Skip to content

The #1 Worst Menu Item to Never Order at 75 Popular Restaurant Chains

The rule "everything in moderation" simply isn't an excuse for these excessive choices.

Some people see lists like these and take them as a way to figure out what's "tasty," what's "not going to be that bad," and what's "okay to eat once in a while." But these items are literally the least nutritious, most caloric, most horrifying choices on menus that—generally speaking—aren't exactly known for keeping people slim.

We understand that it's practically an art to eat out and remain relatively healthy. But we're here to help you out a bit so you know exactly what not to order at all of your favorite restaurant chains. And for more, don't miss these 15 Classic American Desserts That Deserve a Comeback.

Applebee's: Oriental Chicken Salad Wrap

oriental chicken salad wrap
Courtesy of Applebee's
1,910 calories, 114 g fat (20 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 2,920 mg sodium, 180 g carbs (10 g fiber, 38 g sugar), 43 g protein

Attack of the beige! Whenever your dinner is monochromatic (in this case, the off-brown hue of deep-fried stuff), you know you're in trouble. Choosing a dish like this is easily one of the bad habits that make you sick and fat. A coating of crispy batter and a heaping pile of deep-fried potatoes is no way to treat your chicken that is served up in a wrap, adding on more calories.

Bob Evans: Double Meat Farmer's Choice Breakfast (Three hotcakes, two freshly-cracked eggs, two sausage links, bacon, and home fries)

Bob evans double meat farmer breakfast
Courtesy of Bob Evans
1,900 calories, 97 g fat (29 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,660 mg sodium, 195 g carbs (5 g fiber, 31 g sugar), 57 g protein

What has over a day's worth of calories and two days' worth of saturated fat? This sneaky, diet-derailing dish. Where all that fat and sodium come from, we may never know, but we can tell you this: This is one breakfast that will offer no benefits to your day. Stay far, far away—especially if you've been trying to cleanse your body of junk!

RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!

O'Charley's: Top Shelf Combo Appetizer with Spicy Jack Cheese Wedges, Chicken Tenders, and Overloaded Potato Skin

ocharleys top shelf combo appetizer
O'Charleys/Facebook
1,880 calories, 132 g fat (48 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,300 mg sodium, 74 g carbs (4 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 88 g protein

When it comes to contributing to our nation's ever-expanding collective waistline, O'Charley's is certainly doing its part. And this dish is no exception. Sitting down to a giant plate of nutrient-void cheese wedges, chicken tenders, and "overloaded" potato skins is a recipe for disaster if you're trying to improve your health—even if you consider it one of your weekly cheat meals.

RELATED: Your ultimate restaurant and supermarket survival guide is here!

Buffalo Wild Wings: 30-Piece Lemon Pepper Traditional Wings

buffalo wild wings traditional wings
Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings
2,890 calories, 207 g fat (54 g saturated fat, 7.5 g trans fat), 10,420 mg sodium, 112 g carbs (7 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 145 g protein

Even if you divide this 30-piece platter into two portions, you'd still consume a ton of and more than your entire daily recommended intake of sodium! Wings may be tasty, but there are far better ways to spend your salt allowance.

California Pizza Kitchen: West Coast Burger

cpk west coast burger
California Pizza Kitchen
1,980 calories, 136 g fat (37 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 3,520 mg sodium, 124 g carbs (8 g fiber, 28 g sugar), 60 g protein

If you think getting a burger at a place that specializes in pizza might be a fun idea, you might want to think again. This burger clocks in at more than 1,400 calories and way too much sodium for one sandwich. Plus, 25 grams of sugar? There are no upsides here. And none in the 50 Most Caloric Dishes in America either!

Carrabba's: Fettuccine Weesie with Whole-Grain Spaghetti

carrabbas fettuccine weesie
Courtesy of Carrabba's
1,430 calories, 86 g fat (52 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 3,520 mg sodium, 108 g carbs (18 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 56 g protein

Shrimp! Mushrooms! Fresh basil! When you read the list of ingredients that go into this dish, it's hard to imagine it would be such a nutritional nightmare. But this is the restaurant industry we're talking about here. Would you expect anything less? If you're looking for carbs that won't derail your weight loss progress, check out these healthy carbs instead.

The Cheesecake Factory: Pasta Napoletana

pasta napoletana at the cheesecake factory
The Cheesecake Factory/Facebook.com
2,480 calories, 221 g fat (82 g saturated fat, 4.5 g trans fat), 5,150 mg sodium, 155 g carbs (11 g fiber, 20 g sugar), 65 g protein

We give The Cheesecake Factory props for offering up lighter options, but its menu is still home to some of the most caloric fare in the nation. This pasta dish is made up of Italian sausage, bacon, meatballs, and pepperoni, and could really just clog any artery.

