12 of the Worst Restaurant Sandwiches

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By: Tanya Jolliffe : 11/9/2009 6:38:25 AM : 170 comments : 16,170 Views

A thick, juicy burger is almost as American as apple pie and many of us grew up eating a Whopper or Big Mac. With the Whopper offering 670 calories and a Big Mac providing 540 calories, would you be surprised to hear the apple pie might be the better choice since it contributes only half the calories. With a calorie contribution that large, this certainly must be why we have a weight problem in America right? Unfortunately, there are many worse offenders out there.

Here are 12 of the worst sandwiches currently on popular American restaurant menus that make the Whopper and the Big Mac look low calorie.

Burger King BK Quad Stacker Sandwich

Calories – 1,010

Fat – 70 grams

Sodium – 1,800 mg

McAllister's Club Sandwich

Calories – 1,029

Fat – 56 grams

Sodium – 3,143 mg

Hardee's Double Thickburger Sandwich

Calories – 1,150

Fat – 78 grams

Sodium – 2,410 mg

Hardee's Bacon Cheese Thickburger Sandwich

Calories – 1,200

Fat – 84 grams

Sodium – 2,450 mg

Ruby Tuesday's Alpine Swiss Burger

Calories – 1,207

Fat – 83 grams

Sodium – Not Available

Hardee's Monster Thickburger Sandwich

Calories – 1,320

Fat – 95 grams

Sodium – 3,020 mg

Burger King Angry Triple Whopper Sandwich

Calories – 1,360

Fat – 91 grams

Sodium – 1,830 mg

Quiznos Large Double Cheesesteak Sandwich

Calories – 1,410

Fat – 9.5 grams saturated fat (no total fat provided)

Sodium – 2,960 mg

Ruby Tuesday's Boston Blue Burger

Calories – 1,424

Fat – 96 grams

Sodium – Not Available

Ruby Tuesday's Smokehouse Burger

Calories – 1,434

Fat – 97 grams

Sodium – Not Available

Chili's Buffalo Chicken Crisper Bites w/Bleu Cheese Sandwich

Calories – 1,650

Fat – 103 grams

Sodium – 5,370 mg

Quiznos Large Tuna Melt Sandwich

Calories – 1,760

Fat – 25 grams saturated fat (no total fat provided)

Sodium – 2,120 mg



Any of these sandwiches on your favorites list or that surprised you? Are there others we have missed?





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Comments (Scroll to end to leave a comment)

FITMARY
2/3/2010
6:12:04 PM

 What amazing totals! Sandwiches like these are a thing of the past for me. Nothing can justify over 1,000 calories in a single sandwich!
170
VEGPUNK
1/6/2010
12:59:17 PM

 Ick! How about Carl's Jr Western Bacon $6 burger at 1020 cal, 53 fat and 2320 sodium; the Guacamole bacon $6 burger at 1040 cal, 70 fat, 2240 sod; dbl guac bacon burger at 1090 cal, 74 fat, 1770 sod; chili cheese $6 at 1000 cal, 56 fat, 2500 sod.Though not a traditional sandwich, The Green Burrito crisp burrito 5pc comes in at 1190 cal, 92g fat and 1180 sodium.
169
MNTWINSGAL
11/15/2009
11:33:12 AM

 I don't have a Quiznos nearby, but if I did I might unwittingly have chosen the tuna melt. Thanks for the warning!
168
RENEETOBETHIN
11/14/2009
8:49:22 AM

 That is just disgusting! I'm not sure I would have ever picked one of those, even when I was not watching what I ate.
167
MAROO358
11/13/2009
8:00:01 PM

 Look at all the calories, fat and sodium! Luckily I don't eat at these places often but if I do I will keep this in mind and be careful the rest of the day.
166
JAZZMINESUN
11/13/2009
12:44:41 PM

 I think if you're ordering ANY burger, you pretty much know you're in for some trouble. Thank goodness I hate mayo! At Carl's Jr. I like the portobello mushroom burger, no mayo, lo-carb style (wrapped in lettuce with no bun). Then it's just some sauteed mushrooms, tomatoes, a slice of swiss and a burger patty wrapped in lettuce. Shouldn't be TOO bad fat wise, though I bet the sodium level is still high. A more interesting list would be worst "healthy" sandwiches. I kind of disagree with Ruth Sandras. Hardees charbroils their meat so a lot of the fat falls down into the charbroiler. I think it's the mayo and the bacon that permeates these sandwiches that is the problem. I believe BK also chars their meat. It's kind of like pizza. A cheese pizza, homemade with whole wheat dough and low fat cheese and loaded with veggies is actually good for you. It's when you start adding full fat cheese, pepperoni, sausage, etc that it starts to get ugly.
165
BABES-R-US
11/13/2009
9:17:17 AM

