The Worst Restaurant Desserts in America

It's OK if you need an occasional cheat meal every once and a while. Sometimes, you just can't help it when your sweet tooth comes calling. If you decide to order dessert while you're dining out, that's totally fine—as long as you're splitting it with at least one other person. Trust us, once you get a glimpse of some of your favorite restaurants' biggest culprits, you won't want to eat one of these by yourself.

That's right—we rounded up the dessert options you shouldn't look twice at, ranked from bad to the absolute worst. They're packed with calories, sugar, fat, and sodium, most of which are actually dangerous for your health to be consuming regularly. Simply put, eating these desserts on top of your main course is just asking for trouble. Your waistline will thank you later! (And while you're making healthy changes, be sure to check out the 100 Unhealthiest Foods On the Planet.)

Romano's Macaroni Grill Decadent Chocolate Cake

1,090 calories, 88 g fat (48 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 500 mg sodium, 79 g carbs (5 g fiber, 48 g sugar), 9 g protein

The shocking thing about this chocolate cake is that it's the lowest in sugar compared to the other chocolate slices on this list—and it's coming in with 48 grams of the sweet stuff.

IHOP Oreo Cookie Milkshake

760 calories, 40 g fat (23 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 340 mg sodium, 89 g carbs (1 g fiber, 65 g sugar), 13 g protein

A milkshake is technically a dessert, but who hasn't been there when you've decided to sip on one of these while you eat your meal? Well, at IHOP, the Oreo Cookie shake is packing more than 700 calories and 63 grams of sugar, and it's no secret plenty of their breakfast options are already loaded with sugar!

Bob Evans Cinna-Biscuits

710 calories, 21 g fat (13 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,450 mg sodium, 124 g carbs (2 g fiber, 74 g sugar), 8 g protein

These bite-sized cinnamon biscuits seem harmless, but anything small like this is dangerous. You can easily eat all of these yourself, but the fact that it packs a ton of sodium and sugar is just a no-go.

Chick-fil-A Strawberry Milkshake

550 calories, 17 g fat (10 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 450 mg sodium, 92 g carbs (4 g fiber, 76 g sugar), 11 g protein

Adding on a milkshake to the end of your meal from Chick-fil-A sounds nice in theory, but a strawberry milkshake has the same amount of calories as a Spicy Deluxe Sandwich. And this drink is packing 76 grams of sugar—yikes!

Perkins Fudge Brownie Supreme

860 calories, 43 g fat (24 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 370 mg sodium, 111 g carbs (4 g fiber, 84 g sugar), 8 g protein

At Perkins, this option from the dessert menu is a fresh-baked chocolate walnut brownie that is smothered with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, a whipped topping, and a cherry. It will cost you 84 grams of sugar and sorry, but that's just not worth it!

Buffalo Wild Wings Chocolate Fudge Cake

780 calories, 33 g fat (15 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 740 mg sodium, 115 g carbs (1 g fiber, 85 g sugar), 11 g protein

If you haven't already caught on to the trend, the overly decadent chocolate cakes seem to be the biggest offenders at most restaurants. At Buffalo Wild Wings, that is the case, too. The Chocolate Fudge Cake has more calories than you should consume in one meal and the 85 grams of sugar is not helping.

McDonald's M&M McFlurry

640 calories, 22 g fat (14 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 200 mg sodium, 96 g carbs (2 g fiber, 86 g sugar), 13 g protein

The McFlurry might be a classic at McDonald's but the regular-size is packing 86 grams of sugar and has more calories than a Big Mac.

California Pizza Kitchen Butter Cake

cpk butter cake — Courtesy of California Pizza Kitchen

1,090 calories, 66 g fat (41 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 620 mg sodium, 122 g carbs (1 g fiber, 86 g sugar), 7 g protein

This dessert from California Pizza Kitchen is served up warm, along with whipped cream and vanilla Häagen-Dazs ice cream. By the looks of it, this seems like it's a reasonable portion size, but don't let the size fool you. It's coming in at more than 1,000 calories and is packing more sugar than six Chocolate Frosted Donuts from Dunkin'.

