Did you know your hyper-fixation meal of salad and fries is also known on the internet as "girl dinner"? Of course, girl dinner doesn't have to be salad and fries, but most widely, it's a no-fuss approach to eating a food you love, with minimum effort, even if it's a little unconventional.

For me, the ultimate girl dinner includes a crisp Caesar salad, piping hot seasoned fries, and a fun beverage or two.

If you want to know my dirty little secret, my fixation on Caesar Salad and fries dates back to the 00s when I was working two jobs to pay for my Metrowest apartment, and one of those jobs was a night/weekend job at Chili's. Back then, employee meals were 50% off, and I was never a fan of their popular Chicken Crispers (which I once served to Joey Fatone and Lou Pearlman on separate occasions) but instead I was a rabid eater of their Chicken Caesar Pita with a side of fries. RIP Pita Combo! 😩

Eventually, that turned into a full-blown addiction to the salad/fries combo, and it sustained my poor, pathetic self for the better part of my early 20s.

It's indulgent comfort food that feels healthy but isn't, especially if you add a cocktail or Coke. For myself, it's the ultimate "girl dinner" and a huge missed opportunity for restaurants that don't capitalize on the beloved combo. Sure, I can whip up a delicious Caesar salad at home, but adding fries is a little more complicated and requires more forethought when grocery shopping. So I want it when I dine out.

After researching local restaurants with good Caesar salad options, I learned not all have fries (or vice versa), so I sought the best Orlando restaurants that offered both.

The Monroe

The Monroe in downtown Orlando has a lot of good food, and honestly, I wasn’t aware they had a Caesar salad, but in my research, I saw it on the menu. Without pictures, I was hesitant, thinking it might be a tiny lackluster side salad. This appropriately named “Gem Wedge Salad” may be my favorite salad in this bunch. Parmesan, tomato conserva, focaccia croutons, smoked tomato Caesar dressing. I added chicken for an upcharge, and although it’s nowhere on the menu as a side for some reason, I inquired about a side of fries and was able to get a heaping bowl of fantastic truffle fries. Oooooh, these fries were good. They are extra crispy and loaded with parmesan. Pair it with a soda, cocktail, or mocktail, and girl dinner at the Monroe is at the top of my list.

Luke’s Kitchen

In all honesty, I live near Luke’s and never go. On my last visit (many years ago when they first opened), they had forced valet, the strong fragrance inside made me ill, and the food was just okay. So I was hesitant to go again - but they had the girl dinner I was searching for, so it was time to try again. I ordered their take on the Caesar, including capers, anchovy, parmesan, garlic bread crumb, grilled chicken (extra charge), and a side of regular fries (truffle fries are also available).

To my delight, there was no forced valet, but the fragrances inside were still intense, but that could be remedied by sitting on their patio.

Their Caesar salad was great! I appreciated that they mixed in the chicken instead of laying it on top. It was well-dressed and had a good portion size. The fries were also excellent, crispy, and thin.We had a great dinner, and I felt terrible that I had stayed away for so long. I will be back specifically for this combo.

The Strand

When The Strand was open for lunch, it was the ideal place for a salad and fry combo, and I often miss their lunch service.

There are no fancy pics from my recent dinner; just an iPhone photo will have to do, but you can see the spread in all its glory. My dinner was their take on a Caesar, including romaine, radicchio, parmesan, croutons, fried capers, pickled egg, and Caesar dressing with fried chicken added (and wisely put on the side since it was hot), a side of fries, and a strawberry margarita.

I love the pickled egg with the fried capers on this. They give the salad a lot of fun textures and a little tangy flavor. The Strand remains in my heavy repeat rotation, and I will dream of this girl dinner being available for girl lunch.

Pigzza

A Caesar salad might not be what you think of when considering Pigzza for a girl dinner, but they have a solid option. Their Caesar consists of shredded romaine hearts and kale tossed with housemade roasted garlic dressing, pepperoni breadcrumbs, shaved Parmesan, and freshly cracked black pepper.

Adding Cacio E Pepe fries is excellent for people who aren't fans of truffle fries. These shoestring fries are tossed with Parmesan, parsley, and black pepper. Pigzza also has a fun cocktail menu, or you can choose a classic Coke.

Winter Park Biscuit Co.

Looking for a vegan option? Winter Park Biscuit Co. has a great Caesar: Massaged Kale, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Everything Biscuit Crumble, Caesar Dressing, and house Parm. I add the faux chicken tenders and have them tossed in their buffalo sauce. The fries have no extra flavors or toppings, but you have dipping sauce options (I go for the dill Ranch). No cocktail pairing here, but you could take it upstairs to The Neighbors if you wanted to elevate it.

Honorable Mention - Armando’s

Armando’s is actually what started this quest. I was home, not feeling the greatest, and craving my version of Girl Dinner. So I opened the food delivery apps, searching for a restaurant that would deliver it right to me. I had SUCH a hard time finding any place that had them on their delivery menu. Armando’s is not a spot I usually hit up, but they had what I was looking for, so I took the gamble.

Their Caesar has romaine, anchovies, croutons, and Parmesan cheese tossed in Caesar dressing, and I added chicken. I was shocked to find truffle fries as an option. While I appreciated them coming in clutch when needed, the portions were tiny for the price. I don’t know if they skimp on their sizing like so many do when you order for delivery and if I should have just dined in. So if you give them a chance, I would not choose take-out.

Other places you can try:

• We did try to grab this meal at The Pinery - but we went on a Sunday, and they have a brunch menu they don’t deviate from, so I was unable to order my girl dinner.

• Bull & Bear comes up a lot when seeking the best Caesar salad, but it’s a more upscale experience with a table-made salad for two at $40. I wasn’t willing to indulge that heavily for research's sake - maybe one day.

• Delaney Tavern has a promising Caesar salad on their menu, but I couldn’t find any picture of it to merit going. I need pictures to know I’m not getting a tiny side salad!

• d.b.a. (sister bar to the Strand) has just dropped a Girl Dinner special on Wednesdays that are testing, so let’s all meet there and yap together so it sticks around!

I know Caesar salads aren’t keeping the lights on at local restaurants, but letting us know it’s something we can order (especially with a side of fries) on your menus would be helpful!