Decided to satisfy my steak craving during a late night at work. Ted's is right next door so it was the obvious choice. I arrived a few minutes early and sat at the bar. The bartender was pleasant enough and immediately went to check on my food. My food comes out about 5 minutes later. I check the bag and then have to ask for utensils. She looks and tells me she does not see any. Someone goes to the back to look and still no luck. The manager comes to look and then just walks off. The bartender has to yell to ask if she found any. The bartender looks at me, shrugs her shoulders, says a very nonchalant "sorry', and then walks off. Um, yeah I did order a steak. Back at work, I managed to find a utensil package at the back of a drawer - semi-crisis averted. I start in on my steak and the taste is amazing. After 2 bites, I notice that my medium steak has turned into medium rare. Ok, I've had it before so I continue. I had to stop when medium rare turned into rare. Then other side of the steak was medium well and well done! I'm not even sure how that happens. Such inconsistency in an otherwise flavorful steak. First impressions are everything to me and Ted's definitely missed the mark.
(2)
Jesse C.
I've been to this location 4 locations now. All 4 times were for lunch. If you are going to go during lunch, go early. The place seems to get packed fast. I have tired both the bison burgers as well as their beef burgers. I've also had the bison meatloaf. To be honest, they just taste like regular burgers. I personally like the beef burgers better, I think it's more flavorful and juicer then the bison. I know bison is leaner, but if that's what you like go for it =) The bison meatloaf was decent, but then again nothing special. If I go back again for lunch, I'll just stick with the beef burgers. Every time I've been here, the service was good. The wait staff has always been friendly, and the wait isn't too long. Considering how packed the place is during lunch. I think they do a good job of it. Our drinks are always full, and they are always happy to bring out more pickles. I'm a fan of pickles. These pickles are descent. The could use a little more brining, but that o.k. Still good. Overall, it's a descent place to eat. Nothing fancy, just ordinary food. Prices are a little high, but isn't everything these days?
(3)
Jeff K.
I tried the green and hot burger at this Montana grill and I got the bison. I couldn't tell the difference between beef or bison. The burger was good. The Green (avacado) and the hot (jalapeno chilis) made this burger even better. As for sides, I didn't opt for the fries, I chose a baked potato and a side of steamed brocholi. The potato may have been sitting a round a while but the brocholi was cooked right. It wasn't dark green and evenly cooked. It was a decent eveningi for my first time there. Would I go back, yes.
(3)
Robert W.
I was disappointed in my "buffalo meat loaf". Perhaps I just don't care for buffalo. Overall excellent service. Prices were reasonable, In spite of all of this I probably won't ask to return and won't eat here again on my own. Very popular restaurant.
(3)
Adam B.
I went to Ted's about a year ago before I moved to Virginia. I remembered having a decent experience so I decided to take my girlfriend there for Valentine's Day (2014). After we were sat, we waited around 10 minutes before we asked the hostess where our server was. When we were finally waited on, our server gave a half-hearted apology and seemed annoyed. My girlfriend and I agreed that she probably wasn't the server who covered the area we were sat. She took our complete order all at once. Throughout our entire meal she only came by once and that was when she asked if I needed another beer as she walked by to another table. She didn't seem to care about our table... As for the food. We were going to order the crab cake for a starter until we were informed that the $13 appetizer included only one crab cake about the size of a coaster. Unless the crab is fresh from the Bering Sea and I'm in Anchorage, Vancouver, or Seattle, $13 for one crab cake is absolutely ridiculous. We decided on the grilled shrimp and while it was tasty, that too, was a little pricy ($10 for 5 shrimp). I ordered a medium bison bacon burger. It was slightly over-cooked but tasted okay. My steamed broccoli needed another couple minutes of steam, as it was a little too hard to be served unless as part of a salad. Not to mention bland. The presentation of my plate was awful. It was the just the burger and two extremely small florets of broccoli. I mean if there was more broccoli it might have looked better... My girlfriend ordered the salmon, which was really good. Her yam was also pretty tasty. Her green beans looked ok but I didn't try them. Her dish was better prepared and better presented than mine by far. I have to add this last point. I ordered a Blue Moon and my girlfriend a martini. The glassware was filthy. There were water spots and crusted food on both glasses. Once again, horrible presentation. I'll probably try Ted's again but not anytime soon.
