Posted on 03/17/2026 1:03:35 AM PDT by Libloather
Steak ‘n Shake has rolled out its new tater tots cooked in beef tallow, expanding the fast-food chain’s push toward traditional frying methods.
The announcement drew attention on social media after the Indianapolis-based company highlighted the ingredient Monday morning in an X post, with commenters praising the move, while others debated whether beef tallow is healthier than vegetable oils.
Steak ‘n Shake previously made headlines last year when it announced that its fries would be cooked in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil — part of what the company described as a return to the “authentic way” of frying potatoes.
“When tots were invented in the 1950s, they were cooked in beef tallow,” Steak ‘n Shake wrote in its X post.
“Steak ‘n Shake is bringing them to you in the 21st century as the only chain offering 100% Beef Tallow Tots. You can get a taste of throwback tots.”
Beef tallow — rendered beef fat — was commonly used in restaurant fryers decades ago before many chains switched to vegetable oils, according to industry experts. In recent years, some restaurants and food influencers have revived interest in the ingredient amid debates about seed oils and traditional cooking methods.
Most of the responses on X were positive, with commenters sharing their excitement.
“Tallow tots? Now that’s how you do crispy right,” wrote one commenter.
“I’m going to quite literally find one of your restaurants tomorrow or ASAP. Tallow tots [are] speaking my love language,” wrote another.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
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A tators debate.
Now get Mcdonalds to do that again with their fries
Wild Wings do their fries in tallow...Awesome....and I actually bought some tallow.
The weirdos can eat somewhere else. Why would they even eat Tots at Steak—Shake anyway? Just to make a fuss? F’em!
Going to go down and try some of those for lunch today.
Yeah, I remember when the taste of McD’s fries changed.
Decent burger the double
It’s been at least ten years since I’ve eaten from Steak and Shake. Is their food/service still good?
Just had a Whataburger for the first time in 40 years. I’m good for another 40.
Had one back in 1980 while in San Antonio. Just had another. Oops, you’re right. It’s been 46 years.
If I deep fry my butterfly shrimp in beef tallow, does that count as surf n’ turf?
They used to have the best fries.....
It is healthier than any current “vegetable oil” in use.
Tatordebators?
Their fries are sorta OK - Sorta, if they are hot, and lots of salt. People are missing out on a real dining experience. Americans used to know how to make junk food.
They are completely inedible when cold, turn to cardboard sticks. That’s a tell. But never mind all that, they still taste like crap. I’m not a foodie snob, another problem, my guts can’t handle the hydrogenated chemistry set stuff any longer. I don’t think they ever could.
The “Lipid Hypothesis” isn’t without debate. It was also driven by cost, naturally.
For frying, Lard and Tallow are pretty much unsurpassed in terms of flavor, and crispness.
Did Crisco change whatever chemicals they were using? I tried popping corn with it, and it was nasty. Corn oil would seem logical, that isn’t any better. Canola is rancid, literally.
Now coconut oil is excellent for popcorn. Bacon grease too. I use that for making cookies, in lieu of Butter.
Somebody wanted to argue with me, saying you can’t use Butter to make Cornbread. News to me.
Prey should not be eating at a Steak House; they need to go graze at a salad bar somewhere else.
“saying you can’t use Butter to make Cornbread.”
They shortcut the comment: you can’t use butter to make GOOD cornbread...
:]
Lard’s the best...
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