15 Unexpected Restaurant Meals That Hit the Sodium Danger Zone

Lau Racciatti

13. Sonic Chili Cheese Coney: Classic Dog, Salty Secret (1,570mg)

Coney Island Hot Dog chili beans grated cheese onions Nathan's Hot Dog. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Personal Creations

This drive-in favorite from Sonic is deliciously nostalgic—a hot dog topped with chili and a generous dusting of cheese. Few realize that the Chili Cheese Coney serves up 1,570mg of sodium; just one can nearly max out the daily sodium guideline for adults. It’s easy to miss, tucked inside comfort food classics, how sodium can build up. The best takeaway? Shake off any shame, enjoy your Coney with a tall glass of water, and know you can always support balance by listening to your body, not outside expectations.

14. Outback Alice Springs Chicken: Aussie Flavor, Sodium Surprise (1,380mg)

Uma Spring Chicken With Barbecue. Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons @Yotam Nachum

Outback Steakhouse’s Alice Springs Chicken brings together grilled chicken, honey mustard sauce, bacon, and a gooey blanket of cheese. This bold entrée totals roughly 1,380mg of sodium—a generous share for just one meal. Even grilled items can be sodium-rich, thanks to sauces and toppings, offering an important lesson for anyone seeking to balance flavor and wellbeing. If this staple calls your name, consider asking for sauces on the side or pairing your order with a green salad. Each time you exercise curiosity about what’s on your plate, you’re making progress that’s uniquely yours.

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13. Sonic Chili Cheese Coney: Classic Dog, Salty Secret (1,570mg)

14. Outback Alice Springs Chicken: Aussie Flavor, Sodium Surprise (1,380mg)

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