Sorry to tell you this...those lists are pure junk. As the owner of three of those restaurants, before we sold them and retired, I can assure you that everything depends on how the food is made. When we get our calorie rating, the ones you see in this list, we make the food to exact standards. But there is no way to replicate those standards in individual kitchens across the country. For instance, we owned Moe's Southwest Grill. This list says a quesadilla with chicken has 160 calories. The 10" tortilla has more calories than that alone. For instance, the 10" tortilla has 380 calories, the cheese has 120 and then it depends on how much water is in the chicken to say how many calories there are. But usually, a 4 ounce serving with normal water added would be 90 calories. A far cry from the 160 listed. How does the company get away with listing only 160...different specs when getting the original calorie count. Also, as many have mentioned, most restaurants add salt and MSG to their products. And not just some. There is far more salt in a single meal that you need in several days. That is why when you go out and eat at a restaurant, you almost always gain short term weight. Eat that stuff every day and you WILL gain weight. BTW...in most restaurants in the US, the chicken will have a "pump"(amount of water, salt and MSG) of around 30%. And here we thought we were actually paying for chicken, when we were really paying for chicken and 30% to 40% water. It's the water that makes restaurant chicken taste so good and juicy, and why you can't get the same effect at home. Also, the salt used in restaurants is not the table salt most people use at home. Restaurants use a highly refined salt that adds flavor and yes, causes a retention of water weight.
I still go out to eat at restaurants but seldom will we go to a fast food place. We choose local restaurants or large "big box" chains. Also, no I never order chicken at a restaurant.
