Maggiano's Little Italy Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, Maggiano's Little Italy cooks with: Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried items. Saute/dressing oils are not publicly disclosed, so sauteed pasta sauces are estimated at the 0.40 'olive oil blend' share and dressings at a similar undisclosed vegetable-oil-blend share; cream/butter sauces use the 0.04 dairy share.. Across the 17 menu items we analyzed, it averages 11.6g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
Safest Orders at Maggiano's Little Italy
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: Center-Cut Filet Mignon, 1.0g total
| Center-Cut Filet Mignon | 1.0g PUFA |
| Tiramisu | 2.0g PUFA |
| Fettuccine Alfredo | 3.0g PUFA |
| Prime New York Strip Steak (16oz) | 3.0g PUFA |
| Broccolini w/ Lemon & Garlic | 4.0g PUFA |
What to Avoid at Maggiano's Little Italy
| Chopped Salad (full size, with dressing) | 30.0g PUFA |
| Fried Calamari | 26.0g PUFA |
| Grilled Salmon w/ Lemon & Herbs | 24.0g PUFA |
| Caesar Salad | 24.0g PUFA |
| Linguine & Clams w/ Red Sauce | 16.0g PUFA |
Frequently asked
Does Maggiano's Little Italy use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, Maggiano's Little Italy cooks with: Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried items. Saute/dressing oils are not publicly disclosed, so sauteed pasta sauces are estimated at the 0.40 'olive oil blend' share and dressings at a similar undisclosed vegetable-oil-blend share; cream/butter sauces use the 0.04 dairy share.. Across the 17 menu items we analyzed, it averages 11.6g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does Maggiano's Little Italy cook with?
Our research indicates: Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried items. Saute/dressing oils are not publicly disclosed, so sauteed pasta sauces are estimated at the 0.40 'olive oil blend' share and dressings at a similar undisclosed vegetable-oil-blend share; cream/butter sauces use the 0.04 dairy share.. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does Maggiano's Little Italy use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates Maggiano's Little Italy cooks with Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried items. Saute/dressing oils are not publicly disclosed, so sauteed pasta sauces are estimated at the 0.40 'olive oil blend' share and dressings at a similar undisclosed vegetable-oil-blend share; cream/butter sauces use the 0.04 dairy share., not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is Maggiano's Little Italy seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates Maggiano's Little Italy cooks with Brinker International (Maggiano's parent) switched all fryers chain-wide to 100% soybean oil (trans-fat-free) in 2004, per maggianos.com/faq/nutrition — high confidence for fried items. Saute/dressing oils are not publicly disclosed, so sauteed pasta sauces are estimated at the 0.40 'olive oil blend' share and dressings at a similar undisclosed vegetable-oil-blend share; cream/butter sauces use the 0.04 dairy share., which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at Maggiano's Little Italy?
Center-Cut Filet Mignon is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at Maggiano's Little Italy, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at Maggiano's Little Italy?
Chopped Salad (full size, with dressing) is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at Maggiano's Little Italy, at an estimated 30.0g 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 Maggiano's Little Italy 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.