(2)
Heather M.
I'm only giving it one star since I cannot give zero stars. I went with a friend for an after-dinner drink, and was not impressed. The bar looked rundown, and rather dirty. The bar counter looked like it had seem better days, and the area smelled like old, wet towels. The worst part was the service. We waited for five minutes before the one bartender brought drink menus. We waited some more and he didn't come back. We put on our coats and left. I will not go back to Ted's anytime soon.
(1)
Edward Tj G.
This is another example of good food hanging out with bad service. The short and pretty, my Red Bison Burger was fantastic though it took forever to order and then my waitress disappeared. The service is one of the worst locations I have ever been to and the manager's response was, "it is Sunday, what do you want?" Maybe to tell me that if I didn't want to wait an hour for my dinner to go elsewhere. This place isn't cheap and for that reason alone you should not go here since the service is nonexistent.
(2)
Carol D.
We've eaten at other Ted's before, and are always happy. This was our first time at this location, and we met up with out of town work colleagues. The food was very good - we had the ribeye, burgers, salmon, and pot roast. We had bison chili nachos and onion rings as appetziers. The service was OUTSTANDING! Our server, Alex, was very professional, super friendly, extremely efficient - absolutely charming. We will be back.
Visited Teds on a Monday night around 8pm. Had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table while 4 tables were open near the window at the front of the restaurant. 3 people in our party. We asked about the empty tables and were told that those are saved for parties of 5 or 6. Seems to me that you might want to sit the people who are in your restaurant, rather than wait for the possiblility of larger parties potentially coming in, but what do I know. So, we had a drink near the bar while we waited. Service was good. Food was ok. I had the Bison pot roast with the grilled shrimp appetizer. Shrimp were delicious and the flat bread it was served on with butter and garlic was the best part of the meal. The pot roast portion was small. I substituted the mashed for the corn caserole, big mistake there, but live and learn. The other two had burgers and they were happy with their selections.
(3)
Mark D.
Great burger, mixed drink and desert but the wait was a little long even though it was an hour after the lunch rush. Price a little high but comparative to the rest of Crystal City. Over all 3 1/2 to 4 Stars
(4)
Keith O.
I had some friends from out of town who were here on business and I recommended we meet at Ted's Montana Grill in Crystal Drive, although I had never eaten there before. Huge mistake. Won't be back soon. And won't be encouraging anyone to go either. Food was decent but overpriced. I had the Swiss Mushroom bison burger. Moreover, service was one of the worse I had ever experienced. First server was very abrupt and impatient. We ended up with a group of 8 from the initial 10 I reserved. He insisted we were all going to fit around one round table comfortably. We were already seated around 2 tables joined together. I told him we were fine the way it was set up. He finally coalesed. After our food was served the server changed. She checked on us once. The next time she stopped by was to give us our bill. We waited for close to 15 min before she came back to take my credit card for payment, even after I signaled the greeter about it. When I stood up to go was when she came. The greeter was helping bus tables. I don't think they are staffed properly to be able to attend to diners better. And I have not seen a response from management to comments on this venue. So I suspect they really don't care and are getting enough business. Two stars only because food was decent and Bison was on the menu. That makes it peculiar and unique.
(2)
WP L.
Good Food. Good Service. Comfortable/Cozy Atmosphere. Will come again!
(4)
Sarah S.
We ate here with 3 adults and 4 kids and thought this place was great! Walked in at 7 pm, no reservations on Thursday night, and were seated right away. Kids menus had great choices, even salmon! Food was excellent! Price was very reasonable as well....we'd eat here again for sure!
(4)
Diane S.
