What oil does Shoney's fry in?
Shoney's cooks with soybean oil assumed for fryer (not disclosed on shoneys.com; soybean is the dominant U.S. casual-dining fryer oil, ~70% market share); griddle items use liquid margarine/vegetable oil blend.
The 5 cleanest things to order at Shoney'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 |
|---|---|
| Liver & Onions | 4.0g |
| Buttermilk Pancakes (3) | 5.0g |
| Cobb Salad | 6.0g |
| Caesar Salad | 7.0g |
| Breakfast Bar Plate (Eggs, Bacon, Hash Browns) | 8.0g |
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 Shoney's report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index.
Frequently asked
Does Shoney's use beef tallow?
No. Shoney's cooks with soybean oil assumed for fryer (not disclosed on shoneys.com; soybean is the dominant U.S. casual-dining fryer oil, ~70% market share); griddle items use liquid margarine/vegetable oil blend, not beef tallow. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.