The Unhealth and Healthy Side of This Week's Meal

I think I was just compiling items for this week's blog as I was busy working on a mini comic book of Leeroy for an upcoming comic book convention. Either that or I was lazy...insert the Tootsie Pop Owl here. I think add the book work plus Tom Skilling's weather wizardry and a side of drama and it was a good excuse to put off blogging for this week and making horrible but yet delicious food choices.

I don't think I'm a particular fan of most of the standard fast food joints in general. If I had to guess I would say the most visited would Chick-Fil-A. Political and religious issues aside, they actually have some excellent salads there. Also helps they're the only joint in the area that has a indoor playground. Pretty much go there cause of Karen and Lily so you can transfer your disapproval to them. But Reef you sold out? Meh wouldn't be the first time so might as well get over it quick. LOL Anyway long story short- I'm not a die hard fan of fast food joints with the exception of Checkers. Most notably their fries which in the old days we would say French fries but that might not be P.C. anymore and I'm not one for "freedom fries". 

Pretty much growing up we had two near us in Chicago- one by 18th and Kedzie and then one by Cicero and Cermak. They were convenient locations cause the one on Kedzie was by brother's elementary school and the other was by the grocery store Omni. So mom lugging around four kids and not wanting to chill out in a playground area in McDonald's would pick us up some Checkers. I don't really remember the sandwiches or burgers but the fries were awesome. So pretty much loved those fries til Checkers left Chicago/Illinois I would guess around the 90s. So pretty much the only times I've been able to get Checkers was in trips to Florida which weren't that often. 

So some how through dubious means Karen ended up in Bolingbrook to sell some of Lily's old clothes. While there she found that there was a Checkers out there. I of course became like a kid and was all BRING ME BACK FRIES. Forward to this week and it is the first time I personally visited the place. Once again through Karen's trickery of "oh I have to go here...THEY HAVE CHECKERS." How was I going to say no? 

Initially I was just going to order fries but the curiosity of what else they made got me try a burger as well.

In particular I went with the Bacon Roadhouse burger.  It is described as a double seasoned beef and cheese, crispy onion tanglers, BBQ sauce, and crispy bacon.

Checkers Bacon Roadhouse burger

and of course that came with delicious fries- which I will get to in a little bit. The burger itself was pretty good. As previously mentioned before I'm not a huge fan of burgers but this actually hit the spot. Definitely would  get it again. So while out in Bolingbrook someone who shall not be named lost something. Luckily it was found and we had to venture back the next day. Now that part of Bolingbrook is about a 40 minute drive so that Checkers run the first time was good so why not do it again?  Yes we did Checkers again. 

This time I did not mess around and went just for fries. Who good are the fries? They offer them in an XL size. #YOLO

Meal of champions: Checkers fries

No worries I shared with Karen. But also while there noticed they had on one of their deal menus 2 for $3: Fry Lover Burger. That's when you could hear that Obi Wan Kenobi voice go off in my head all echo like "YOOOOOOOLO". So ended up picking up a pair to try.

Karen's altered Fry Lover Burger- void of the fixings

Actually enjoyed the Fry Lover Burger- mostly cause its a burger with fries on it. Some would argue the world's best fries. I might be in that argument but leave at the world's best fast food fries. Standard Market's sweet potato fries dominate in overall category. That being said I highly loved having Checkers fries two days in a row. Can't go wrong with that. I think Karen fat shamed me so there was not going to be a day three for those fries. #EndofYOLO

After a clearly unhealthy start to the week decided to go with Panera for dinner tonight. Just something less greasy. Plus Karen had a coupon for $2.00 off so that was a good enough excuse.  Karen was going to go standard meal- I know you're surprised- but then wanted a sandwich instead of soup as the weather has been something lately. Upon research- BY ME- we found her a new sandwich to try to go along with her standard Fuji Apple Salad.  The item that looked like a Karen sandwich was the Roasted Turkey Apple & Cheddar Sandwich. 

horrible pic of Panera's Roasted Turkey Apple & Cheddar Sandwich

The website description: Roasted turkey raised without antibiotics, Vermont white cheddar, fresh apple and cabbage slaw, arugula and mustard horseradish sauce on Cranberry Walnut Bread.
Per the description I'm sure you are thinking "Karen got it that way?" The correct response is no- she got it minus the mustard horseradish sauce.  It actually was pretty tasty even with her skeptical view of the bread. She ended up really liking and thinking it didn't need any sauce at all.

I went with two new items on my end. As previously discussed I highly enjoy the Greek Salad (with or without Chicken). So was looking at their menu and had a "Oh hello there..." moment as I saw the Modern Greek Salad with Quinoa. Surprisingly its not pronounced KEY-NO-AH. Still I'll always say it that way to embarrass someone.  Here's the description for you to guess what got me: Romaine, kale, quinoa tomato sofrito blend, diced cucumbers and kalamata olives tossed with Greek dressing and topped with feta and toasted almonds.

Panera Modern Greek Salad w/ Quinoa

This salad was interesting in that you're not use to a crunchy texture when eating a Greek Salad- outside of the slight crunch of the lettuce.  With that being said this salad works. I wish there was more dressing but  hey its a you pick 2 size and was too go so what are you going to do? I enjoyed it as it was different. I think I still would go the regular Greek salad but this wouldn't be a alternative.

The other item that was kind of new was the Roasted Turkey & Avocado BLT. Per the typical description: Roasted turkey raised without antibiotics, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes and avocado with pure mayo on Sourdough.

Now I'm fairly certain I have had it before but this time I decided to substitute the mayo with garlic and herb cheese spread.  Now besides taste the the difference in calories is pretty remarkable. You go from 340 calories for a half sandwich to 170 calories.  Damn mayo always trying to kill you. SMH. But I highly enjoyed this variation and would most likely go for it again by choice and if in a tight calorie budget. #TheMoreYouKnow

So yeah started off the week pretty bad but turned it to a healthier option by the end of it. I mean it's only Thursday so Friday might just blow that mindset away. But you never know.

#FoodieAdventurer,

Reef