What oil does Portillo's fry in?
Portillo's cooks with Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA)..
The 5 cleanest things to order at Portillo'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 |
|---|---|
| Hot Dog with Everything | 2.0g |
| Tamale | 2.0g |
| Italian Beef (Regular) | 2.0g |
| Big Beef Sandwich | 2.0g |
| Burger Patty Only (No Bun) | 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 Portillo's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Portillo's use beef tallow?
Yes, at least for some items. Portillo's uses: Fries cooked in a beef tallow + vegetable oil blend (moderate PUFA); mayo, salad dressings and the chocolate cake use soybean oil (high PUFA).. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.