A trip to Texas Roadhouse is a delicious rite of passage—warm rolls, sizzling steaks, and portions big enough to feed a small army. Unfortunately, though, some of these dishes pack over 2,000 calories, sky-high sodium, and enough saturated fat to make your arteries nervous. We’re spilling the truth about what not to order if you’re watching your health, your waistline, or your will to stay awake after dinner.
Cactus Blossom
It might look like a fried bouquet of joy, but this deep-fried onion dish delivers over 2,000 calories before the entrée even hits the table. It’s more than a day’s worth of fat and sodium in one basket.
Fall-Off-The-Bone Ribs (Full Slab)
These ribs live up to their name—falling off the bone and falling straight onto your calorie count. A full slab can clock in at over 1,400 calories, drenched in sugary barbecue sauce and paired with sides that send fat and sodium levels soaring well past the daily recommended limit.
Country Fried Sirloin
Take a lean sirloin, drown it in batter, deep-fry it, and smother it in creamy gravy—what could go wrong? At over 1,170 calories and packed with sodium and saturated fat, this dish turns a decent protein into an indulgence that feels more like a dare than dinner.
Texas-Sized Combo (Ribs and Chicken Critters)
Why choose one artery clogger when you can have two? This combo delivers ribs and fried chicken on a single plate, clocking in at around 820 calories. The multiple meats, sauces, and sides are more like a buffet on a plate—and that’s before you touch the rolls or sweet tea.
Chicken Critters® Platter
This one sounds harmless, but those innocent-sounding critters are deep-fried and served in a massive portion. With around 480 calories and little nutritional upside, this platter’s crunchy goodness is paired with fat, sodium, and regret. It’s kid-friendly food that hits like a heavyweight when it comes to health.
Roadhouse Nachos with Chili
Loaded doesn’t begin to describe this mess of chips, cheese, chili, and jalapeños. It’s a sodium bomb disguised as a snack, with enough saturated fat to wipe out your daily allowance before you even get to the entrée. It’s a full meal’s worth of trouble in appetizer clothing.
Grilled Shrimp with Rice
Sounds healthy, right? But those buttery shrimp and seasoned rice pile on calories and sodium fast. One order with rice and sides can easily sneak past 670 calories, thanks to the heavy-handed oil and salty seasoning.
Loaded Sweet Potato
It starts with a healthy sweet potato, then Texas Roadhouse loads it with marshmallows, caramel sauce, and enough sugar to qualify as dessert. With over 700 calories for a side dish, this one’s a toothache waiting to happen. Don’t be fooled by the veggie—it’s practically pie in disguise.
The 16 oz. Prime Rib
This juicy beast might win you over with flavor, but it also delivers over 1,200 calories and enough fat to make your doctor wince. It’s the sheer size and butter-soaked finish that take this steak from satisfying to cardiovascular chaos.
Smokehouse Burger
This monster burger stacks meat, cheese, crispy onions, and BBQ sauce into one greasy tower of excess. At more than 1,080 calories—before fries—it’s fast food in cowboy boots. There’s protein in there somewhere, but it’s buried under fat, sodium, and a mountain of regret that hits by bite two.
Cheesy Bacon Smothered Fries
The fries alone are indulgent, but the cheese and bacon bump this up into “don’t tell your cardiologist” territory. This side dish packs over 1,000 calories and nearly maxes out your sodium for the day. As a snack, it’s a knockout—but not in the way you want.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Don’t let the word “salad” fool you. Drenched in creamy dressing and topped with croutons, cheese, and grilled chicken, this salad can reach 1,000 calories before you even add extra dressing. It’s more of a pasta-free Alfredo experience than a light meal, and it’s not doing your heart any favors.
Bacon Cheeseburger
A bacon cheeseburger might feel like a classic pick, but this one’s oversized and overloaded. It’s got more than 980 calories, a hefty helping of saturated fat, and a bun that’s more sugar than fiber.
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes sound simple, but Texas Roadhouse doesn’t do simple. After being piled high with cheese, bacon, and sour cream, this side reaches over 500 calories before you’ve taken a full bite. For something that’s supposed to play a supporting role, it sure takes the lead in blowing your daily totals.
Country Fried Chicken
This isn’t your regular Sunday chicken—it’s bigger, saltier, and bathed in thick gravy. One plate runs well over 770 calories, with most of it coming from deep-fried breading and creamy sauce. It’s the kind of comfort food that leaves you too full, too salty, and reaching for stretchy pants.