Popular burger joint Steak ‘n Shake has become an early adopter of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s crusade to “Make America Healthy Again” – and liberals can’t stand it.
The fast food chain with more than 450 locations announced earlier this year that, beginning in March, its famous shoestring fries would be “RFK’d” and cooked in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil. Additionally, starting this month, its “buttery blend,” used in “select burgers and sandwiches” would no longer contain seed oils, but would be made from “100% Grade A Wisconsin Butter,” according to a company news release. Steak ‘n Shake is also working to phase out its use of seed oils in precooked fries.
The decision stems from a growing concern over the use of seed oils in food, which have been linked to diabetes, brain fog, digestion issues, obesity, and inflammation. These oils are commonly used in cooking and include canola oil, soybean oil, and vegetable oil. Mainstream medical organizations have previously warned about the harms of seed oils due to high levels of omega-6, a type of fat.
“Omega-6s are found in oils such as corn, safflower, sunflower, soy and vegetable and products made with those oils,” the Arthritis Foundation has stated. “Excess consumption of omega-6s can trigger the body to produce pro-inflammatory chemicals, and the American diet tends to be very high in omega-6s.” A MedLinePlus article similarly warned about the harms of margarine, which is made from a blend of seed oils.
The restaurant’s social media team has been having a ball celebrating the changes, even hosting the health-conscious RFK to eat at one of its restaurants. “Steak ’n Shake has been great,” Kennedy said at the event. “We’re very grateful to them for RFK’ing the french fries.”
In one post, the company shared an image of a red MAGA-style hat with the phrase, “Make Frying Oil Tallow Again.” In another post, Steak ‘n Shake joked about a “conspiracy” against beef tallow fries, responding to a tweet about the “best fries” which excluded Steak ‘n Shake.
Steak ‘n Shake’s embrace of the “MAHA” movement is clearly a reflection of the cultural zeitgeist following President Donald Trump’s sweeping victory last year. But some on the left apparently can’t handle it.
For instance, Matt Seitz of RogerEbert.com, the website of the late famed film critic of the same name, penned this headline: “Steak ‘n Shake Goes Nazi.” According to Seitz, hosting RFK for some beef tallow fries is “bootlicking behavior,” and opposing seed oils is now tantamount to “fascist pandering.”
Seitz further fumed that the restaurant “seems to have virtually put on a brown shirt and swastika armband, then taken it off after some backlash. Time will tell whether they threw them out or are just keeping them in a drawer until the heat dies down.”
MSNBC host Chris Hayes, meanwhile, called the MAHA movement a “shtick” before criticizing RFK for eating at Steak ‘n Shake while there was a measles outbreak in Texas. Such a blatant non sequitur is indicative of the anti-Steak ‘n Shake hysteria on the left.
Various other social media posts likewise underscored just how very upset liberals are that Steak ‘n Shake isn’t continuing to feed potentially harmful foods to their customers just to spite Trump and RFK.
“Friendly reminder @SteaknShake supports a nazi fascist,” one user posted on X. Popular online liberal commentator Brian Tyler Cohen called RFK and Steak ‘n Shake an “absolute joke.”
Ironically enough, it was once liberals who were leading the charge to make American food healthier to address the obesity and chronic disease epidemics plaguing the country. In the past, progressives pushed for healthier eating habits, stricter food regulations, and a closer look at the nutritional content of what Americans were consuming. From Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative to local campaigns advocating for the elimination of trans fats and the reduction of sugary drinks, liberals were at the forefront of improving public health through better food choices.
Now, however, it seems that their zeal for health has been overshadowed by a politically motivated disdain for anything associated with Donald Trump. In their rush to dismiss anything linked to the president, they’ve found themselves opposing an initiative that could help Americans live healthier lives just because it comes with a red MAGA (or MAHA) hat.
Now it is conservative voices, including Michael Knowles of The Daily Wire and Alex Clark with Turning Point USA who are at the forefront of highlighting the harms of seed oils and other harmful foods. They’ve helped make MAHA an important issue in particular among younger voters – a cohort that Trump gained significant ground with last year.
Americans of all political stripes should take an interest in what is in their food, particularly given the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases. Eating healthy and getting in shape should not be a partisan issue. But as the debate over healthier food options rages on, the growing division over something as simple as Steak ‘n Shake’s switch to beef tallow fries underscores a deeper issue within our political discourse.