Carrabba's Sogno Di Cioccolata "Chocolate Dream"

1,185 calories, 69 g fat (35 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 810 mg sodium, 130 g carbs (6 g fiber, 93 g sugar), 9 g protein

Here, a rich fudge brownie is topped with chocolate mousse, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate sauce, creating a sugar and sodium-filled option you're going to avoid ordering next time you have a meal from Carrabba's. Sorry, but this is more of a nightmare than a dream!

Red Lobster Chocolate Wave

1,110 calories, 62 g fat (22 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 720 mg sodium, 134 g carbs (6 g fiber, 93 g sugar), 11 g protein

Again, a chocolate cake covered in more chocolate that is served up alongside ice cream is proving to be a dangerous mix, no matter where you dine, even at Red Lobster.

Burger King Chocolate Oreo Shake

740 calories, 22 g fat (13 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 680 mg sodium, 121 g carbs (1 g fiber, 101 g sugar), 17 g protein

Yes, milkshakes are rather problematic as well. At Burger King, the chocolate Oreo shake has more calories than BK's Original Chicken Sandwich and serves up more than 100 grams of sugar. Keep in mind The American Heart Association recommends women have no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, or about 6 teaspoons, and for men, it's 150 calories per day, or about 9 teaspoons.

Bonefish Grill Macadamia Nut Brownie

990 calories, 51 g fat (32 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 220 mg sodium, 123 g carbs (8 g fiber, 101 g sugar), 14 g protein

It's been a little while since we've seen a dessert option clock in at under 1,000 calories, but this brownie from Bonefish Grill just makes it. Don't let that fool you—while it's more reasonable when it comes to the amount of sodium compared to the others on this list, there are 100 grams of sugar you'll be consuming thanks to this dish.

Olive Garden Chocolate Brownie Lasagna

910 calories, 52 g fat (27 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 580 mg sodium, 144 g carbs (6 g fiber, 103 g sugar), 13 g protein

Olive Garden's Chocolate Brownie Lasagna has eight layers of rich, fudgy brownie and sweet vanilla cream cheese frosting that is topped with chocolate shavings and a chocolate drizzle. Talk about chocolate overload!

Chili's Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie

1,180 calories, 50 g fat (24 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 890 mg sodium, 176 g carbs (4 g fiber, 104 g sugar), 15 g protein

Having a warm chocolate chip cookie that is baked in a skillet served to you along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream really screams "ultimate comfort food." But this small sweet treat from Chili's is anything but sweet if we're being honest here with those 104 grams of sugar it serves up.

Johnny Rockets Soft Serve Strawberry Oreo Crumble Shake with Malt Powder

1,130 calories, 50 g fat (30 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 970 mg sodium, 140 g carbs (0 g fiber, 110 g sugar), 20 g protein

The scary milkshakes strike again! This time, it's a strawberry and Oreo combination that features malt powder from Jonny Rockets that is clocking in at more than 1,000 calories and over 100 grams of sugar.

Ruby Tuesday Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet

1,350 calories, 69 g fat (37 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,141 mg sodium, 172 g carbs (5 g fiber, 110 g sugar), 19 g protein

Don't think Ruby Tuesday's Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet is the exception to the "beware of the cookie skillet" rule. This dessert is small enough for one person to indulge, which makes it more dangerous, and the fact that it's higher in calories than some of the actual meal options on the menu is reason enough to leave this dish alone.

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

This Oreo Peanut Butter Shake milkshake from Sonic is more than 1,700 calories—just let that sink in. Then you see it has more than 1,000 milligrams of sodium and 111 grams of sugar, and you have every right to be truly terrified.

Hooters Chocolate Mousse Cake

940 calories, 53 g fat (30 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 530 mg sodium, 151 g carbs (7 g fiber, 116 g sugar), 10 g protein

Another chocolate cake that just takes things way too far! This mousse cake that is covered in chocolate chips and has a chocolate drizzle is packed with fat and sugar. Not surprising at this point but more proof that these restaurant chocolate bombs are not just not good for you in the slightest.

Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake

1,720 calories, 122 g fat (57 g saturated fat, 3.5 g trans fat), 1,060 mg sodium, 146 g carbs (5 g fiber, 116 g sugar), 15 g protein

Expected to see a cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory take the top prize of the worst dessert? Well, the carrot cake just had to claim that honor with its astonishing amount of calories, fat, sodium, and sugar.

Maggiano's Chocolate Zuccotto Cake

1,810 calories, 115 g fat (61 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 840 mg sodium, 177 g carbs (13 g fiber, 120 g sugar), 21 g protein

The Chocolate Zuccotto Cake from Maggiano's is a favorite and it's easy to see why, as we know mouse and chocolate cake pair perfectly together. But the amount of sugar that this combination serves up—120 grams to be exact—is a literal disaster.

Denny's Cake Batter Milkshake

1,090 calories, 52 g fat (37 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 890 mg sodium, 147 g carbs (0 g fiber, 122 g sugar), 13 g protein

This milkshake brings on a wave of nostalgia, as anything cake batter and Funfetti seems to always do, but when you're at Denny's refrain from ordering it. With 122 grams of sugar, it's just sweetness overload, and not in a good way.

Outback Steakhouse Chocolate Thunder From Down Under

chocolate thunder from down under from outback steakhouse — Amy C./Yelp

1,500 calories, 103 g fat (57 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 530 mg sodium, 140 g carbs (6 g fiber, 122 g sugar), 19 g protein

The Chocolate Thunder From Down Under might have a fun name to it, but there is nothing fun about this dessert from Outback Steakhouse!

Red Robin Cinnamon Sugar Doh! Rings

1,550 calories, 51 g fat (31 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 1,230 mg sodium, 259 g carbs (6 g fiber, 124 g sugar), 19 g protein

At Red Robin, these dough rings are easy to split after dinner with your friends or family, but seeing how much sodium and sugar they pack is reason enough to not order this for the table.

Applebee's Blue Ribbon Brownie

1,410 calories, 68 g fat (36 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 760 mg sodium, 188 g carbs (6 g fiber, 126 g sugar), 18 g protein

Perhaps this brownie and ice cream combo from Applebee's would be much better if it served up half of what you get now—just one brownie and scoop of ice cream seems much more reasonable. Think about sharing this one with at least one other person, as you don't need to consume all this fat and sugar yourself!

Bahama Breeze Rebecca's Key Lime Pie

1,050 calories, 38 g fat (20 g saturated fat, 1 g trans fat), 670 mg sodium, 162 g carbs (3 g fiber, 132 g sugar), 16 g protein

Dining at Bahama Breeze gives you the feeling that you're on a Caribbean vacation, so going for the key lime pie just sounds right. But the amount of sugar in one slice, 132 grams, is nothing to celebrate.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Pizookie

1,210 calories, 52 g fat (31 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 668 mg sodium, 170 g carbs (4 g fiber, 133 g sugar), 15 g protein

This is proof that just because something is gluten-free, that doesn't automatically make it good for you. The Pizookie is BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse signature dessert, but this skillet cookie sundae is one to skip.

Applebee's Sizzlin' Caramel Apple Blondie

1,230 calories, 49 g fat (25 g saturated fat, 0.5 g trans fat), 840 mg sodium, 186 g carbs (4 g fiber, 138 g sugar), 13 g protein

In this Applebee's sweet treat, you're in for some cinnamon apples that are surrounding a butter pecan blondie that is topped with vanilla ice cream. Oh, and the ice cream is sizzled and drizzled with caramel sauce and candied pecans. This makes for a dessert that is coming in at more than 1,200 calories and 138 grams of sugar.

TGI Friday's Red Velvet Cake

Red velvet sparkler cake from TGI Fridays — TGI Fridays/Facebook

1,690 calories, 92 g fat (43 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 960 mg sodium, 199 g carbs (1 g fiber, 146 g sugar), 16 g protein

TGI Friday's Red Velvet Cake honestly looks so inviting but don't fall for it. There is nothing redeeming about this cake. Just one piece that is served with ice cream is more than 1,600 calories and has nearly 150 grams of sugar. We wouldn't even consider splitting this with someone else!

Instead, why not make your own cake at home? Allow The Most Basic Cake Recipe Ever to help you out.

