McAlister’s Deli offers a wide array of healthy options for health-conscious diners. This fast-casual restaurant chain prides itself on using high-quality ingredients to create fresh, flavorful meals that cater to various dietary needs.
Among the nutritious choices at McAlister’s, customers can find salads, sandwiches, and soups that are both satisfying and lower in calories. The extensive menu includes items like the Harvest Chicken Salad, which combines grilled chicken with fruits and mixed greens for a balanced meal.
For those looking to customize their orders, McAlister’s “Choose Two” option allows patrons to pair half portions of salads, sandwiches, or soups. This flexibility enables guests to enjoy variety while managing portion sizes and calorie intake.
Understanding McAlister’s Menu Offerings
McAlister’s Deli offers a diverse array of menu items, balancing classic favorites with healthier options. Their extensive selection includes sandwiches, salads, soups, and wraps, catering to various dietary preferences and nutritional needs.
Signature Sandwich Selection
McAlister’s sandwich menu features a wide range of deli-style options. The New Yorker stands out with its piled-high corned beef and pastrami. For those seeking lighter fare, the Garden Fresh Turkey Sandwich provides a nutritious choice. The Veggie offers a meat-free alternative packed with fresh vegetables and cheese.
Popular selections include the Grilled Chicken Club and the Black Angus King Club for hearty eaters. The Reuben and French Dip appeal to classic sandwich lovers. For spice enthusiasts, the Jalapeno Turkey Crunch Sandwich delivers a kick.
McAlister’s allows customization with various sauces and toppings, enabling diners to tailor their sandwiches to personal tastes and dietary requirements.
Salad Choices for Every Preference
McAlister’s salad menu caters to health-conscious diners and those seeking lighter meals. The Garden Salad provides a basic option with mixed greens and fresh vegetables. For a protein boost, the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad combines romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and grilled chicken breast.
The Savannah Chopped Salad offers a unique blend of flavors with its mix of grilled chicken, dried cranberries, and gorgonzola cheese. The Pecanberry Salad presents a sweet and savory combination with strawberries, candied pecans, and bleu cheese.
McAlister’s provides a variety of dressing options, from light vinaigrettes to creamy alternatives. Customization is encouraged, allowing guests to add or remove ingredients to suit their preferences.
Hearty and Healthy Soups
McAlister’s soup selection includes both classic and innovative options. The Veggie Chili stands out as a hearty, meat-free choice packed with vegetables and beans. For cheese lovers, the Broccoli Cheddar Soup offers a creamy, comforting option.
Soup portions are available in cups or bowls, allowing diners to control their intake. Many guests opt for the “Choose Two” combo, pairing a cup of soup with a half sandwich or salad for a balanced meal.
McAlister’s rotates some soup offerings seasonally, ensuring variety throughout the year. Nutritional information is readily available, helping guests make informed choices based on their dietary needs.
The Lighter Side: Wraps and More
For those seeking alternatives to traditional sandwiches, McAlister’s offers a selection of wraps. The McAlister’s Club Wrap provides a handheld version of their signature club sandwich. The Veggie Wrap caters to vegetarian diners with its assortment of fresh vegetables and cheese.
Wraps can be customized with various proteins, including grilled chicken or turkey. McAlister’s also offers the option to have any sandwich made as a wrap, increasing menu flexibility.
For carb-conscious diners, many sandwich fillings can be served over a bed of lettuce instead of bread. This option allows guests to enjoy their favorite flavors while reducing calorie and carbohydrate intake.
Nutritional Information for Informed Choices
McAlister’s Deli provides detailed nutritional information to help customers make informed decisions about their meals. This data covers calorie counts, sodium content, and allergen information for menu items.
Calorie Counts Across the Menu
McAlister’s offers a wide range of options for calorie-conscious diners. Many menu items contain 500 calories or fewer, with up to 163 such choices available. Salads and soups often fall into the lower calorie range.
The McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea, while popular, can add significant calories to a meal. A single glass contains around 130 calories.
For those seeking heartier options, some sandwiches and spuds can exceed 1000 calories. The Nacho Basket appetizer, for example, ranges from 501 to 997 calories.
Sodium Content in Focus
Sodium levels at McAlister’s vary widely across menu items. Some options contain over 2000 mg of sodium, which is close to the recommended daily limit for many adults.
Lower sodium choices are available, particularly among salads and some sandwich options. Customizing orders by removing high-sodium toppings or condiments can help reduce overall intake.
McAlister’s provides specific sodium content for each menu item, allowing customers to track their intake accurately.
Considering Allergens and Dietary Restrictions
McAlister’s Deli caters to various dietary needs and restrictions. They offer clear allergen information for common allergens such as wheat and milk.
Vegetarian options are available and clearly marked on the menu. These include salads, soups, and some sandwich choices.
For those with gluten sensitivities, McAlister’s offers gluten-free bread as an option for most sandwiches. However, they caution that cross-contamination may occur in the kitchen.
Customers with specific dietary concerns are encouraged to speak with staff members for more detailed information about ingredients and preparation methods.
