restraunt eating

Has anyone attempted this yet? It is VERY tricky. Yesterday, we were going to see Superman Returns at the IMAX in Dearborn. Then we were going to go out to dinner at Applebee's. Well, we got there and the 3:20 show was sold out. So, we got tickets for the 6:20 show. We had to adjust our plans a bit. So we looked for a restaurant in the area, and the best thing we could find was TGIF. I only saw 1 or 2 possibilities out of the whole menu! I went with something from the Low-Carb Menu they have. I got chicken breasts with a side of broccoli. I asked the waitress if I could just get one breast. She had to go back and check. She tells me that I can get an extra side, like potatoes or fries to replace the chicken breast. I told her that I would just have it as is. No way that I could have a people bag. It was 90+ out yesterday, and we still had a 3 hour movie to go to. So my order gets to me, and it was swimming in this cheesy sauce! I ended up eating 1/4 of a breast and 2 broccoli florets. This came to $11! Also, I go****er and it came with a straw. I would forget about eating/drinking and sip water! GRRRRRRRRRRRRR... I just wanted to share my experience. Maybe it will help someone. Oh, I loved the movie! Parts were in 3D. Robin

I went out w/ my family for my sisters birthday last night. We always go to a Mongolian BBQ place for all the family birthdays. It is a buffet w/ meat and vegetables and stuff. Then they cook it on these huge woks for you. It is really yummy and I really like it. They have a rule of not taking anything home since it is a buffet. The cost is $10.95 for adults. When I got there I told the waitress I had surgery and could only eat a tiny bit. She said I could not take anything home but she would charge me the senior price which is $1 off. I didn't think it was a good deal to pay $9.95 for 6 bites of food and decided to just drink water and chat w/ everyone. I haven't received any of my disability money yet and we are a bit behind on bills. There were 19 of us so they still were getting lots of money from our table. The waitress kept looking at me and I think she felt bad. About 3/4 of the way through our meal she came and told me I could take home my leftovers if I wanted to eat. I thought that was really sweet of her. I declined since everyone was already almost done and I wasn't really hungry anyway. None of my family cared that I wasn't eating because they all knew about my surgery and some were seeing me the first time since I've lost the 30lbs since surgery. I am down 60lbs total. I had lots of good WOW moments with lots of compliments. I had gotten a new haircut and was wearing a t-shirt that showed a bit of cleavage and everyone said how great I looked and loved the new hair. It really didn't bother me too much watching everyone eat so I was glad about that. There is a Ben and Jerrys next door and we always do that too. I was fine there too except that I was hungry by then. But not for ice cream. heehee Michelle in SoCal

I've been out a few times, but luckily I have always been with others that share with me. My husband is so good about ordering things that I can share from and the restraunts have been good about letting me share. Fry'n Pan restraunts even let me share when he orders the buffet. I stay away from fried things unless I can remove all the skin and get to the middle meat. When we went to Florida, four weeks post op, I went to Emeril's with three new friends (it was an NEA convention). I explained to them how things were for me. One gave me a piece of her blackened shrimp, another shared a spoon of her smashed potatoes, another her monkfish with spinach, and another a strawberry. In all I had more than I could eat and everybody was happy. I offered to give them something toward their meal and they all scoffed at me. I've found that it works if you are up front with your friends, the wait staff, and are willing to share the cost. If I am going somewhere where I know they don't have appropriate food or won't let me share - I pack three wheat thin crackers, a cheese stick, and eat that. I will then order a glass of juice after I've finished my meal. It takes some creative thinking, but it works. I agree, though, it's easier to eat at home...although I don't think thats so easy either.

I also went to TGI Fridays the other day. I've been eating chicken and cheese at home, so I thought I'd order the Sizzling CHicken and Cheese. Well, I hardly ate ANY of it, and i was sick sick sick. Someone told me (after the fact) that they sautee their chicken in real butter so it's way fatty. Learned my lesson! On the other hand, I had a GREAT chicken meal at the Cheesecake Factory... But I think I'll stick to eating at home as much as possible, like I have been ;) Lisa

Thankfully I have been ok with resturant eating so far.... but Ive been sticking to mostly deli type places that have soup/sandwiches. I did go to Ruby Tuesdays and ate a few bites of a burger (sans bun). So far I havent had a problem with food tolerances so Im good in that dept. Its a waste to go out to eat for the most part at this point unless somebody will split something with you. Went out friday and split a turkey sandwich with a girl I work with so I only spent $3.... still much better (and cheaper!) to eat what I bring! Hard to control what the resturant does (as stated with the butter and all that cheese yuck!!)

Sorry about your experience at TGIF, I agree, we shouldn't have to pay full price when we go out because we can only eat so little. ;o) I have been asking for the kids menu when I go out. I explain that I have recently had stomach surgery and can only eat a small amout of soft foods (I am still on purees) Usually they have mac and cheese at the very least and sometimes they have other foods that are more suitable for me than what is on their regular menu. I still can only eat a half to a third of what they give me, but at least I'm not spending as much. Oh, and one more thing. If they don't have a kids menu or won't let you order from it, try looking at the sides.....usually they have something on their sides menu you could order. Hope that helps!!! Joey

I haven't eatin out yet, but my plan was to check out the appetizer menu or just get chicken wings cause you usually can order them by the 1/2 doz. I will miss the drink before my meal Dana P

I have been out twice and had the soup each time. I did have tator tots for supper last night. yes...... I know it was a bad food choice but it was my first bad choice and I still fill normal. I ate them slowly!! small bites and no stomach ache or golf ball. YEA. (NormallyI have trouble getting my 800 calories in.) I am pleased tiny 20lbs wt loss

I've been out twice - both times I made sure the restaurant we were going to had soup. I pretty much stick to a cup of soup b/c it's safe. I had vegetable at Luby's (4 days out from surgery - just ate the broth). I had chicken tortilla soup the second time, sans the chips and with the huge chunks of chicken removed. I'm not eating chicken yet.

We have gone out a few times since the surgurey. my dh is home for two weeks so we went to smokey bones and we went to cracker barrel and in both these places i have decided to get soup. its safe and its cheap i hate to spend money on a big meal i cant eat anyway. I just order a cup of soup where ever we go and if i dont like it i have really waster more then $4.00.. HTH. Jilly