Chili's: Crispy Honey-Chipotle Crispers & Waffles

chilis crispy honey chipotle waffles
Courtesy of Chili's
2,590 calories, 126 fat (42 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 5,180 mg sodium, 303 g carbs (14 g fiber, 128 g sugar), 63 g protein

With over a day's worth of calories and more fat than eight hot dogs, this Southern-inspired, fried chicken and waffles will pop the button right off your skinny jeans! Polish off the whole plate, and you'd be consuming three times the American Heart Association's recommended daily intake of saturated fat.

Another word to the wise? Make it a rule to avoid anything with the word "quesadilla" in the title when you're at Chili's (yes, even the salads). None of the options have fewer than 1,400 calories per serving—not what you should be eating if your goal is to lose belly fat.

Denny's: Cinnamon Roll Pancake Breakfast (includes 2 pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon strips, and hash browns)

cinnamon roll pancake breakfast at dennys
Courtesy of Denny's
1,530 calories, 58 g fat (21 g saturated fat), 2,830 mg sodium, 214 g carbs (5 g fiber, 129 g sugar), 32 g protein

"It's just pancakes, how bad could it be?" You ask. "Pretty bad." We say. Not only is this one of the highest-calorie breakfasts on Denny's menu, it's also one of the sweetest. These pancakes have more sugar than 13 servings of Breyers' Natural Vanilla Ice Cream. Eat at your own risk!

Friendly's: Clam Strips Platter

friendlys clam strips platter
Courtesy of Friendly's
1,596 calories, 92 g fat (16 g saturated fat, 0.1 g trans fat), 2,715 mg sodium, 166 g carbs (11 g fiber, 6.2 g sugar), 41 g protein

The word "platter" is often code for "way too many calories, carbs, and fat." Don't believe it? This bland bowl of beige serves up more carbs than 19 chocolate chip cookies and more calories than 122 small clams. Proceed with caution at the not-so-friendly restaurant—and be sure to steer clear of these restaurant foods with crazy-high amounts of sugar, too. They'll all undo all of your valiant weight loss efforts.

IHOP: Appetizer Sampler with Ranch Dressing

ihop appetizer sampler with ranch
Courtesy of IHOP
1,410 calories, 72 g fat (18 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 3,760 mg sodium, 132 g carbs (9 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 60 g protein

Just look at that plate of crispy brown nastiness! "Monster" mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and chicken strips all on one plate? This dish is a giant fat bomb tainted with trans fats and sky-high levels of salt. Even if you split it with a friend, you'd still offset an entire day of smart eating!

Maggiano's: Gnocchi & Italian Sausage

Maggianos gnocchi italian sausage
Norm J./Yelp
1,540 calories, 90 g fat (41 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 5,180 mg sodium, 101 g carbs (9 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 66 g protein

It might not be the most caloric pasta on the menu (that honor goes to the Rigatoni "D" at 1,610 calories), but the Gnocchi & Italian Sausage comes pretty close. This dish does, however, take the cake for being one of the highest-sodium menu items we've seen. Eat this entire thing, and you'll consume two and a quarter days' worth of sodium—or the equivalent of 25 one-ounce bags of Kettle Brand Salt & Vinegar chips.

Plus, this meal is just half a gram shy of your day's worth of trans fat. Not convinced you should add it to your "do not eat" list? Consider this: A 150-pound woman would need to run for nearly three hours to burn it off. And this is only the entrée! Add your appetizer, dessert, and a drink, and it's easy to amass half a week's worth of calories in one meal at Maggiano's.

Bonefish Grill: Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos with French Fries

Bonefish grill bang bang shrimp tacos
Bonefish Grill
1,560 calories, 98 g fat (23 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 3,820 mg sodium, 127 g carbs (12 g fiber, 19 g sugar), 42 g protein

In their purest form, shrimp are some of the healthiest proteins you can buy. But despite their innocent appearance, these shrimp are not in your average taco. After the chefs at Bonefish doused these guys in a seasoned batter, the dinner platter became your body's worst nightmare, serving up more than a half day's worth of trans fat and nearly a day and a half day's worth of sodium!

On The Border: Dos XX Fish Tacos (3) with Rice

on the border dos xx fish tacos
On The Border Mexican Grill and Cantina/Facebook
1,500 calories, 102 g fat (28 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 3,650 mg sodium, 105 g carbs (2 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 41 g protein

On the Border will give you a full day's calorie intake, over two days of salt and three days of fat in the form of their beer-battered, deep-fried fish tacos. Remember when fish was actually healthy? In your kitchen, it still is, if you pick the right kind!

P.F. Chang's: Korean Bulgogi Steak

pf changs bulgogi steak
Courtesy of PF Changs
1,370 calories, 58 g fat (11 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 3,740 mg sodium, 121 g carbs (8 g fiber, 44 g sugar), 88 g protein

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a piece of steak every now and then. But here, the meat is swimming in a glaze, served with fried onion straws on top. And there are potatoes in the mix here too, making for a meal that is dangerously high in sodium and sugar.

