I live in Ohio and we have a few "pennstation's" they do the hot subs and cook their fries in peanut oil for the low cholestrol thing. Before we found out about HB's PA we went there and he would nibble on the fries, no reaction I guess the boiling does something to the oil but I won't temp it now that we know.
[This message has been edited by TyTurner (edited June 27, 2006).]

Just earlier this month we were vacationing in Saugatuck Michigan and a movie theater used peanut oil for their popcorn. I have never run across that before. Thankfully there was an allergy alert sign posted on the popcorn machine.

Watch it in the South. Everywhere I went in Georgia and on the way home used it. Up here, in NY, I run into it less, but I do always ask since, unfortunately, my son is really into french fries.
Last one was a Spanish restaurant that serves amazing Paella.

Berryhill's Baja Grill & Cantina uses peanut oil.
They have locations in Houston, Austin, and Dallas.

Macaroni Grill doesn't use peanut oil to fry in, but as long as they are frying their snickers type dessert, they might as well be, and it's not safe to eat anything fried.

I'm in the South, way deep (MS) and we have alot of fish and steak type restaurants that use peanut oil. However, most of these are not "chain" restaurants, they are the mom and pop variety. In addition, we do have here the Chick-Fil-A and such. The McDonald's in our area, BK, and etc. are peanut oil free.
It does seem to be more in these private owned rest. rather than the chains, however, that's just my area, which is very rural!

DS eats at Mac Grill safely all the time--just nothing fried.

I've been told that peanut oil cooks food more quickly, at higher temp. without burning so that is why it is very often used at seafood and/or chicken restaurants. We have never been able to find a seafood restaurant at Myrtle Beach, SC, that doesn't use peanut oil. If anyone out there knows one, please post so I can check it out! There are about 1,500 restaurants along the Grand Strand (Myrtle Beach) but we can only eat at the ones in our own hometown...mostly hamburger/pizza chains. Even the deli in grocery stores may use peanut oil for the two reasons listed above. So always double when ordering from your deli.
Cooking whole turkeys in peanut oil is very popular in the south, too. If ordering poultry, always check to see how it was prepared.
I am thankful that peanut oil is expensive. I hope it stays that way. I highly suspect its cost helps deter companies from using it.

I love seafood and am in the South Carolina for a week every February - amd have no choice but to eat in restaurants.
As 'fromthesouth' said, it seems that all the seafood restaurants in South Carolina use peanut oil. When I'm in SC, I order 'steam & peel shrimp' and a salad at seafood restaurants. I send my chef card to the kitchen with my order.
I have this for dinner almost every evening. Good thing I like shrimp and don't have a problem with cholesterol.
Adele