The Center for Science in the Public Interest has released their annual "Xtreme Eating" awards, which honors(?) the restaurant meals that are the most unhealthy—based on calories, saturated fat, sodium, and sugar—from the Top 200 restaurants in the United States.
One restaurant made the list three times (what an honor) and seven of the nine meals easily passed the 2,000-calorie mark ("You could take half home and still overeat," CSPINET says.)
It doesn't seem fair to talk about all these quote unquote unhealthy meals and not hear their side of the story, so we've decided to defend them ourselves. Someone needs to. It's only fiar.
9. Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake
Cheesecake Factory Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
What Is It? "Reese's Peanut Butter Cups in our original cheesecake with layers of delicious fudge cake and caramel."
Calories: 1,500
In Defense: Uh, how about: It looks delicious? HELLO, layers of fudge, people!
8. Super Cinco Combo
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: Chevys Fresh Mex
What Is It? "Two enchiladas: one beef, one chicken, a Crispy or Soft Beef Taco, a hand-rolled Pork Tamale and a handcrafted Chile Relleno. Served with Fresh Mex rice, our signature sweet corn tamalito and choice of homemade Beans a la Charra or Refried Beans made with bacon or Vegetarian Black Beans."
Calories: 1,920
In Defense: It's hard to find good Mexican food.
7. Deep Dish Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza (Small)
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: BJ's
What Is It? 9 inch pizza containing "Grilled garlic chicken, Applewood smoked bacon, jack and cheddar cheese, red onions, diced tomatoes and a drizzle of ranch."
Calories: 2,160
In Defense: Ha, this doesn't even factor in the chocolate chip pizookie we're getting for dessert (because you DO NOT go to BJ's and not get a pizookie). Nice try, CSPINET.
6. Farfalle With Chicken and Roasted Garlic
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
What Is It? "Bow-Tie Pasta, chicken, mushrooms, tomato, pancetta, peas and caramelized onions in a roasted garlic-parmesan cream sauce"
Calories: 2,410
In Defense: None of that sounds unhealthy. We demand a recount.
5. Prime New York Steak Contadina Style
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: Maggiano's Little Italy
What Is It? A steak served with "Two Italian Sausage links, crispy red vesuvio-style potatoes, roasted red and yellow peppers, roasted mushrooms, caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes, steak jus, and garlic butter. Many guests refer to this as a meal in itself and it is the WOW of all steaks."
Calories: 2,420
In Defense: Well, if all the other steaks are saying WOW, it must really be WOW.
4. The Big Slap
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: Famous Dave's
What Is It? "One and a half pounds of St. Louise-style spareribs slathered with sauce over an open flame," yields nearly 1½ pounds of meat. Served with your choice of two sides and a Corn Bread Muffin."
Calories: 2,770
In Defense: Looks delicious.
3. Bruléed French Toast
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
What Is It? "Our extra thick slices of rustic French bread baked and grilled golden brown. Topped with powdered sugar and served with maple-butter syrup with bacon or grilled ham."
Calories: 2,780
In Defense: Looks delicious.
2. The Big "Hook" Up
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: Joe's Crab Shack
What Is It? Great Balls of Fire ("seafood and crab balls full of jalapeños and cream cheese coated in panko breadcrumbs and served with ranch"), Fish & Chips ("flaky white fish hand dipped in a classic Samuel Adams beer batter and served with fries"), Coconut Shrimp ("jumbo shrimp hand dipped in shredded coconut with pineapple plum sauce for dipping"), Crab Stuffed Shrimp ("plump shrimp hand stuffed with crab"), Hushpuppies, and Coleslaw.
Calories: 3,280
In Defense: Looks delicious.
1. Monster Meal
www.cspinet.org Restaurant: Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
What Is It? A.1. Peppercorn burger topped with "hardwood-smoked bacon, melted Pepper-Jack, A.1. Peppercorn Spread, tomatoes and crispy onion straws." Add a second beef patty for just $1.99. Served with bottomless steak fries and a Monster Milkshake with a refill tin (for just $1.00).
Calories: 3,540
In Defense: We'll let Denny Marie Post, Red Robin's senior vice president and chief marketing officer, take this one: She told USA Today it "combines some of our most indulgent items into one meal" and notes that there are plenty of alternatives on the menu with a seventh the caloric intake.
Whatever, we'd eat it. Even if it kills us.
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