Share and Follow
Who doesn’t enjoy appetizers? There are times I visit restaurants and bypass the main course, opting to order several apps instead. They offer the chance to sample a variety of dishes rather than committing to a substantial meal. Although it may seem healthier to choose a few “light” bites instead of a full meal, be cautious: numerous beloved chain restaurant apps actually pack more calories than a typical meal. Here are 7 chain appetizers that exceed the calorie content of most meals.
TGI Fridays Loaded Potato Skins
The Loaded Potato Skins from TGI Fridays is one of the chain’s signature dishes. However, they contain over 900 calories per serving along with substantial amounts of fat, saturated fat, and sodium. “This appetizer features deep-fried potato skins stuffed with melted cheese, bacon, and sour cream,” Mary Sabat MS, RDN, LD, previously explained to ETNT.
Cracker Barrel Fried Pickles
Fried pickles are a treat in southern cuisine, and Cracker Barrel serves them well. Nonetheless, Sabat mentions the appetizer is “high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium.” The sodium content alone nearly reaches 7,000 milligrams, whereas the daily recommended limit is 2,300.
Applebee’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip
I am a sucker for Applebee’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip, a creamy dip of spinach, artichokes, and parmesan cheese, which I eat with tortilla chips and salsa. The calorie count? A whopping 980. And, unfortunately, the app isn’t exactly filling.
Outback Steakhouse Bloomin’ Onion
How can you go to Outback Steakhouse without ordering the chain’s legendary app, the Bloomin’ Onion? Unsurprisingly, the deep-fried onion served with a creamy sauce is nearly 2,000 calories. “This popular appetizer features a deep-fried onion that is sliced to resemble a flower and is served with a dipping sauce, and it contains around 1,620 calories and over 120 grams of fat, making it one of the unhealthiest appetizers on any menu,” says Sabat.
Buffalo Wild Wings Ultimate Nachos
Nachos might be a favorite app anywhere you go, but they are rarely good for you. At Buffalo Wild Wings the Ultimate Nachos is a plate of loaded chips piled high with toppings, including queso, cheddar-jack cheese, pickled hot peppers, crema, and pico. The total calorie count is much higher than a full meal, at 1770 calories.
Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom
The Texas Roadhouse Cactus Blossom is similar to the Bloomin’ Onion in more ways than one. The fried onion appetizer is clocking in at entrée-level calories, a staggering 2,250 calories,135 g fat (26 g saturated fat), and 5,000 mg sodium.
Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta
It is no surprise that deep-fried lasagne isn’t good for you. Olive Garden Lasagna Fritta is basically fried pasta bites layered with cheese and sauce, and very calorie-dense. “The Lasagna Fritta features small portions of lasagna that are breaded and deep-fried,” says Sabat. “It contains over 1,100 calories and over 75 grams of fat, making it a very unhealthy choice.”
