Before vegetable oils took over, tallow was the go-to fat for frying and cooking. Now, it’s making a comeback in restaurants aiming to ditch seed oils for a healthier alternative – like Steak ‘n Shake, Smashburger, Popeyes, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Outback Steakhouse.

More and more Americans are demanding healthier options when eating out. Swapping out seed oils is a step in the right direction, but there’s more to the story. Some restaurants may take shortcuts—using pre-cooked ingredients fried in seed oils, freezing them, and then giving them a final crisp in tallow. That might sound better on the surface, but it still exposes diners to the very oils they’re trying to avoid.

Digging Deeper for the Real Deal

On The Templeton List, a guide to the healthiest restaurants in America, we vet the restaurants on our list carefully. That means checking if they’re using high-quality fats like grass-fed tallow, avocado oil, or extra virgin olive oil instead of highly processed vegetable oils. We make it our mission to highlight restaurants that go the extra mile.

Why Choose Tallow?

• Rich in Healthy Fats. Unlike inflammatory oils like canola, soybean, and sunflower, tallow is naturally high in saturated fat. This makes it incredibly heat-stable, meaning it won’t break down into harmful compounds when used for frying or sautéing.
• Nutrient-Dense. Grass-fed beef tallow is loaded with fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K—essential for immune support, brain function, and healthy skin.
• Supports Metabolic Health. Tallow is a natural source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential metabolism-boosting effects.

The Catch

• Not All Tallow Is Created Equal. Grass-fed, organic tallow is the gold standard, offering the best health benefits. But conventional grain-fed tallow? That’s a different story. It can contain higher levels of inflammatory omega-6 fats and potential toxin buildup from lower-quality feed. That’s why sourcing matters.

The Bottom Line

Tallow is a fantastic fat—but only when it’s the right kind. Grass-fed, organic tallow delivers real health benefits, while conventionally sourced versions can be problematic. The smartest approach? Don’t rely on just one fat. Instead, mix it up with a variety of high-quality, traditional options and always choose the cleanest sources available. Because when it comes to food, details matter.

The Templeton List 5-Star Rating System

If you haven’t yet tried The Templeton List when you’re searching for healthy restaurants, I urge you to! Restaurants listed in this directory have been evaluated using our 5-Star rating system to determine adherence to our strict ingredient, preparation and environmental guidelines. Each restaurant displays a green check mark next to each area of compliance.

★ Is your food locally sourced?
★ Is your food organic, pesticide and chemical-free?
★ Do you use healthy non-hydrogenated oils rather than toxic seed oils?
★ Is your water filtered?
★ Do you use real butter and absolutely no margarine?
★ Are you GMO-free?
★ Are you MSG-free?

Eat Healthy, Wherever You Are!

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