Lighter Options at Cosi What to Order

Healthier Options at Cosi

If you are looking for healthier options at Così, the good news is that there are a few smart choices on the menu. Così is a fast-casual chain known for sandwiches, salads, melts, soups, and flatbread pizzas, with a café-style atmosphere inspired by Paris. Like many chain restaurants, the menu includes both lighter meals and items that are much higher in calories, sodium, and fat.

One of the most interesting things about Così’s nutrition information is the bread. Compared with many restaurant breads, Così’s flatbread is surprisingly low in sodium. The Rustic Flatbread has only 82mg of sodium per serving, while the Etruscan Whole Grain Flatbread has only 72mg. That is unusually low for a chain restaurant and makes some of the sandwiches much easier to recommend.

The whole grain flatbread may not be entirely whole grain, since it contains only 3 grams of fiber, but it is still the better option when available. It adds a small amount of calories, but it also provides a little more fiber, a little more protein, and at least some whole grain benefit.

Così also labels some menu items as part of its “Lighter Side” selection. These can be useful, but they are not automatically the healthiest choices. Some lower-calorie items are still high in sodium, so it is important to look beyond calories alone.

Overall, the best strategy at Così is to choose one of the better sandwiches listed below, order baby carrots instead of potato chips, and drink water with your meal. The soups are generally very high in sodium, and many salads are surprisingly salty once the dressing is included. If you prefer a salad, pay close attention to the dressing section, because that can make a major difference.

Sandwiches – Better Choices

These better sandwich choices are under 550 calories and 550mg of sodium.

Così sandwiches and melts are served with a choice of potato chips or baby carrots. Choose the carrots for a healthier side.

Fire-Roasted Veggie Sandwich img 3825 2
324 cal, 8g fat, 259mg sodium, 44g carbs, 4g fiber, 4g sugars, 11g protein

T.B.M. Sandwich (Tomatoes, Basil, Mozzarella) – “Lighter Side” Version img 3825 3
372 cal, 11g fat, 342mg sodium, 50g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 22g protein

Turkey Sandwich – “Lighter Side” Version img 3825 4
390 cal, 5g fat, 526mg sodium, 62g carbs, 2g fiber, 6g sugars, 26g protein

Hummus & Veggie Sandwich img 3825 5
397 cal, 7g fat, 532mg sodium, 72g carbs, 7g fiber, 5g sugars, 13g protein

Tuscan Pesto Chicken Sandwich
510 cal, 6g fat, 452mg sodium, 4g fiber, 3g sugars, 39g protein

Sweet Curry Chicken Sandwich
515 cal, 12g fat, 270mg sodium, 63g carbs, 5g fiber, 12g sugars, 37g protein

Chicken T.B.M. Sandwich – “Lighter Side” Version
531 cal, 17g fat, 483mg sodium, 50g carbs, 3g fiber, 5g sugars, 46g protein

T.B.M. Sandwich
532 cal, 30g fat, 225mg sodium, 46g carbs, 2g fiber, 1g sugars, 22g protein

Sandwiches – Worst Choices

Some of these sandwiches are still better than similar items at other restaurants. However, anything over 600 calories or 1,000mg of sodium is a weaker choice.

Tandoori Chicken Sandwich – “Lighter Side” Version
376 cal, 3g fat, 889mg sodium, 50g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 35g protein

Shrimp Remoulade Sandwich
456 cal, 20g fat, 825mg sodium, 48g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g sugars, 21g protein

Cosi Club Sandwich
463 cal, 10g fat, 735mg sodium, 46g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 33g protein

Sesame Ginger Chicken Sandwich X
480 cal, 7g fat, 1,272mg sodium, 69g carbs, 4g fiber, 21g sugars, 35g protein

Tandoori Chicken Sandwich
541 cal, 23g fat, 819mg sodium, 48g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugar, 36g protein

Chicken Tinga Sandwich X
555 cal, 21g fat, 1,193mg sodium, 59g carbs, 7g fiber, 5g sugar, 37g protein

Buffalo Bleu Sandwich
565 cal, 25g fat, 923mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3g fiber, 3g sugars, 36g protein

Turkey and Brie Sandwich X
687 cal, 32g fat, 885mg sodium, 62g carbs, 2g fiber, 6g sugars, 38g protein

Chicken T.B.M. Sandwich X
691 cal, 36g fat, 367mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g sugars, 46g protein

Italiano Sandwich X
757 cal, 42g fat, 2,210mg sodium, 49g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g sugars, 42g protein

Steak T.B.M. Sandwich X
829 cal, 55g fat, 453mg sodium, 46g carbs, 2g fiber, 1g sugars, 38g protein

Melts – All Worst Choices

All of the melts are over 550 calories, and all but one are over 550mg of sodium. If you are trying to make a healthier choice at Così, the better sandwiches above are a stronger option.

