What do I do? Going to a restaurant that...

  • Doesn't have any nutritional information? I'm going to Margarita's tonight with my mom for her birthday but when I looked on the website they didn't have any information. I have like 900 something calories left (I save most for the afternoon/evening) I mean this is certainly enough for a meal but I know that some restaurants can top 1,000 calories and I don't want to go over. What do I do?
  • I looked for Margarita's in Maine and found this chain, is this it?
    http://www.margs.com/

    I'd avoid things described as cheesy or fried. Avoid things like sour cream, ask for cheese/guacamole on the side if it comes with a dish.

    I tend to go for Fajitas in tex mex type places because they seem to be a safer bet and things tend to go on the side but I can also overdo it on the tortillas. It also looks like they have a little heart next to things that can be done low fat but you may have to ask (they list their quesadillas as heart healthy which uhh I somehow doubt).

    If you drink, alcohol can also add up quickly, even virgin drinks can have a lot of sugar in them.
  • Do they have a black bean soup? One of my standard things to get at a Mexican restaurant is a bowl of black bean soup (no cheese) and a side of pico de gallo and 2 soft tortillas (whole wheat if they have them!). Makes a yummy, fairly low calorie, on plan dinner.
  • Do you like Shrimp? If so, then order the grilled shrimp skewers with a side salad (lime vinaigrette dressing on the side). It also comes with rice, maybe have them hold that or know that you will only eat 1/2 of it.

    This is assuming that the menu nelie posted is the correct restaurant.
  • Yup, nelie, that's the one. I'm only 15 so no chance of any alcohol lol. I'm not a big fan of shrimp but I do like soup. I think I'll either settle on the soup or fajitas, thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I've been worrying about it all day.
  • I would down load the menu, pdf format, pick out something that looks good, and google in the comfort of my home average calories for said item. If I am not sure of quantity, I would call ahead to verify details. Enter the calories in my apps, and enjoy the evening and meal.

    This is my SOP regardless of event. Be glad menu is online.
  • Keep in mind if you do corn tortillas the calories are significantly less. Depending on size and what not, of course, but a smaller sized corn tortilla is around 50-60 calories. Throw in some chicken, lettuce, onion and salsa and you aren't looking at a very bogged down meal IMO.

    If you do a cup of black bean soup, no cheese / sour cream. I'd think you'd be looking at most 300 calories. The home made one I make for our family, ranges at 190 for 1 cup serving. I always over estimate restaurants hehe.

    300 soup + go high at 70 per tortilla + whatever amount of chicken and veggies. I think you are under 900 and had a decent dinner.

    I'm no expert though lol
  • I'm hoping this is in time for your dinnner, skip the chips and go with a salad of some sort. Also skip any mocktails and go with water, or if you think you have the calories to spare a soda.
  • Thanks to everyone again. Sadly I headed out a while before the final few posts but I did get the fajitas and I'm pretty sure it was within limit. I didn't have any chips or anything else like that, just my dinner. It turns out I did actually have 1,000 calories left and I'm pretty confident that I was within limit, but thank you everyone again. I was pretty worried before dinner last night, that's for sure.
  • SIL is filipino and he recently passed a test at work. Going to celebrate at a Filipino restaurant with no menu posted. I could call and try to negotiate a very different cuisine for me with a different accent.

    So my last strategy is to eat very light and do my best with the menu. I have 756 calories left for today and I will need them all. But see how much better this is than just ordering whilly nilly. Attention to detail over the long term gets results.
  • Hi there!

    I think you've done one of the most important parts by coming here and planning for what you're going to do.

    Good luck with whatever decisions you make!