What oil does Mendocino Farms fry in?
Mendocino Farms cooks with Soybean-based mayo/aioli for most spreads; olive oil vinaigrettes on some salads; canola oil in some house dressings.
The 5 cleanest things to order at Mendocino Farms
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 |
|---|---|
| Tomato Soup | 3.0g |
| Seasonal Soup | 3.0g |
| Greek Lemon Chicken & Farro Soup | 3.0g |
| Roasted Tomato Basil Soup | 4.0g |
| Artisan Greens & Roasted Beet Salad | 5.0g |
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 Mendocino Farms report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Mendocino Farms use beef tallow?
No. Mendocino Farms cooks with Soybean-based mayo/aioli for most spreads; olive oil vinaigrettes on some salads; canola oil in some house dressings, not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.