What oil does Nathan's Famous fry in?
Nathan's Famous cooks with Famous crinkle-cut fries fried in 100% corn oil (very high PUFA, ~15-20g per order); hot dogs are all-beef (low PUFA)..
The 5 cleanest things to order at Nathan's Famous
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 |
|---|---|
| Hot Dog | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 2.0g |
| Hot Dog Topping Chili | 2.0g |
| Chili Dog | 3.0g |
| Bacon Cheddar Dog | 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 Nathan's Famous report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Nathan's Famous use beef tallow?
No. Nathan's Famous cooks with Famous crinkle-cut fries fried in 100% corn oil (very high PUFA, ~15-20g per order); hot dogs are all-beef (low PUFA)., not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.