So what goes into making a perfect fry?

But it also makes them non-vegetarian.

All but one of these have swapped the tallow out for supposedly healthier oils in recent years.

holding mcdonald’s fries

Photo: Shutterstock

Most people know that they 100% weren’t at one point.

McDonald’s uses something called “beef extract” in the ingredients for its famous fries.

McDonald’s, for its part, isn’t telling because they don’t legally have to.

woman eating mcdonalds fries

Photo: Boyloso / Shutterstock

A food scientist toldMashablethat it is likely just “beef adjacent” but no one is really sure.

The chain’s fryers contain beef tallow, as confirmed by a rep for the restaurant.

The chainactually fries everything in iteven its chicken wings.

popeyes cajun fries

Kaley Roberts/ Eat This, Not That!

Smashburger

Smashburger started in 2007 in Denver with the aim of becoming a better burger company.

Portillo’s isn’t hiding this fact either and includes the info right on the required allergen list.

There was a lot of chatter and questions online about Outback using beef tallow.

buffalo wild wings platter wings fries slaw

Courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings

smashburger

Smashburger / Facebook

Portillos fries

Courtesy Portillo’s

outback steakhouse aussie fries

bigcheaptrickfan/ YouTube