If you really want a melt, the Grilled Chicken Parmesan Melt or the T.B.M. Melt are somewhat better than the others for calories or sodium.

Bacon Turkey Cheddar Melt X
572 cal, 24g fat, 1,101mg sodium, 48g carbs, 4g fiber, 2g sugars, 45g protein

Grilled Chicken Parmesan Melt
589 cal, 21g fat, 768mg sodium, 50g carbs, 4g fiber, 2g sugars, 52g protein

T.B.M. Melt
636 cal, 32g fat, 472mg sodium, 49g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g sugars, 45g protein

Pesto Chicken Melt X
671 cal, 31g fat, 995mg sodium, 52g carbs, 5g fiber, 3g sugars, 50g protein

Chicken T.B.M. Melt X
693 cal, 31g fat, 570mg sodium, 49g carbs, 4g fiber, 3g sugars, 59g protein

Steakhouse Gorgonzola Melt X
752 cal, 47g fat, 963mg sodium, 49g carbs, 2g fiber, 5g sugars, 30g protein

Steak T.B.M. Melt X
831 cal, 49g fat, 656mg sodium, 48g carbs, 3g fiber, 2g sugars, 51g protein

Tuna Melt X X
874 cal, 40g fat, 1,154mg sodium, 51g carbs, 4g fiber, 1g sugars, 65g protein

Crab Cake Melt X X
886 cal, 60g fat, 1,437mg sodium, 51g carbs, 3g fiber, 3g sugars, 31g protein

Salads – Better Choices

The nutrition numbers below include the default dressing.

Signature Salad – “Lighter Side” Version img 3825 22
371 cal, 19g fat, 485mg sodium, 45g carbs, 5g fiber, 21g sugars, 9g protein

Shanghai Chicken Salad
313 cal, 13g fat, 839mg sodium, 26g carbs, 4g fiber, 6g sugars, 26g protein

Bombay Chicken Salad – “Lighter Side” Version
188 cal, 2g fat, 810mg sodium, 21g carbs, 4g fiber, 6g sugars, 23g protein

Salads – Worst Choices

Many Così salads are high in sodium, especially after the standard dressing is included. In several cases, the salads contain more sodium than the better sandwich options.

These numbers include the dressing normally served with each salad. Review the dressing section below if you want to customize your order.

Mediterranean Shrimp Salad X
357 cal, 31g fat, 1,508mg sodium, 17g carbs, 5g fiber, 2g sugars, 19g protein

Wild Alaskan Salmon Salad X
457 cal, 27g fat, 1,372mg sodium, 24g carbs, 7g fiber, 1g sugars, 35g protein

Bombay Chicken Salad X
481 cal, 32g fat, 1,094mg sodium, 17g carbs, 4g fiber, 3g sugars, 25g protein

Caesar Salad X
488 cal, 40g fat, 1,459mg sodium, 20g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 18g protein

Greek Salad X
517 cal, 47g fat, 1,480mg sodium, 19g carbs, 4g fiber, 2g sugars, 11g protein

Cosi Cobb – “Lighter Side” Version X
519 cal, 34g fat, 1,347mg sodium, 17g carbs, 2g fiber, 9g sugars, 39g protein

Tuscan Steak Salad X
532 cal, 34g fat, 1,542mg sodium, 26g carbs, 6g fiber, 13g sugars, 30g protein

Signature Salad X
611 cal, 45g fat, 664mg sodium, 5g fiber, 12g protein

Steakhouse Salad X
614 cal, 49g fat, 836mg sodium, 14g carbs, 5g fiber, 28g protein

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad X X
621 cal, 44g fat, 1,670mg sodium, 20g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 39g protein

Cosi Cobb X X
708 cal, 55g fat, 1,328mg sodium, 2g fiber, 8g sugar, 39g protein

Salad Dressings – Better Choices

No Così salad dressing is perfect, but these are the better choices compared with the rest.

Numbers are for a 2-ounce serving, or about 4 tablespoons. Calories, fat, and sodium are the most important numbers here.

Fat-Free Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
28 cal, no fat, 302mg sodium
The sodium is still higher than ideal, but it is better than many other dressings.

