National Coney Island Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, National Coney Island cooks with: Soybean/vegetable oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; margarine/shortening on griddle; dairy fat in dairy items. Across the 124 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
Safest Orders at National Coney Island
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: Garden Salad + Coffee, 1.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Garden Salad | 1.0g |
| Coney Dog (plain) | 2.0g |
| Two Eggs Any Style | 2.0g |
| Hot Dog | 2.0g |
| Chicken Lemon Rice Soup (bowl) | 2.0g |
What to Avoid at National Coney Island
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Fish & Chips Dinner | 22.0g |
| Chicken & Chips Dinner | 20.0g |
| Crispy Chicken & Bacon Salad | 14.0g |
| Onion Rings | 13.0g |
| Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Hani | 13.0g |
Frequently asked
Does National Coney Island use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, National Coney Island cooks with: Soybean/vegetable oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; margarine/shortening on griddle; dairy fat in dairy items. Across the 124 menu items we analyzed, it averages 5.7g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of B (Medium Risk).
What oil does National Coney Island cook with?
Our research indicates: Soybean/vegetable oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; margarine/shortening on griddle; dairy fat in dairy items. Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does National Coney Island use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates National Coney Island cooks with Soybean/vegetable oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; margarine/shortening on griddle; dairy fat in dairy items, not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is National Coney Island seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates National Coney Island cooks with Soybean/vegetable oil for frying (fries, chicken, fish); beef/pork fat in coney chili and hot dogs; margarine/shortening on griddle; dairy fat in dairy items, which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at National Coney Island?
Garden Salad is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at National Coney Island, at an estimated 1.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at National Coney Island?
Fish & Chips Dinner is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at National Coney Island, 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
Naf Naf Grill · Nancy's Pizza · Nathan's Famous · Nekter Juice Bar · Newk's Eatery · Nick the Greek
See where National Coney Island 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.