I had been to the Ted's in nyc near rockafeller but was not impressed. I just had a snack here at the bar, after class getting invited by a friend. I got the 50/50 side of fries and onion rings and let me just share and tell you that the onion rings are huge!! Super good too :) The fries are okay. Only $3.50 for a full plate. My friend got the bison burger which was huge!! He said he prefers beef though. Its $2 more to get the bison. We also got lemonades which my friend said were to die for, but I've had better at like theme parks. They say the lemonade is fresh squeezed. Unlimited free refills is a plus! It was a little too sweet for me but I liked the crushed ice they put.
(4)
Rachel E.
I got terrible food poisoning from their Trout. Not fun at all. It's too bad... I loved their baked sweet potato.
(2)
Ju L.
Pros: Bison meat is an option, which I highly recommend over beef. Nice aura. Cons: Extremely inefficient waitstaff and cooks. It shouldn't take 45 minutes to seat customers during down time. We shouldn't need to hunt the waiter down anytime we needed something. Also, it shouldn't take 30 minutes to cook an order during said down time.
(3)
Sean T.
Food was great, staff was great and the bison was amazing.
(5)
Tee F.
Went here Saturday night to eat. Nice atmosphere. Hubby and I had bison for the first time and really liked it over beef. So we were seated and had to wait a few min before our waitress came to the table. She brought out that pickled cucumber which I didn't like. Hubs had no problem with it because he dive right in and finished it. We placed our order and it didn't take too long before we got it. Food was good, except I hated that my bread was dry and cold. I which they had heated the bread since the meat just finish and it was warm. Who eats dry cold bread? Def not this girl. I literally tore that bread apart trying to find the soft part so I could eat. After we were through with our meal we want to catch a movie, we check the time the time and notice one starts at 10:15. We had 15 mins to spear and the theatre was literally a mile away. Unfortunately that didn't happen bc we couldn't find our waitress to pay. We sat there the whole 15 mins and I decided to use the bathroom hoping that when I return hubs was ready to go. I walk towards the back of the restaurant and to my surprise I found out waitress seating down enjoying her meal. Really :/ I'm trying to leave and u stuffing ur face. She was surprise to see me so by the time I went back hubs already paid and we were finally able to leave. Bottom line is the food was good but the service sucks
(3)
Nelson H.
Based off of the reviews about the Bison burger, I couldn't resist. I ordered it medium with bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce. It was a pretty good burger and like the other reviewer mentioned, you are able to customize any side which is convenient because after awhile you just get tired of having fries, so I ordered a sweet potato instead. My girlfriend had gotten a regular burger and she enjoyed it as well.
Few things in life hit the spot like a honey mustard soaked slab of fried chicken between two pieces of Ciabatta bread. God bless America all that deep fry within her! The food here is great. I'm not a huge Bison fan, I get the beef, or chicken. This inst a place to go when your on a diet, that much is true, but when one feels the need to widen the ol' belt, this be the place to do it. American Food is all about excess - Ted Turner knows this fact, and prays to his excess altar every night. Ted's is an interesting place. One one hand, I feel the uncontrollable urge to kill a buffalo and sear its meat over a wood stove under the Orion constellation - but on the other hand, I'd better use organic wood and recycle those ashes when I'm done. I'm all for a "Greener" experience at dinner. So much is just wasted these days.Ted's tackles this with a recycled interior. Straws, table cloth, coasters - its all recyclable. I guess this is how Ted counter acts his 1500 calorie Chicken sandwich. But it's a green chicken sandwich.......
(4)
Kevin M.
Would give 0 stars but not an option. Never had a chance to try the food. Incompetent hostess told us we had a 30 minute wait when we checked in. Went back to check at 40 minutes and were told we were next. After 10 more minutes went back to check status and was told at least 30 more minutes. Told them they were incompetent and left.
