TravelCenters of America Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, TravelCenters of America cooks with: soybean and canola oil (estimated). Across the 32 menu items we analyzed, it averages 12.3g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of F (Extreme Risk).
What oil does TravelCenters of America fry in? The full answer
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Safest Orders at TravelCenters of America
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: Chicken Tenders + Iced Coffee (Unsweetened), 8.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Grilled Chicken Dinner | 4.0g |
| Pork Chop Dinner | 4.7g |
| French Toast Combo | 5.0g |
| Caesar Salad | 5.0g |
| Chicken Club Lite Salad | 7.9g |
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Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhat to Avoid at TravelCenters of America
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Onion Rings | 39.0g |
| Honey Cheese Curd Smash Burger | 30.3g |
| Shrimp Basket | 25.2g |
| American Standard Smash Burger | 23.1g |
| Meatloaf Dinner | 21.4g |
Every TravelCenters of America item, ranked
All 32 items we have for TravelCenters of America, safest first. Values are estimated grams of seed-oil PUFA per item.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Fountain Drink | 0.0g |
| Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake | 1.0g |
| Hash Browns | 1.5g |
| Raspberry Donut Cheesecake | 2.0g |
| Grilled Chicken Dinner | 4.0g |
| Pork Chop Dinner | 4.7g |
| French Toast Combo | 5.0g |
| Caesar Salad | 5.0g |
| Chips & Queso | 7.0g |
| Chicken Club Lite Salad | 7.9g |
| Chicken Tenders | 8.0g |
| Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich | 8.0g |
| Fried Cheese Curds | 8.0g |
| Traditional Breakfast | 9.0g |
| Fish & Chips | 9.0g |
| Kids Chicken Tenders | 9.6g |
| Fried Pickle Chips | 12.0g |
| French Fries | 12.0g |
| Tater Tots | 12.0g |
| NY Strip Dinner | 13.0g |
| Chef Salad | 13.4g |
| Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich | 15.0g |
| Grilled Chicken Sandwich | 15.2g |
| Fried Chicken Dinner | 16.4g |
| Pancake Combo | 17.8g |
| Turkey Club Sandwich | 18.0g |
| Texas Chili Smash Burger | 20.7g |
| Meatloaf Dinner | 21.4g |
| American Standard Smash Burger | 23.1g |
| Shrimp Basket | 25.2g |
| Honey Cheese Curd Smash Burger | 30.3g |
| Onion Rings | 39.0g |
Frequently asked
Does TravelCenters of America use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, TravelCenters of America cooks with: soybean and canola oil (estimated). Across the 32 menu items we analyzed, it averages 12.3g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of F (Extreme Risk).
What oil does TravelCenters of America cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does TravelCenters of America use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates TravelCenters of America cooks with soybean and canola oil (estimated), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is TravelCenters of America seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates TravelCenters of America cooks with soybean and canola oil (estimated), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at TravelCenters of America?
Caesar Salad is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at TravelCenters of America, at an estimated 5.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at TravelCenters of America?
Onion Rings is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at TravelCenters of America, at an estimated 39.0g 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.
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See where TravelCenters of America 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.