- Steak ‘n Shake courts Trump supporters by adjusting the method used to cook French fries. Moving forward, all fried products will be cooked in beef tallow. The company called them “RFK’d” and tipped its hat to the head of Health and Human Services in social media posts.
Steak ’n Shake is changing how it makes its French fries and onion rings. And it’s crediting Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in its social media feeds.
Starting March 1, the company began cooking all of its shoestring French fries in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil. In a post on Twitter/X, the company called the fries “RFK’d”.
Kennedy is currently Health and Human Services Secretary, and has been a vocal supporter for using beef tallow in cooking, saying seed-based oils, such as canola oil, are a leading cause of obesity. (The American Heart Association has said there is no reason to avoid seed oils and “plenty of reasons” to consume them.)
Steak ’n Shake officials say they have been contemplating the change for a while. The company just recently found a supplier that was capable of meeting its demand for beef tallow.
The company is doubling down in its social media praise of Kennedy. In a separate post, it wrote “Thank you, Secretary Kennedy, for your leadership to Make Frying Oil Tallow Again!” And in another post, it wrote “Nothing will stop our crusade to lead in the MAHA movement!”.
The move to tallow takes away an option for vegetarians who accompany a diner to Steak ’n Shake. Asked about that on social media, the company didn’t seem too upset about losing those customers.
Asked if they would be offering a vegetarian option for some side items, the chain wrote “We knew there’d be someone like you. … Place is called STEAK n SHAKE for a reason, a good reason”
We knew there'd be someone like you.
We love you, but cannot accommodate your desire for less tasty fries. We just want to provide the best burgers, fries, and shakes. Place is called STEAK n SHAKE for a reason, a good reason— Steak 'n Shake (@SteaknShake) March 2, 2025