What oil does Rita's Italian Ice fry in?
Rita's Italian Ice cooks with no deep fryer anywhere in the concept; the entire menu is frozen treats (Italian ice, frozen custard, gelati, shakes, concretes) plus baked waffle cones. Fat comes from dairy in the custard base and toppings like whipped cream, hot fudge, and peanut butter sauce, not from any cooking oil..
The 5 cleanest things to order at Rita's Italian Ice
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 |
|---|---|
| Italian Ice - Large | 0.0g |
| Italian Ice - Small | 0.0g |
| Ice Flight | 0.0g |
| 3 Quart Bundle | 0.0g |
| Sugar-Free Italian Ice - Small | 0.0g |
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 Rita's Italian Ice report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Rita's Italian Ice use beef tallow?
No. Rita's Italian Ice cooks with no deep fryer anywhere in the concept; the entire menu is frozen treats (Italian ice, frozen custard, gelati, shakes, concretes) plus baked waffle cones. Fat comes from dairy in the custard base and toppings like whipped cream, hot fudge, and peanut butter sauce, not from any cooking oil., not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.