Red Lobster: Admiral's Feast

admirals feast red lobster fish shrimp broccoli sides
Courtesy of Red Lobster
1,650 calories, 98 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 5,000 mg sodium, 129 g carbs (9 g fiber, 18 g sugar), 64 g protein

It's hard to mess up a plate of roasted lobster tail, shrimp, sea scallops, and mussels. But by adding linguini and a fatty garlic-and-white-wine sauce, Red Lobster manages to transform a protein-rich plate of seafood into one that can give you an instant heart attack. Just say no to this deep-sea diet bomb.

Romano's Macaroni Grill: Macaroni Grill Chicken Parmesan

romanos
Romanos Macaroni Grill/ Facebook
1,610 calories, 92 g fat (17 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 1,890 mg sodium, 120 g carbs (10 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 79 g protein

Beware: This isn't your bubby's classic chicken parm! The massive serving of capellini under the poultry is doused in a thick sauce, and the Milanese-style chicken is piled high with fatty mozzarella. And even if you split this dish with a friend, you'd take in half the day's calories, salt, and saturated fat.

Ruby Tuesday: Parmesan Chicken Mac 'n Cheese

ruby tuesday chicken parmesan mac and cheese
Courtesy of Ruby Tuesday
1,860 calories, 102 g fat (45 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 5,190 mg sodium, 158 g carbs (7 g fiber, 20 g sugar), 81 g protein

This mac and cheese dish is simply trouble. Crispy chicken that is covered in sauce and cheese sits atop macaroni and cheese, creating a dish that has a terrifying amount of sodium. You're much better off making homemade mac and cheese!

TGI Fridays: Signature Whiskey-Glazed Ribs, Full-Rack (with coleslaw & seasoned fries)

TGI Fridays whiskey glazed ribs fries slaw
Courtesy of TGI Fridays
1,630 calories, 75 g fat (25 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,940 mg sodium, 178 g carbs (7 g fiber, 132 g sugar), 69 g protein

Four words sum up this T.G.I. Fridays' dish: salty, sugary, fat-laden disaster. You'd be better off having two McDonald's Big Macs than this monstrosity. It's hard to imagine, we know, but you'd actually take in fewer calories, fat, carbs, sugar, and blood-pressure-spiking salt.

Olive Garden: Asiago Tortelloni Alfredo with Grilled Chicken

olive garden tortelloni alfredo
Olive Garden
1,980 calories, 131 g fat (76 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 3,720 mg sodium, 95 g carbs (5 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 112 g protein

This is one dish from Olive Garden's menu you'll surely want to skip. Not only does it pack more sodium than the average person should have in a day, but it also serves up two and a half grams of trans fat, an artificial fat that's been linked to heart disease. All of this is before you tack on the breadsticks and salad.

Cracker Barrel: Sunday Homestyle Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Steamed Broccoli, Biscuit

cracker barrel southern fried chicken
Courtesy of Cracker Barrel
1,460 calories, 73 g fat (16 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,230 mg sodium, 118 g carbs (11 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 81 g protein

Steer clear of this meal when dining at Cracker Barrel. The chain restaurant breads and deep-fries its chicken tenders, lending the dish a lot of fat. Because the portion is oversized, you can split the dish with your fam and still get your fried chicken fix.

Outback Steakhouse: Bloomin' Onion

blooming onion appetizer from outback
Courtesy of Outback Steakhouse
1,350 calories, 54 g fat (8 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 6,350 mg sodium, 200 g carbs (27 g fiber, 34 g sugar), 27 g protein

It's one of the most iconic dishes on Outback's menu, but that shouldn't encourage you to pick apart the Bloomin' Onion.

Longhorn Steakhouse: Full Rack of Baby-Back Ribs

longhorn steakhouse ribs with mac and cheese
Courtesy of Longhorn Steakhouse
1,630 calories, 112 g fat (42 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 1,490 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (2 g fiber, 31 g sugar), 123 g protein

Baby-back ribs sound like a hearty meal, but the nutritional info of this dish proves it's one to avoid.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill: Deep Dish Individual Chicago Meat Market Pizza

uno chicago deep dish meat market pizza
Michael C./Yelp
2,280 calories, 144 g fat (36 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 4,980 mg sodium, 120 g carbs (6 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 90 g protein

This individual pie packs a ton of calories, fats, and sodium. And yes, just to reiterate, this is meant for one person to eat. No, thanks!

Burger King: Bacon King Sandwich

burger king bacon king burger
Courtesy of Burger King
1,313 calories, 92 g fat (39 g saturated fat, 2.7 g trans fat), 2,865 mg sodium, 50 g carbs (2 g fiber, 11 g sugar), 64 g protein

This two-patty, bacon-topped sandwich is by far one of the worst items on Burger King's menu. The quarter-pound patties, bacon, cheese, and mayo alone deliver a whopping 79 grams of fat—worse than a few of the King's classic hamburgers. It also comes packed with more than 30 grams of saturated fat, which is more than you should have in an entire day.

