Spirit of Montana

All-American favorites made fresh next door

By KRISTINE LOUGHMAN
Special to The Citizen

You have probably already heard of Ted’s Montana Grill.

You’ve probably already eaten at this great steakhouse and discovered the fresh, delicious taste of our steaks, burgers, chicken, seafood and bison along with the warm, genuine atmosphere that accompanies it. But just in case you have missed out on this restaurant, here are a few reasons to check it out.

Ted’s Montana Grill was started as a joint venture by Atlanta local Ted Turner and George McKerrow, Jr. of Longhorn Steakhouse fame. The restaurant was designed to capture the spirit of Montana, in both the décor and the menu, featuring all-American favorites made with fresh ingredients.

Some of these ingredients might take first-time customers by surprise. Ted’s menu prominently features the use of bison. While some might be apprehensive to try this “other” meat, bison beef is leaner and contains more iron than regular hamburger, making the numerous varieties of bison burgers on the menu delicious and an excellent choice for the health-conscious.

Michael Hipps, proprietor of the Fayetteville location, is a bison fan and counts the bison filet as one of his favorite menu items. “It is fork-tender, low in fat and high in protein,” he explained. “It is better for you than skinless chicken.”

But bison is only one aspect of this menu that features a classic American comfort food theme echoed in every entrée and side item. Popular mouth watering choices include Roasted Beer Can Chicken, comprised of fresh, chicken infused with rosemary, garlic and Anchor Steam beer, then roasted to perfection.

Another customer favorite is the Fresh Cedar Plank Salmon, oven-roasted with a hint of cedar flavor, served with garlic mashed potatoes, slow-simmered green beans and a side of creamed horseradish sauce. Daily Blue Plate Specials are available for both lunch and dinner and offer a rotating menu of favorites like Bison meatloaf and chicken fried chicken with county gravy. Friday’s Absolute Best Fish Sandwich lives up to its claim of being absolutely delicious and Sunday’s roast turkey and dressing will take you back to those good old days of family gathered around the table for the Sunday feast.

Other menu items include made from scratch soups of the day, ranging from homemade chicken noodle to New England clam chowder with the bison chili served everyday. Choose from numerous salads, including the “Big Sky” Cobb Salad, comprised of iceberg and romaine tossed in a basil-vinaigrette, layered with bleu cheese, avocado, chopped crisp bacon, vine-ripened tomatoes, scallions, diced egg and Parmesan croutons, all topped with diced chicken breast. Then there are, of course, those famous burgers and chicken sandwiches, available topped with all sorts of ingredients from cheese to avocado slices. Try one with a side of outstanding “salt n’ pepper” onion rings, some of the best onion rings in Fayette County.

A full range of dessert and beer options round out the meal.

“All of our food is fresh, made in house from scratch,” Hipps emphasized. “There is no microwave, no freezer except for the ice cream. Our meat is never frozen. Steaks are hand cut in house, and the bison and beef is ground twice daily and then hand-formed into patties as our customers order them.”

Ted’s is also striving to be an eco-friendly establishment, using menus made from recycled paper and serving soft drinks in recyclable glass bottles. Even food ordered to go is placed in containers made from recycled materials, and the to-go utensils are the only plastic you’ll find in the restaurant.

“Ted’s is a new concept in dining,” Hipps said. “We’re a fine casual restaurant.”

No one has to dress up to get into this establishment, but patrons will find the same excellent quality in menu selection and ingredients as you would at an elegant restaurant. Hipps describes Ted’s as a turn of the century grill, with an all natural and warm setting. Staying true to its name, the restaurant’s décor mimics the charm of an authentic Montana bar and grill, using plenty of rich wood paneling and other natural materials, complemented by framed paintings of the sweeping wilderness.

The restaurant’s Web site, www.tedsmontanagrill.com, describes Ted’s as “a gathering place for family and friends, offering comfort food for the 21st century.” Proprietor Michael Hipps has seen to it that Ted’s in Fayetteville fits perfectly into this excellent concept.

Ted’s Montana Grill is located at 1360 Ga. Highway 85 North in Fayetteville, behind O’Charley’s near the Fayette Pavilion. Another Fayette location is in Peachtree City at 314 City Circle in The Avenue. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 770-460-9354.