What oil does Ivar's fry in?
Ivar's fries in canola oil.
In detail: Canola in the fryer, in the chain's own words on its nutritionals page: "We only use 0 grams trans fat canola oil". The chain's March 2024 ingredient list (ivars.com/s/ingredient_list03-24.pdf) names the rest: Red Clam Chowder is made with cottonseed oil; the Caesar dressing, the breadings and the corn muffin use soybean oil; the Tartar Sauce is canola. Caveat: the 02-2020 nutrition guide prints about 29% saturated fat on plain fries, which no canola fryer produces, so every deep-fried row is held at its ceiling rather than modelled from canola.
Ordering at Ivar's? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderIvar's at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Canola oil |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | D (9.0 g average per item, 55 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Canola oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Ivar'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 |
|---|---|
| Cup of Smoked Salmon Chowder | 2.7g |
| Bowl of Clam Chowder | 3.2g |
| Grilled Halibut Dinner | 4.0g |
| Crab Caesar Salad | 4.0g |
| Fish Taco | 5.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Ivar's order
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 orderWhy 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 Ivar's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Ivar's fry in?
Ivar's fries in canola oil. In detail: Canola in the fryer, in the chain's own words on its nutritionals page: "We only use 0 grams trans fat canola oil". The chain's March 2024 ingredient list (ivars.com/s/ingredient_list03-24.pdf) names the rest: Red Clam Chowder is made with cottonseed oil; the Caesar dressing, the breadings and the corn muffin use soybean oil; the Tartar Sauce is canola. Caveat: the 02-2020 nutrition guide prints about 29% saturated fat on plain fries, which no canola fryer produces, so every deep-fried row is held at its ceiling rather than modelled from canola.
Does Ivar's use seed oils?
Yes. Ivar's fries in canola oil. Its seed oil grade is D, about 9.0 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Ivar's use beef tallow?
No. Ivar's fries in canola oil, not beef tallow.
Does Ivar's use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Ivar's fries in canola oil. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Ivar's?
Bowl of Clam Chowder (3.2 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Crab Caesar Salad (4.0 g) and Fish Taco (5.0 g).
Which Ivar's item has the most seed oil?
Full Boat (feeds 3-4), at about 45.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.