If it's fast food, I pretty much have it memorized. I count calories, not carbs or any of that stuff, so, it's pretty easy to remember.
My usual meal at a fast food joint consists of a grilled chicken sandwhich with a salad instead of fries and a bottle of water or a diet coke. I sometimes have a small chilie instead of fries when at wendy's though.
As for restaurants, I eat only grilled chicken/fish and avoid any cream based sauce that they may be inclined to drench it in. As for sides, steamed veggies are good, but I usually opt for the salad. If it's on a bun, I'll usually eat it unless it's noticeably unhealthy (coated in garlic butter or even just greasy looking!)
For starters, why not have a tomato/broth based soup like; chicken noodle,minestrone.
Just stay away from heavy breads, and avoid "dips" as they are usually bad.