9 Secrets Denny's Doesn't Want You to Know

Denny's has been serving up plate after plate of low-cost short order meals for nearly 70 years, having been founded in California back in 1953. Today, there are a stunning 370 locations in California alone, and there is a Denny's in every single state except Delaware and there are even a number of Denny's locations overseas. So clearly the diner-like chain is doing a few things right.

Though Denny's serves tens of thousands of diners daily, a few of those guests may think twice before ordering their next endless breakfast once they read these nine secrets Denny's would rather not have on the table. It turns out you don't spread across (almost) all 50 states and stick around for seven decades without a few less-than-tasty parts of the story emerging.

(Plus, if you're looking for a burger be sure to skip these 8 Worst Fast-Food Burgers to Stay Away From Right Now.)

Sure, the price is right, but the classic Denny's Grand Slam breakfast meal is like taking a baseball bat to your health and wellbeing. According to Nutritionix, a Denny's Grand Slam meal packs in 844 calories, more than half of which (477) are from fat. It has 1,626 milligrams of sodium, 15 grams of saturated fat, and a ghastly 654 milligrams of cholesterol, on average.

With the obvious exception of milkshakes and smoothies, you can get unlimited free refills of just about any beverage at Denny's, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady. While your server may only offer refills on coffee, you can ask for another serving of soda, lemonade, iced tea, and so on, and you'll only see one beverage on the bill.

RELATED: The Best Drinks to Crush Sugar Cravings, Say Dietitians

According to FUDiabetes, Denny's uses powdered eggs or an egg mix for many of its dishes.  In fact, unless you specifically ask for "real" eggs or "shell" eggs you will most likely get processed eggs used for everything except fried eggs with unbroken yolks.

According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, if you are an AARP member you get 15% at most Denny's locations. The best part? You don't even need to be older than 55 because anyone can get a membership, regardless of age. Membership starts at only $12 per year!6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

In 1994, Denny's paid out a whopping $54.4 million to settle a discrimination suit, according to the Los Angeles Times. The chain was accused of repeated racist behavior, such as seating customers of color apart from white diners and asking black guests to prepay for meals. You might think this 30-year-old story would be over, but according to Essence, the same thing happened as recently as 2020 when a Denny's waitress asked some black guests to pay before they were served.

RELATED: 7 Bizarre Rules That Chick-fil-A Employees Have to Follow

In 2016, Denny's pledged to source all of its eggs from 100% cage-free sources by 2026. As of 2022, they are only 30% of the way towards this goal. They also "continue to emphasize" choosing "polled breeding stock versus the practice of dehorning cattle" but do not mention a percentage. Likewise, in terms of sourcing chicken, they pledge to use "strains of birds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes" by 2026. Lastly, in terms of where they source their pork, they have only been able to assure that 32% of the pigs they source do not spend their lives in inhumane, confined gestation crates. All of this is according to their own website.

Don't let the name fool you, Denny's Fit Slam is not a great meal choice if you're actually concerned about fitness. Sure, its 450 calories aren't much of an issue, and neither are the 12 grams of fat—both of those stats account for about a quarter of your daily recommended allotment. But its 22 grams of sugars are more than half of an adult's daily healthy limit, and at 860 milligrams of sodium, it's a salty dish.

RELATED: 5 Worst Breakfast Foods Shortening Your Life, Say Dietitians

If you're looking to eat big and save big, too, then your best bet at a Denny's is the Lumberjack Slam meal, according to The Krazy Coupon Lady. Priced at $12.79, the meal represents a savings of nearly 40% compared to what you would pay if you ordered each item it contains—which are two pancakes, two eggs, four rashers of bacon or pieces of sausage or ham, and two slices toast—a la carte. That would run you $21.14. But beware, it also has close to 1,000 calorie, 45 grams of fat, and 3,500 milligrams of sodium. So that bargain could be bad news for your health.

A 21-ounce portion of the restaurant's Cake Batter Milkshake contains an astounding 1,310 calories, 69 grams of fat, 38 grams of saturated fat, and the sugars are off the charts. Stick with food if you choose to dine at Denny's at all, with water and coffee as your go-to liquids. And always ask for the healthier shell eggs.

RELATED: 11 Secrets Texas Roadhouse Doesn't Want You to Know