 "I" opener for sure. Thx. for the article!
164
MJ_SCHUMAN
11/13/2009
8:57:47 AM

 Wow! these sandwiches are more calories than I eat in a day! Thanks PBAdam for the tips on Subway. I'm always concerned about HFCorn Syrup and try to guess what to order to avoid it.
163
BUTTERRUM163
11/13/2009
7:29:48 AM

 Thank you for the very informative information. Think I will stay away from Ruby Tuesdays just to be on safe side. Restaurants should have to provide nutrition info if requested by the customer.
162
CATHEITE
11/12/2009
12:49:18 PM

 Oh dear, I think I may have tried Ruby Tuesday's Alpine Swiss Burger once before. I knew the calorie/fat/sodium would be high, but I honestly never thought it would be over 1200 calories for the sandwich alone!!
161
MSOREED
11/12/2009
10:29:36 AM

 Oh my gosh, I am a Burger King lover. I only eat the Whopper and Whopper Jr. But I never dreamed they had that many calories, and the sodium is way too much. Guess I'll have to find an alternative, that is just unacceptable. Thanks for the eye opener.
160
MROGERS0325
11/12/2009
6:50:34 AM

 Here's something to think about the next time you have the urge to "drive-through" for a quick bite at McDonalds or somewhere similar...I was in a nutritional class that brought in a container with a Dunkin Donut, a double-cheeseburger from McDonald's, and a small fry from McDonald's. It looked like they had gotten it a few hours earlier that day...come to find out it was over 2 YEARS OLD. GROSS!!! No decay, no mold, nothing...bugs wouldn't touch it and when you opened the container, it smelled like bleach. I'm turned off from EVER eating at those places again!
159
CALAMITIJANE
11/12/2009
1:24:21 AM

 i get ill whenever i think of all that restaurants add to their food...
i try to not eat out anymore.
i just can't handle putting all that gunk into my body.
158
LIVINGONMYTERMS
11/12/2009
1:04:49 AM

 I think I just became allergic to places like this.
157
SHYYNE18
11/11/2009
10:15:16 PM

 shocking ...especially the mc alisters club sandwich...I love them
156
TIME4ANEWME47
11/11/2009
9:52:15 PM

 Not surprising at all!! Here is one...
McDonald's Angus Bacon & Cheese Burger-1700 calories 2000 mg sodium
Fast food maybe, but not worth it!!!
155
LESLIE56
11/11/2009
9:00:29 PM

 That's all I can say.....OMG!! These places should not be able to get away with that. Something really must be done, before it's too late.
154
AMYRICKER
11/11/2009
7:47:32 PM

 GREAT THANKS !!! OMG !!!
153
DENISEFUENTES
11/11/2009
8:43:27 AM

 OMG, I cannot belive that thse sandwiches can pack all those calories and fat!! What is wrong with this picture?!? Then we wonder how people spiral out of control with their weight...
How can this be allowed?
152
TRYN2MUCH
11/11/2009
12:37:36 AM

 Wow!!! I'm very thankful to have never eaten any of these. Just realize these figures represent the sandwich ONLY, most people eat it with fries and a drink!!!
I picked up a $1 burger from Jack a few days ago and when I looked up the nutrition info I was disgusted.
151
SPARKGRLJEN
11/10/2009
11:31:02 PM

 I will pass!!!
150
JANETTS57
11/10/2009
8:52:13 PM

 Yuck!! I'm currently on a 1,300 calorie a day diet, and some of those sandwiches have more calories than I get in 3 meals and 2 snacks a day. We really need to do something drastic to turn this country around. That's a big part of what is pushing our health care costs up and causing a lot of preventable disease.
149
IMSPOILEDROTTEN
11/10/2009
8:16:02 PM

 Even though it has a reasonably lower calorie content, Burger King's Veggie Burger still has a really high sodium content! For those of you who are curious, here's the breakdown:

calories: 420
fat: 16g
saturated fat: 2.5 g
trans fat: 0g
cholesterol: 5mg
carbs: 46g
sugar: 8g
protein: 23g
sodium: 1,100mg (OUCH! That's nearly half my daily allowance!)
148
RUTHSANDRAS
11/10/2009
8:10:05 PM

 Though I read Spark People emails frequently, I don't often bother to sign in -- but on this I couldn't resist.

I think it is great that you are publishing this, because the basic ingredient of all these sandwiches is meat and considered a major source of protein, but the way they are made they are not good for you.

But I haven't eaten sandwiches like this for years.

I have been on specialized diets for so many years, I've forgotten exactly when -- and I rarely eat sandwiches at all, but never sandwiches such as these.

They are not only terrible because of being so high calorie, but I feel like warning people that most of these are really bad for your digestive system because they are terrible combinations of foods for anyone to eat!!

