The Winking Lizard Tavern is a popular American casual dining restaurant known for its varied menu, generous portions, and friendly atmosphere. Alongside its delicious comfort foods and signature drinks, the Winking Lizard also offers a detailed nutritional menu.
This guide helps guests make informed decisions according to their dietary needs and preferences.
Understanding the nutritional content of your meal is essential for maintaining a balanced diet, managing allergies, or tracking calories. Winking Lizard provides transparent information on calories, fat content, carbohydrates, proteins, and allergens for many of their dishes.
Nutritional Philosophy at Winking Lizard
Winking Lizard emphasizes fresh ingredients and scratch-made recipes whenever possible. While the menu includes indulgent options, the restaurant also offers lighter choices and clearly marks items suitable for special dietary needs.
“Our goal is to provide guests with delicious food options that accommodate a variety of lifestyles — from hearty comfort food lovers to those seeking healthier alternatives.”
The nutritional menu empowers guests to choose wisely by offering detailed information about each item’s caloric content, macronutrients, and common allergens.
Key Nutritional Components Explained
Before diving into the menu items, it’s important to understand the key nutritional terms often found on the Winking Lizard nutritional menu:
- Calories: The total energy provided by the food item.
- Total Fat: Includes saturated fat and trans fats; important for heart health monitoring.
- Cholesterol: Found in animal products; excessive intake can affect cardiovascular health.
- Sodium: High sodium levels can impact blood pressure.
- Total Carbohydrates: Includes sugars and dietary fibers; important for energy and digestive health.
- Protein: Essential for muscle repair and body functions.
- Allergens: Common allergens like gluten, dairy, nuts, and shellfish are highlighted.
Sample Nutritional Breakdown of Popular Starters
| Item | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Protein (g) | Common Allergens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winking Lizard Sampler | 1,180 | 70 | 2,300 | 50 | Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy |
| Fried Pickles | 600 | 40 | 1,000 | 6 | Gluten, Eggs |
| Buffalo Wings (10 pieces) | 980 | 65 | 1,900 | 60 | Eggs, Dairy |
| Onion Rings | 720 | 45 | 1,100 | 7 | Gluten, Eggs |
Note: Starters at Winking Lizard tend to be higher in calories and fat due to frying and rich sauces. Guests mindful of fat or sodium intake should consider portion sizes carefully.
Main Entrees: Nutritional Information and Choices
The main courses at Winking Lizard feature a variety of options including burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, and steak. Each entree comes with its own nutritional profile, allowing guests to pick according to their dietary goals.
| Entree | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) | Allergens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Cheeseburger | 1,100 | 70 | 1,500 | 50 | 55 | Gluten, Dairy, Eggs |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 720 | 25 | 1,200 | 45 | 45 | Gluten, Eggs |
| Fish & Chips | 1,150 | 65 | 1,800 | 80 | 40 | Gluten, Fish, Eggs |
| Caesar Salad (with chicken) | 650 | 40 | 1,100 | 20 | 45 | Dairy, Eggs, Fish (anchovy) |
Many entrees at Winking Lizard can be customized to reduce calories or allergens, such as substituting grilled vegetables or skipping cheese. It is advisable to ask the staff for special requests and allergen information.
Healthy Options and Lighter Fare
For guests looking to enjoy a meal without excess calories or fat, Winking Lizard offers several lighter options and salads. These selections are crafted to maintain flavor while reducing calories and fat content.
Some popular lighter menu items include grilled chicken salads, turkey sandwiches on whole grain bread, and steamed vegetables as sides. These dishes often contain under 700 calories and balanced macronutrients.
| Dish | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Allergens |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Salad (no dressing) | 150 | 5 | 5 | 20 | None |
| Grilled Turkey Sandwich | 550 | 20 | 40 | 40 | Gluten, Eggs |
| Grilled Salmon (6 oz) | 450 | 15 | 50 | 0 | Fish |
“Choosing grilled or steamed options over fried foods can significantly reduce fat and calorie intake without sacrificing taste.”
Popular Side Dishes and Their Nutritional Content
Sides at Winking Lizard complement the main dishes and include a variety of options like fries, onion rings, coleslaw, and steamed vegetables. Sides can add significant calories and fat to a meal, so it’s important to consider their nutritional impact.
| Side | Calories | Total Fat (g) | Sodium (mg) | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Fries (small) | 350 | 18 | 300 | 45 | 4 |
| Onion Rings (small) | 400 | 20 | 350 | 50 | 5 |
| Coleslaw | 200 | 10 | 200 | 18 | 2 |
| Steamed Vegetables | 80 | 1 | 50 | 15 | 3 |
Substituting fries or onion rings with steamed vegetables is a simple way to reduce calories and fat in your meal.
Beverages and Their Nutritional Impact
Winking Lizard offers a wide variety of beverages including soft drinks, specialty cocktails, beers, and non-alcoholic options. Nutritional content varies widely depending on the drink choice.
Soft drinks and sugary beverages generally contain high sugar content and empty calories. Specialty cocktails and mixed drinks often add even more calories due to syrups and mixers.
| Beverage | Calories | Sugar (g) | Alcohol (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Cola (12 oz) | 140 | 39 | 0 |
| Light Beer (12 oz) | 110 | 0 | 13 |
| Margarita (16 oz) | 400 | 25 | 22 |
| Water (0 calories) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Tip: Opting for water, unsweetened tea, or light beer can help reduce unnecessary calorie and sugar intake during your meal.
Allergen Information and Dietary Accommodations
Winking Lizard is committed to accommodating guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions. The nutritional menu clearly identifies common allergens such as gluten, dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, and shellfish.
Guests with allergies should inform the server and review the allergen guide before ordering. The kitchen staff is trained to minimize cross-contamination, but the restaurant cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
“Your safety is our priority. Please communicate any allergies or dietary needs to your server so we can assist you in making safe menu choices.”
Tips for Making Healthier Choices at Winking Lizard
Dining out does not have to compromise your health goals. Here are some helpful tips when choosing from the Winking Lizard menu:
- Consider sharing large portion dishes or taking leftovers home to control calorie intake.
- Ask for dressings and sauces on the side to manage fat and sugar consumption.
- Choose grilled or baked options instead of fried.
- Substitute sides like fries with steamed vegetables or salads.
- Limit high-calorie beverages and opt for water or unsweetened drinks.
Conclusion
The Winking Lizard nutritional menu provides comprehensive information to help guests enjoy their dining experience while staying mindful of their nutrition. Whether indulging in a hearty burger or choosing a lighter salad, understanding the nutritional content empowers better decision-making.
By utilizing the nutritional menu and working with restaurant staff, guests can tailor their meals to fit personal dietary needs and preferences. This transparency reflects Winking Lizard’s commitment to guest satisfaction and wellness.