McDonald's: Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese

McDonalds double quarter pounder
Courtesy of McDonald's
740 calories, 42 g fat (20 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 1,360 mg sodium, 43 g carbs (3 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 48 g protein

A remnant from the days when "super-sizing" was cool, this sandwich takes a perfectly fine burger and multiplies it by two. There's no reason to eat a half-pound of beef for lunch (unless, of course, it's 2004 and you're making a documentary about getting fat).

Moe's Southwest Grill: Homewrecker Burrito with Chicken

Moes homewrecker burrito
Courtesy of Moe's Southwest Grill
1,019 calories, 43 g fat (19 g saturated, 0 g trans fat), 2,180 mg sodium, 121 g carbs (16 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 52 g protein

Homewrecker? More like an ab wrecker! This burrito has not one, not two, but three major sources of carbs (tortilla, rice, and beans) and two major sources of fat (cheese and guac), so it's really no surprise it has such a scary nutritional profile. Watch out for your, sides too. The monster burrito also comes with an additional 390 calories of chips and salsa (not included in the nutrition information above).

Chick-fil-A: Cobb Salad with Chick-n-Strips and Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

Chick fil a cobb salad
Courtesy of Chick-fil-A
910 calories, 63 g fat (13 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,870 mg sodium, 40 g carbs (4 fiber, 10 g sugar), 45 g protein

It may not look too dangerous, but this salad is not what you should order when dining at Chick-fil-A. The sodium count alone is ridiculous for a salad, a meal that is supposed to be healthy. The one thing that cemented this salad's place on the "Worst" list? The Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing. With inflammatory soybean oil as a leading agent, you can bet that the 32 grams of fat this dressing contains are a major reason why the small packet climbs up to 310 calories.

Arby's: Roast Turkey Ranch & Bacon Sandwich

Arbys turkey bacon ranch sandiwch
Courtesy of Arby's
810 calories, 35 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 2,420 mg sodium, 79 g carbs (5 g fiber, 16 g sugar), 45 g protein

When made in the safety of your own kitchen, a turkey sandwich isn't a half-bad lunch option. But tread carefully in the land of greasy-spoon finger foods. This sandwich is over-packed with carbs, fat, and sugar. Yes, sugar, which is most likely coming from the honey wheat bread.

Chipotle: Carnitas Burrito with White Rice, Black Beans, Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Queso, Sour Cream, Cheese, and Guac

Chipotle burritos

1,520 calories, 76 g fat (29.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,780 mg sodium, 143 g carbs (20 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 61 g protein

This fully loaded burrito from Chipotle has a day's worth of salt and more than a day's worth of saturated fat. Yes, seriously. But that's not all: This dinnertime disaster serves up more carbs than you'd find in nearly six whole-grain dinner rolls! Although almost everything in this burrito is carb-heavy, with the tortilla and white rice tipping the scales.

Taco Bell: Nachos BellGrande Beef

taco bell nachos
Taco Bell/Yelp
740 calories, 38 g fat (7 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,050 mg sodium, 82 g carbs (15 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 16 g protein

By now, it shouldn't really be much of a secret that nachos are a risky meal choice. And at Taco Bell, you're in for a dish that is packed with sodium.

Pizza Hut: Meat Lover's Large Original Pan Pizza

meat lovers pizza
Shutterstock
Per large slice: 470 calories, 27 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 970 mg sodium, 37 g carbs (2 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 19 g protein

You can love meat without taking in half a day's saturated fat with one slice of pizza. Specialty pies are an excuse to go crazy with a ton of high-fat toppings that do virtually nothing for flavor and increase your calorie load considerably. At Pizza Hut, don't be a lover, be a fighter with the less caloric pepperoni slice. Or better yet, make one of these healthy homemade pizzas instead.

KFC: Famous Bowl

KFC famous bowl
Courtesy of KFC
740 calories, 35 g fat (6 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,350 mg sodium, 81 g carbs (6 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 26 g protein

The KFC bowl screams comfort, as it's a dish made up of mashed potatoes, corn, and crispy chicken all mixed together with gravy and cheese. But this is one rather scary mix, thanks to the amount of sodium and fat it's packing.

Papa John's: Pepperoni, Sausage & Six Cheese Extra Large 16" Original Crust Pizza

pepperoni sausage six cheese pizza
Courtesy of Papa John's
Per slice: 410 calories, 21 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 950 mg sodium, 40 g carbs (1 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 16 g protein

This pizza features pepperoni, sausage, and six different types of fatty cheese. Just like how Papa John's cut its founder John Schnatter out of the business, we recommend you cut this pizza out of your life.

Wendy's: Pretzel Bacon Pub Triple Cheeseburger

pretzel bacon triple cheeseburger
Courtesy of Wendy's
1,520 calories, 106 g fat (45 g saturated fat, 4 g trans fat), 1,910 mg sodium, 53 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 89 g protein

This newer addition to the Wendy's menu is already memorable, for all the wrong reasons! It's made up of three Wendy's' patties that are covered in warm beer cheese sauce, Applewood smoked bacon, smoky honey mustard, crispy fried onions, pickles, and a slice of muenster cheese, all on a soft pretzel bun. This all makes for a burger that has the most amount of calories out of all the burgers on the menu.

