What oil does J. Alexander's fry in?
J. Alexander's cooks with No official source names the fryer oil (assumed industry-default canola/soybean vegetable oil blend, not confirmed). J. Alexander's does deep-fry: menu items include Emerald Coast fried shrimp, fried calamari, crispy shrimp tacos, and fried chicken, plus wood-fired steaks/chops off the fryer entirely..
The 5 cleanest things to order at J. Alexander'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 |
|---|---|
| Fire-Grilled Artichokes | 3.0g |
| Creme Brulee | 3.0g |
| New York Strip | 3.0g |
| Slow Roasted Prime Rib | 3.0g |
| Filet Mignon with Bearnaise | 3.0g |
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 J. Alexander's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does J. Alexander's use beef tallow?
No. J. Alexander's cooks with No official source names the fryer oil (assumed industry-default canola/soybean vegetable oil blend, not confirmed). J. Alexander's does deep-fry: menu items include Emerald Coast fried shrimp, fried calamari, crispy shrimp tacos, and fried chicken, plus wood-fired steaks/chops off the fryer entirely., not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.