Chip’s is best known for their freshly cooked, one-third to one-half pound hamburgers served on old-fashioned poppy seed buns with all of the fixings, as well as an expansive menu that includes salads, specialty sandwiches, tex-mex food, and large baked potatoes topped off by delectable milkshakes.
There’s nothing wrong with indulging in a fast-food meal occasionally; however, doing so without derailing your current diet and fitness goals is often challenging.
Cheeseburgers
Cheeseburgers have long been an American classic. As symbols of convenience, mass production, globalization, and meat in general – they represent so much more. A YouGov poll found that 73% of Americans like meat-based burgers either often or occasionally; when it comes to what separates one burger from another, it often lies within its choice of cheese.
Cheeseburgers typically consist of hot hamburger patties topped with some melting cheese and two halves of a bun, along with optional add-ons like lettuce, pickles, and condiments for extra flair. There are even cheeseburgers with egg, salsa, chili peppers, or different types of meat (ham, gyros, or bologna).
An excellent cheeseburger can make for an irresistibly satisfying meal, whether homemade or purchased at a restaurant. However, to maximize the nutritional value of this snacking choice, remember that more toppings will increase sodium, fat, and calorie consumption – therefore, the key to staying healthy with cheeseburgers is limiting how many toppings are added and avoiding additional extras like fried eggs, bacon, and ketchup as much as possible.
Before enjoying, ensure the patty is well-seasoned and cooked through, featuring an attractive sear and slightly crisp crust. Avoid overcooking as that could cause it to become rigid and dry; also, don’t add salt or pepper before grilling, as that would further dry out the meat’s natural moisture levels.
The olive burger is an American cheeseburger variation that has long been enjoyed in Michigan. The sandwich features mayonnaise mixed with pitted green olives atop its patty. According to legend, its first appearance dates back to Jack’s Lunch in Middletown in 1920 or 1930, Olympic Broil in Lansing, or Kewpee Hotel Hamburgers in Grand Rapids during those decades.
For a healthier alternative to the classic cheeseburger, swap out the bun with lettuce leaves or tomato slices and substitute the beef patty with chicken or portobello mushroom patties. As an extra special touch, spread some cream-soaked mozzarella on the top half for added appeal!
French Fries
French Fries are the ideal accompaniment for any hamburger, whether dipped in ketchup, mayo, or another sauce you choose. Their crunchy exterior and fluffy interior can be enjoyed alongside almost any meal imaginable – not to mention how simple they are to make at home! When craving some tasty fries at home is calling out loud for another satisfying bite, you can easily make your batch; just be mindful that it can take time and work to ensure they reach crispy perfection for dunking purposes!
If the challenge of making your own fries seems too daunting for you to bear, numerous restaurants across America offer them. Below are the best fries from various fast-food chains:
Whataburger’s skinny shoestring-esque fries rival those found at McDonald’s for deliciousness and crispiness, making a delicious accompaniment to chicken sandwiches or patty melts alike.
Burger King’s crinkle-cut fries make an enjoyable accompaniment to any cheeseburger, and having 30 percent fewer calories than McDonald’s makes them even better. Unfortunately, their limp and soggy consistency could use improvement, while their flavor could stand out more strongly.
Checkers’ thin shoestring-esque fries are tasty and pretty healthy: their new Satisfries contain just 270 calories! With their distinctive crunchy texture and subtle pepperiness, these Satisfries can complement almost any burger on their menu or be enjoyed alone!
Popeyes Popeyesoffres Popeyes’s seasoned potato fries are among the best fast-food offerings available today, boasting plenty of flavors while not overwhelming with Cajun spice. Unfortunately, when they become soggy, they lose much of their crunch; therefore, they might be better suited for dipping instead. Yet still worth checking out if you want some Cajun-flavored potato goodness!
Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are an all-time family favorite and can be prepared in various ways – frying, baking, or grilling. When served with your preferred dipping sauce, they make an irresistibly tasty treat at home!
Various chicken tenders are on the market, but most share similar ingredients and preparation techniques. From nuggets, strips, and tenders to bite-sized pieces like nuggets or strips sold at fast food chains, some use breast and thigh meat, while others only offer one cut.
Homemade chicken tenders can be created by cutting boneless skinless chicken breasts into long strips and coating them in an egg, milk, and breadcrumb mixture. For an improved diet, replace regular breadcrumbs with panko breadcrumbs; these lighter and larger particles make a crispier coating on these chicken tenders.
Fry your chicken tenders the classic way with a paper towel-lined baking sheet nearby and boiling oil to shimmering, adding several tenders at a time (a cube of bread should sizzle when dropped in), cooking until golden-brown on both sides before transferring to a baking sheet for drainage.
Sonic may offer respectable burgers on par with In-N-Out, but their sides fall far short. Their chicken tenders are bland with an unappetizing semi-chewy texture and mild pepper and flour flavors; plus, there are extra ingredients like modified tapioca starch (for texture and mouthfeel purposes) and sodium tripolyphosphate that may not be exactly healthy! Their seasoning, however, was 25% better than KFC, an impressive feat considering they both contain “chicken.”
Tostadas
Tostadas offers an exciting and crunchy alternative to soft tacos. Like tacos, tostadas use tortillas as their foundation and are usually toasted until their crispiness makes them suitable for holding toppings such as vegetables, lean proteins, cheeses, and salsas. Since many tostada toppings contain saturated fats, potentially increasing cardiovascular risks, those suffering from heart disease may need to limit how many tostadas they eat each week.
A tostada can be made using any tortilla, though corn tortillas are the most popular. They’re then fried or toasted until crisp for added crunchiness – the crunchiness makes tostadas great choices for holding toppings that may otherwise become messy.
Tostadas usually begin with a base of refried beans for optimal stability and creamy flavor. Next comes an assortment of meats such as chicken, beef, or pork.
Other standard tostada toppings include lettuce, tomato, and avocado for an abundance of vitamins and minerals, while fiber-rich black beans help fill you up. Guacamole, salsa, or jalapenos add zesty flavors that can substitute salty sauces.
Tostadas are delicious and nutritious dishes but can be messy to consume. The safest way to enjoy them is with a pinch grip using thumb and pointer finger on one side and thumbless grip in the middle; do not attempt to turn or tilt it as this could cause ingredients to fall off and create messy situations when eating them. If this happens, replace any missing bits onto the dish before eating!
Both tostadas and tacos contain rice, which makes them suitable for those trying to control their weight. However, tacos offer more calories, fat, and sodium than tostadas.