Jack In The Box: Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger

jack-in-the-box ultimate cheeseburger
Courtesy of Jack in the Box
930 calories, 65 g fat (25 g saturated fat, 3 g trans fat), 1,590 mg sodium, 32 g carbs (1 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 55 g protein

Jack in the Box's menu has come a long way, but a few major changes still need to be made, including banishing this bacon-topped beef burger. If the double helping of meat wasn't bad enough, Jack adds garlic herb butter, Swiss cheese, and globs of bacon mayo to his signature bun—and your buns will pay for it if you indulge. Just say no to this rear-expanding dish.

Sonic: Large Oreo Peanut Butter Shake

sonic oreo peanut butter shake
Courtesy of Sonic
1,720 calories, 104 g fat (48 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 1,040 mg sodium, 172 g carbs (4 g fiber, 111 g sugar), 30 g protein

One former Sonic employee may have told the Reddit community to never order the Steak or Grilled Chicken, but we found something else you should back away from. This super-sized sip has more calories than 24 chocolate chip cookies, more fat than 22 strips of pan-fried bacon, and more sugar than six Snicker bars! Stay away if you want to protect your hard-earned flat belly.

Popeye's: Spicy Chicken Sandwich

popeyes fried chicken sandwich
Courtesy of Popeyes
700 calories, 42 g fat (14 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 1,473 mg sodium, 50.04 g carbs (2 g fiber, 7.5 g sugar), 28 g protein

If you want something fried and starchy at Popeyes, go with the Loaded Chicken Wrap and skip this calorie bomb of a sandwich.

Boston Market: 1/2 Order Baby Back Ribs with Fresh Steamed Vegetables, Mashed Potatoes, Zesty BBQ sauce, and Cornbread

boston market rack of ribs
Boston Market/Yelp
1,550 calories, 78 g fat (28 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,290 mg sodium, 136 g carbs (8 g fiber, 55 g sugar), 80 g protein

You knew ribs weren't exactly healthy, but did you realize that they are filled with so much fat and sugar?! To keep all that fat off of your plate, ask for the Quarter Skinless Rotisserie Chicken with Zesty BBQ Sauce, Fresh Vegetable Stuffing, and Garlic Dill New Potatoes. Wouldn't you rather enjoy a big plate of variety instead of one rack of ribs?

Carl's Jr.: Triple Western Bacon Cheeseburger

carls jr triple western bacon cheeseburger
Courtesy of Carl's Jr
1,380 calories, 81 g fat (35 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 2,750 mg sodium, 80 g carbs (4 g fiber, 17 g sugar), 85 g protein

This burger is made up of three charbroiled all-beef patties, two strips of bacon, melted American cheese, crispy onion rings, and tangy BBQ Sauce, all on a seeded bun. Without any side dishes, you're already looking at a sodium bomb that is packing nearly a day and a half's worth of calories.

Whataburger: Triple Meat Whataburger with Medium Fries and a Drink

triple meat whataburger
Courtesy of Whataburger
1,400 calories, 46 g fat (11 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 1,590 mg sodium, 221 g carbs (8 g fiber, 119 g sugar), 34 g protein

Steer clear of this beefy monstrosity-based meal. Everything about this meal is off-the-charts excessive.

Jimmy John's: The J.J. Gargantuan on Wheat Bread

Jimmy johns jj Gargantuan

1,100 calories, 55 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 0 trans fat), 3,550 mg sodium, 69 g carbs (6 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 81 g protein

Jimmy says that this sandwich is "huge enough to feed the hungriest of all humans!" And we think he hit the nail on the head—1,100 calories is a lot to down in one sitting. Thanks to the salami, sliced smoked ham, capicola, roast beef, turkey, and provolone combo, you'll also get a day-and-a-half's worth of fat. Plus, you get a hefty 13 grams of sugar when you order it on (what you thought was healthy) wheat bread!

Long John Silver's: 2 Baja Fish Tacos

Long john silvers baja fish tacos
Courtesy of Long John Silver's
820 calories, 42 g fat (8 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,580 mg sodium, 80 g carbs (6 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 26 g protein

Fat in the breading, fat in the sauce, fat in the tortillas—and none of it's the healthy kind. It all adds up to a half day's worth of the stuff, plus over a full day's allotment of salt. While Long John Silver's has come a long way in recent years, there are still plenty of fried dishes that could sink your battleship.

Dairy Queen: Honey BBQ Glazed Chicken Strip Basket, 6 pieces

dairy queen bbq glazed strip basket
Dairy Queen
1,440 calories, 48 g fat (8 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,640 mg sodium, 142 g carbs (7 g fiber, 32 g sugar), 35 g protein

Picking the worst dish at DQ was pretty tough. Though a nearly 1,000 calorie burger is borderline unethical, that's nothing compared to the chain's six-piece Chicken Strip Basket. Skip it at all costs.

