Chain Restaurants
| September 14, 2012 | Posted by Carrie under food, nutrition |
I’m not a fan of big chain restaurants. There are a few exceptions – as there are to most of my ‘rules’.
Here’s why: I like food. I think food should be special and tasty and good. I don’t like that with a chain restaurant someone, likely not in the location where I am eating, has decided the menu. There is nothing seasonal, nothing personal about the menu.
I like mom & pop single location restaurants. I like knowing that a person in the restaurant itself put some thought and care into the food. I especially love a restaurant that uses local ingredients.
Another problem with big chain restaurants is the portions. Now that so many restaurants post calorie information, I’m constantly blown away by the multiple 1000+ calorie entree options.
A few weeks ago, we went to a local chain that we hadn’t been to in years. I know that studies are showing that calorie information on a menu does not have a proven result in encouraging patrons to select lower calorie meals – but it works for me and for my husband. Honestly, there were 2 things on the menu that were under 800 calories that either of us would order. I ordered a black bean veggie burger without the cheese and with the mayo dressing on the side and then ate is as an open faced sandwich leaving 1/2 the bun. Seriously, why does a veggie burger need two types of cheese plus a dressing?
That’s what I’m talking about – it’s like restaurants pile things on just because they can.
Simple is good people. A salad doesn’t need candied walnuts and dried fruit and two types of cheese and crunchy noodles with a creamy dressing. Get some fresh ingredients and let the flavors shine through. By the way, did you know that at many chains, the salads are the least healthy menu items?
There are some chains that do things the best they can – like Corner Bakery. The food there is simple, the portions are small and reasonable and I think the food tastes good.
Then there’s Taco Bell’s new campaign with their ‘world renowned chef’ who created their chicken bowl. Yea, like that hand-crafted flavor is still there when the cookie cutter assembly line puts the food together – aside from the over 65% of your daily recommended sodium in the one bowl.
Like I said, I’m not opposed to going to the big chains – we do frequent a few of them. But, I will usually take the time to customize my order to make it more my taste.
What’s your opinion on chain restaurants? Which ones do you think do right by their food? Are there some that you think pile on the portions? Do you make decisions based on calorie information if you have it?
It’s Fitness Friday – so, I’m connecting the dots to say that you should enjoy your food as part of an overall fitness focused life 
and go visit Jill’s blog hop.
We have so many options near by (in walking distance) that we have successfully avoided chains for a long time… other than the occasional Five Guys for my husband, or Chipotle. Those calorie counters definitely affect me, too! I think some people have no idea what # of calories is appropriate, so it means nothing to them. Have a great weekend, Carrie!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..Countdowns: Conference and Comebacks
How great to have so many places that you can walk to. We have a few and try to walk when we can.
Oh I so agree with you! We do our best to avoid the chains completely!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Friday Five
Glad to know I’m not the only one.
Oh I so agree with this – especially the portion sizes – they are out of control! We eat in mostly, but when we go out we try to avoid the chain restaurants.
kathy recently posted..Ragnar NW Passage recap
I read an interesting article about restaurants trying to go for smaller plates and trying to balance the financial part of it. Interesting from their point of view.
We avoid chain restaurants but I do like knowing the calories (most of the time
)
Melanie @ Nutritious Eats recently posted..Barilla Microwave Meals {A Review}
Ah, yes – there are times I don’t want to know… but those are also not usually the times that I’m at a big chain restaurant. I save those times for something more special.
I rarely go to chains. I actually rarely go to any restaurants. Because I’m vegan that adds extra consideration, so I usually just cook at home.
When I do go however, I do take note of the calorie count (it’s pretty eye-opening). I think it is a shame that people have not used the calorie posting requirement to their advantage. No wonder this nation is getting so fat. If the customers would make choices based on their health, restaurants would have to respond.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Unapologetically Strong
I think that’s what the research is showing – most people don’t care about the calories, so they don’t pay attention. The obesity problem is so complex.
YES! I hate chain restaurants and am horrified that I once thought they were good. Most “restaurants” are basically upscale fast food joints where everything is microwaved or deep fried. Ew.
Elle @TheWay recently posted..Friday Vegetarian Potluck LinkUp & Bruschetta Pasta
Have you ever seen Restaurant Impossible – so many places just open up cans and deep fry their food. ICK!!
I will admit I am lucky enough to not think of calories much. That being said, I don’t eat out often (once a week max) and I don’t eat fast food often. Here in town, DQ is my favorite because the owners are local and I love them. The store is clean and they give back tons to the community. I guess when I eat out, I am never expecting a healthy meal, no matter what the restaurant.
Jan recently posted..Project 366 (No I didn’t forget)
I agree that when you eat out, it’s just hard to expect a healthy meal.
Great post Carrie. I rarely eat out and when I do it’s never fast food and except for a few exceptions it’s rarely a chain. My kids? They would eat Taco Bell everyday if I would let them.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Fitness Friday || Races and Running Plans
Thankfully my kids aren’t big fast food fans. They’re way more dessert and candy kids.
I very rarely eat at chains or fast food. The last time I did, it was Chipotle and the burrito bowl, like you were saying, is 800 calories. And that is without a tortilla! I do love me a nice burrito from time to time but I think they are usually around 800 without chips, so it’s a very rare thing, but a treat all the same!
Travel Spot recently posted..12 in 2012 Update (2)
I do love Chipotle. But, I always get a bowl and rarely get meat, so the bowl is usually 400ish calories. Although then it bugs me because I could pretty much make the same thing at home. If only my husband didn’t like eating out so much.
i totally agree, we rarely eat at a chain besides subway because D really likes it. WHen I’m at a conference and ask for the veggie wrap I know now it will be lettuce, mayo and cheese…yes somehow veggie means cheese. I don’t really know why that is!
Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted..Progress not Perfection
What is up with that? Vegetarian shouldn’t equal lots of cheese. We do enjoy Subway as our fast food option. My son piles on the veggies, so I’ll go with that.
I’m always amazed at why people choose to eat at fast food restaurants. It’s disgusting. Why not choose something local and actually fresh? The only fast food places we ever go to are Chiptole or Subway. And like you, I’m amazed at why cheese has to be loaded onto everything!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Running with A Legend
I was somewhere recently watching cheese being loaded onto an entree… I swear they put in 2 cups of cheese. Really? Does anyone else see anything wrong with that?