The only chain I’ve ever been where they regularly fry in peanut oil is ChicfilA, and their website goes to great lengths to state how they’ve purified it to remove all traces of the peanut protein that triggers an allergic reaction. No one can guarantee anything, but they’re trying hard. So my son could go in there, or even if not those items, he could get a soda, a shake, a salad. He couldn’t step inside a five guys without risking his life. So I’m not really down with that.
That seems like a lot of works. Why not just use a different oil? Unless they truly believe peanut oil tastes better.
I visited their website. Look like they just buy highly refined peanut oil. Chil-fil-A must like the peanut oil tastes.
No idea. Peanut oil has a higher burn point? Is that what they call it? I think a lot of folks in the south fry w/peanut oil too.
Part of the reason they give out free peanuts is to warn people who are allergic that they cook their fries in peanut oil.
The free peanuts are not a flaw they are a feature.
The peanut oil is part of why their fries are so good.
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We hadn’t noticed; thank you for making perfect sense about the peanuts.
All we know is that it was blisteringly freezing evening when we ventured out of the hotel with hopes for something more welcome than dreadful room service. We stumbled onto Five Guys and the fries (without noticing the peanuts) and have never looked back, although the fries were room temperature by the time we finished. What did catch our eye was the blackboard reporting the potatoes’ origin.
We still look or the blackboard the count-on-one-hand’s-fingers times we annually find ourselves nearby and ready to eat at that hour. Not that the farm and farmer’s name are among any we’d know. We just like that touch.
It is wonderful that you are aware of your loved one’s allergy. The more you educate your people and those around you, the better they can look out for you and yours. Our family allergy is a strange one and we are always viligent and that epi-pen is attached to the hip. Be safe out there!
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Yes, the high smoke point and neutral taste make peanut oil the best choice for making french fries.
If you really want to get fancy, you could mix beef tallow and peanut oil (5:1 ratio of tallow to oil) which would give you the best brew to fry up those spuds. Good smoke point, and the buttery richness of from the beef.
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This’ll be my last comment on the topic. Considering the amount of peanut skin/shell/dust on the floor of the one I entered, a highly allergic individual would not make it to the counter to order. They would likely start to feel quite ill within seconds of entering. To me, that’s not hospitable, and not good business practice either. But I’m happy for you that you found fries you like.
Doesn’t Five Guys put an allergy warning on the door?
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Tried my first Cane’s last year. I really liked it. I’m a bone-in guy, too, save for Popeye’s samich. Everyone in my crew liked Raising Cane’s.
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Okay, I have an issue with 5 Guys. I get a double cheeseburger (they’re okay 6 otta 10), then a medium fries. Room temp, semi soggy, and enough to feed 4 other people. Really? That’s a frickin’ medium fry? That place just kinda weirds me out. When I take kids on school tours, though, oh there’s gonna be a 5 Guys fan on the trip. When we tour MIlwaukee schools, I show them what a real burger and fries looks like. Then the frozen custard. For the price of the 5 Guys, I get better burger/fries + the bonus frozen custard for the same price. But, that’s a local place. Only 2 locations. 5 Guys are everywhere.
For burgers, I like to go to a local. Usually better beef and no strange ass portions. I hate wasting food. Medium fries, if no one else wants some, are going to waste. Grr.
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Not enough love for KFC in this thread man! Their chicken sandwich is easily as good as or better than Popeyes, and fried to order.
I’ve heard good things about ChKing but haven’t tried yet.
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I tried twice to get a Chking at BK. They were out both times. Odd. Haven’t tried again.
Something’s wrong with this list for NJ I think. Church’s is #1? There’s like literally only 1 Church’s in NJ. And Shake Shack #2? There’s like only 20 in the state.
Or duck fat!
Interesting.
I’ve tried duck fat, but I really prefer the taste of beef for my fries.
I know restaurants use duck fat to make fries.
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Any properly refined peanut oil (e.g., what you can find at Kroger or the like) should be safe and without proteins.
You can also buy unrefined or pressed peanut oils that have a whole lot more peanut flavor to them, but they’re dangerous for those who are allergic to peanut proteins. They also have a lot lower smoke point than the more refined oils.
Choosy chicken lovers choose Church’s fried chicken…
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We read a lot of the literature - saying basically what you’re saying - about 20 yrs ago when he was diagnosed. However, for us, honestly, there was never a perceived upside to using any kind of peanut oil. The risk, however small, could be eradicated altogether by using any other type of oil. Peace of mind was worth it.
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