If we truly want to make America healthier, it’s time for all of us – regardless of political affiliation – to put aside the rhetoric and focus on what matters: the well-being of our nation. Steak ‘n Shake’s choice to embrace healthier ingredients should be a step forward, not a point of contention. Americans from all walks of life should recognize that the pursuit of better health should transcend politics.
Matt Lamb is an AMAC Newsline Contributor and is an associate editor for The College Fix. He previously worked for Students for Life of America, Students for Life Action, and Turning Point USA. He previously interned for Open the Books. His writing has also appeared in the Washington Examiner, The Federalist, LifeSiteNews, Human Life Review, Headline USA, and other outlets. The opinions expressed are his own. Follow him @mattlamb22 on X.
The Left, especially the media, are like little spoiled brats who have temper tantrums when they don’t get their way. They lost power because they were pursuing insane policies, and now all they can do is lie down, kick and scream, and call people names. They desperately need a time out. I’d suggest at least 80 years so my grandchildren can grow up without their policies affecting them.
I always liked Steak n Shake. I don’t eat much fast food period, but it is time to support a business that follows MAHA guidelines.
I for one am so tired of these idiots labeling every damn thing Nazi. How stupid can they get? I, also for one, liked McDonald fires made years ago when they were cooked in beef tallow. Much tastier. The reason our children have matured faster is because of all the hormones poured into our meat products and milk. The reason we have so much cancer is because of all the dyes and chemicals put into our food. It was unheard of, when I was a child, for children to have cancer, be obese, and have the learning issues ie autism that is rampant today. Something needs to be done to curtail the really dangerous chemicals Big Food puts into our food. You can’t even pronounce most of the ingredients. It is ridiculous. Time to wake up people!!!
There were times when there were beef or pork fat only and butter, modern times produced modern substitutes .We are not healthier .
The unhappier Leftists are, the happier I am. Leftists are evil and tyrannical. Unlike Conservatives, when Leftists don’t get their way they throw a tantrum, sometimes violently so. The more explosive their outbursts, the more I am sure that the right thing is being done to morally benefit all.
Could it be…pharma doesn’t want healthy people?
Messes with their bottom line?
No drugs to sell if we are in better health.
GOTTA GIVE STEAK AND SHAKE A TRY – CLOSEST ONE IS 45 MILES AWAY…. HEY, STAKE & SHAKE, PUT ONE IN PITTSBURG (TO COMPETE WITH THE NEW WHAT-A-BURGER) OR MT PLEASANT, TX (ON I-30)!
Can’t wait to visit Steak and Shake!!
It doesn’t matter what the Trump team does, they could have the cure for cancer I their hands, and the nut jobs on the left will call them every name in the book. The left was broken before, now it’s unrepairable. The argue to maintain the idea that they are better than you and know what’s right for you.
Would someone remind all these critics that for all of us older folks we have been very vaccinated when children so measles are not an issue and those fools who let all these foreigners in who have never been vaccinated at all are the ones at risk. Also I would trust nature over technology any day. So what you are not stealing money from innocent folks.
The Left have lost whatever remains of their collective (pun intended) minds! They were soundly beaten in 2024, continue to be squashed and can only throw tantrums like spoiled children. Now they’re resorting to violence and that will not end well for them. You don’t tug on the American Eagle’s tail feathers!
Good point Americans should go back health diet!
I think I’ll be eating more at Steak n Shake!
It’s been my experience that if you don’t like one thing, there’s almost always an option. So,if you don’t like Steak and Shake’s choices about food, eat somewhere else. It’s that simple. RFK is not forcing you to go to one place or another. He is trying to make things better over all by shining the light on what’s most advantageous. If it comes down to someone dictating what I can and cannot eat, well that’s a different matter. So far, I can still cook my food in lard if I choose. And a company that does that can still do it too. If you ban lard you will hear from me, since that’s an infringement on my right to pursue happiness….we tried something like that when prohibition came along and we know how that turned out. So, you folks on the left…go eat your veggie burgers and fake cheese and all the rest…I choose to stuff my face with tasty lard cooked chicken….it’s a choice.
The LEFT are such a hateful group of corrupt, lying elitists, and are truly America’s ENEMIES WITHIN. They pride themselves with being masterful liars, are corrupt to the core, and hate and despise ANYTHING that is good and has moral value. They are the AMERICA-LAST crowd. They fully support Waste Fraud and Abuse (because it makes up their Gravy Train). They support open borders and ALL the illegals, rapists, child-traffickers, drug dealers, arsonists, murderers, and beating and burning people alive, and they do NOT want ANY of them deported. The LEFT also support crime, filth, needles, muggings, and tens of thousands of homeless, many of whom are veterans, living on the streets. And when Trump, or ANY Conservative tries to correct ANY of these issues, they fight, resist, and sue to stop them. YES, THEY TRULY ARE AMERICA’S ENEMIES WITHIN.