(1)
Amanda K.
i'd like to start out with a applause to the waitress that i had. i wish i remembered her name. she was so polite, professional, and thorough. she used reflective listening regarding our orders and was just amazing. i really enjoyed the old school feel of this place. they had every detail down to the powdered soap in the bathroom! that was a real throw back to my elementary school days! i also loved the paper straws they had for the beverages. i've never see that before! i took two home for a mini souvenir. HEHE i ordered the avalon. it had Gruyere, blue cheese, argula, onion and a garlic aoli. with buffalo of course! it was okay. it was a bit dry and i ordered "medium" which i assumed would be pink in the center but it was cooked all the way through. got onion rings that were big and thick. came with a side of ranch. pretty good. i don't like when i bite into an onion ring and the whole onion doesn't come out and all you're left with is the crispy shell. not a problem here! cucumbers: complimentary and delish!! its not quite pickled like a jar of pickles but it is just refreshing. dessert: they have these really great cookies! they are really thin and yummy. i had the snickerdoodle. however they ran out of cookies. the double chocolate cookie is really heavy, it was like a meal in itself! overall the food was good but not amazing. my burger was a bit dry and was cooked welldone rather than the medium i requested.
(3)
Tiger C.
After a tough morning, the answer is bison, straight up get your bison and recover afterwards. Got the bacon, egg, blackberry jam, bison burger here and it is a piece of art. Bison is cooked to a medium setting in this instance, and it is a real unique experience, superbly filling and tasty. The atmosphere and setting here during the power lunch period is great, lots of movers and shakers here, all of them thoroughly drained after going through the bison. Recommend this place, just think they should have a liability waiver signing that you may not be productive after consumption of bison.
(4)
Donald P.
Not bad...not great. Wednesday lunch, this place is pretty full. Montana Burger (w/beef, not bison) and with onion rings, Included cheddar cheese, a thick slice of grilled ham, sauteed onions, and bbq sauce. The pices of meet were THICK. You definitely get you money's worth here in meat, but the bun is severely lacking. As you can see from my picture, the kaiser roll appears flat, and grossy inadequate to handle the inards. I would have definitely appreciated a thicker and firmer bread. The onion rings were thick and big, but some where also mangled and ugly. Taste was actually quite forgetable. Fresh Fish Sandwich w/ fries, and cole slaw My co-worker ordered this one, but he said he liked it...even after I warned him that another YELP reviewer didn't recommend it. For the money you pay, I almost postiive I won't be coming back here, but I wouldn't discourage others from going...I would just tell them not to expect too much.
(3)
Andres M.
I can't remember ever going to a restaurant where waitress recommended ordering from a nearby restaurant because this restaurant didn't have something my son wanted. That is what happened hear. My 4 year old was so happy and he loved the food. This place has excellent service, is family friendly, and great food. Next time I am in virginia I will definitely return.
(5)
Craig S.
I started with a cup of Bison chili and it was very good, they don't skimp on the amount of ground bison in this item and the red onions on top were fresh and crisp. Please, if you've never been here, don't get fish or a regular burger your first go-around, get a bison burger! I had the plain ole bison with Swiss. I don't want all the extra stuff, that takes away from the meat taste, just cheese, lettuce, onion and a little BBQ sauce. Cooked perfectly as ordered-medium. It was soooo good. Extremely juicy, so keep your napkin close, you're going to need it. Juicey as in - NOT GREASY AT ALL. That's one of the benefits of bison, much lower fat content than cow. Enjoy!
(5)
Angela N.
Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant! Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant!
(4)
Jim L.
Always a awesome work lunch. Get the Ted's chopped with a bison burger on top!
(5)
Angie M.
We (the fam) enjoyed eating at Ted's. The burgers were amazing and big and messy. They were made of Bison, which made us feel bad for sitting under a bison head but......sorry Mr. Bison head, your burgers are delicious!
(4)
Jocelyn R.
I recently moved to the East Coast and have been looking to find a place where I can be considered a "regular." Doesn't everyone want to walk in to somewhere where everyone knows your name? You definitely get good food for reasonable prices here. My friend and I started off with the bison nachos. We've never tried bison before and wanted to try it out on an appetizer before committing to a steak or burger. They were soooooooo goood. Like I could not stop eating them even though I knew I'd spoil my appetite for the main course. For someone who is 5'2 and 114 pounds, I don't really need to order both an appetizer and entree, one will do. At least I know this for next time. I ordered a mushroom burger and it was great too. This isn't your fast food patty. It's large and juicy and flavorful. I could not finish it and had to take it home. And the service was awesome. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave us great suggestions. Will be going back there soon.
