Yes—some chains fry or finish sides in beef tallow, while many others stick to vegetable or peanut oils.
Curious where animal fat still shows up in quick-service kitchens? This guide clears the noise with current chain-level practices, simple ways to verify what’s in the fryer at your location, and ordering tips if you do—or don’t—want tallow on your tray.
Which Chains Fry In Beef Tallow Today (And Where)
Policies shift by brand and sometimes by country. Here’s a fast scan of major names and what they use right now. Use this list as a starting point, then confirm with in-store nutrition sheets or the brand’s site for your market.
| Chain | Current Frying Fat | Notes You Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Steak ’n Shake (U.S.) | 100% beef tallow (fries) | Announced a systemwide shift in early 2025; shoestring fries now cooked in tallow across locations. |
| Smashburger (U.S.) | Beef tallow / canola blend (fryers) | Company FAQ lists butter on griddles, tallow-canola blend in fryers, and a separate blended oil for seasoned sides. |
| Popeyes (U.K.) | Oil blend that includes tallow | U.K. allergen page states the cooking oil blend includes beef tallow; U.S. operations use vegetable blends. |
| McDonald’s (U.S.) | Vegetable oil | Switched away from tallow in 1990; U.S. fries contain “natural beef flavor,” not beef fat in the fryer. |
| In-N-Out (U.S.) | Sunflower oil | Fries are cut in-store and cooked in 100% sunflower oil. |
| Five Guys (U.S.) | Peanut oil | Fries use only refined peanut oil; no beef fat in fryers. |
Why Some Kitchens Keep Using Tallow
Rendered beef fat brings a meaty aroma, steady performance at frying temps, and a crisp bite that holds up on the drive home. Many cooks also like how tallow browns potatoes and breaded items without a waxy afterfeel. That said, large brands weigh taste against supply, cost, dietary preferences, and labeling needs. Many stick with peanut, canola, or sunflower to keep menus broader and simpler for guests with dietary limits.
How To Confirm What Your Store Uses
Check The Brand’s Allergen Or Nutrition Page
Most chains post oil details in an allergen sheet, FAQ, or a “Food Quality” page. Two useful references sitting right on brand sites: Smashburger’s FAQ lists a tallow-canola fryer blend, and In-N-Out notes fries cooked in 100% sunflower oil. If you’re reading this between lunch and dinner, those two pages are quick checks you can pull up on your phone while you’re in line.
See the brand pages: Smashburger FAQ and In-N-Out food quality.
Ask For The Printed Allergen Sheet
Most stores keep a binder near the counter with current labels for oils and breading. Ask for the page that lists frying mediums. Staff can also tell you which fryers are shared and which items are cooked where.
Watch The Menu Fine Print
A few markets flag animal fat on menu boards or store posters—especially where local rules require clear allergen and dietary signage. When in doubt, ask. Policies can vary by franchisee or country.
Brand-By-Brand Snapshot
Steak ’n Shake
The chain announced a return to tallow for its shoestring fries, rolling across restaurants in early 2025. If you’re chasing that old-school fry experience, this is the closest you’ll find at a national burger counter. Expect a deeper potato flavor and crisper edges than a light vegetable blend typically yields.
Smashburger
The company’s own FAQ states a tallow-canola blend in fryers, with butter on the griddle and a separate oil blend used for seasoned sides. That mix gives their fries and tots a beefy baseline while keeping handling familiar for fast-service prep.
Popeyes
Oil policy depends on the country. In the U.K., the allergen page says the cooking oil blend includes beef tallow. In the U.S., the brand uses vegetable oil blends. If you travel, check the local site or ask in store; the fryer oil can change by region and supplier.
McDonald’s
U.S. restaurants fry potatoes in vegetable oil. The flavor profile many people associate with the brand comes from a seasoned “natural beef flavor,” not beef fat in the fryer. If you avoid dairy or wheat, read labels—U.S. flavor bases can include those allergens.
