Zagat readers rank fast-food chains

Dea ... nah, I'll just let this one go.

Dea ... nah, I'll just let this one go.

Who are you and what did you do with Roger?

Ever since I became a sodium/artificial ingredient hawk I have been reviewing nutrition/ingredient information for restaurants when available. I went to PF Chang's with some colleagues a few weeks back and the numbers were staggering. For example, a bowl of hot n sour soup has nearly 5000mg of sodium. You want Almond and Cashew chicken? 6000 mg of sodium. These numbers blow me away. I have voluntarily (no health reasons to speak of) tried to limit my sodium intake to 1200-1400mg a day, which is only slightly less than what the AHA recommends. So one lunch or dinner at Chang's can have 4 days worth of sodium. I am not picking on Chang's, only mentioning them because they were in the rankings and I have actually been there in recent memory, and many of the items on the menu are in the 2000-6000 range for items that appear to be relatively healthy.

Ever since I became a sodium/artificial ingredient hawk I have been reviewing nutrition/ingredient information for restaurants when available. I went to PF Chang's with some colleagues a few weeks back and the numbers were staggering. For example, a bowl of hot n sour soup has nearly 5000mg of sodium. You want Almond and Cashew chicken? 6000 mg of sodium. These numbers blow me away. I have voluntarily (no health reasons to speak of) tried to limit my sodium intake to 1200-1400mg a day, which is only slightly less than what the AHA recommends. So one lunch or dinner at Chang's can have 4 days worth of sodium. I am not picking on Chang's, only mentioning them because they were in the rankings and I have actually been there in recent memory, and many of the items on the menu are in the 2000-6000 range for items that appear to be relatively healthy.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON in the world for any restaurant to put this much sodium into their food! I've never been particularly keen on PF Chang's even after trying it a couple times. I think I know why now. I couldn't taste flavors over the overbearing salt. And you know there are diners that just automatically shake even more salt on the food once it arrives at the table.

I'd probably never eat out at all if I knew how much sodium was in each dish. I honestly don't understand the need for this. Just put the minimum required for cooking and allow your customer to season to taste. It's not rocket science!

Isn't PF Changs the chain that has started cooking with stock if you ask them to? It's supposed to cut out a LOT of the fat, calories and even salt...I'm fairly sure it's them and it's called silkening...maybe? Their little sister chain, Pei Wei is equally offensive on the salt usage...so sad I love their Hot and Sour soup but can't handle the salt!

Have to agree, the Hardee's turn around has been impressive, picked up some of the new hand-breaded chicken tenders a few months ago while on the road and they were really good. Very fresh, tender, real meat!...almost as tasty as J.Alexander's tenders (at least in MI, the one here is horribad!).

I'd also suggest trying another 5 Guys out of this area...they really are pretty good. Though for the area, I still go to Home Run. I'd love to see a FatBurger again...that's an awesome chain burger!

Personally, I have never understood the love for olive garden. Never liked it but apparently when you look at the lines there I am in a minority. As far as chains go, Carrabas is much better and also Buca di Beppo.

I like Carrabas. They have decent fare for American-Italian-chain food. As far as Olive Garden, only thing I ever ate were the endless salad and soup lunches.

I have heard for years the the Olive Garden at Hurstborne & 64 is the highest volume store in the US.