What isn’t the left losing what’s left of their minds over?
I do love real butter. But why not use avocado oil instead of beef tallow? Better for cooking due to its high flash point and even healthier than beef tallow. Even RFK likes avocado and olive oils compared to seed oils.
As I recall McDonalds originally used tallow for their fries, and I really enjoyed them. Then they went to the oils that they thought were more healthy and the flavor went in the garbage. They tasted like all the other wanna-bees out there, just kind of blah. I use tallow to make my own fries at home that and it makes a world of difference even without any extra seasonings. I suggest you get an order of fries from McDonalds and an order of fries from Steak and Shake and compare while they are still hot. You be the judge.
Liberalism is a mental disease.
My personal belief is whatever the Democrat, looney, progressive, left is for I am against and vice versa! Many years ago I was one of them but then I wised up, got smart and reregistered no longer called myself a Democrat. When? In the 1960’s I grew up, wised up and left that foolish party!!
Dear Friends of Good Health and Common Sense,
By The Grace of God, I have completely reversed my Type II Diabetes by eating a healthy plant-based Diet.
I had to relearn how to eat all over again and maintain a healthy A1-C, and I must continue to do so daily.
What’s My Point?
If you are a type II diabetic, you can too.
Here’s a tip I learned as I began my Journey towards better health- Sugar is more addictive than Cocaine, it isn’t easy, but it can be overcome.
Make America Healthy again!
Beef tallow is about 50% saturated fat, which can raise “bad” cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association and other health organizations advise limiting saturated fat intake, and some doctors have issued consumer warnings about use of beef tallow. Cooking with cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil is a much healthier option, much better for heart health.
I use only cold-pressed oils from seeds, fruits and nuts– very healthy, full of good nutrients! It costs more but is really worth it. Benefits of cold-pressed oils include: rich in nutrients, heart healthy, anti-inflammatory, antioxident protection, immune system support, good for skin, hair, and overall well-being. I do not believe in ever eating fast food– extremely unhealthy! And I avoid fried foods– also unhealthy. A good Asian stir-fry dish, with lots of healthy vegetables, using a little cold-pressed oil, is delicious, and very healthy! Use of cold-pressed, extra-virgin olive oil in Italian and similar dishes, is very good for your health— the best!
There are way too many chemicals including food dyes that are in all our foods and especially cereals and fast foods. That’s why the average life expectancy for our country is now over 10 years less than Europe and other countries. What is galling is how the same companies that have these harmful ingredients replace them with safer, healthier alternatives for the overseas markets. This needs to change immediately!
What people don’t realize is that seed oils started being used during World War II as a lubricant due to a scarcity of mineral-based lubricants. After the war, there was suddenly a surplus of seed oils, so they decided to monetize the stuff by feeding it to the population in the food supply. This has caused a number of health problems and also forced all sorts of changes to the fire extinguishing equipment used in restaurants because the systems that used to work fine for animal tallow would not put out a fire in vegetable or seed oils. Every restaurant in the country had to be retrofitted with new fire extinguishing systems at quite an expense. The public just never hears about this sort of stuff because the MSM is told not to write or talk about it.
Just like labeling Tesla a Nazi vehicle, labeling fries cooked beef tallow Nazi makes no sense. That’s OK… 77-plus-million people are potential customers and the stupid dumbocraps are advertising for Steak and Shake and Tesla with all of their baloney. I have never heard of Steak and Shake until today. I rest my case.
I’m all in favor of the Left eating all the seed oils and margarine it can!
what else is new with these people? Like Biden with his Social security Fairness Act he did 1/2 job. What about the govt. people who did not get a pension and worked certain years were unable to pAY into social security. Since social security is paying these people who qualify, the one who worked and did not get vested in their govt. jobs those years should be adjusted by their salaries. It is incomplerte. Another 1/2 ass job. This ss fairness act is not fair at all! Ha! Ha!
Funny that the Steak n’ Shake franchise came up for this article. My wife and I enjoyed eating at this establishment until 10 years ago when we received 3 straight poor services at 3 different locations. NEVER STEPPED FOOT INTO ONE SINCE. This article will not change our minds.
I don’t use anything but olive oil in my cooking. I don’t think beef and hog fat are exactly health foods.