The Quest for Lower Fat and Less Sodium
McAlister’s Deli offers several options for those seeking to reduce fat and sodium intake. These choices focus on lean proteins, whole grains, fresh vegetables, and lighter dressings and soups.
Lean Proteins and Whole Grains
McAlister’s menu features several sandwiches that incorporate lean proteins and whole grains. The Grilled Chicken Sandwich on wheat bread is a popular choice, providing a good balance of protein and complex carbohydrates. This option has less saturated fat compared to some other menu items.
The Turkey Melt is another lower-fat alternative, especially when ordered on whole wheat bread. Turkey is a lean protein source that can help reduce overall calorie and fat intake.
For those looking to further decrease saturated fat, requesting these sandwiches without cheese can make a significant difference in the nutritional profile.
Salads with Lower-Fat Dressings
Garden salads at McAlister’s offer a way to increase vegetable intake while controlling fat and calories. The base of fresh greens and vegetables is naturally low in fat and high in nutritional value.
To keep salads on the healthier side, opt for lower-fat dressing options. McAlister’s offers several lighter dressings, such as their fat-free Raspberry Pecan Vinaigrette or the Light Italian dressing.
Choosing grilled chicken as a protein topping adds lean protein without excessive fat. Avoiding high-fat toppings like cheese and croutons can further reduce the overall fat content of the salad.
Reduced-Sodium Soup Options
Soups can be a satisfying low-fat option, but they often contain high levels of sodium. McAlister’s offers some soups with lower sodium content compared to others on their menu.
The nutrition information provided by McAlister’s can help identify soups with less sodium. Vegetable-based soups tend to be lower in sodium than cream-based options.
When selecting a soup, consider pairing it with a side salad instead of bread to further reduce sodium intake. This combination can create a filling meal while helping to control both fat and sodium consumption.
Innovative Meals with Unique Flavor Combinations
McAlister’s Deli offers a range of creative dishes that combine high-quality ingredients in unexpected ways. Their extensive menu features specialty spuds, unique sandwiches, and refreshing beverages that cater to various tastes and dietary preferences.
Specialty Spuds
McAlister’s giant spuds elevate the humble potato to new culinary heights. The Spud Max tops a baked potato with ham, turkey, bacon, cheese, and vegetables for a hearty meal. For a lighter option, the Veggie Spud combines broccoli, red onions, and black olives with a dollop of sour cream.
The Justaspud offers a customizable base for creative toppings. Guests can add chili, grilled chicken, or black beans to create their own unique flavor profiles. The Spud Ole brings a Tex-Mex twist with chili, jalapenos, and cheddar-jack cheese.
Unique Sandwich Creations
McAlister’s sandwiches showcase innovative flavor combinations. The Black Angus Club pairs tender roast beef with bacon, sharp cheddar, and red onions on wheat bread. The Four Cheese Melt elevates the classic grilled cheese with a blend of Swiss, American, Parmesan, and provolone cheeses.
The Smoky Pepper Jack Turkey combines smoked turkey with pepper jack cheese and chipotle ranch for a spicy kick. Vegetarian options include the Garden Fresh sandwich, featuring crisp cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado on a croissant.
Refreshing Beverages
McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea stands out as their signature drink. This Southern-style iced tea is brewed fresh daily and available by the glass or gallon. For variety, they offer flavored teas like peach and raspberry.
The menu also includes fresh-squeezed lemonades in flavors like strawberry and mango. For a unique twist, try the Arnold Palmer, a blend of sweet tea and lemonade. McAlister’s also serves a selection of fountain drinks and bottled beverages to complement their innovative meal options.
Popular Choices for McAlister’s Fans
McAlister’s Deli offers a wide array of menu items that have become favorites among regular customers. From classic sandwiches to signature sides and beverages, the restaurant chain has crafted a selection that keeps fans coming back for more.
Timeless Classics
McAlister’s club sandwich stands out as a perennial favorite. This triple-decker sandwich features smoked turkey, Black Forest ham, and bacon, complemented by sharp cheddar and Swiss cheeses. The Italian also garners praise for its combination of ham, salami, and provolone cheese.
For those craving a hearty option, the French dip satisfies with its tender roast beef and au jus sauce. Vegetarian patrons often opt for the Savory Veggie Sandwich, packed with fresh vegetables and avocado.
McAlister’s uses higher-quality ingredients in their sandwiches, including freshly baked bread. Many sandwiches are served on a flaky croissant, adding an extra layer of indulgence.
Fan-Favorite Sides and Drinks
McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea reigns supreme among beverage choices. This signature drink is brewed fresh daily and available by the glass or gallon. For those seeking a lighter option, unsweetened tea is also popular.
Potato lovers rejoice in McAlister’s spud selection. The Giant Spud, a baked potato loaded with toppings, is a meal in itself. Customers can customize their spuds with various sauces and add-ons.
Side salads provide a fresh complement to sandwiches. The Garden Salad, with mixed greens and fresh vegetables, is a go-to choice for health-conscious diners. McAlister’s also offers a variety of dressings to suit different tastes.