(5)
Kevin D.
Would like to review the food, but didn't get that far. Poor hostesses and chaos. Called it quits after an hour and a half of waiting with tons of empty tables. No luck.
(1)
Thugnificent M.
I've been to two of these before and they're all pretty much the same. If you've never been been to a Ted's they're a lot like a McCormick and Schmidt or any other classier chain restaurant. The staple of this chain is the bison burger. If you've never had bison before its gameier than regular beef, but I had no problems with it. Tasted like a normal burger. They're supposed to be healthier than beef burgers but they're a bit more expensive. Bottom line if you happen to go here get bison. Hate it or love it you got to get it because its what people do here. I hate meeting or hooking up with scurvy girls, but every time I go to Bmore, Baltimore for you non-Marylanders, I gotta do it. When in Rome.
(3)
Chris C.
Lots to choose from on the menu. Can't go wrong with a burger, steak or chicken if you have to. Portion sizes were right on and the price wasn't outrageous. Overall we really enjoyed eating here. We'll be back, and we'll bring family & friends.
(4)
Stefan A.
Remember Ponderosa ? Same thing but 30 years later... A-Z pure crap. Malbec, good. Delmonico steak, very, very average. Fries, terrible. Highlight of the meal was the cole slaw.
(2)
Jasen F.
4.5 stars - solid. Every location I've been to has stellar service and great food and this is my most frequent location. Even when dining on per diem, I feel like visiting Ted's is a treat. Perhaps I get nostalgic surrounded by all that wood, the tiled floors, the paper straws and the dry, powdered soap in the washrooms, but the food always delivers as well. I tend to always get the same thing - New Mexico Bison burger (there are no buffaloes in American - google it), medium-rare, with coleslaw. It's cooked perfectly in their fine kitchen and the first bite is nearly as tender, juicy, and wonderful as the first (usually minus the Anaheim pepper that got stolen a while back). I get coleslaw because I can't pass up the salt-n-pepper onion rings which feature thickly sliced onions battered up well and served with a side of horseradish sauce. My only complaint is the draft beer list - not very big and they tend to only feature one seasonal.
(4)
Glenn C.
Good Onion Rings and Bison Burgers (any way you like it)! Service was very slow; that's why I am only giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Mansoor M.
It was one of those nights when you feel you gotta try something new.Looked up couple place in the neighborhood and decided to dine at TMG. Ordered a New Mexico burger , crab cakes , The food was pretty much average ,I guess people go to this place more just to have a sort of group dinner.The service started well but ended up in the waiter forgetting something i ordered.Well didn't really make a big deal of it.Nothing to tempt me to go back anyway.
(3)
Chris S.
Nice little place along the Crystal Drive strip. Came here when Buffalo Wild Wings was too full. Burgers were pretty good, had the cheddar and fries, wife had bacon cheddar, and my father had the red rock. Everyone seemed pleased with it, although for three people it came out to be about 40. There was one TV and lucky me we got a seat not at the bar that could watch it. Service wasn't as on point as I would have liked it to be, only getting one, requested refill on my water. I was thirsty damnit!
(4)
Randez H.
My daughter was in town and came to CC to meet me for lunch. Decided on Teds. It was both our 1st time to this restaurant. My daughter grew up loving vinaigrette and cucumbers which by coincidence was brought to our table to nibble on. I ordered the blue cheese steak salad and she ordered the chicken salad. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Would given teds all 5s but the service was a little shaky. Extended wait to order and for check. Plus had to flag someone down to get silverware after food was served. So good food but could improve service.
(4)
Valerie W.
This place is great! It had been a very long time since I had consumed red meat and I just wanted a burger. I was not let down! We ordered the Salt and Pepper Onion Rings as an appetizer, they were fabulous. For my entree, I had the Green and Hot Bison Burger. It was a perfect blend of spicy and savory. My friend wanted to keep it simple and had the Naked Burger, also in Bison. Overall, we had a great time, the food was exactly what we were craving, and the prices reasonable. We will definitely be going back again.
