Steak n Shakes beef tallow tater tots spark…
Steak ‘n Shake has rolled out its new tater tots cooked in beef tallow, expanding the fast-food chain’s push toward conventional frying strategies.
The announcement drew consideration on social media after the Indianapolis-based company highlighted the ingredient Monday morning in an X post, with commenters praising the transfer, while others debated whether or not beef tallow is more healthy than vegetable oils.
Steak ‘n Shake beforehand made headlines last 12 months when it announced that its fries could be cooked in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil — half 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 fats — was generally used in restaurant fryers a long time in the past before many chains switched to vegetable oils, according to industry consultants. In latest years, some eating places and food influencers have revived curiosity in the ingredient amid debates about seed oils and conventional cooking strategies.
Steak ‘n Shake rolls out new beef tallow tater tots, increasing its conventional frying push. billtster – stock.adobe.com
Most of the responses on X have been optimistic, with commenters sharing their pleasure.
“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.
“Oh my gosh. I’m there,” wrote another person.
“Can’t wait to try these!” said yet another commenter.
A few commenters appeared less than enthusiastic about the news.
The transfer, announced on X, sparked social media buzz, with many praising the “throwback tots.” Chase Dââ¬â¢Animulls – stock.adobe.com
“Honestly, if you’re going for the health edge, you should be using organic EVOO (look it up, intern, lol) or avocado oil,” wrote one commenter.
“Not everyone eats mammals. Great for the paleo carnivores. Not great for the pollo/pescatarians or vegetarians and vegans,” said another particular person.
“The fries [that were] fried in beef tallow had a weird [taste] and they weren’t crispy,” wrote another person.
Several commenters remarked that they needed to attempt the tots, but said there have been no Steak ‘n Shake places close to them.
“Tater tots are still a deep-fried food, no matter the frying medium,” South Carolina-based dietitian-nutritionist Lauren Manaker told Fox News Digital.
This follows Steak ‘n Shake’s prior swap to beef tallow fries and latest removing of microwaves. Facebook/Steak ‘n Shake
“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,” she said. “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.’”
Manaker said that tater tots, “whether fried in beef tallow or other oils, are best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional indulgence rather than a regular part of a healthy diet.”
California chef and restaurateur Andrew Gruel told Fox News Digital he was curious to know if Steak ‘n Shake’s tater tots are par fried forward of time.
“The only way you can ensure [they] are fully seed oil-free is if the restaurant cuts them on-site,” as his eating places do, Gruel said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Steak ‘n Shake for additional remark.
Just last month, Steak ‘n Shake announced that it was eradicating all microwaves from its kitchens by April 15.
“Quality restaurants don’t need microwaves,” Steak ‘n Shake posted on X at the time.
“It is part of our journey to improve food quality and use traditional methods of cooking only.”
This month, Steak ‘n Shake began giving its hourly employees a bitcoin bonus of 21 cents per hour — and is offering a $1,000 contribution to the Trump Accounts, “supporting our employees’ youngsters.”
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