Steak ‘n Shake is handing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. one of his first big wins as US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The fast food chain is officially switching from vegetable oil to beef tallow for cooking fries in all of their restaurants nationwide.
The brand, known for their steakburgers and hand-scooped milkshakes, noted on Monday that they are already serving ‘100% beef tallow’ fries in Colorado, Florida, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas. As of 2024, Steak ‘n Shake had over 400 eateries throughout the US.
The move to beef tallow isn’t just a coincidence, as the chain actually mentioned RFK Jr. in an announcement about the change.
Steak ‘n Shake wrote on X, ‘By March 1 ALL locations. Fries will be RFK’d!’
Beef tallow is the rendered form of beef fat. Sometimes called ‘beef drippings,’ it’s made by removing, simmering, and clarifying the fatty tissue surrounding the organs of animals like cows, goats, and deer.
RFK Jr. has been pushing the country to move away from vegetable oil for frying, claiming that Americans are ‘being unknowingly poisoned by heavily subsidized seed oils.’
Kennedy was confirmed as HHS secretary on February 13 in a 52-48 vote by the US Senate after a hotly debated hearing focused on the 71-year-old’s controversial opinions – including his views on vaccines and processed foods.