(4)
Mark H.
Burgers schmurgers. Yes they're good, but why waste your time on a freakin' burger when Ted's got BISON RIBEYE? THAT, my friends, kicks seriously delicious ASS!
(4)
Mitchel B.
Tonight my wife and I had dinner at Ted's Montana Grill I had the bison bone in ribeye she had the bison ribeye. We had the salt and pepper onion rings she had spinach and the baked potato I had the kale salad and baked potato everything was delicious. For a beverage I had a strawberry milkshake and my wife had the mountain breeze she said it was fantastic. All in all it was a great experience our server was nice. We did have to ask for water a couple of times other than that it. I would highly recommend eating there as the food was well-prepared and as I said earlier delicious.
(5)
Catalina R.
This review is for service only: A friend and I had dinner at Ted's and ordered the trout and No. 11. The No. 11 was asked to be cooked medium, however, the end result was much closer to well-done. Our server, Theo, was extremely accomodating and apologetic. Theo promptly removed the item from the bill and took the opportunity to present us with a very nice dessert on the house. The manager also came by the table and took the opportunity to express his apologies. We really appreciated how the restaurant managed this error. They went above and beyond!
First time here. Decor was nicer than I expected...could be a little upscale but still casual and kid friendly. They serve marinated cucumbers instead of bread...but ask for bread, it's great. My son had a bison burger with egg and huckleberry jam...he loved it. My wife had the crabcakes...she never had crabcakes with so much crab at a restaurant. I had the bison steak. I am picky and the steak was awesome. Lean, tender and didn't need any sauce. Definitely would recommend and go back again. Server waa very nice.
(5)
Curtis H.
I usually avoid chain restaurants in favor of trying the independent places which are more innovative with their menus. But tried this place a few nights ago because I initially was in the mood for steak and it was close to the hotel. Once in I sat at the bar (single diners usually find themselves relegated to the bar). Was glad I decided to take the bar seat because the bartender turned out to be an excellent waitress as well. She recommended the special, a bone-in bison ribeye, which I ordered medium rare with a side of salt and pepper onion rings (enormous and tasty) and sliced ripe tomatoes. The steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. They have a nice little selection of wines by the glass to wash it all down with. Atmosphere is casual and the service as noted above was excellent.
(4)
Dan S.
Given that I've been to one of these in other cities, I kinda knew what to expect. But that doesn't make the meal less enjoyable. Good service, great chili, good salad, and a strong drink make for an enjoyable time. We got to sit outside on a recent weeknight. Gorgeous. It can be a little loud at times (but quieted down quite quickly at some point) outside, but the few tables that were there made the meal more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the tables didn't seem to fit the chairs -- trying to fit 4 people meant two of us were near the corners. The salad was big and I couldn't finish it but the meat with it was great too. Overall, it's a definite winner in Crystal City -- even if it is a chain restaurant.
(4)
E D.
A great place to have lunch or dinner. Food and service is what you have come to expect from Ted's. They keep pouring ice tea, then charge you $2.99 for each glass; after spending $17.00 on a burger.....not cool.
(3)
Bill P.
Very nice restaurant, courteous service and very attentive. The selection of meals were also very good. Loved the buffalo mounted on the wall, I felt like I was out west in Montana. PS- there is a Cold Stone Creamery next door. I would definitely go there again.
(4)
C B.
Great place for a date night. Haven't had anything here that I didn't like. Can't go wrong with the bison; always tender and tasty. Onion rings are unique with w tempura-like breading; taste good. Enjoyed the bison ribeye and the bison burgers. Kale salad was phenomenal. Apple pecan crisp is big enough for two or more and tasty. Waitress was kind to point out that it was big enough to share. Good service and easy ambiance. Parking garage next door. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Claire A.