Hardee's: Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger

hardees double Western Bacon Cheeseburger
Courtesy of Hardees
1,060 calories, 57 g fat (24 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 2,080 mg sodium, 81 g carbs (0 g fiber, 17 g sugar), 58 g protein

If the fat count on this burger has you wondering what Hardee's piles on this thing, take note of the thick pile of bacon and onion rings peeking out from between the buns. But what really burns us up is how much sodium they back into a meal you can eat with your hands: nearly as much as you should eat in an entire day!

Sbarro: Whole Roman 16 Meat Primo Pizza

sbarro roman cheese pizza
Courtesy of Sbarro
Per pie: 4,610 calories, 245 g fat (92 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 11,440 mg sodium, 382 g carbs (22 g fiber, 41 g sugar), 215 g protein

Almost each nutritional is in the triple digits or above—just look at that scary sodium count! Sure, you're not eating the entire pie in one sitting, but even that doesn't justify ordering this meaty monster. If you're taking a shopping break at Sbarro, go for the NY Mushroom Pizza Slice, which packs in a more approachable 360 calories and only six grams of saturated fat.

Einstein Bros.: Chorizo Sunrise 2-Egg Signature Sandwich

Einstein Bros Chorizo Sunrise
Courtesy of Einstein Bros
920 calories, 57 g fat (22 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 1,600 mg sodium, 62 g carbs (5 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 42 g protein

Einstein Bros' sandwich packs in a decent amount of protein and fiber, but the calorie count is way too high. Bite into this chorizo egg sandwich, and you'll start your day with almost a thousand calories. Talk about a food coma!

Smashburger: Double Smoked Bacon Brisket

smashburger double smoked bacon brisket burger
Courtesy of Smashburger
1,300 calories, 82 g fat (39 g saturated fat, 4 g trans fat), 2,770 mg sodium, 55 g carbs (2 g fiber, 23 g sugar), 81 g protein

This burger is made up of two patties that are covered in smoked cheddar, smoked brisket, applewood smoked bacon, pickles, and a BBQ sauce. As you can imagine, it's a monster, clocking in at 1,300 calories and has as much sodium as you would get from 25 pretzel rods.

Noodles & Company: Alfredo MontAmore with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken

Noodles and company alfredo montamore
Courtesy of Noodles and Company
1,410 calories, 84 g fat (40 g saturated fat, 2.5 g trans fat), 2,170 mg sodium, 110 g carbs (6 g fiber, 14 g sugar), 52 g protein

Alfredo sauce—whether you buy it in a jar, make it from scratch, or order it in a restaurant—will always be ultra caloric and fatty, and this creamy dish is no exception. Skip the massive calorie and sodium counts and go for one of Noodles & Company's red-sauce-based dishes.

Corner Bakery Café: Pancakes, Bacon & Eggs

Corner bakery cafe eggs and bacon
Gavin B./Yelp
1,010 calories, 57 g fat (18 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,620 mg sodium, 104 g carbs (2 g fiber, 57 g sugar), 39 g protein

With such a lowly fiber content that won't help stabilize your glucose levels after you eat up 57 grams of sugar, this breakfast sampler is the worst way to start your day.

Bojangles: Chicken Rice Bowl

Bojangles bo-tato breakfast bowl
Courtesy of Bojangles
780 calories, 27 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,550 mg sodium, 86 g carbs (11 g fiber, 12 g sugar), 48 g protein

This jumbo bowl is spiked with roasted chicken, dirty rice, Cajun pinto beans, and cheddar for a lunch that should be last on your list of options. Spoon into this hearty bowl, and you'll get the salt equivalent of more than eight orders of McDonald's fries, large-size.

Johnny Rockets: Route 66 Double Burger with Regular Bun

johnny rockets route 66 burger
Courtesy of Johnny Rocket's
1,060 calories, 70 g fat (20 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,870 mg sodium, 40 g carbs (0 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 60 g protein

This stacked sandwich is bursting with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, which lend the meal more than 1,000 calories and about a day's worth of belly-ballooning sodium.

Hooters: Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken

Hooters philly cheesesteak
Courtesy of Hooters
790 calories, 57 g fat (25 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 4,340 mg sodium, 52 g carbs (3 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 72 g protein

Smothered in grilled onions, green peppers, mushrooms, and Provolone cheese, this pick is teeming with fat and calories.

Quiznos: Classic Italian, 12-inch Sub

quiznos classic italian sub
Courtesy of Quiznos
1,260 calories, 63 g fat (22 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 3,760 mg sodium, 115 g carbs (8 g fiber, 13 g sugar), 61 g protein

Folks in Italy stay skinny by steering clear of this classic sammy. A slew of deli meats is piled atop a footlong sub, which explains the preposterous amount of blood-pressure-spiking sodium. If you order this, split it with a friend, and don't forget to refill your water glass.

