What oil does Los Portales fry in?
Los Portales most likely cooks with soybean oil and vegetable oil blend, but the chain has not confirmed it.
In detail: Fry oil undisclosed. 'Los Portales' is not a chain: this entry groups several unrelated independent Mexican restaurants that share the name (menus read for McDonough GA, Glen Burnie MD, Norwalk CT, Englewood CO, Phoenix OR and Minneapolis MN). None of them names its fry oil; the menus only say items are deep fried. Soybean/vegetable oil (US restaurant default) is assumed for chips, chimichangas, taquitos, flautas, chile rellenos, taco shells and bowls, fries and fried desserts, and in rice and refried beans. Carnitas and tamales may use lard (undisclosed). Items are estimates and each dish is one that appears on at least two of these menus.
Ordering at Los Portales? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderLos Portales at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil and vegetable oil blend (estimated) |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | C (6.2 g average per item, 120 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes · Vegetable oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Los Portales
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| House Salad | 1.0g |
| Menudo | 2.0g |
| Pozole | 2.0g |
| Caldo de Res | 2.0g |
| Shrimp Cocktail | 2.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Los Portales order
Pick your meal, sides, sauces and drink in the app and see your seed oil total before you order. It logs to your day in one tap. Free on iPhone and Android.
Build my orderWhy the frying oil matters
Most fast-food chains fry in seed oils like soybean, canola, corn, or a blend of them, which are high in polyunsaturated fat (PUFA). A handful still use beef tallow or other stable fats, which are far lower in PUFA. The oil a kitchen fries in is the single biggest driver of how much seed oil ends up on your plate. See the full breakdown on the Los Portales report card, or where it lands on the Seed Oil Index. See which chains fry in real fats on Tallow Watch.
Frequently asked
What oil does Los Portales fry in?
Los Portales most likely cooks with soybean oil and vegetable oil blend, but the chain has not confirmed it. In detail: Fry oil undisclosed. 'Los Portales' is not a chain: this entry groups several unrelated independent Mexican restaurants that share the name (menus read for McDonough GA, Glen Burnie MD, Norwalk CT, Englewood CO, Phoenix OR and Minneapolis MN). None of them names its fry oil; the menus only say items are deep fried. Soybean/vegetable oil (US restaurant default) is assumed for chips, chimichangas, taquitos, flautas, chile rellenos, taco shells and bowls, fries and fried desserts, and in rice and refried beans. Carnitas and tamales may use lard (undisclosed). Items are estimates and each dish is one that appears on at least two of these menus.
Does Los Portales use seed oils?
Yes. Los Portales most likely cooks with soybean oil and vegetable oil blend. The chain has not confirmed it. Its seed oil grade is C, about 6.2 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Los Portales use beef tallow?
No. Los Portales most likely cooks with soybean oil and vegetable oil blend, not beef tallow. The chain has not confirmed it.
Does Los Portales use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Los Portales most likely cooks with soybean oil and vegetable oil blend. The chain has not confirmed it. If you have a peanut allergy, ask the restaurant directly, because oils and suppliers can vary by location.
What is the lowest seed oil order at Los Portales?
House Salad (1.0 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Cheese Quesadilla (4.0 g) and Veggie Burrito (5.0 g).
Which Los Portales item has the most seed oil?
Kids Chicken Tenders & Fries, at about 16.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.