Question on regional restaurants

Hmm im 2 yrs out and i do know that Dennys let me order off the kids menu,and Fazolis i get a salad. But i know that the buffet style places will charge full price. I even have a resturant card from my doc saying i need smaller portion but no luck using it. But most places in my town let me order off the childrens menu but they charge a dollar more................good luck and kept use posted.                                                                                                                                                      Vickie R.

Denny's is great for breakfast!  I always go for an omlet with cheese and vegies and then let my husband eat the other parts of my plate. Fazoli's ALWAYS gets me in trouble!!  I can't seem to tell the kid with the breadsticks no when they come around so I've been avoiding that place for now.  Once I get restriction with my band and bread isn't an option anymore I'll be better disiplined.

I go through Danville quite a bit when traveling to see family in Somerset/London areas.  Arby's and Taco Bell have been my usual pitstops.

I eat at all the restaurants you mentioned other than Buffets..I prefer to stay away from them not just because of over eating.. but I am so particular about what I put in my pouch that I don't want to take a chance of eating something that may have set there for hours..or someone sneezed in it or touched it..i mean watch closely..we had to attend a luncheon with my mother in law who loves buffets --I watched a small child take things then put them back..what a turn off!! Applebees has been great..so is Karlos across the street from St. Luke..I had dinner with Dr. Sonnanstine and ask for half portion..they obliged..and I still got tons of food to take home. I am also partiular about ordering off the childrens menu as most are things like spaghetti, grill cheese, breaded chicken fingers, french fries, etc..none of which I eat..If I go out to dinner I would rather have an over portion of something good for me, than a childs portion of something I won't enjoy..I had this surgery to help me , first to lose the weight then learn a new lifestyle to enjoy it...I feel that eating off the childrens menu or ordering something I won't enjoy as much as a steak, fish or chicken I am cheating myself..and I won't go there! I refuse to take less than what I want...I am very specific when I order food asking how it's prepared or requesting it..in better restaurants you can ask for the chef, give him instructions or ask his opinion and they are great!!..I ate at a restaurant in Lexington a few times.. Malone's I believe was the name..again I had no problem with getting exactly what I wanted.  the trick is to be aggressive when ordering food..I mean after all they have salad, and meats..ask how it's prepared then order it your way.. I have also never been refused anywhere when ask to split a meal..most places will have it delivered on two plates.  I do this all the time with my daughter and mom...even when dining with my husband I order a salad then eat some of their meat..Don't ask them if they can do it....just tell them this is what I want! I am 4 yrs out, I know what i want and I expect to get it when ordering...be your own advocate and ask for the manager if need be! Brenda

Brenda, I agree with you on buffets!  When it's just me, my husband and daughter, we avoid them mostly because the food is bland and has sat there for who know how long.  It also tends to lay on my stomach and such, even before I had my band.  Unfortunately I have in-laws who can't agree on where to eat so we tend to end up at one every few months. I agree with you on the less than healthy selections on the children's menus as well.  After years and years of doing Weigh****chers it is simply part of my psyche to avoid chicken strips, hot dogs, mac-n-cheese, etc.  I actually prefer healthier foods (can't get enough of grilled shrimp and fresh vegies) and it feels much more like a splurge to me anyway.

That being said, some places have better (healthier) children's options than others.  I haven't been to Cheddar's since surgery but they offer grilled chicken and steamed veggies on theirs.  My 5 year old usually opts for mac-n-cheese and corn (sometimes carrots) as she has an aversion to most meats unless it's deli shaved meats. We have been in a rut lately and have gone to Chili's the last 3 out of 4 times we've eaten out.  I usually order double grilled shrimp with steamed broc and rice.  It's always enough for a second or third meal so it always goes home.  I guess that's why I don't know about the children's portion from there as I look forward to my doggie bag! Thanks for all of your input and reinforcement!

Becka  Hubers Family Restraunt will allow you to pay child plate for their homestyle buffet.  We took the family up there about 6 weeks after I was banded and they let me pay childs fee

Hey Vicki! I didn't know you cruised this board as well (then again it does make sense!)

The info on Huber's is GREAT news!  We usually end up there for Easter and Thanksgiving with my husband's family.  Maybe by Easter I'll decide to let the cat out of the bag as far as my having had surgery to the in-laws.  My family and a few friends knew but I didn't tell the in-laws.   As much as I love my MIL (I really really do) she's basically got party line service on her phone from Dayton to Fort Wayne to Somerset to Nashville and I didn't want to be that week's topic of conversation for people I barely know!  I mean does great uncle Lloyd's second wife's daughter in law REALLY need to know?   Hope all is well for you!  Any chance I can get you to come to the next support group downtown?  I'd be willing to meet up in the parking lot so we can park side by side and go in together (I hate a dark lot too).

yeah I cruise the ky board, lapband board and the insurance board.  just call me the troll  lol. In regards to the next meeting hmmmmmmmm first when is it and how long does it last?  I have to ask these questions cause I have to 1) get up the nerve to go out on my own  2) calculate the right amount of oxygen to bring along to last me  Your talking about the parking garage behind the Pavillion right?  And go in the back entrance?   You know have phobia going to new places,  I drove in Louisville 2 weeks ago and hubby in the car and I totally panick that he ended up having to drive us back to indiana   but I got boxed in by 3 semis on 65 going through downtown and up against the concrete ball and I just freaked.     Email me  I will PM you with my email  

Denny's, O'Charlies and Cracker Barrel will allow you to share a meal. We love Texas Roadhouse and I have not asked about sharing but I think they would. I always bring my leftovers home.  Not share about the children's portions? Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Blessings Tonya

Hi Tonya, I'm a Roadhouse lover too, in fact I'll pick it over Outback ANY day. Hopefully, my husband will be able to get his band surgery sometime this Spring and then spliting a meal will be more likely for us.  As it is now he finishes his plate and sometimes what I don't eat too unless I put a fork in his hand (don't touch my shrimp!).  He's where I was 3 months ago, always thinking I better enjoy it now since I won't be able to for too much longer.  Not a healthy way to think I know but I didn't get big thinking healthy......

I love Texas Roadhouse and go there when I can...here is a way to handle steakhouses..places like Outback,Ocharleys and Applebees, etc.  I order the salad..or at Texas Roadhouse I love their sweetpotato..so that's all I order, then keep the bread plate or ask for an additional plate..hubby orders a steak, or ribs,etc....and I take what I want of the meat and eat what I can of salad or potato..or a plate of just veggies..never have I been ask to not do this..Texas Roadhouse has been a place my hubby and I frequent for the last 4 yrs. since surgery..not a problem...I would dare for them to say something to be about sharing..ooooo lordy, and I am not one to draw attention to myself but in that case I definately would...honestly I have yet to have a problem in a restaurant..just be assertive..often times we ask instead of insist.!! there is always a way!! good luck!