Steak 'n Shake Brings Back Beef Tallow Tater Tots

Fast-food chain touts '100% beef tallow tots' as part of return to authentic cooking methods.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:14am

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Steak 'n Shake has rolled out a new menu item - tater tots cooked in beef tallow. The announcement drew attention on social media, with many praising the 'throwback tots' while others debated the health implications of using beef tallow over vegetable oils. The move follows the chain's previous switch to beef tallow for its fries, as part of what the company describes as a return to 'authentic' frying methods.

Why it matters

Steak 'n Shake's decision to use beef tallow in its frying process is part of a broader industry trend of restaurants and food influencers reviving interest in traditional cooking methods and ingredients. This move has sparked debate around the potential health benefits and drawbacks of beef tallow compared to vegetable oils.

The details

Steak 'n Shake highlighted the new beef tallow tater tots in an X post, noting that when tater tots were invented in the 1950s, they were cooked in beef tallow. The company is now bringing back this 'throwback' cooking method as the 'only chain offering 100% Beef Tallow Tots.' Beef tallow was commonly used in restaurant fryers decades ago before many chains switched to vegetable oils. While some commenters praised the move, others expressed concerns about the health implications of deep-fried foods, regardless of the cooking fat used.

  • Steak 'n Shake announced the new beef tallow tater tots on March 16, 2026.
  • The company previously made headlines last year when it announced its fries would be cooked in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil.

The players

Steak 'n Shake

An Indianapolis-based fast-food chain that is expanding its use of beef tallow in its frying process as part of a return to 'authentic' cooking methods.

Lauren Manaker

A South Carolina-based dietitian-nutritionist who commented on the potential health implications of deep-fried foods, regardless of the cooking fat used.

Andrew Gruel

A California chef and restaurateur who expressed curiosity about whether Steak 'n Shake's tater tots are par fried ahead of time to ensure they are fully seed oil-free.

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What they’re saying

“Tater tots are still a deep-fried food, no matter the frying medium. The high heat used in deep-frying can produce acrylamide, a chemical linked to potential health risks when consumed in large amounts, regardless of the type of oil or fat used. While beef tallow may offer some advantages as a frying fat due to its high smoke point and stability, it doesn't make tater tots a 'health food.'”

— Lauren Manaker, dietitian-nutritionist (Fox News Digital)

What’s next

The company has not announced any specific next steps related to the beef tallow tater tots, but its move to remove microwaves from its kitchens by April 15 and offer bitcoin bonuses to employees suggest Steak 'n Shake is continuing to focus on quality and traditional cooking methods.

The takeaway

Steak 'n Shake's decision to bring back beef tallow as a frying medium for its tater tots and fries reflects a broader industry trend of restaurants and food influencers reviving interest in traditional cooking methods. While this may appeal to some consumers, health experts caution that deep-fried foods, regardless of the fat used, should be enjoyed in moderation as an occasional indulgence rather than a regular part of a healthy diet.