Monday, May 21, 2007

Applebee's Says No to Trans Fat

Applebee's International Inc. has joined the ranks of restaurants putting their menus on trans fat-free diets, the Kansas City Business Journal reports. The Overland Park, Kan.-based casual dining chain said May 17 that its more than 1,800 domestic restaurants have finished a three-year transition to frying oil with no trans fats, a blend of two soybean oils. Several other local and national restaurant chains also are taking the cue. Overland Park-based PB&J Restaurants Inc., whose concepts include Yia Yia's Euro Bistro and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, is trying to move to completely trans fat-free menus, President Paul Khoury said recently, the paper reports. Casual diners such as Jason's Deli, Ruby Tuesday and Chili's already have made the change. Leading quick-service restaurants, including Wendy's, Starbucks and KFC, have done the same, leaving Burger King the target of a lawsuit filed May 16 by the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest. Also, Hooter's has announced plans to switch to zero trans-fat frying oil in its 22 restaurants in Tampa Bay, Chicago and New York City.

IN THE NEWS: The Chronicle's Alison Cook reviews Cafe Soleil (11910 Louetta) and La Guadalupana Bakery and Café (2109 Dunlavy), while the Drive-Thru Gourmet visits Quiznos. chron.com ... Houston Press critic Robb Walsh reviews Bissonnet Grill (2726 Bissonnet), while Paul Galvani dines on stracciatella at Amici (16089 City Walk, Town Square, Sugar Land). houstonpress.com ... The Houston Business Journal reviews the Indian restaurant Yatra Brasserie ... The paper also reports, "No matter how appetizing (Houston-based) Landry's Restaurants Inc. made the deal, the restaurant chain just couldn't get Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group Inc. to come to its merger table. After nearly five months of back-and-forth, New York-based steak restaurant chain Smith & Wollensky (last) week decided to forgo Landry's takeover bid in favor of a higher offer by Patina Restaurant Group LLC.

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

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