My favorite salad is the quesadilla explosion salad at Chilis. Thing is I've never eaten the quesadillas that come with it. - 8/12/2012   9:07:25 PM

Quesadillas are now off my list of Mexican options... - 7/31/2012   12:11:33 AM

I love these food showdowns, but I have to say, some of them are pretty annoying. Could anyone think that a tortilla filled with cheese and then fried would be low-calorie food choice? These aren't even remotely healthy when eaten as a meal.

Divided up amongst those at your table and eaten with a healthy meal, sure, these fit in. But that's the trick - eating in moderation and thinking before you put that fork to your mouth. - 7/30/2012   9:56:06 PM

I like the Crabmeat quesadillas at chili's. - 7/30/2012   2:37:41 PM

Lol! Thats funny chica. We love quesadillas. It's all about how you prepare them that makes them fattening. - 7/30/2012   11:47:09 AM

We eat these several times a week. I make them with whole wheat tortillas with about 130 calories and use a string cheese or fat free cheese and chicken and even make a breakfast quesadilla with spinach and egg white and 60 calorie string cheese. Salsa is next to zero. I can add canadian bacon for just a few more calories. I use non stick spray in my pan or miso mister for olive oil if I need the fat. - 7/30/2012   11:36:17 AM

which one can be healthy to eat? the one that you don't eat.

- 7/30/2012   8:16:06 AM

We have a quesadilla maker and make them all the time. We use chicken and lots of veggies and just a little cheese. Very yummy! We use homemade salsa for extra veggies and low fat sour cream. - 7/29/2012   8:55:33 PM

These sound delicious. I would like to try them. I know my son used to eat them all the time as take-out food-which he bought. - 7/29/2012   7:21:52 PM

Yes, home made are better! - 7/29/2012   11:50:59 AM

These show-downs are fun!
It's amazing how restaurants can take a wholesome food and turn it into a calorie bomb! These were a staple in my childhood and when I was raising my kids.

I eat still eat them a couple times a week...one wheat tortilla, an ounce of cheese, a tablespoon of salsa, folded over and heated til melting on a non-stick skillet. Add a half-cup of beans if you're extra hungry and finish with a piece of fresh fruit. Good and good for you! - 7/29/2012   11:38:02 AM

I love quesadilla's too. I will be making them with Carb-Counter wraps and veggie cheese. I dont eat at restaurants anymore. - 7/29/2012   11:01:00 AM

Why does anyone eat this stuff? Yikes! - 7/29/2012   10:03:50 AM

I would go a step further - you can use refried or mashed beans (homemade of course) in place of cheese to help the veggies stick inside. Then use a bit of full-fat cheese for flavor (or skip it altogether) and some homemade salsa. (And I love these food showdowns - although it is never a shock how awful the foods are for you - even the winners - when you consider the source. Come on, people, take back your kitchen! - 7/29/2012   7:15:01 AM

I need to make some quesadillas as I bought a machine at a yard sale for $5 and haven't tried it out yet. - 7/29/2012   12:19:22 AM

I love quesadillas. Who knew they were so caloric? I thot they were a healthy choice! - 7/28/2012   8:50:43 PM

Quesadillas are one of my all time favorite foods. These are a comfort food from my childhood.

In order to keep eating them, I have changed up my "recipe". I have never fried them, per se...I use a non-stick skillet, whole wheat tortilla, 2% shredded cheese and homemade salsa...this is 190 calories...and it totally satisfies my quesadilla cravings.

After reading this, I am going to start adding sauted veggies to bulk up the snack into a meal sized portion.

SparkPeople rules! - 7/28/2012   6:15:37 PM

Quesadillas are usually at two-day meal (to go boxes save the day) but I didn't realize there were that many calories in them. Definitely a make-at-home dish from now on. - 7/28/2012   5:03:14 PM

I love quesadillas. When I lived with my parents, we had a George Foreman grill which worked really well for making homemade ones -- better than frying them! I like loading mine with spinach.

At most big chains, I only order the quesadillas if we have a large table of people. We don't have a Don Pablos, but the Applebee's one is definitely too much before an entree!

If you are ever in Astoria, OR, there is a place called T-Paul's Urban Cafe. They make shrimp quesadillas, greek quesadillas (filled with spinach and feta and olives), and all sorts of varieties you wouldn't expect a quesadilla to come in, many of which are probably lighter and healthier than what the big chains serve up. - 7/28/2012   1:28:10 PM

I love them too. I wish they were still available as daily emails! It is SHOCKING that these simple dishes can contain a DAYS worth of calories. And they are billed as appetizers! You snarf this down BEFORE you eat your meal. Ridiculous. - 7/28/2012   11:56:34 AM

I love these food show downs! I am pretty appalled on the calorie and fat counts for these quesadillas, though. In my opinion, everything homemade is going to be better, assuming that you are being health-conscious. There's something nice about someone else cooking and cleaning up the mess, but skipping the restaurant fare is best. - 7/28/2012   11:10:27 AM