Dairy Queen Brownie Dough Blizzard

1,400 calories, 65 g fat (32 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 610 mg sodium, 193 g carbs (8 g fiber, 150 g sugar), 27 g protein

The Blizzard is Dairy Queen's staple, but the Brownie Dough variety is simply dangerous.

O'Charley's Brownie Lover's Brownie

1,650 calories, 77 g fat (45 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,420 mg sodium, 227 g carbs (9 g fiber, 154 g sugar), 24 g protein

O'Charley's brownie is described as decadent and it's easy to see why. It's filled with toffee morsels, drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauces, and topped with vanilla ice cream, creating a dessert that has more than 150 grams of sugar.

Friendly's Hunka Chunka PB Fudge Lava Cake

2,488 calories, 158 g fat (52 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,348 mg sodium, 226 g carbs (15 g fiber, 157 g sugar), 46 g protein

A trip to Friendly's typically means you're going there specifically to get some ice cream, but the large Hunka Chunka PB Fudge Lava Cake takes things to the next level. Here, a peanut butter filled warm chocolate cake is served atop three scoops of Hunka Chunka PB Fudge ice cream and is topped with peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a Reese's peanut butter cup. If you really want to take a bite, we suggest splitting this with a few people, as it contains more calories than most people should have in one day. And it's packing nearly 160 grams of sugar!

Uno Pizzeria & Grill Awesome Chocolate Cake

uno pizzeria awesome chocolate cake — Stephanie G./Yelp

1,740 calories, 79 g fat (32 g saturated fat, 1.5 g trans fat), 770 mg sodium, 241 g carbs (10 g fiber, 168 g sugar), 20 g protein

There is nothing "awesome" about this cake, clocking in at more than 1,700 calories and 168 grams of sugar. That's as much sugar as you'll get in 35 Oreo cookies!

P.F. Chang's Great Wall of Chocolate

pf changs slice of great wall of chocolate cake with berries — Courtesy of P.F. Chang's

1,700 calories, 71 g fat (30 g saturated fat), 1,410 mg sodium, 259 g carbs (14 g fiber, 190 g sugar), 17 g protein

One slice of this bad boy from P.F. Chang's, which is made up of six layers of frosted chocolate cake with semi-sweet chocolate chips, and you're in for 190 grams of sugar. That's literally more sugar than you'll get in an entire pint of Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream…

Cracker Barrel Apple Dumplin'

cracker barrel baked apple dumplin dessert — Courtesy of Cracker Barrel

1,710 calories, 73 g fat (30 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,410 mg sodium, 259 g carbs (14 g fiber, 190 g sugar), 17 g protein

Here, two scoops of ice cream cover slices of apples and pecan streusel that are oven-baked in a special crust. Sounds delicious, but it packs 190 grams of sugar. Short answer: just say no. And for other sugar-packed dishes you should stay away from, here are 35 Sugariest Restaurant Meals on the Planet.

BJ's Brewhouse Pizookie Trio (Salted Caramel, Money Bread, and Cookies 'n' Cream)

2,100 calories, 94 g fat (46 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 1,810 mg sodium, 289 g carbs (5 g fiber, 204 g sugar), 26 g protein

Why have one Pizookie from BJ's Brewhouse when you can order three? This dessert trio is a way to try multiple flavors of BJ's Brewhouse's famous sweet treat and the sizes are even considered "mini." But if you happen to choose the Salted Caramel, Monkey Bread, and Cookies 'n' Cream flavors, this combination adds up to 204 grams of sugar—the same amount found in four cans of Crush Pineapple soda.

Longhorn Steakhouse Chocolate Stampede

2,460 calories, 132 g fat (74 g saturated fat, 3.5 g trans fat), 1,040 mg sodium, 289 g carbs (12 g fiber, 191 g sugar), 28 g protein

Let us start by saying, Longhorn Steakhouse's Chocolate Stampede should be eaten by at least two people because it's that big. There are six types of chocolate here served with vanilla bean ice cream that creates a dish that is more than 2,000 calories and has 3.5 grams of trans fat. Even if you split this dish evenly with someone else, that doesn't make it any better. And 191 grams of sugar? That's just evil!

Read more about your favorite chains:

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