Latest visit: Dec 2024 (Promenade)
First visit: Nov 2022 (Promenade)
HQ: Atlanta (founded 2002)
Locations: 38 including 7 in Colorado (-1 from our last update). They're in 16 states but not Texas.
It's time for Mr. RJG's Official Mom's birthday dinner! 86 years young, we had to miss last year's celebration as she was recovering from surgery. The plan all along was to come to Ted's Montana, and it was her special request to come here after cancelling out last year. I called ahead to see if it was crowded, given the restaurant anchors a very busy Christmas shopping center. "Not at all" the voice back assured me. So we showed up around 5:30 and were seated promptly. It was certainly a lively restaurant just not packed as it would have been every year prior. No question inflation driving many holiday dinners back home. We ordered a bottle of their house chardonnay (Bison Ridge), which is very good, and at $33 didn't seem like a ripoff.
For dinner, Official Mom went with the Filet, garlic mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and asparagus. Mrs. RJG had the NY Strip with a baked potato and asparagus. And I had the Bison Filet, garlic mashed potatoes, and a cup of their Bison chili (see below). All of it - and I mean all of it - came out perfect. Everyone was satisfied. Official Mom ate every bite, quite an accomplishment for her age! Mrs. RJG was thrilled her steak was well done yet still flavorful. And I love the lean tenderness and flavor of buffalo meat.
At $200 including tip, it actually felt like a splurge meal that was worth the money, especially these days. I think that's what it would have cost us had we gone to Shake Shack or Five Guys instead, minus the wine of course. We're so out of whack right now. In any case, Ted's Montana continues to ignore recent trends, and offers a quality dine experience. Good on them!
---original 11/26/22 review
I'd heard of Ted's Montana Grill in my business travels throughout the US, but never actually went there, though I seem to recall one time where it was planned but we dined elsewhere (this was in Detroit circa 2007). Mrs. RJG was in the mood for a burger, and she'd heard that Ted's was one of the best in town - from a neighbor I believe. Ah, why not? So on this fine Saturday we sauntered over for lunch (not too far from where we reside), hoping not to battle the Christmas buying crowd. It wasn't too bad and we found a parking spot nearby. Walking in, the restaurant is well appointed and is made to look like an old fashioned western spot shoehorned into the main drag. Cozy booths with mood lighting enhance the effect.
Despite having a full bar area, their taps are lacking of craft beers. They have their own beer made by New Belgium called Ted's Big Sky Lager. So I ordered that. Not too bad - refreshing, but very light if looking for more heft in your beer. Didn't think New Belgium would make something this light.
We went straight to order. Mrs. RJG asked for the bacon cheeseburger (beef) with 50/50 fries and onion rings. And I ordered a regular cheeseburger (with swiss) with a cup of their bison red chili. They brought out the latter first, topped with onions, cheese, and jalapeno's. Wow - what a great chili! The bison is soft and velvety. Very flavorful. I'm getting a bowl next time. Mrs. RJG loved her burger - perfectly cooked well done, the ground beef was also soft and tasted great. The only problem is they didn't toast the bun, always a gripe with the Misses. Mine was pretty much the exact same minus the bacon. I had every intention of ordering the bison, but for whatever reason I uttered beef. Mrs. RJG isn't a fan of the meat but I am! No complaints from me at all - delicious burger. The fries were good if not distinctive. The onion rings had a nice batter - that completely fell off the onion lol. All in all, a very positive experience. Mrs. RJG and I both agree that the Official RJG Mom would love this place. She has a birthday coming up, so we'll see. I'm sure their steaks are great too.
The Ted in Ted's Montana Grill is Ted Turner - the CNN and TBS guy. Sort of takes the magic out of the whole Montana thing, though I think he's the largest private landowner there - or at least close to it. The corporation is based in Atlanta. Nationwide there are 39 locations with 8 in Colorado, and 7 of those are in the Denver area. There are none in Texas.
11/26/22 (new entry); 12/19/24
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