Famous Dave's Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Famous Dave's cooks with: Smoked/BBQ meats in beef/pork/poultry fat (tallow/lard); fried items and mayo-based sides use soybean/vegetable oil; cornbread uses canola-soybean blend. Across the 96 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
Safest Orders at Famous Dave'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: Burger Patty Only (No Bun) + Iced Tea, 2.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Grilled Pineapple Steaks | 0.0g |
| Collard Greens | 1.0g |
| Down Home Banana Pudding | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Beef Brisket (4 oz) | 3.0g |
What to Avoid at Famous Dave's
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Remoulade Sauce | 22.0g |
| Iris' Fried Chicken Feast | 18.0g |
| Boneless Chicken Wings - Full Pound | 18.0g |
| Traditional Chicken Wings - Full Pound | 16.0g |
| Comeback Sauce | 15.5g |
Frequently asked
Does Famous Dave's use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Famous Dave's cooks with: Smoked/BBQ meats in beef/pork/poultry fat (tallow/lard); fried items and mayo-based sides use soybean/vegetable oil; cornbread uses canola-soybean blend. Across the 96 menu items we analyzed, it averages 6.4g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of C (High Risk).
What oil does Famous Dave's cook with?
Our research indicates: Smoked/BBQ meats in beef/pork/poultry fat (tallow/lard); fried items and mayo-based sides use soybean/vegetable oil; cornbread uses canola-soybean blend. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Famous Dave's use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Our research indicates: Smoked/BBQ meats in beef/pork/poultry fat (tallow/lard); fried items and mayo-based sides use soybean/vegetable oil; cornbread uses canola-soybean blend. Beef tallow is far lower in PUFA than seed oils.
Is Famous Dave's seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Famous Dave's cooks with Smoked/BBQ meats in beef/pork/poultry fat (tallow/lard); fried items and mayo-based sides use soybean/vegetable oil; cornbread uses canola-soybean blend, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Famous Dave's?
Grilled Pineapple Steaks is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Famous Dave's, at an estimated 0.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Famous Dave's?
Remoulade Sauce is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Famous Dave's, at an estimated 22.0g 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. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where Famous Dave'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.