Steak ‘n Shake’s beef tallow tater tots spark fiery online debate

Fox News via NY Post ^ | 3/16/26 | Peter Burke,

[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.

[DPMD]

Thanks to all the local rain, my lawn is a veritable buffet for them.

[Noumenon]

Our favorite steak house, Hydra in Sandpoint, Idaho uses beef tallow in their fryers. Damn, their fries are good. I usually order a New York peppercorn medium rare. Comes with haricot vert (green beans, for those of you in Rio Linda) and my choice of those wonderful fries. I wash it all down with a Mac ‘n Jack’s amber ale. We’re heading over this week to celebrate my 75th.

[packrat35]

Why are vegetarians eating at a hamburger joint to begin with?

[Tommy Revolts]

In my opinion, peanut oil is a healthy choice. I use it quite often. I used to deep fry
Turkey in it for Thanksgiving. Also Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Avocado oil are good
choices.

It depends on what I'm cooking but I use Beef Tallow and Leaf Lard a lot. Both have
beneficial nutrients and great flavor.

[Seruzawa]

You still might given the horrible “improved” BK fries. MacDonalds is still better.

[Seruzawa]

Don’t want beef tallow fries? Don’t shop there. Problem solved. No need for debates. Of course it will be a cold day in hell when vegans mind their own business.

[montag813]

“Not everyone eats mammals. Great for the paleo carnivores. Not great for the pollo/pescatarians or vegetarians and vegans,” said another person.

Well what the hell are they doing in a 'STEAK n' Shake"???

[MayflowerMadam]

I like mine drowned in unsalted butter, and then completely coated with Parmesan cheese. 😋

[ifinnegan]

Thanks.

I was thinking Shake Shack.

[Freedom4US]

I wish I could find a gallon jug of sour cream powder, but I probably couldn’t afford it. Cayenne is good too. For genuine trailer trash cuisine, cannibalize a packet of cheese from a macaroni box and dump that on.

[MayflowerMadam]

The packet of powdered cheese from the boxed mac and cheese sounds interesting. I haven’t eaten one of those “meals” in maybe 50 years.

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

“Not everyone eats mammals.

Well, you can't really blame the owners of a place called Steak & Shake for catering to the people that do.