Cooking Fries with Beef Tallow

I hope many of you can add to this thread.

Some of us were talking about some restaurants that cook their fries in Beef Tallow (or a blend with another oil). It would be nice for people to ask local joints if they use Beef Tallow in their oil so those of us who are looking for that old school taste (and quicker way to the grave) can get our fix. A couple of things to remember: Some places may be reluctant to tell the truth, so you might have to make up something like "My friend is vegan or has allergies or whatever" to get them to admit it. Keep in mind that some restaurants may use a lot more Tallow than others, because Portillo's doesn't seem like they use a lot.

First up: Portillo's Hot Dogs (dozens of locations)

I was at the Addison, IL location (where I eat about once a week for lunch) and a woman was asking an employee there if they cooked the fries in the same oil as the chicken or fish. I knew they had seperate fryers for everything (Fries get their own, Onion Rings get their own, Chicken and Fish their own). She didn't believe me, even after I pointed out which ones were used for what. She then asked the General Manager. He confirmed my answer and then shocked her (and me) by saying they use Beef Tallow in the oil. I said "Really?" He nodded and I gave the thumbs up!

Wow! Impressive.

where else? Do tell!!

Our fellow member scanz mentioned that Top Notch Beefburgers in Oak Lawn on 95th St uses beef tallow for their fries.

Yes, Top Notch does use beef tallow for their fries (at least), not sure about other fried foods there...but after a burger, fries and shake (malt) does it matter? Although I am a big fan on the onion rings as well. However, I much prefer the Top Notch in Beverly, the ambiance is not much...but it hasn't changed from when I first went there...while the Oak Lawn location is a bit cafeteria-esque for me. I don't know but at the original just seems to taste better.

Seems to me that I read in a recent article (Time Out, perhaps?) that Publican (Paul Kahan's new venture) will be using beef tallow in their fries. They are obviously proud of the use rather than ashamed to admit.

Ram4 wrote:Some places may be reluctant to tell the truth, so you might have to make up something like "My friend is vegan or has allergies or whatever" to get them to admit it.

No, no. That will discourage them from using it. Talk up how much you like fries cooked in beef tallow. Complain about how tasteless other fries are.

Ram4 wrote:It would be nice for people to ask local joints if they use Beef Tallow in their oil so those of us who are looking for that old school taste (and quicker way to the grave) can get our fix.

If your true goal is the grave (Happy Halloween!), you might improve your odds by eating spuds prepared in a trans-fat frying solution. They won't taste as good, but they will be bad for you.

Ram,

Two other hot dog stands that use a mix of vegetable shortening and beef tallow are Wiener and Still Champion and Jimmy's Red Hots

Enjoy,
Gary

Wiener and Still Champion
802 Dempster
Evanston, IL
847-869-0100

Jimmy’s Red Hots
4000 W Grand Av
Chicago, IL
773-384-9513

LAZ wrote:

Ram4 wrote:Some places may be reluctant to tell the truth, so you might have to make up something like "My friend is vegan or has allergies or whatever" to get them to admit it.

No, no. That will discourage them from using it. Talk up how much you like fries cooked in beef tallow. Complain about how tasteless other fries are.

You might be misunderstanding me. I am not trying to convince them to use it, I am trying them to tell me if they already use it. Sure, some places will tell you outright. My vegan/allergies line was for the ones that might be reluctant to admit it for some reason.

Two other hot dog stands that use a mix of vegetable shortening and beef tallow are Wiener and Still Champion and Jimmy's Red Hots

or not

On a trip to Gene and Jude's several months ago, I viewed one of the workers breaking off large chunks of beef tallow from an industrial sized box lined with blue plastic. The box had a basic cow/cattle symbol on the side. The chunks were then placed in the friers. Based on this I think it's safe to assume they make their fries with at least partial tallow.

Ram4 wrote:You might be misunderstanding me. I am not trying to convince them to use it, I am trying them to tell me if they already use it. Sure, some places will tell you outright. My vegan/allergies line was for the ones that might be reluctant to admit it for some reason.

Yes, but if you talk about vegans and allergies, you might convince them to stop using it, and that would be bad.

LAZ wrote:

Ram4 wrote:You might be misunderstanding me. I am not trying to convince them to use it, I am trying them to tell me if they already use it. Sure, some places will tell you outright. My vegan/allergies line was for the ones that might be reluctant to admit it for some reason.

Yes, but if you talk about vegans and allergies, you might convince them to stop using it, and that would be bad.

I hear ya, but I seriously doubt it. A place like that is not about to give up something that is unique to them for an allergy or vegan complaint. It's like the woman at Portillo's. They didn't bat an eye when they told her they use tallow and she was not happy. Too bad lady. They aren't going to change their entire recipe for you! Seriously, I wouldn't worry about it LAZ. I only said what I said as a last resort (some may not admit it because they want as much secret about their oil as possible). Well, legally I believe they have to divulge if a patron asks (for instance if they used Peanut Oil - lethal to someone with peanut allergies - and do you honestly think they'd stop using peanut oil if it was what made the food taste better for a few people with allergies?! Hell no!). My first line would ALWAYS be to say how much better it was with the tallow!

An honorable mention goes out to Gene & Georgetti's for their cottage fries, which are cooked under the broiler in beef tallow.

Gene & Georgetti's
500 N Franklin
Chicago, IL 60654
312-527-3718

stevez wrote:And then there's the thin, greasy, fried-in-beef-tallow frys at Parky's.

Parky's Hot Dogs
329 Harlem Ave
Forest Park, IL 60130
708-366-3090

Source

I believe both Sam's Red Hots and Tastee Freez have some tallow in their frying blend. I haven't asked about it, but it sure tastes like it.

Also, I know Harold's Chicken Shack uses it for their chicken, so I would imagine that their fries are cooking in it as well.

Sam's Red Hots
2375 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Tastee Freez
2815 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 507-7477

I'm not 100% sure, but I'd bet my life that the fries are cooked in tallow at The Dog Walk up in Prospect Heights for anyone who cares.


Though I've never asked, nor have I SEEN the boxes, when you eat the fries there, you get that "THIS is what fries used to taste like" sensation. They have that extra meaty tang thing going on.

jonsarkpk wrote:Tastee Freez
2815 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 507-7477

Just so you know, Tastee Freez is seasonal and is closed until the spring. I'm not sure of the re-opening date but it is just a couple of blocks from me and I do walk past it often.