that I get occasionally.

Alice

I forgot to mention those! But that's probably because Orlando (where I moved several months ago) has almost NO Hardee's! And none of the few are any where near my normal drive routes, etc. Sadly. But yeah, their Low-Carb Breakfast Bowl is about as much fun as you can have with a spork at 7am!

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Mikeyrat

Jimmy John's offers the unwich which is their meat and veggies in a lettuce wrap. The Jimmy John's website has great nutritional information, too.

If you order the salmon at Olive Garden, they serve it with veggies (broccoli and summer squash), so that's a great option too.

Lot's of options out there.

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Ilse

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