What oil does James Coney Island fry in?
James Coney Island cooks with Beef franks steamed or griddled (beef fat/tallow, very low PUFA); fries and battered items fried in soybean oil (high PUFA); chili is beef-based (low PUFA); dairy-based items low PUFA.
The 5 cleanest things to order at James 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.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Original Hot Dog | 1.0g |
| Chili Dog | 1.0g |
| Chili (cup) | 1.0g |
| Chili Cheese Dog | 2.0g |
| Jalapeño Cheese Dog | 2.0g |
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 James Coney Island report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does James Coney Island use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. James Coney Island uses: Beef franks steamed or griddled (beef fat/tallow, very low PUFA); fries and battered items fried in soybean oil (high PUFA); chili is beef-based (low PUFA); dairy-based items low PUFA. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.