My husband and I came here at around 9 pm on a Friday. We got the chips as an appetizer and they were fine but boring. I had a bison burger and I don't know if I'm not a fan of bison or what but it was on of the most bland burgers I've ever had. My husband had the ribs and they were room temperature and the sauce was cold to the point of having congealed on top. Our waitress didn't check till we were almost done, and when he expressed his dissatisfaction she took his plate away and offered to bring something else. He elected for the meatloaf and it was probably worse, again, room temp and congealed sauce. The sides (mashed potatoes, some squash thing) were fine with the exception of the onion rings, which were really thick and practically green. At this point we were just sick of being there. There was no discount or comp despite his repeated expressed disappointment. We live and I work in the area, and there are a ton of places I would rather spend my money on- we won't be back!
(2)
Josh G.
Ted's Montana Grill had good food and nice decor, but nothing was special or unique to their restaurant. The food was most definitely good, but nothing that stood out. And, for the price I don't think it was a good deal. However, our waiter, named Alex, did a very well job in serving us and was very friendly and attentive. Overall, Ted's Montana Grill is a good/decent restaurant!
(3)
Mike R.
There is nothing wrong with the food here....but the service was underwhelming. I mean I had to ask for a drink. Ask for a menu. Ask to order. Ask for water....basically anything I wanted...I had to ask for it. One caveat...I was sitting at the bar. However, it wasn't crowded or very busy.
(2)
Keith N.
This place does not even deserve a star!!! I ordered a roasted chicken and they brought out a prime rib meal. The manager comes out and states that they are out of chicken. So I order the salmon entree and it takes another 20 minutes!! The rest of my party is done eating so I took my meal to go. Unbelievable! The server was not very pleasant and made me feel like it was my fault! By the way the other 4 people in my party heard me order chicken! I don't know if I will ever return back to this restaurant! Final note, the manager comp'd my meal and I threw the meal in the trash!
(1)
Terry H.
You would think when half the menu is burgers, they'd know how to make them. One burger came out wrong bread. The other came out burned when ordered medium. Got one burgers bread fixed, but burned burger came back with fries missing. Then meat patty falling apart. Neither burger had any flavor. To quote my wife, "worst burger I've ever had in my life." Too bad. We came here couple years ago and was good.
(1)
Damaris V.
Had dinner here tonight with party of 7 (incl. 3 kids). Ordered a kids' well-done steak for my son and it came out BURNT! Luckily my husband doesn't mind the charcoal taste so he gave my son his salmon and he ate the steak. I ordered the Ted's Filet, medium with a sweet potato and broccoli. The steak was also overly well done, dry and incredibly tough. The broccoli and sweet potato were both practically raw. I didn't eat any of it. My friends' steaks were also overcooked and rubbery. Their broccoli was also undercooked. Steaks aside, my husband and son really enjoyed the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes and my daughter enjoyed her mac-n-cheese. However, for a restaurant whose entire identity is based upon steak, we were severely disappointed. I gave 3 stars though because our server, Dr. Nora, was a total Rockstar! She absolutely made the less than mediocre food bearable with her awesome sense of humor and attentiveness to our table and my out-of-town friends.
(3)
Beth C.
This steakhouse was within walking distance of my convention hotel. At 5pm on a Friday, it was still quiet--the crowds come later. Our service was top notch throughout the whole meal. My son, who is autistic and a very picky eater, loved their homemade potato chips. I had the balsamic blue steak. It really hit the spot. They didn't skimp on steak, and it was cooked perfectly to medium the way I requested. The variety of toppings combined for great texture. I drank a big sky lemonade, and it was quite tasty. My husband had a bison steak. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Now, he found that the bison wasn't quite to his preference since it was leaner than his usual beef, but he still liked it and thought the cut was very good. This is the sort of place that we'd visit more often if we were locals.
(4)
S K.
I was so impressed! We had a 34 person reunion dinner to plan, and chose Ted's Montana Grill on the recommendation of someone who had previously had a good experience there with a large group. Thank goodness for the recommendation, because our experience was fantastic. The service was outstanding. Patient, attentive, and enthusiastic despite the chaos that such a large group brings. They also accommodated us by providing individual checks, which is such a stress-reliever when coordinating a large group gathering. And on top of being a fabulous experience in terms of logistics, the food was delicious :) We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)
John W.
