What oil does Flanigan's fry in?
Flanigan's cooks with Deep-fries a large share of the menu (fried dolphinfish, fried shrimp, fried tilapia sandwich, fish and chips, mozzarella sticks, chicken stickers, onion rings, wings, dolphin fingers, fries) but no source discloses the actual oil brand or type; their own menu says only that "all fried items are prepared in oil that is also used to cook shellfish, fish and breaded items." Industry default (soybean/canola blend, standard for casual-dining shared fryers) is assumed, not confirmed..
The 5 cleanest things to order at Flanigan'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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Baked Potato | 1.0g |
| Seafood Gumbo | 1.2g |
| Bahama Burger | 2.6g |
| Blackened Tilapia | 3.0g |
| N.Y. Strip (12 oz) | 3.2g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Why the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Flanigan's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Flanigan's use beef tallow?
No. Flanigan's cooks with Deep-fries a large share of the menu (fried dolphinfish, fried shrimp, fried tilapia sandwich, fish and chips, mozzarella sticks, chicken stickers, onion rings, wings, dolphin fingers, fries) but no source discloses the actual oil brand or type; their own menu says only that "all fried items are prepared in oil that is also used to cook shellfish, fish and breaded items." Industry default (soybean/canola blend, standard for casual-dining shared fryers) is assumed, not confirmed., not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.