It has been a struggle!
At 222 Speakeasy, we’ve always believed that food should taste amazing and make you feel good. That’s why we’re excited to announce a major change: in the coming months, we’ll be transitioning from using seed oils in our fryer to a custom-built solid animal-fat fryer — one of the very first of its kind in the United States.
We couldn’t find a solid-fat fryer available commercially here in America, so we had one made specifically for us. It’s a big step forward in our mission to serve food that’s not only delicious but also healthier and more natural.
The Problem with Seed OilsMost restaurants use common seed oils like canola, soybean, or corn oil for frying. These oils are cheap and convenient — but they come with serious drawbacks:
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Highly processed: Seed oils go through chemical extraction and high-heat refining that strip away nutrients and create unstable compounds.
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Unstable at high heat: When heated for frying, these oils can oxidize and release harmful free radicals.
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Not natural to human diets: Seed oils only entered our food supply on a mass scale in the last 100 years — a blink of an eye compared to human history.
In short, seed oils are convenient for the food industry but not necessarily the best choice for your health.
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Why Animal Fats Make SenseFor thousands of years, traditional diets relied on natural animal fats like lard, tallow, and butter. These fats:
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Are stable at high heat: Perfect for frying without breaking down into harmful compounds.
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Rich in natural flavor: They give food that unmistakable crisp, golden crunch and depth of taste.
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What our bodies recognize: Human metabolism evolved with animal fats, making them easier to process than industrial seed oils.
This isn’t about going “retro” for the sake of it — it’s about returning to what’s natural and time-tested.
What This Means for You
When you bite into our fried chicken, wings, or mochi donuts in the near future, you’ll notice:
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A cleaner, richer flavor that lets the food shine.
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Food that’s less greasy and heavy, because animal fats drain differently than seed oils.
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The peace of mind knowing we’re moving toward a more wholesome, traditional way of cooking.
The Future of Frying at 222 Speakeasy
We’re proud to lead the way with one of the first custom solid-fat fryers in America. This transition is more than just a cooking method — it’s a statement: that food should be real, rooted in tradition, and better for your body.
Stay tuned as we share updates, photos, and behind-the-scenes stories about this exciting change. We can’t wait for you to taste the differen
The post We are replacing Seed Oils with Traditional Animal Fats first appeared on 222 Speakeasy.