One of the reasons I rarely eat a sandwich is that I do Food Combining because of digestive problems (low digestive power) and sandwiches are a poor combination of foods - especially with the breads and buns at these types of chain-restaurants which are terrible sources of carbohydrate. It is just not advisable to combine complex starches and proteins such as these hamburgers at the same time, especially with all the condiments (many of them very acidic) added to them.

Since this website is about a healthy lifestyle, I just thought I would mention this.

If you are interested, search "Food Combining" on the Internet -- also check out Dr. Darrel Wolfe's website (thewolfeclinic.com) - he has articles about it. Properly combining foods is also supposed to help with loosing weight and getting fitter.
147
GETITDUN
11/10/2009
7:05:52 PM

 I haven't ate any of the products listed. But I went out to eat today and when you do look at the nutrition information, you think about it more.
146
REECANDOIT
11/10/2009
5:11:07 PM

 Omg the thought of eating a burger that is over 1200 calories in itself is disgusting and even more disgusting is how many times I've probably done that without realizing it!
145
HEALTHYIN10
11/10/2009
4:48:40 PM

 wow. Guess I'll be breaking down every restaurant item I order from now on...
144
MRS.DOYLE
11/10/2009
4:22:54 PM

 Luckily I can't get any of these where I live. I wouldn't want them either. Yuck!
143
MOSSIE7
11/10/2009
3:29:07 PM

 Quiznos Large dbl cheesesteak. Love 'em, but I can only eat about 1/4 of a sandwich at a time. so if i eat salads the rest of the day I can splurge one in a while. ;-)
142
MOSSGLEN
11/10/2009
3:23:10 PM

 My little favorite deli closed, you could really control what went on the sandwich and they had lots of good stuff to top it so you didn't need cheese and mayo! I think I have found a new place but they turn their backs to you when they make the sandwich so it is a bit harder to control.
141
JENCORINNE
11/10/2009
2:54:28 PM

 I'm surprised Jack in the Box's bacon bacon double whatever burger wasn't on the list. It's been a while since I've been to Jack in the Box and can't remember the name of the burger. When I did Weight Watchers the sandwich was 26 points - that was how many points I was allowed all day!

I saw many posts about Big Macs. I worked at McHell when the burgers were kept in a warming bin. We would have to taste test the sandwiches after 10 minutes. I can tell you after 10 min the Mac Sauce would eat the lettuce and cheese. What is that doing to your stomach and intestines?
140
LOU1DAY
11/10/2009
1:41:06 PM

 I've had a Big Mac and probably a Whopper, but both so long ago I don't remember when! I steer clear of these sandwiches, figuring I can make my own if/when I feel the need, and the result is so much tastier and better for me.

The comment about yellow peppers containing dye got me to wondering, so I checked it out. It's the Banana Peppers, and according to the site, they contain "water, distilled vinegar, salt, calcium chloride, sodium benzoate (preservative), sodium metabisulfite (preservative), yellow #5, natural flavors, polysorbate 80." Regular yellow peppers, the kind we grow in our gardens and/or buy in the produce section, are simply matured versions of the green peppers. They contain sulfites (hence the yellow color), as well as other naturally-occurring vitamins (most notably A and C) and minerals (calcium and iron).
139
EATINGCOOKIES
11/10/2009
1:22:09 PM

 I think it's not commonly known how bad restaurant tuna is for you, but they always use full-fat mayo, and I heard somewhere that restaurant full fat mayo commonly has more fat and calories than a tub from your local grocery store. Plus, they make their "salad" a lot "wetter" (MORE mayo) than most people do at home. If you're craving tuna, you're better off making it at home.

Also, you've got to love the name Angry Whopper. Like... Angry that this Whopper is going straight to my ___________.
138
GRANDMO1
11/10/2009
1:20:06 PM

 I do not order a sandwich when out to eat, I can make a healthy one at home.
137
CUTEYPTA
11/10/2009
1:06:21 PM

 Any food item with the words "double", "triple" "thick" or "angry" should automatically tell you that it's not good! Danger!
136
CAROLD48
11/10/2009
11:42:00 AM

 Yellow peppers shouldnot contain dye.I have grown red, green, and yellow peppers in my organic garden.All of these make very good snacks.
135
MEGGAN725
11/10/2009
11:37:08 AM

 I've never had any of these, but I could easily see myself going into a Ruby Tuesday's and saying, "I'm really hungry for a burger today, so I'll get the Boston Blue Burger. It might put me over my calories a little for the day, but it shouldn't be too bad for me." And then to see that it's literally a heart attack on a plate!!! I wish restaurants were held accountable for what they serve. Every menu should have the basic nutritional facts about each food because I think A. people would either think twice before ordering something so horrific for them or B. restaurants would start trying to find ways of cooking foods in a healthier manner.
134
PBADAM1512
11/10/2009
10:31:15 AM

 I can't believe people eat this garbage. No wonder there's obesity running rampant in America. All it takes is common sense to know that these sandwiches are nothing but gut busters, and a heart attack waiting to happen. I'm 62 years old, and can honestly say I never tasted a Big Mac, or would want to.
I will visit only subway a couple times a week, and eat a 6" sub packed with veggies, but even for a healthy sandwich at Subway, there are rules to follow.

