Taco Cabana® Highlights Menu Options That Can Help Customers Stick to Their New Year's Resolutions

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With 2011 upon us, millions of Americans are looking for ways to help them maintain their New Year's resolutions. And this year, just like any other, concerns about waistlines are at the top of many of those lists. Beyond even what consumers are looking for in the New Year, professional chefs foresee nutrition as being one of the hot themes for restaurant menus in 2011, according to a National Restaurant Association survey.

While few people would associate "nutrition" with Mexican food, Taco Cabana® hopes to raise a few eyebrows by highlighting several options on its menu that fall below the 400-calorie mark.

And why is Taco Cabana spotlighting options that are 400 calories or fewer? According to many registered dieticians, 400 calories per meal is the amount most people need to feel full and satisfied while still allowing for a variety of tastes and textures, as well as enough nutrients to stay healthy.

"4 Under 400 Calories" Cabana Bowls

Taco Cabana's "4 Under 400 Calories" Cabana Bowls lead the list of those lower calorie options, and starting at just $3.95, the bowls further the company's tradition of delivering fresh, handmade Mexican food at extremely affordable prices. These specific ingredient combinations were designed to keep the calorie counts at less than 400 per bowl.

Calorie-conscious consumers can select any of the following "4 Under 400 Calories" Cabana Bowl combinations:

• Fajita400 – The bowl is filled with rice, black beans, a fresh blend of lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and salsa roja, with a choice of steak (390 total calories) or chicken (370 total calories).
• Salad400 – This option contains a fresh lettuce blend, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and salsa ranch, with a choice of steak (370 total calories) or chicken (350 total calories).
• Taco400 – This bowl includes black beans, a fresh blend of lettuce, shredded cheese, pico de gallo and salsa roja, with a choice of beef (370 total calories) or chicken (330 total calories).
• Veggie400 – This option features black beans, a fresh lettuce blend, pico de gallo, shredded cheese, sour cream and salsa roja, for a total of 280 calories.

Guests interested in custom building their own diet-friendly bowl can visit the interactive 'Build Your Own' section at www.tacocabana.com. The site counts the calories of each ingredient as guests build their own bowl.

Additional "Under 400 Calories" Options

In addition to the "4 Under 400 Calories" Cabana Bowls, Taco Cabana's menu includes many other options for consumers looking to manage their daily calorie intake without sacrificing flavor. A sample of those 400-calorie (or fewer) options are listed below, with a full list of calorie counts available here on the Taco Cabana website.

To start off the day responsibly:

• Bacon and egg breakfast taco – 230 calories
• Potato and egg breakfast taco – 210 calories

Perfect for a snack or a light lunch:

• An order of three Chicken Flautas – 300 calories
• An order of three Street Tacos – 290 calories
• Two Crispy Chicken Tacos – 320 calories
• Black Bean or Steak Fajita Taco – 200 calories each

For a heartier meal:

• A Chicken Fajita Taco and a Crispy Beef Taco – 190 + 180 = 370 total calories
• Bean and Cheese Chalupa with a side of Guacamole – 290 + 110 = 400 total calories
• A Cheese Enchilada with a side of Black Beans – 320 + 80 = 400 total calories

Adding a side to any order:

• Black Beans – 80 calories
• Guacamole – 110 calories
• Rice – 120 calories
• Borracho Beans – 140 calories
• Queso – 200 calories

What Does This Mean for Taco Cabana's Customers?

"People will likely be surprised to find out just how many options there are on the Taco Cabana menu that have 400 calories or fewer. We felt like the New Year was the ideal time to shine a light on these options, as people are trying to cut back and shape up," said Todd Coerver, Chief Marketing Officer at Taco Cabana.  "We want to help our guests, who may be trying to make wise food choices, be able to continue enjoying the great tasting, affordable Mexican food that Taco Cabana is known for."

Taco Cabana is constantly evaluating its menu and looking for ways to improve its offerings without sacrificing the flavor that Taco Cabana patrons love.

"We want our guests to know they can enjoy a flavorful, satisfying meal at Taco Cabana, without stressing their wallet or stretching their waistline," Coerver said.

About Taco Cabana: The Story Behind Our Obsession

In 1978, Taco Cabana began as a taco stand in San Antonio, with the unique recipes and ingredients that reflect our rich Tex-Mex culture and food. With more than 156 restaurants in 3 states, Taco Cabana continues to redefine the Mexican fast-casual dining experience through ongoing menu and service enhancements. We are committed to satisfying the appetites of our customers through our obsession for making great-tasting Mexican food. From our kitchens' daily fresh-made tortillas and handmade salsas to our flame-grilled fajitas and refreshing margaritas, our obsession lives on, making Taco Cabana one of the region's most enduring and beloved Mexican food brands. Taco Cabana is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. For more information on Taco Cabana or Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., visit www.tacocabana.com or www.carrols.com. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for offers and updates from Taco Cabana.

SOURCE Taco Cabana