Food Business News

My mother always warned me against extremes, so it’s no wonder some casual dining chains are feeling uncomfortable: it’s time for the Xtreme Eating Awards.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a gadfly non-profit consumer group, named six of them for “shattering the barrier of caloric decency.” The Cheesecake Factory got three of the nine “citations” that exceeded the recommended daily allowances for sodium, saturated fats and calories. Jayne Hurley, the nutritionist who conducted the study, used to think of fettuccine Alfredo as “a heart attack on a plate,” but finds that dish almost healthful in comparison. Below are the “winners” and their reasons for making the list:

• The Cheesecake Factory’s Philly Style Flat Iron Steak: 2,320 calories, 47 grams saturated fat, 5,340 milligrams sodium

• Olive Garden’s Tour of Italy: 1,450 calories, 33 grams saturated fat, 3,830 milligrams sodium

• Chili’s Big Mouth Bites: 1,580 calories, 28 grams saturated fat, 2,930 milligrams sodium

• Applebee’s Quesadilla Burger (with fries): 1,820 calories, 46 grams saturated fat, 4,410 milligrams sodium

• Chili’s Baby Back Ribs (half rack): 490 calories, 12 grams saturated fat, 2,050 milligrams sodium

• The Cheesecake Factory’s Fried Macaroni and Cheese: 1,570 calories, 69 grams saturated fat, 1,860 milligrams sodium

• Uno Chicago Grill’s Mega-Sized Deep Dish Sundae: 2,800 calories, 72 grams saturated fat

• Red Lobster’s Ultimate Fondue: 1,490 calories, 40 grams saturated fat, 3,580 milligrams sodium (plus 150 calories for each biscuit)

• The Cheesecake Factory’s Chicken and Biscuits: approximately 2,500 calories

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