For decades, fries have been an essential part of every meal involving a cheeseburger and ice-cold cola. But in recent years, a shift has occurred in how fries are prepared, with a growing number of restaurants and burger chains embracing an old-school frying method: beef tallow.
Once the gold standard for frying before vegetable oils took over, beef tallow is making a strong comeback, and Steak’ n Shake is leading the charge in bringing back these flavorful fries to the unsuspecting masses.
A Return to Tradition
There was a time when French fries were almost exclusively cooked in beef tallow. Before the 1990s, McDonald’s used beef tallow to fry its legendary fries, giving them an unmistakable taste that fans, myself included, still reminisce about.
However, in response to health concerns about saturated fats, fast-food chains and restaurants largely switched to vegetable oils, particularly soybean and canola oil. While these alternatives were hard sold to the general public as healthier, they came with trade-offs, including a loss of depth in flavor.
Luckily, a growing movement of chefs, food enthusiasts, and burger purists is advocating for a return to beef tallow fries. The main selling points are its superior taste and crispier texture and Steak ‘n Shake has taken the lead in bringing beef tallow fries back into the mainstream.
Steak ‘n Shake’s Beef Tallow Revival
Steak ‘n Shake has been making strategic moves to set itself apart in the crowded fast-casual burger market. One of its most significant steps has been a return to using beef tallow for frying its spuds.
This decision is a nod to nostalgia, appealing to older customers who remember the old way of frying (like me) and younger foodies seeking a more fulfilling experience.
The chain’s decision to cook its fries in beef tallow is more than a gimmick, though. Burger fans have noted a significant improvement in the texture and taste of Steak’ n Shake‘s fries, with folks raving about them as crispier on the outside and fluffier on the inside. A savory note is missing from fries cooked in vegetable oil.
The beef tallow also lends a subtle umami quality that enhances the overall flavor of the meal, making each bite “tastier.” I recently ate them, and couldn’t remember a time that I ever enjoyed fries from Steak ‘n Shake, that has now changed.
Why Beef Tallow?
So, what makes beef tallow so special? Unlike vegetable oils, beef tallow is naturally more stable, with a high smoke point that maintains its integrity at high frying temperatures. This results in fries that are less greasy, more evenly cooked, and resistant to the degradation that often occurs with processed oils.
Beyond taste, beef tallow is also seeing a resurgence due to growing concerns over the health effects of seed oils. Many food scientists and nutritionists now argue that shifting from natural animal fats to highly processed vegetable oils has contributed to modern dietary issues. With the popularity of ancestral and carnivore-style diets, beef tallow has been reclaimed as a natural, whole-food alternative to industrially produced oils.
A Growing Trend
Steak ‘n Shake‘s embrace of beef tallow fries is part of a larger trend gaining traction nationwide. More independent burger joints (NFA Burger, for example), gastropubs, and high-end steakhouses are advertising beef tallow as a key selling point for their fries. Chains like In-N-Out and Five Guys have remained committed to peanut oil for their frying process. If I were a betting man, and I am, other fast-casual brands will soon follow Steak’ n Shake‘s lead.
Beyond the burger world, beef tallow is being rediscovered in other cooking areas. From roasted potatoes to fried chicken and even doughnuts, chefs are experimenting with beef tallow, and grocery stores are getting in on the act by stocking it. Unfortunately, there are none near me.
The Future of Beef Tallow Fries
As demand for real, high-quality ingredients continues to rise, we’ll see even more restaurants switch to beef tallow for frying. Consumer awareness is at an all-time high, and people are more discerning about the ingredients used in their food.
In an industry where the battle for customer loyalty is fierce, taste is king—and beef tallow fries deliver a flavor that vegetable oil can’t match. One thing is clear: the golden age of beef tallow fries is returning triumphantly, and food lovers everywhere are savoring every bite. And don’t forget to properly salt the fries, too, cause that’s important.
Restaurants Frying with Beef Tallow
BMC Smash Burgers – Oakland Park, Florida
Buffalo Wild Wings
Hop + Grind – Durham, New Hampshire
NFA Burger – Dunwoody, Georgia
Outback Steakhouse
Popeyes
Smashburger
Steak ‘n Shake