Fat-Free Balsamic & Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing img 3825 36
29 cal, no fat, 209mg sodium

Reduced-Fat Sherry Shallot Dressing img 3825 37
94 cal, no sat fat, 6g total fat, 170mg sodium

Salad Dressings – Worst Choices

Aioli Dressing X
159 cal, 3g sat fat, 16g total fat, 557mg sodium

Italian Dressing
246 cal, 5g sat fat, 26g total fat, 378mg sodium

Sherry Shallot Dressing
283 cal, 4g sat fat, 26g total fat, 151mg sodium

Parmesan Peppercorn Ranch Dressing X
321 cal, 5g sat fat, 30g total fat, 586mg sodium

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing X
357 cal, 3g sat fat, 39g total fat, 169mg sodium

Cosi Caesar Dressing X X
365 cal, 5g sat fat, 28g total fat, 794mg sodium

Cosi Oriental Dressing X
76 cal, no sat fat, 5g total fat, 491mg sodium

Flatbread Pizzas – Better Choices

All numbers below are for thin crust pizzas. Choosing original crust adds about 200 calories from more than 40g of carbs and 8g of protein.

The better flatbread pizza choices are under 550 calories and 550mg of sodium.

Traditional Cheese Flatbread Pizza img 3825 44
495 cal, 24g fat, 315mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3g fiber, 1g sugars, 27g protein

Margherita Flatbread Pizza img 3825 45
527 cal, 26g fat, 328mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3g fiber, 1g sugars, 30g protein

Flatbread Pizzas – Worst Choices

Pepperoni Flatbread Pizza
637 cal, 36g fat, 852mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3g fiber, 1g sugars, 33g protein

Margherita Chicken Flatbread Pizza
653 cal, 31g fat, 440mg sodium, 48g carbs, 4g fiber, 2g sugars, 49g protein

Smokey BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza X
674 cal, 20g fat, 1,315mg sodium, 80g carbs, 2g fiber, 31g sugars, 41g protein

Trifecta Flatbread Pizza X
705 cal, 40g fat, 1,008mg sodium, 48g carbs, 3g fiber, 1g sugars, 40g protein

Thai Satay Chicken Flatbread Pizza X X
726 cal, 29g fat, 1,413mg sodium, 70g carbs, 8g fiber, 18g sugars, 51g protein

Chicken Gorgonzola with Fig Flatbread Pizza X
859 cal, 41g fat, 975mg sodium, 77g carbs, 3g fiber, 27g sugars, 49g protein

Soups – Avoid Them All

Like most restaurant soups, Così soups are very high in sodium. Even the options that look modest in calories can contain a large amount of sodium in a small serving.

The numbers here are for the small 10-ounce size. A side size is roughly half of these numbers, while a 15-ounce large serving adds about 50%.

Pollo y Pasta Soup
138 cal, 4g fat, 900mg sodium, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugars, 11g protein

Three Bean Chili X
150 cal, no fat, 1,012mg sodium, 36g carbs, 11g fiber, 6g sugars, 10g protein

Beef with Winter Garden Vegetables Soup X
150 cal, 8g fat, 1,350mg sodium, 14g carbs, 1g fiber, 2g sugars, 9g protein

Moroccan Lentil Soup X
199 cal, 3g fat, 1,159mg sodium, 32g carbs, 7g fiber, 5g sugars, 13g protein

Chicken Queso Tortilla Soup
200 cal, 9g fat, 800mg sodium, 18g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars, 11g protein

Lobster Butternut Squash Bisque X
212 cal, 10g fat, 1,3250mg sodium, 24g carbs, 1g fiber, 9g sugars, 6g protein

Spinach Artichoke Soup
227 cal, 14g fat, 943mg sodium, 18g carbs, 2g fiber, 2g sugars, 8g protein

Southwestern Corn & Turkey Chili
295 cal, 14g fat, 882mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g fiber, 2g sugars, 17g protein

Tomato & Basil Soup X X
401 cal, 36g fat, 1,140mg sodium, 17g carbs, 1g fiber, 4g sugars, 6g protein

New England Clam Chowder X
440 cal, 29g fat, 625mg sodium, 24g carbs, 1g fiber, 7g sugars, 22g protein

Menu Mondays are recommendations for finding the more healthful options at chain restaurants. It is not always possible to find a perfect meal when eating out, but choosing the better option can still make a meaningful difference.

img 3825 58 marks the best-of-the-best choices, while X marks the worst-of-the-worst choices.

Cosi Nutrition Information

Photo by Sandro Cuccia