Report Claims 'Xtreme Eating Running Amok'; IHOP, Chili's, Uno Top List

The Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a detailed examination of extreme eating in chain restaurants.

  Information courtesy of the Center for Science in the Public Interest A milkshake with a slice of apple pie blended right in. A 3,000-calorie plate of pasta. A breakfast that includes deep-fried steak and pancakes (and hash browns and eggs and gravy and syrup). Obesity rates may show signs of leveling off, but it looks like America’s major restaurant chains are doing everything possible to reverse the trend, according to the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. The group unveils the latest "winners" of its Xtreme Eating Awards in the current issue of its Nutrition Action Healthletter. "It's as if IHOP, The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano's Little Italy, and other major restaurant chains are scientifically engineering these …

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Today in Plymouth

Five Things You Need to Know Today: March 17

It's St. Patrick's Day! Even if you're not Irish, there's lots of ways to celebrate, or if you'd rather not, there are other things to do as well.

1. Plymouth's own John Foster performs at the Sandcastle Lounge tonight at 6:30 p.m. 2.  If you are on active duty or a veteran of the military, Liberty Tax Service, at  16 Samoset St., across from Papa Gino’s, will prepare and file your taxes free through today. There are no hidden charges. Call Liberty at 774-773-9152 with questions. 3. There's no need to cook on the day after St. Patrick's Day. Sunday is "A Day to Dine for Jordan Hospital at Colony Place." Participating restaurants at Colony Place will donate 10 percent of the days proceeds to Jordan Hospital.  Participating restaurants include - Alden Park Bar and Grill, Cold Stone Creamery, D'Angelo Grilled Sandwiches, Moe's Southwest Grill, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Sushi Joy, T.G.I…

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Bites Nearby: Rio's Steak House

An introduction to Brazilian cuisine or an indulgence in something familiar is to be had at the most recent addition to Plymouth's ethnic dining scene.

More and more, today's restaurants are opting to give diners the most choices, partly through their extensive menus. Trouble is, many sit down and cannot decide what to order. Chicken or pork? Steak or seafood? At Rio's Steak House in North Plymouth, however, you can have one of everything. This new establishment specializes in rodizio, which is a style of dining in which servers bring various grilled meats on skewers to the table. At Rio's, sirloin, pork, sausage, chicken and lamb are offered individually to customers continuously, according to manager Marla Dasilva. "For meat lovers, it's a great place to be," she said. In addition to the rodizio, there is an all-you-can-eat salad bar and hot buffet, all for one price. While the hot …

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Bites Nearby: Crazy Eddie's American Bar & Grill

Let your inner crazy loose at this newly-opened restaurant and bar on the waterfront, while digging into all kinds of topsy-turvy foods and reveling in the live entertainment.

Once seated at Crazy Eddie's American Bar & Grill, the first thing you will notice is the panoramic view of Plymouth Harbor, courtesy of a continuous set of windows running the entire length of the dining area. This gives the restaurant, located at 6 Town Wharf in the building which formerly housed Weathervane Seafood Restaurant, an open and airy feel, and the sight of docks and boats matches a menu full of seafood. It's a "spectacular view from almost every seat in the house," general manager Cheryl Anusewicz said. Add the fact that Eddie's serves the "freshest seafood," straight from the boats into the kitchen, and you have the recipe for a classic New England eatery. Crazy Eddie's opened Oct. 6. Locals and visitors alike may be curious …

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Bites Nearby: Moe's Southwest Grill

Try someplace different this weekend and you'll find a quirky spot for a meal to feel good about.

Eating out can be difficult if you are counting calories, are on a special diet or just want to eat better. Moe's Southwest Grill, located at Colony Place, however, may be just what you are looking for. If you have never been to Moe's, the menu at this fast-casual establishment features items like burritos, tacos, quesadillas, fajitas and nachos, and lighter fare such as rice bowls and salads are also available. Sue Clancy, the general manager, said what sets it apart is its commitment to better-for-you and better-quality foods. According to Clancy, the company, which has locations nationwide, has worked to serve healthier foods, such as whole grain tortillas and sautéed vegetables, and lighter choices. Reduced-sodium flour tortillas and …

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Bites Nearby: Sam's Teriyaki House

A real fortune can be found inside this downtown restaurant.

Sam's Teriyaki House is the new Chinese takeout on the block. While their menu is full of all the standard items you would expect, they can make just about anything else you are craving. Stephanie Lee, who works the front end of the business, explained that the chef is able to prepare dishes that people have had at other Chinese restaurants. Owner Chun Ching Hsu said that the menu is simple for guests. "I want to make customers happy." He described his food as "very fresh [and] very good" and pointed out that he uses a high-quality, secret teriyaki sauce in his cooking. Some of the most frequently ordered items are egg rolls, fried chicken wings, crab Rangoon, fried rice, lo mein, pad Thai, General Tso's chicken and crispy sesame chicken, …

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Bites Nearby: Rye Tavern

History, homegrown vegetables and herbs and distinctive menu offerings combine to form a unique dining experience in a secluded part of town.

Plymouth residents and visitors alike can take a trip through time, if only for dinner, courtesy of the recently opened Rye Tavern off of Old Sandwich Road. The establishment is located in a building dating back to the 1700s, the Wright Tavern, and is adjacent to what was once known as the Rye Field, as Chef de Cuisine Joanna Farrar explains. She said that Boston politicians would stop here for drinks on their way to Cape Cod, making it a popular watering hole. A similar atmosphere continues today, as the tavern strives to be an "everyday restaurant," without a dress code and open to all, who may stop by for a beer, cocktail or meal. The tavern, which opened for business in June, seats 50 inside among fireplaces and wooden beams and 30 on …

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Frustrations of a Flourishing Foodie

Panko Cauliflower

Get more of this nutritionally packed veggie into your diet -- and love it!

Although it looks unassuming – kind of liked a bleached-out version of broccoli – cauliflower packs a nutritional punch. It’s high in vitamin C and also provides fiber, folic acid and potassium to our diets. Better still, some think the pale veggie might help in the fight against cancer, as a result of providing indoles – phytochemicals that may stimulate enzymes that block cancer growth. Yet when most people think about cauliflower, rather unattractive words such as bland and mushy seem to come to mind. Well, I’m here to attest – with Panko Cauliflower, you can have your, er, nutritional cauliflower, and it eat too! In this dish, the cauliflower is steamed to the point of crispness, and pairs well with the crunchy, toasted Japanese …

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Bites Nearby: Zesto's Deli and Pizzeria

Instead of turning on the oven this week, try a chicken Caesar pizza or a pastrami sub at this new Industrial Park eatery.

One of Plymouth's newest pizza shops is 15 years in the making. Leonardo Passos and Victor Damascena, the owners of Zesto's Deli and Pizzeria, are from Brazil and have been co-workers in the U.S. since they were teenagers. Years of working and learning has led to their own place, a "dream come true," they say. While Zesto's is a deli and pizzeria, the owners stressed that it is more, with a large menu featuring pizza, calzones, salads, pasta, dinners, burgers, subs, warm flatbread pita roll-ups, specialty sandwiches and stir frys. "Everything is homemade," even the cookies and brownies, Damascena said. And guests won't go away hungry, he remarked, especially after having one of their 16-inch calzones, enough for five people. Passos added …

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