Are Penn Station Fries Vegan? Here’s What To Expect

Penn Station is one of the busiest transit hubs in the world, serving more than 650,000 passengers each day. However, the question on many people’s minds is whether or not their fries are vegan. Here we will explore Penn Station’s fry ingredients and provide a verdict on whether their fries are vegan or not.

Photo by Stanislav Kondratiev

While the Penn Station website does not specifically state that the fries are vegan, they mention the oil used in the fries is all vegetable plant-based and meets Kosher status.

Their website also mentions their proprietary seasoning is vegan. Based on this information, it seems safe to assume that the Penn Station Fries are vegan. As with all things, it is always best to check with the restaurant to be sure.

Photo by Dzenina Lukac

Penn Station Fries are described as and-cut Idaho® Potatoes flash-fried in cholesterol-free peanut oil. The fries are available in small, medium, and large sizes.

Below, we explore:

  1. Can Vegans Eat French Fries?
  2. Are Chick-fil-A fries vegan?
  3. Are Arby’s fries vegan?
  4. Are Ore-Ida fries vegan?
  5. Are Wendy’s fries vegan?
  6. Are McDonald’s fries vegan?
  7. Are Taco Bell fries vegan?
  8. Are Burger King’s fries vegan?
  9. Are KFC fries vegan?
  10. Bottom Line

1. Can Vegans Eat French Fries?

French fries may be vegan-friendly or not, depending on the oil used for frying and if it is served with any animal-based seasoning.

Some french fries are made from potatoes that have been deep-fried in animal fat. This means that they are not suitable for vegans, as they were prepared using animal products.

However, many companies offer vegan-friendly French fries that are made using vegetable oil instead of animal fat.

Be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure the fries you’re buying are free of animal products.

You can also make your own vegan French fries at home using vegetable oil. Serve them up with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.

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2. Are Chick-fil-A fries vegan?

Chick-fil-A’s Waffle Fries are vegan, as they are made with vegetable oil and do not contain any dairy products.

The ingredients for Chick Fil A Waffle Fries are potatoes, canola oil, and sea salt. The potatoes are cut into a waffle shape and then fried in canola oil until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They are then sprinkled with sea salt for flavor. These fries are vegan-friendly and do not contain any dairy products.

3. Are Arby’s fries vegan?

Yes, Arby’s Curly fries are vegan!

The whole ingredient list is as follows:

Potatoes, vegetable oil (contains one or more of the following: canola oil, soya oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil), bleached enriched wheat flour, salt, corn starch, onion powder, deterred yellow corn meal, spices, garlic powder, leavening (sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate), modified corn starch, dextrose, spice and coloring, natural flavor, dried torula yeast, xanthan gum, sodium acid pyrophosphate (to preserve natural color). Cooked in canola oil. 

If you are allergic or worried about cross-contamination though, be aware that the fries are cooked in the same oil as their other animal products.

4. Are Ore-Ida fries vegan?

Ore-Ida is a brand of frozen potato products owned by the H.J. Heinz Company. The first product produced by the company was french-fried potatoes. Today, Ore-Ida offers a wide variety of potato products, including hash browns, tater tots, and wedges.

Amongst those products, the following are vegan-friendly:

Golden French Fries

Golden Shoestring French Fries

Golden Steak Fries

Golden Crinkles

5. Are Wendy’s Fries Vegan?

Similarly to Arby’s, Wendy’s Natural Cut Fries are not made with any animal ingredients but may be fried in the same stations as animal products.

They are considered vegan from an ingredient standpoint, but please be aware of the risk of cross-contamination if that is important to you.

6. Are McDonald’s fries vegan?

The answer to this question will depend on which country you are in. While McDonald’s fries are vegan in countries such as the UK and Canada, they are not vegan in the United States.

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In the US, while the chain has made the switch to fry them in vegetable oil, the fries still contain natural beef flavor.

The natural beef flavor comes from a beef extract that is added to the potatoes. The beef extract is made from rendered beef fat and extractives of beef and wheat, which gives the fries their characteristic flavor. The fries are also fried in a blend of vegetable oils, which may include beef fat. As a result, McDonald’s french fries are not suitable for vegans in the United States.

7. Are Taco Bell fries vegan?

While the fries themselves and seasoning used at Taco Bell are vegan, keep in mind that they usually come pared in dishes that include cheese and other animal products.

In order to order the Nacho fries with crispy potations vegan, ask for it without the cheese sauce. Another alternative is to ask to make it fresco, which will get you pico de Gallo instead of cheese. Pico de Gallo is vegan, made with tomatoes, cilantro, and white onions.

8. Are Burger King’s fries vegan?

Burger King’s classic fries are vegan-friendly. The fries are made using vegetable oil and contain no other animal ingredients.

9. Are KFC fries vegan?

Yes, the KFC fries are made will all plant-based ingredients and fried in vegetable oil. As always, please be aware of the possibility of cross-contamination from frying them together with other animal products.

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Ingredients: Sea Salt, Monosodium Glutamate, Maltodextrin, Salt, Dextrose, Vegetable Powders (Onion, Carrot, Tomato), Tricalcium Phosphate, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Spices, Soybean Oil, Natural Flavors, Potassium Chloride, Paprika Extract (color), Turmeric Extract (color). Potatoes, Vegetable Oil (Soybean, Canola, Cottonseed, And/Or Sunflower), Bleached Wheat Flour, Contains 2% Or Less Of Rice Flour, Durum Wheat Semolina, Dextrin, Salt, Degermed Yellow Corn Meal, Cornstarch, Leavening ( Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate), Dextrose, Xanthan Gum, Annatto Extract Color, Disodium Dihydrogen Pyrophosphate (To Maintain Natural Color).

10. Bottom Line

Overall, most fast-food chain french fries are vegan. This includes popular chains such as Penn Station, Burger King, and Taco Bell.

However, it is important to be aware of the possibility of cross-contamination, as fries are often fried in the same oil as animal products.

As always, be sure to check the ingredients list to make sure the fries are suitable for your dietary needs.