Dave & Buster's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Dave & Buster's cooks with: Undisclosed — official nutrition brochure and allergen menu only reference "common oil frying" for cross-contact, never name a specific oil (media.daveandbusters.com nutrition PDF; daveandbusters.com/menus/allergy). Assumed soybean oil per higher-PUFA-wins house rule.. Across the 20 menu items we analyzed, it averages 11.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
Safest Orders at Dave & Buster's
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Tuscan Chicken Alfredo, 3.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Tuscan Chicken Alfredo | 3.0g |
| The Ultimate Mac & Cheese | 5.0g |
| Crispy Tempura-Battered Shrimp (3 pc) | 7.0g |
| Fire-Grilled Steak Salad | 7.0g |
| Buster's Cheeseburger | 9.0g |
What to Avoid at Dave & Buster's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Crispy Seasoned Tots | 33.0g |
| Classic Goldfingers (Chicken Tenders) | 22.0g |
| Hand-Breaded Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Fried) | 20.0g |
| French Fries | 17.0g |
| Green Chile Chicken Tacos | 16.0g |
Every Dave & Buster's item, ranked
All 20 items we have for Dave & Buster's, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Tuscan Chicken Alfredo | 3.0g |
| Hand-Dipped Chocolate Milkshake | 4.0g |
| The Ultimate Mac & Cheese | 5.0g |
| Triple Layer Chocolate Cake | 5.0g |
| Crispy Tempura-Battered Shrimp (3 pc) | 7.0g |
| Fire-Grilled Steak Salad | 7.0g |
| Mexican Street Corn Quesadillas | 7.0g |
| Buster's Cheeseburger | 9.0g |
| Boneless Wings (10 pc) | 9.0g |
| Philly Cheesesteak | 9.0g |
| Buffalo Wings (10 pc, bone-in) | 11.0g |
| Build-Your-Own Churro Sundae | 11.0g |
| Linguine & Meatballs | 11.0g |
| Triple Bacon Burger | 15.0g |
| Hand-Breaded Crispy Chicken Cobb Salad | 15.0g |
| Green Chile Chicken Tacos | 16.0g |
| French Fries | 17.0g |
| Hand-Breaded Crispy Chicken Sandwich (Fried) | 20.0g |
| Classic Goldfingers (Chicken Tenders) | 22.0g |
| Crispy Seasoned Tots | 33.0g |
Frequently asked
Does Dave & Buster's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Dave & Buster's cooks with: Undisclosed — official nutrition brochure and allergen menu only reference "common oil frying" for cross-contact, never name a specific oil (media.daveandbusters.com nutrition PDF; daveandbusters.com/menus/allergy). Assumed soybean oil per higher-PUFA-wins house rule.. Across the 20 menu items we analyzed, it averages 11.8g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does Dave & Buster's cook with?
Our research indicates: Undisclosed — official nutrition brochure and allergen menu only reference "common oil frying" for cross-contact, never name a specific oil (media.daveandbusters.com nutrition PDF; daveandbusters.com/menus/allergy). Assumed soybean oil per higher-PUFA-wins house rule.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Dave & Buster's use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Dave & Buster's cooks with Undisclosed — official nutrition brochure and allergen menu only reference "common oil frying" for cross-contact, never name a specific oil (media.daveandbusters.com nutrition PDF; daveandbusters.com/menus/allergy). Assumed soybean oil per higher-PUFA-wins house rule., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Dave & Buster's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Dave & Buster's cooks with Undisclosed — official nutrition brochure and allergen menu only reference "common oil frying" for cross-contact, never name a specific oil (media.daveandbusters.com nutrition PDF; daveandbusters.com/menus/allergy). Assumed soybean oil per higher-PUFA-wins house rule., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Dave & Buster's?
Tuscan Chicken Alfredo is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Dave & Buster's, at an estimated 3.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Dave & Buster's?
Crispy Seasoned Tots is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Dave & Buster's, at an estimated 33.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. New to the topic? Start with what seed oils are and the complete list, or read the evidence on why people avoid them.
Compare other chains
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See where Dave & Buster's lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.