Craving Steak and Sauce? The Nutrition Lowdown on Texas Roadhouse's Menu

Texas Roadhouse is a casual dining staple for millions of Americans seeking a hearty steakhouse experience at an affordable price. The chain's signature hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and endless bread rolls have earned a loyal following. However, with great taste comes a cost: the menu at Texas Roadhouse is loaded with rich, calorie-dense foods that can derail even the best-laid diet plans. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the nutrition information behind the Texas Roadhouse menu.

While Texas Roadhouse prides itself on serving up high-quality, restaurant-made food, many of the dishes come with a high price tag - in terms of calories, fat, and sodium. A look at the menu shows some surprises. Take the signature Bone-In Ribeye, which clocks in at 1,020 calories, 64 grams of fat, and 1,630 milligrams of sodium per 12-ounce serving.

To give fans and health-conscious diners a better understanding of what's in their food, Texas Roadhouse has provided nutrition information online. According to their website, the most popular menu items are the highest in calories and fat. The Pineapple Bourbon Glazed Sirloin, for instance, has 930 calories, 44 grams of fat, and 1,310 milligrams of sodium. Similarly, the World Famous Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs checks in at 1,080 calories, 64 grams of fat, and 2,260 milligrams of sodium.

Key Nutritional Information

* Entrees:

1. Famous Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs: 1,080 calories, 64g of fat, 2,260mg of sodium

2. 6-Ounce Sirloin Steak: 740 calories, 33g of fat, 1,380mg of sodium

3. 8-Ounce Sirloin Steak: 1,030 calories, 42g of fat, 1,580mg of sodium

4. 12-Ounce Ribeye: 1,020 calories, 64g of fat, 1,630mg of sodium

5. Bone-In Ribeye: 1,020 calories, 64g of fat, 1,630mg of sodium

* Salads:

1. Garden Fresh Green Salad with Grilled Chicken: 230 calories, 10g of fat, 340mg of sodium

2. Classic House Salad with Grilled Chicken: 420 calories, 32g of fat, 1,060mg of sodium

3. Classic House Salad: 260 calories, 10g of fat, 460mg of sodium

* Sides:

1. Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes: 330 calories, 22g of fat, 1,050mg of sodium

2. Fried Green Beans: 240 calories, 14g of fat, 160mg of sodium

3. Sautéed Mushrooms: 220 calories, 12g of fat, 240mg of sodium

4. Mac 'n Cheese Baked: 850 calories, 56g of fat, 1,450mg of sodium

5. Sautéed Apples: 210 calories, 10g of fat, 10mg of sodium

While Texas Roadhouse's nutrition information provides a comprehensive look at the menu, there are several steps you can take to make healthier choices when dining at the chain.

1. Standard portion sizes at Texas Roadhouse are large, so consider sharing a meal with a friend or opting for a smaller portion.
2. As with any restaurant, steakhouses often err on the side of caution, loading up on rich sauces to make meals more palatable.
3. Ask for fewer sauces and toppings and go for herbs and spices instead to keep calorie counts down.
4. Many sides and entrees have abundant sodium content. Limit consumption by sticking to low-sodium choices, like the Garden Fresh Green Salad with Grilled Chicken.

While many patrons know that a deep-fried roll comes with the meal, they often don't know the danger it poses. A 2014 study published by the American Heart Association found that baking instead of deep-frying can reduce the fat content of rolls by about 40%. Choosing a smaller, baked roll can save you about 80 calories and up to 40 grams of fat.

Some meals at Texas Roadhouse can be surprisingly low in calories. The Grilled Chicken Breast, without any of the sauces or sides, is the lowest-calorie entree option at 380 calories, 4g of fat, and 540mg of sodium.

**Texas Roadhouse seems to be aware of the challenges associated with dining at a restaurant like theirs, but does seem to have begun to take steps to better serve health-minded patrons. They stress that the smaller portion sizes will provide healthier meals.**