A&W: Cheese Curds, Large

a&w cheese curds
Courtesy of A & W
1,140 calories, 80 g fat (42 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 2,440 mg sodium, 54 g carbs (4 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 54 g protein

A&W is quite infamous for its root beer, but its restaurant chain is well-known for its cheese curds. While we hope you're not indulging in a large version of this side on the regular, even ordering the "regular" size won't be doing you any favors. The smaller version still has 570 calories, 1,220 milligrams of sodium, and 21 grams (a day's worth!) of saturated fat.

Auntie Anne's: Mini Pretzel Dogs

auntie annes mini pretzel dogs
Courtesy of Auntie Anne's
630 calories, 35 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,290 mg sodium, 56 g carbs (2 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 20 g protein

Picture this: You're strolling through a shopping mall until the wafting fresh-baked dough aromas lure you by an Auntie Anne's. Whatever you do, don't order these guys!

Steak 'n Shake: Country Skillet

steak n shake country skillet
Steak n Shake/Facebook
1,320 calories, 106 g fat (43 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 2,340 mg sodium, 57 g carbs (2 g fiber, 5 g sugar), 37 g protein

This skillet comes with shredded hash browns, sausage patty, sausage gravy, cheddar 'n jack cheese, and a buttermilk biscuit topped with two fried eggs.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Hickory Brisket and Bacon Burger with Fries

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse hickory brisket bacon burger
Courtesy of BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
1,700 calories, 99 g fat (36 g saturated fat), 4,282 mg sodium, 123 g carbs (7 g fiber, 37 g sugar), 76 g protein

With bacon, mayo, BBQ sauce, and brisket, it's no wonder this sandwich from BJ's lands on our list of the unhealthiest dishes from your favorite popular restaurants.

Checkers: Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings, 10 pieces

fried chicken wings on plate with white dipping sauce
Alexander Prokopenko/Shutterstock
1,010 calories, 79 g fat (27 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 2,150 mg sodium, 6 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 69 g protein

If you're cooking chicken wings in the comfort of your own kitchen, they can be a solid meal option that's packed with protein. But if you fry and smother them with a creamy parmesan sauce, you're looking at a meal packed with over a thousand calories and a whopping 27 grams of artery-clogging saturated fat.

Waffle House: Meat Lover's Pork Chops & Eggs with Texas Toast and Hashbrowns

waffle house menu
Eric Glenn/Shutterstock
1,620 calories, 92 g fat (36 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 2,840 mg sodium, 66 g carbs (4 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 133 g protein

Three pork chops, eggs, hashbrowns, and Texas toast ring in a whopping 1,620-calorie dish. While pork is one of our best proteins for weight loss, the triple order won't do any wonders for your waistline.

Perkins: Double Catch

perkins double catch
Courtesy of Perkins
1,370 calories, 82 g fat (17 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 3,070 mg sodium, 126 g carbs (7 g fiber, 18 g sugar), 34 g protein

Perkins' Double Catch is no catch for your weight loss goals. The seafood nightmare features breaded shrimp, Milwaukee-style breaded cod fillets, tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, and a heaping mound of French fries.

Shoney's: Country Fried Steak Breakfast with Biscuit

shoneys country fried steak breakfast
Shoneys
1,110 calories, 76 g fat (22 g saturated fat, 10 g trans fat), 2,610 mg sodium, 81 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 24 g protein

If you're looking for a heart-harming dish, this Country Fried Steak Breakfast is it. With an unbelievable 10 grams of trans fat—yes, 10!—this dish marks its spot as one of the worst offerings on any restaurant menu around.

Rally's: Baconzilla Burger

checkers triple baconzilla
Checkers/Yelp
910 calories, 62 g fat (24 g saturated fat, 3 g trans fat), 1,670 mg sodium, 43 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 46 g protein

When a chain names its burger after a monster, you know it's no good. This outrageous sandwich packs in two giant hamburger patties, four slices of bacon, two slices of cheese, melted cheddar, ketchup, and mayo on a hefty bun—a combo that reflects the seriously high fat content.

Little Caesars: 3 Meat Treat Pizza, Large

little caesars deep deep dish 3 meat treat pizza
Courtesy of Little Caesars
Per pie: 3,480calories, 175 g fat (70 g saturated fat, 3.5 g trans fat), 7,180 mg sodium, 321 g carbs (16 g fiber, 17 g sugar), 159 g protein

Little Caesars is known for its hot-n-ready pies, but this three-meat treat is nothing to carry out. The large round pizza piles pepperoni, Italian sausage, and bacon high for a pie that packs in an outrageous 139 grams of fat and more than 6,000 milligrams of sodium.

Huddle House: Double Mushroom Swiss Burger

huddle house mushroom swiss burger
Courtesy of Huddle House
1,075 calories, 73 g fat (23 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 2,230 mg sodium, 70 g carbs (5 g fiber, 15 g sugar), 41 g protein

Fifteen grams of sugar in a burger? That's more than half a day's worth of the sweet stuff! You're better off sticking to the short stack.