In-N-Out
Fries are sliced in front of you and cooked in sunflower oil. That oil keeps the potato flavor clean and light. If you prefer a beefy finish, ask for fries “well done” to boost color and crunch, then pair with a burger to add some of that meaty richness on the side.
Five Guys
The fryers use refined peanut oil only. If you’re steering clear of animal fat but want a hearty, brown-edged fry, this kitchen is an easy pick. Allergy note: refined peanut oil is typically filtered to remove peanut protein, but always follow your medical guidance.
Taste, Texture, And Dietary Trade-Offs
What Tallow Does To Potatoes
Animal fat brings rounder flavor and a savory aroma. It also gives a firm crust and longer “crisp hang time” in a takeout bag. If you enjoy that steakhouse-style snap, you’ll likely enjoy fries cooked in beef fat.
What Neutral Oils Do Better
Peanut, canola, and sunflower lean clean and let seasonings lead. They can be easier to keep consistent across many locations and often align with broader diets.
Vegetarian And Allergen Notes
If you avoid animal products, tallow-fried sides won’t fit your plan. Shared fryers also matter: even if a menu item isn’t fried in tallow by default, a shared vat can create cross-contact. Ask whether fries share oil with meat or breaded items. Brands usually track this in the binder at the counter.
How We Got Here: A Short Backstory
Many U.S. burger chains relied on beef fat decades ago. In 1990, the country’s largest player moved to vegetable oil, and the shift spread across the industry. In recent years, interest in old-school frying has returned at select brands and independents, bringing back that deeper potato flavor in a few places.
Ordering Tips If You Want Tallow-Fried Fries
- Call the store first. Ask which oil is in use today and whether the fryers are shared.
- Confirm with the site. Brand FAQ and allergen pages are updated more often than third-party blogs.
- Ask for “well done.” With any oil, a longer fry boosts crunch. It’s a simple way to dial in texture.
- Eat fries first. The crust stays snappier right out of the fryer, especially with animal fat.
Ordering Tips If You Want To Avoid Tallow
- Pick a peanut or sunflower kitchen. Five Guys and In-N-Out are straightforward choices.
- Ask about separate fryers. Some stores keep fries, chicken, and fish apart; others don’t.
- Read the allergen PDF. If you’re on a vegetarian or halal plan, check both the oil type and shared-fryer notes.
Country-By-Country Differences To Watch
Many brands operate across markets with different suppliers, laws, and labeling norms. Practices that apply in the U.S. can differ in the U.K., Canada, or the Middle East. Always check the local brand site before you assume a global policy applies everywhere.
| Brand | Market | What The Brand Publishes |
|---|---|---|
| Steak ’n Shake | United States | Press statements in 2025 describing a full switch to tallow for fries. |
| Smashburger | United States | FAQ page lists a tallow-canola fryer blend and separate oils elsewhere. |
| Popeyes | United Kingdom vs. United States | U.K. page says the oil blend includes tallow; U.S. uses vegetable blends. |
Practical Takeaways
If You’re Seeking Tallow
Look to Steak ’n Shake in the U.S. for fries cooked in beef fat. Smashburger gives you a blended fryer with some of that beefy character. In the U.K., Popeyes lists tallow in its oil blend, so you’ll find it there as well.
If You’re Avoiding Tallow
Stick with kitchens that publish peanut or sunflower, such as Five Guys and In-N-Out. Ask about shared fryers to be safe, especially if your decision is dietary or religious, not just taste-based.
How To Read A Fryer Policy
You’ll see three common setups: a single oil used across all vats; a blend that includes beef fat; or a split system where one vat runs a different oil for specific items. If you see “beef flavor” on a label, that’s a seasoning—different from tallow in the fryer.
Final Word For Hungry Readers
Yes, you can still get fries cooked in beef fat at a few national names, and you can skip it easily elsewhere. Check the brand’s own pages, ask for the binder, and order to suit your taste or diet. That’s all you need to land the fries you want—every time.