The average onion has just about 35 calories.
So, fans of Outback Steakhouse’s signature appetizer, the deep-fried Bloomin’ Onion, may be surprised to learn that the tasty, crunchy treat comes with an additional 2,275 calories.
Starting today, the Aussie-based steakhouse and many other chain restaurants in New York City are required to tell patrons just how many heat exchange units their offerings contain – right on the menu.
Even if hungry diners shared the greasy appetizer with three friends, they would still each be taking in more than 500 calories before their main dishes arrived.
And the Bloomin’ Onion isn’t the worst offender in the city.
It’s not even the worst offender at Outback, where the Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing weigh in at 2,900 calories, the caloric equivalent of eating 14 Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Calorie counters may pause before ordering such items if outlets like Outback comply with the new city health-code provision requiring restaurants with more than 15 locations nationwide to post calorie information on menus and price boards.
A federal judge cleared the way last week when he approved a Department of Health initiative aimed at taking a bite out of chronic obesity. Offenders have six weeks to comply, after which they will be subject to fines of up to $2,000.
Government recommendations call for a 2,000-calories-a-day diet and consider a food high in calories when one serving has more than 400 calories.
Among the worst offenders – Taco Bell’s Border Grande Taco Salad with Taco Beef which has 1,450 calories.
Run for the border, indeed. That may be the only way to burn off that salad.