1. Always have your sub on Honey Oat, or Wheat bread. These have 4-5 grams of fiber.

2. Your best meats are the Turkey breast, Chicken Strips or Roast beef. Never get the chicken breast, it's full of partially hydrogenated oils, and the ham contains nitrates.

3. Never get the yellow peppers they contain FDC dye. That's why they're yellow.

3. Your best topping for sauce is plain brown mustard. The sweet onion and honey mustard both contain high fructose corn syrup.

This information was taken from Subway's ingredient list which I was able to get a hold of.

An example of a typical healthy sub I'll order at subway would be as follows:

6" honey oat turkey sub with spinach(never lettuce), 5 tomatoes, green peppers and onion with one swipe of brown mustard.

You can't go wrong with this one.

I'll never eat fast food at the major chains unless I have no choice, and then I'll order just the basic burger without all the garbage.

If you want a good lunch at home try the new Cambell's Healthy Select soups. There delicious, and low in sodium and fat. I'll eat a bowel with a few 100% whole wheat crackers which I get at Cosco.
133
FERRETLOVER1
11/10/2009
10:02:27 AM

 I've never had the Quizno's tuna melt sandwich, but I was surprised to see a tuna sandwich on a worst list. I generally tend to think that tuna is a relatively safe bet. Guess not!!
132
PEWISMA
11/10/2009
9:44:19 AM

 I don't think I have ever had any of these. We don't have most of those chains in our area. No Hardees and I have never heard of McAlisters. I don't like Chilis and seldom go to any of the others.
131
WENDYRS
11/10/2009
9:36:25 AM

 We frequently visit Ruby Tuesday's and very rarely Chili's. My teenagers are likely to order these huge burgers, so I'm glad I can tell them what the calorie and fat count are in each! Generally, though, my kids order two mini sliders (either beef or turkey) and a salad at Ruby Tuesday's. I'm not a fan of Chili's, but when we do end up there, the kids generally get fried chicken and fries. Ugh. I don't go to Chili's much because their WW meals are bland IMO, and I don't like the rest of their menu.
130
CHAIMANN
11/10/2009
9:09:53 AM

 There is a Quizno's near my office, and I do stop in occasionally. I usually get a small sandwich, and skip the dressing to cut the sodium. They have calorie info on their website, so it is easy to plan ahead. That's how I learned that the tuna melt was a "must to avoid", even in the small size.

About the only burger I get anymore is at a local place that has a plain quarter-pounder with veggies, and a side of fresh fruit.
129
TRICOTINE
11/10/2009
9:02:10 AM

 I never eat any of those sandwishes but I wonder... What in the world to they put in there for their sandwishes to be so high in calories? That must be such bad quality meat (certainly not lean cuts) and fatty sauces... Yuk!
128
TRISHRN94
11/10/2009
8:47:43 AM

 With sandwiches that contain that many calories, it is no wonder that a large portion of the population is overweight. Fast food is promoted. I am finding that eating at home is the healthiest. I like being able to determine what goes into the food I am eating.
127
TOOFATPIA
11/10/2009
8:44:06 AM

 I never had and I dont want any of these
126
IHEARTMYCORGIS
11/10/2009
8:35:45 AM

 Interesting to see Quizno's which often touts itself as a healthier alternative have 2 sandwiches high up on the list. Tuna melt almost 2000 calories?!?! Hope that's all you were planning on eating for the day - wow.
125
ETHEL_MERMAID
11/10/2009
8:27:43 AM

 Death on a bun! I'll pass...or I'll pass away!
124
LOLAMOM2
11/10/2009
8:19:20 AM

 Dear FLUFFY_KITTY, if you can't find a fast food item on SparlPeople there is a site called calorieking that has the breakdowns for most fast food menus. The good news is your plain Arby's was only 320 cals. and had 21 grams of protein, the bad new is that it had 13 gr. total fat, 5 gr. saturated fat, 44 gr. cholesterol, and a whopping 953 grams sodium.
123
JBIRCHETT
11/10/2009
8:17:17 AM

 I have had the McAllister's Club sandwich once before. I had no idea it was so awful, but it was also too big for me to eat, so I had half for lunch and half for dinner. The others are no-brainers. If you can't figure out a Quad Stacker is bad for you, you shouldn't be living on your own.
122
FLUFFY_KITTY
11/10/2009
7:56:32 AM

 I wonder what about Arby's roast beef sandwich? I had that last Saturday. I put nothing on it...I believe it was a junior?
Is this a healthy option?
121

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