What oil does Mama Margie's fry in?
Mama Margie's most likely cooks with soybean oil, but the chain has not confirmed it.
In detail: No official statement found on fryer oil or cooking fat. Mama Margie's (4 San Antonio area Tex-Mex restaurants, open 24 hours) fries tortilla chips, crispy taco shells, chalupa shells and taco-salad shells; the industry default of soybean oil is assumed for those. The restaurant does not say whether its refried beans and flour tortillas are made with lard or vegetable shortening, so they are scored as vegetable shortening, the higher-PUFA case. Fajitas, barbacoa, carne guisada and menudo score low. Mama Margie's publishes no nutrition panel, so every value for this restaurant is an estimate.
Ordering at Mama Margie's? Build your meal in the app and see its seed oil total before you pay.
Build my orderMama Margie's at a glance
| Fry oil (US) | Soybean oil (estimated) |
| Seed oils | Yes |
| Beef tallow | No |
| Peanut oil | No |
| Seed oil grade | C (6.8 g average per item, 97 items) |
| Is it a seed oil? | Soybean oil: Yes |
The 5 cleanest things to order at Mama Margie's
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 |
|---|---|
| Menudo (Small) | 1.5g |
| Barbacoa, All Meat Taco | 2.5g |
| Menudo (Large) | 2.5g |
| Carne Guisada Taco | 3.0g |
| Beef Fajita Taco | 3.0g |
Lower PUFA is cleaner. These are estimates from published nutrition data and disclosed oils; preparation varies by location.
Build your Mama Margie's 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 Mama Margie's 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 Mama Margie's fry in?
Mama Margie's most likely cooks with soybean oil, but the chain has not confirmed it. In detail: No official statement found on fryer oil or cooking fat. Mama Margie's (4 San Antonio area Tex-Mex restaurants, open 24 hours) fries tortilla chips, crispy taco shells, chalupa shells and taco-salad shells; the industry default of soybean oil is assumed for those. The restaurant does not say whether its refried beans and flour tortillas are made with lard or vegetable shortening, so they are scored as vegetable shortening, the higher-PUFA case. Fajitas, barbacoa, carne guisada and menudo score low. Mama Margie's publishes no nutrition panel, so every value for this restaurant is an estimate.
Does Mama Margie's use seed oils?
Yes. Mama Margie's most likely cooks with soybean oil. The chain has not confirmed it. Its seed oil grade is C, about 6.8 g of polyunsaturated fat per menu item.
Does Mama Margie's use beef tallow?
No. Mama Margie's most likely cooks with soybean oil, not beef tallow. The chain has not confirmed it.
Does Mama Margie's use peanut oil?
Not that we can find. Mama Margie's most likely cooks with soybean oil. 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 Mama Margie's?
Barbacoa, All Meat Taco (2.5 g of polyunsaturated fat). Next: Carne Guisada Taco (3.0 g) and Beef Fajita Taco (3.0 g).
Which Mama Margie's item has the most seed oil?
Chips (Large Bag, Serves 4-10), at about 60.0 g of polyunsaturated fat as listed.