Church's Chicken: Cob Sandwich

churchs chicken original chicken sandwich
Courtesy of Church's Chicken
810 calories, 55 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,460 mg sodium, 50 g carbs (1 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 25 g protein

The famous Chick-O-Breast Sandwich delivers double the amount of fat of a Big Mac and more sodium than a salted soft pretzel.

White Castle: Hash Round Nibblers, Sack

Hash round nibblers
Courtesy of White Castle
1,440 calories, 110 g fat (17 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,830 mg sodium, 101 g carbs (10 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 10 g protein

Yup, White Castle offers a sack of its battered and fried bite-sized hash browns. While the sack is offered for sharing purposes, it can be a dangerous treat if you allow yourself to reach in for seconds, thirds, and fourths. If you need the potato fix, opt for the small serving, which contains 360 calories.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop: Ice Cream Sandwich (Sugar), Original

pot belly ice cream sandwich
Courtesy of Pot Belly Sandwich Shop
1,240 calories, 57 g fat (35 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 690 mg sodium, 168 g carbs (0 g fiber, 96 g sugar), 16 g protein

While we're all for the once-in-a-while dessert, ending your lunch with this loaded ice cream sandwich is not worth the calories. The treat is crafted with two sugar cookies (that clock in at 530 calories each) and hand-scooped vanilla ice cream in the center. Talk about a sugar crash!

Texas Roadhouse: Cheese Fries with Chili

texas roadhouse chili cheese fries
Sharon C./Yelp
1,460 calories, 80 g fat (30 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 5,200 mg sodium, 136 g carbs (16 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 49 g protein

Chili cheese fries might seem like a hearty, yet harmless appetizer option, but this version from Texas Roadhouse proves it will do your help zero favors. The sodium is just downright scary.

Shake Shack: Lockhart Link Burger, Triple

shake shack lockhart link burger
Neil Y./Yelp
1,330 calories, 96 g fat (40 g saturated fat, 3 g trans fat), 4,110 mg sodium, 29 g carbs (2 g fiber, 6 g sugar), 83 g protein

This Austin-exclusive cheeseburger is topped with a griddled jalapeño sausage link. While this may sound mouth-watering, it's nothing but trouble for your waistline.

Zaxby's: Buffalo Chicken Finger Plate (6 Fingers)

Zaxbys buffalo chicken finger plate
Courtesy of Zaxby's
1,610 calories, 97 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 5,410 mg sodium, 112 g carbs (10 g fiber, 16 g sugar), 70 g protein

Buffalo chicken fingers meet Crinkle Fries, Texas Toast, coleslaw, and creamy ranch sauce in this belt-busting dish.

Wingstop: Louisiana Voodoo Fries, Large

Wingstop voodoo fries
Courtesy of Wingstop
910 calories, 49 g fat (9 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,710 mg sodium, 100 g carbs (0 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 16 g protein

This Southern side slaps Cajun seasoning, ranch, and cheddar cheese on fresh-cut fries. And this "side" boasts enough calories to be considered a cheat meal, so forget pairing it with the wings.

Tim Hortons: Farmer's Breakfast Grilled Wrap

tim hortons farmers breakfast grilled wrap
Tim Hortons
680 calories, 42 g fat (12 g saturated fat, 0.4 g trans fat), 1,150 mg sodium, 54 g carbs (3 g fiber, 3 g sugar), 21 g protein

This breakfast wrap serves up more than 50% of the recommended max of saturated fat and 50% of the recommended daily max of sodium. And all of that's in just one wrap! Yikes.

Qdoba: Steak Fajita Quesadilla

Qdoba quesadilla
Qdoba/Facebook
1,130 calories, 68 g fat (30 g saturated fat, 2 g trans fat), 2,420 mg sodium, 72 g carbs (0 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 57 g protein

Qdoba tries to lure you in with this option. But with the high calorie and sodium counts, you're better off skipping this cheesy finger food.

Firehouse Subs: Large Tuna Sub

firehouse subs tuna sandwich
Firehouse Subs
1,540 calories, 97 g fat (18 g saturated fat), 3,030 mg sodium, 103 g carbs (6 g fiber, 21 g sugar), 71 g protein

We love tuna because it's an affordable protein that's packed with brain-boosting omega-3s and works well in a sandwich and salad alike. However, ordering this large tuna sub won't help you reap the fish's countless benefits, thanks to the sandwich's sky-high counts across the board.

Eat This, Not That!
Inspired by The New York Times best-selling book series, Eat This, Not That! is a brand that's comprised of an award-winning team of journalists and board-certified experts, doctors, nutritionists, chefs, personal trainers, and dietitians who work together to bring you accurate, timely, informative, and actionable content on food, nutrition, dieting, weight loss, health, wellness, and more. Read more about Eat This