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 ...
Pretty devious, the restaurant chain is going for the good flavor angle.
The stupid speak.
“I thought McD’s used lard, not beef tallow.”
You might be right but either is better than the veggie oil
Green chili double is my go to.
“Now get Mcdonalds to do that again with their fries”
There was a time many years ago where I would go to Burger King and get a Whopper and then go McDonald’s to get fries.
Mcdonalds is still the only fast food restaurant to get coca cola since they use the metal drums for the syrup
Not 100% sure. Lard is good, too.
“Mcdonalds is still the only fast food restaurant to get coca cola since they use the metal drums for the syrup”
What? Just about every major fast food place serves coca cola.
Major fast food chains that serve Coca-Cola products include:
McDonald’s
Burger King
Wendy’s
Domino’s
Chick-fil-A
In-N-Out Burger
Five Guys
etc. etc.
“use the metal drums for the syrup”
I agree! Their frys used to havr some flavor. Now they’re undercooked and tastless.
“use the metal drums for the syrup”
Yeah, okay.
One of the reasons movie theaters used coconut oil is that it reheats nicely, they could pop up acres of it if necessary, it tastes absolutely just fine warmed up the next day or so. It makes for a nice light & tasty crisp kernal, too. Crisco and Canola start tasting off, and get tough.
That was their “excuse”. Nobody believed that then.
McDonald’s use to use a shortening made of beef fat and vegetable oil-they went to all vegetable shortening in the 80s
I use peanut oil. Is it not healthier than the others?
Careful - not all “beef tallow” is the same - some of it is highly processed / loaded with chemicals - less healthy than using the vegetable oils. Verify what is meant by “fried with beef tallow”.
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