If you're looking for a calorie-laden restaurant meal with a "total disregard for the obesity epidemic and the coming diabetes tsunami," we've got you covered.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest announced its 2015 Xtreme Eating Award winners for the worst chain restaurant meals. To even be considered for the ranking, a meal has to have roughly 2,000 calories – the daily recommended intake for adults.
The good news (or bad, depending on how you look at it) is that all except one of the restaurants have locations in metro Atlanta.
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9. The Cheesecake Factory's warm apple crisp (1,740 calories): This popular dessert has more calories than any cheesecake on the menu. According to the report, you can have two slices of the restaurant's original cheesecake for the same calorie intake.
8. IHOP's chorizo fiesta omelet meal (1,990 calories): The omelet alone will run you 1,300 calories, but when you factor in the accompanying buttermilk pancakes, hash browns, toast or fruit, a siesta will definitely be in order.
7. Sonic's pineapple upside down Master Blast (2,020 calories): Indulging in this dessert in a cup is roughly the equivalent of eating four Dairy Queen banana splits.
6. Uno Pizzeria and Grill's "2 for $12 Pick and Choose" combo (2,300 calories): Although there are lighter options available, after eating baked ziti and sausage pasta and a Chicago classic deep dish pizza, you will have consumed the same as three Pizza Hut pepperoni lover's personal pan pizzas. This restaurant does not have a location in metro Atlanta.
5. The Cheesecake Factory's Louisiana chicken pasta (2,370 calories): Weighing in at 1½ pounds, downing this meal is the equivalent of consuming two orders of Olive Garden's fettuccine alfredo and two breadsticks.
4. Outback Steakhouse's herb-roasted prime rib (2,400 calories) meal: After eating the 16 oz. prime rib, loaded baked potato, blue cheese wedge and bread, you will have consumed two days' worth of sodium (3,560 mg).
3. Dickey's Barbecue Pit's 3-meat plate (2,500 calories): With a Polish sausage, pork ribs, beef brisket, fried onion tanglers, mac and cheese, roll, pickles, sweet tea and ice cream, you may as well have eaten three Big Macs with five vanilla ice cream cones.
2. Steak 'n Shake's 7x7 steakburger, fries, chocolate fudge brownie milkshake (2,530 calories): Eating this seven-patty monstrosity, a side of fries and a rich chocolate shake is the equivalent of eating four 9 oz. Outback sirloin steaks, topped with a dollop of chocolate ice cream.
1. Red Lobster's create your own combination (2,710 calories): Although there are lighter options available, indulging in the parrot isle jumbo coconut shrimp, Walt's favorite, linguine, fries, Caesar salad, one Cheddar Bay biscuit and a 24 oz. margarita is like downing an 8-piece bucket of KFC chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, four pieces of corn on the cob and eight packets of butter.
That comes to 18,260 calories (not including a meal at Uno Pizzeria). Enjoy!
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