The sandwich, a staple of fast food culture, is often seen as a convenient and affordable meal option. But what happens when these seemingly simple meals pack a surprising amount of calories? It turns out that even the most basic of sandwiches can turn into a calorie bomb with just a few additions like mayo, butter, and dressing (and cheese, which is delicious but so calorie-dense).
Restaurants tend to use more of these ingredients because they obviously want to make the sandwich as delicious as possible, which is wonderful taste-wise, maybe not so much calorie-wise. Here are five chain restaurants with sandwiches that can contain over 1000 calories per serving, and the surprising ingredients that contribute to their high-calorie count.
Jersey Mike’s Chipotle Cheese Steak
The Chipotle Cheese Steak at Jersey Mike’s is a 1040-calorie showstopper of a sandwich: Beef, grilled onions, peppers, white American cheese, and chipotle mayo combine to make this a calorific (and tasty) sandwich. Maybe more of a once-in-a-while thing than an everyday lunch. Personally, I think that the high calorie count of this sandwich is a result of the combination of ingredients, particularly the chipotle mayo and the cheese. While the sandwich is certainly delicious, it’s not a meal that I would recommend for everyday consumption due to its high calorie count.
Jimmy John’s Roast Beef & Cheddar
The Roast Beef & Cheddar toasted sub at Jimmy John’s is 1140 calories. This sandwich contains beef, cheddar, horseradish sauce, crispy fried onions, lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo for a big, filling lunch. The Ham & Three Cheese Melt is actually slightly less, at 990 calories. In my opinion, the high calorie count of this sandwich is due to the combination of ingredients, particularly the beef and the cheese. While the sandwich is certainly filling, it’s not a meal that I would recommend for those looking to watch their calorie intake.
BJ’s California Chicken Club Sandwich
The California Chicken Club Sandwich at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery is 1270 calories: This sandwich contains chicken breast, smoked bacon, avocado, melted swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and roasted garlic aioli on toasted sourdough bread. Flavorful yes, calorific, also yes. What makes this particularly fascinating is the combination of ingredients, particularly the avocado and the roasted garlic aioli. While the sandwich is certainly delicious, it’s not a meal that I would recommend for those looking to watch their calorie intake.
Capriotti’s Chicken Chipotle Crunch
A medium Chicken Chipotle Crunch at Capriotti’s is 1720 calories. “Made with 25% more thinly sliced premium grilled chicken, it’s layered with American cheese, crispy cheddar onions, fresh lettuce and tomato, and finished with chipotle ranch dressing for bold, crave-worthy flavor and serious crunch,” the chain says. If you’re craving this sandwich but don’t want all those calories, the mini size is 550 calories. From my perspective, the high calorie count of this sandwich is due to the combination of ingredients, particularly the chicken and the cheese. While the sandwich is certainly flavorful, it’s not a meal that I would recommend for those looking to watch their calorie intake.
McAlister’s Deli Jalapeño Turkey Crunch
The Jalapeño Turkey Crunch at McAlister’s Deli is 1370 calories for a fairly hefty sandwich that is packed with protein: Roasted turkey, jalapeño chips, bacon, pepper jack, avocado and mayo on a jalapeño roll, with one side. What many people don’t realize is that the high calorie count of this sandwich is due to the combination of ingredients, particularly the avocado and the bacon. While the sandwich is certainly filling, it’s not a meal that I would recommend for those looking to watch their calorie intake.
A Broader Perspective
These high-calorie sandwiches are a reminder that even seemingly simple meals can pack a surprising amount of calories. It’s important to be mindful of the ingredients in our meals and to consider the calorie count when making food choices. Personally, I think that it’s important to strike a balance between enjoying delicious food and maintaining a healthy diet. While these high-calorie sandwiches may be tempting, it’s important to be mindful of the impact they can have on our overall health and well-being.
In conclusion, these five chain restaurants with high-calorie sandwiches are a reminder that even the simplest of meals can pack a surprising amount of calories. It’s important to be mindful of the ingredients in our meals and to consider the calorie count when making food choices. From my perspective, it’s important to strike a balance between enjoying delicious food and maintaining a healthy diet.
