Since the FDA implemented the requirement for chain restaurants to display calorie counts on their menus, one might expect that high-calorie meals would decline in popularity and perhaps be removed. However, evidence shows that this is not the case, as nearly every well-known chain restaurant continues to offer several calorie-rich options for those seeking indulgence. It’s important to note that the USDA recommends approximately 2,000 calories as the appropriate daily intake for most adults.
That being considered, let’s explore 12 menu items from popular chain restaurants that contain almost an entire day’s worth of calories in just one meal. Dive into the surprising persistence of these high-calorie offerings, even in an era of increased nutritional awareness and regulation.
Image Credit: bhofack2/istockphoto.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Cheese Curd Bacon Burger
Calories: 1,210
Chow down on two patties, American cheese, cheese curds, bacon, mayo, chipotle seasoning, and lettuce, tomatoes and onion thrown in for good measure. What doesn’t this massive burger have?
Image Credit: Buffalo Wild Wings.
Shake Shack: Lockhart Link Triple Burger
Calories: 1,300
This is what you call a serious burger: three beef patties and cheese plus smoked jalapeño cheese sausage, all on a buttered bun. The sandwich, which is available at Austin, TX locations, contains a whopping 92 grams of fat, more than is recommended to eat in an entire day.
Image Credit: Shake Shack.
Five Guys: Large French fries
Calories: 1,310
Five Guys describes their fries as “freshly made boardwalk-style fries, cooked in pure, cholesterol-free, 100% peanut oil”. The chain’s large size fries is still a belly-busting calorie extravaganza with 41 grams fat and 131 grams of carbohydrates.
Image Credit: Five Guys.
Johnny Rockets: Double Bacon Cheddar Burger
Calories: 1,500
Chalk up the calories in this burger to the doubles of all the ingredients. It’s a veritable stack of applewood smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, hamburger patties, and “special sauce”, which probably contributes to the calorie count.
Image Credit: Johnny Rockets.
Applebee’s: Oriental Chicken Salad
Calories: 1,560
Proof that salads aren’t always the healthiest option, this loaded platter of lettuce has crispy breaded chicken tenders, crunchy noodles and almonds in vinaigrette. It comes with a breadstick coated with buttery garlic, which ups the calories even more.
Image Credit: Applebee’s.
Outback Steakhouse: Bloomin’ Onion
Calories: 1,620
Breaded, deep fried, and served with a creamy dipping sauce, this is no ordinary root vegetable. The calorie-laden appetizer also has 126 grams fat and 4,140 milligrams of sodium. Of course, ideally one would share the starter with others rather than chowing the whole thing themselves.
Image Credit: bhofack2/istockphoto.
IHOP: Cheeseburger Omelette with Pancakes
Calories 1,990
This dish of eggs stuffed with cheeseburger patty pieces, hash browns, tomatoes, onions, American cheese, ketchup, mustard, and pickles is more than your average omelette. Add a side of pancakes and it’s a calorie busting breakfast.
Image Credit: IHOP.
Bob Evans: Double Meat Farmer’s Choice Breakfast
Calories: 2,110
This enormous breakfast features three hotcakes, two eggs, two sausage patties, three strips of bacon, and a pile of home fries. All that adds up to a total of 100 grams fat 4,040 milligrams sodium, and 236 grams carbs.
Image Credit: Bob Evans.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Deep Dish Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Calories: 2,160
Meant to be shared, this pizza isn’t for the faint of heart with its packed ingredient list. The calories come from bacon, chicken, jack and cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing all over.
Image Credit: BJ’s Restaurant Brewhouse.
Cheesecake Factory: Fettuccini Alfredo with Shrimp
Calories: 2,250
The Cheesecake Factory makes this list more than once, simply because so many of the meals are outrageously indulgent, it’s hard not to list the whole menu. Nonetheless, the Fettuccini Alfredo with Shrimp stands out, with a rich parmesan sauce likely being the calorie culprit.
Image Credit: The Cheesecake Factory.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Deep Dish Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Calories: 2,200
What do you get when you take macaroni and cheese and combine it with buffalo chicken? A full day’s supply of calories, fat, and cholesterol all in one meal. This dish also has a whopping 133 grams of fat and 4310 milligrams of sodium.
Image Credit: Uno Pizzeria & Grill.
Cheesecake Factory: Factory Nachos with Spicy Chicken
Calories: 2,950
This serious nacho concoction features any and every topping you can imagine on your chips, including melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños, onions, and salsa. Add chicken, and you’ve upped the calories. It’s one of the chain’s more calorie-laden meals, and that’s saying a lot.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
Image Credit: Cheesecake Factory.
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