Question on regional restaurants

I am trying to develop a list of resturants in KY area that allow you to order 1/2 portions, off the children's/senior's menu or split the meal with another.   I'm tired of paying full price to bring home leftovers that may or may not get eaten.  So in your dining experiences what have y'all come up with? So far I know that Red Lobster will allow you to split an entree between two people as will Rafferty's (I don't know about the Children's portion though).  Hometown Buffet does not allow anything other than paying full price.  I think the local Chili's will let you order off the Children's menu as they did when we were at one in Florida this past year (haven't tried it here though). Any others? 

I had a bad experience with Applebee's last week. I had to order a full-size portion of soup and there was nothing else on the menu I could eat just yet. They weren't willing to allow shared portions either.  However, Panera Bread, while I didn't ask for a reduced portion, was very helpful in pureeing the soup I ordered...no questions asked and no fuss made.

I haven't been to Applebees since my surgery.  Before then I'd always get their Weigh****chers selections.  LUV the onion soup! I've never tried Panera.  I have always assumed their options weren't diet friendly (last year it was Weigh****chers and this year it's lap-band).   I'll have to give them a try.  What are your favorite items there?

Well, I had pre-WLS favorites and haven't really had a chance to try some of their more diet friendly items. I was getting hungry to the point of feeling queasy the other day when I was out running errands and knew I'd have to eat something ASAP or start dry heaving. I stopped at Panera and ordered the clam chowder. I had them puree it (just in case). It was delicious. Not too rich or heavily creamy, just kind of light and downright yummy.

I like Panera bread as well...I usually get the two for two..soup and half salad..I love their chicken ceasar salad..yummm...now remember I am 4 yrs out so I can eat a bit more than those of you that are more recent..but ya know, my husband told me one time he didn't care how much it cost me to eat ..as long as I was full I was just as satisfied..and he is right!....I barely finish my soups as I try to eat all the protein first...I am lactose intolerant so there aren't that many soups I enjoy.  and besides I have always been told not to eat and drink at the same time, but isn't that what we are doing when eating soups??..I can't get that concept out of my mind..so I rarely will eat them.. good choices at Panera bread are their salads..and I have ordered deli meat without bread, I pay the same price but if I am going to take the bread off what's the difference?..lol here is another way, I have ask for the bread or bagel on the side..then ask them to wrap it so I can take it home to make a sandwich for my husband...ahhhh after 4 yrs ya learn all the tricks..lol

Very smart, BrendaGold. I have a hunch I'll be learning a lot from you.

WOW! I just noticed how much weight you've lost!  I'm impressed.  You are off with a bang! Are you still on liquids or onto mushies/soft yet? My fave mushie foods when eating out was refried beans with low fat sour cream. I'm trying to stick to solids now but find that I still order chili a lot when out and about.....Wendy's here in LaGranage know my order before I get in the door (small chili with a side salad)!

Thanks. I was discouraged to step on the scales this morning and see that I'd gained .2 lb. Geesh. Can we eat any less at this point, huh? I'm still on mushies right now and getting totally bored with the guidelines provided by my surgeon's office. I think I'll stop by Taco Bell on my way home and get some refried beans. That sounds like gourmet food right now! Too cute about the Wendy's!

Aww don't be hard on yourself, .2 lbs could be ANYTHING from bloating to having on different clothes to having drank coffee or water before you weighed!  That small an amount doesn't even count in my book! I remember an old Beetle Baily cartoon where Sarge showered, clipped his nails, went potty (with a magazine), blew his nose then stepped on the scale completely nude! My neighbor goes to weigh****chers fully dressed but will strip down to an exercise bra and bicycle pants to weigh.....I kid you not! Sometimes I feel like doing that myself!  My own ritual is to weigh 3 or 4 times in the morning (bra and panties only) and going with the lesser number....my version of the slots!

I step on the scales first thing in the morning (well, after going potty anyhow). Then I weigh myself again at bedtime and can usually figure how much the next morning's weight will be. I feel like I'm developing a scientific formula!