Red Lobster hates this local man for discovering this weird trick to cheaper dining!
Nope, none in MA or Maine (Jeep’s Phoenix). Kind of pointless when you can buy the same stuff fresher and better. Gawd, we’re lucky in that.
Back to the OP – I order appetizers as a main dish all the time.
I can personally recommend a few of those places. The ones at Petco Park are about half the size that a proper dish of carne asada fries ought to be (and probably cost about twice as much), but if you’re masochistic enough to subject yourself to a Padres game I’d wager it’s still probably the best dish any of their concessionaires offer.
Really, just look for a building that’s red and yellow and has a Mexican person’s first name or last name as its name. Roberto’s, Robledo’s, Alberto’s, Rodolfo’s, it doesn’t matter. They’re all pretty much the same and you’d really have to try hard to find one that isn’t amazing compared to what fast-Mex food is anywhere else in the country.
It was the one thing I missed after I moved away from southern CA, up until last year when some kind soul actually opened a San Diego-style Mexican restaurant about ten minutes from my work and I proceeded to gain about 20 pounds. 
Could the OP mean the Seaside Sampler at Red Lobster? Restaurants often change items on the menu.
When we go to the Outback, I often get the Great Barrier appetizer, three very pretty, kind of unique offerings. Ahi Tuna, avocado and crab stack with tortilla chips, and coconut shrimp, about $13.
Concerning “carne asada fries”–the local chain BB’s Cafe offers the Tex-Cajun Virgin: “Shoestring fries topped with queso, gravy and roast beef.” On the appetizer menu, from which I sometimes dine.
Nothing at all wrong with an appetizer or two rather than a Full Meal. I *do *remember to top well!
I normally stick to low-carb eating and ordering off the app or sides menu is a great way to not get a huge pile of starch I won’t touch. Some wings or grilled calamari are good.
My local Chinese take-out place has some really good (and cheap!) wings, bbq pork, grilled veggies on the starter menu but every entree I’ve tried sucks bland, flavorless ass and, despite my request to leave it out, they nearly always toss a container of steamed rice in the bag.
As a vegetarian, I know the joy of ordering non-meat appetizers at many restaurants. Until recently, I was living on a disability fixed income. I still follow many of the things I learned there.
There is nothing wrong with NOT spending money.
I haven’t been to RL in over 12 years-and the only time I went, i was not impressed. The shellfish had a iodine-like flavor, and the fish had an odor that indicated it was not fresh. I don’t think there is any grading system for seafood, but does anyone know where RL sources its fish? I would be very concerned if i knew that they used imported fish (from places not known for cleanliness). Anybody know where they buy from?
No one has an answer to this? Do I need to spin this off into another Red Lobster thread?
Well, the vegetables are also deep-fried.
And served with a side of ranch.
I’d guess it’s because vegetables are usually much more heavily-battered than mozzarella sticks, and require more oil.