FALL RIVER — If some local health advocates have their way, the phrase “Would you like fries with that?” would become as outmoded in restaurants as “Would you like smoking or nonsmoking?”

The Healthy City Fall River project yesterday launched its Healthy Dining program to encourage local restaurants to offer smaller food portions and alternatives to fried side dishes.

It’s not going to banish fries from eating establishments.

But its goal is to make it easier for patrons to substitute a salad, steamed vegetables, or something equally healthy when they order out.

The effort, similar to programs in Boston and Somerville, come at a time of growing concern about obesity and the health problems associated with it.

Up to half of all meals are now eaten outside the home and many restaurants don’t help things. Portion size keeps getting bigger and French fries are often listed by default as the side dish.

“We want people who are watching what they eat or who may be on a restricted diet to know that there are places where there are healthier choices among the foods offered,” said David S. Weed, coordinator of Healthy City Fall River, an initiative of the Mayor’s Office in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Four of the city’s 200 restaurants – the only ones asked so far – have already signed up with the program.

Invitations to all the others will go out next week when the city mails its food license renewal forms.

“It would be nice to see the list grow to a couple dozen by spring,” Weed said.

Restaurants that sign up will receive Healthy City stickers. In addition, they are supposed to be listed on the Healthy City Web site at www.healthycityfallriver.org. However, a check of the page last night showed no reference to the Healthy Dining program.

“At most restaurants, if you ask, they will [substitute],” said Michael J. Coughlin, the city’s director of health and human services. “But most people in this city, because of the culture of eating heavy foods, don’t think to ask. The restaurants are agreeing to plant the seed” and encourage people to opt for healthier options.

To qualify, a food establishment must:

• have no unresolved health code violations;

• enforce the state’s no smoking law;

• offer at least two choices of fruits and/or vegetables other than potatoes;

• allow substitution of a salad or other vegetables for fried potatoes;

• clearly designate low-fat and low-calorie menu items when offered;

• offer 1 percent or skim milk when milk is offered on the menu; and

• offer some dishes in a smaller portion size.

Weed said the Somerville program – called Shape Up Somerville – has about 20 restaurants on board. The Boston initiative, known as Best Bites, was started earlier this year, said Weed.

“It’s totally voluntary, the cost is free, and all they need to do is submit a menu showing that they meet the minimum requirements of the program,” he said.

There is no plan for enforcing the designation.