Wow, had my first Bison Burger. You have to try the Blue Creek Burger. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)
Taylor L.
They have great food amazing atmosphere and the people are very nice. My husband and I were in no rush one day going to eat and we sat down and we were only waiting for about seven minutes which isn't a big deal to us when we could see they were busy. The manager came out and brought chips because we were waiting for seven minutes to get our drink order in. The waitress felt so bad about it even though my husband and I didn't think it was a big deal. We kept telling her it was fine but she was so nice and prompted when it came to food and drinks. We love Teds and it is one of our usual places to go if we want to eat out because we always know it's going to be great.
(5)
Nicole M.
The service is always great and the food is always perfectly cooked and fresh. Something for everyone on the menu. They make great salads with tender chicken and they also do a fabulous job with steaks. The sides that come with the steaks are paired well. Generous portions so you won't leave hungry.
(5)
Drew T.
Twisted shakes are really good! I'm not a big bison or beef consumer but the chicken is good. The potato soup is great here too. It's only offered on certain days though.
(4)
Emann B.
Popped in for lunch with my big bro and took two seats at the bar. The affable bartender was a real treat, almost as much as the thick and chunky cup of chowder I started with. I had the farmhouse salad which was chock full of bacon, chicken, kale, and other veggie delights, nicely dressed with a tangy citrus dressing. It was huge and I took half of it home and finished it off 24 hours later for lunch. Still crisp and delicious after a night in the fridge. Now that's a good salad!
(4)
Kristopher H.
Very good experience. Ahmed our server was exceptional would eat at again. Burgers were great
(5)
Angela I.
Delish!!! I had the bison meatloaf and my friend had a burger! Well-seasoned and both amazing!
(5)
Bridget R.
My husband and I had a great time visiting this restaurant while on a business trip. Unlike some other posters mentioned, we had no problem with service. In fact our waitress was very sweet, helpful in appetizer reccomendation. Our waitress even brought us a new basket of fries, when we felt like ours were a bit undercooked. Burgers were tasty, ans unique. The guacamole burger I had was spicy, just like I wanted! Overall worth checking out!
(4)
Peter W.
So I ordered the prime rib and I couldn't cut or chew it without a struggle. I was doubting my choice so much I asked and the bartender and he says that's supposed to be a tough cut. I guess I forgot or maybe I need to lift weights or something. I turned it back in and upgraded to a filet. Much better and tender, next time I'll know. Kudos to the bartender for being patient.
(4)
Gerald V.
Ted's is a favorite of mine. Casual atmosphere, booth seating. They have a good menu selection of big salads, sandwiches and meals. Everything I have ever tried was good. Fish, chicken, beef and bison. They have a house wine that is very good as well. There is something for everyone on the menu. The nachos were not that great, :(. Service is usually above average. The place can get crowded sometimes. So where r you want a burger salad or steak you will find something. Worth a visit.
(3)
Erin B.
New year's eve dinner and we unfortunately added another BS experience to 2014. We decided to eat here because everyone else was closed and we needed to eat some food before our planned heavy drinking for the night. The dinner was so bad that my friend offered to hack into Yelp in order for me to leave a no star rating. It was five of us and three of us ordered the same burger, the Red Rock. The Red Rock had Z sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, pepper jack cheese and fried onions. They brought out some burgers with jelly on it, that's it. When we asked the servers about the burgers they said they were right and asked us if we were sure we remembered what we ordered. Heffa, I think I would know what I ordered. The burgers took forever to come to the table and when we sent them back it took another forever. Finally they came back and they were cooked to DEFF... like super well done. Luckily they comped all of the burgers so we only paid for drinks and one meal. They gave my husband a free apple pie crisp because his burger was F-ed up again and they gave us cookies that tasted like ass. Just don't come here.
(1)
Joshua W.
This place was outstanding in every way a restaurant can be. Service, food and value for yout $$$
(5)
Jay J.
This really should be a great place. Atmosphere is good and could be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, food quality must be a second thought. Ordered the chili as a starter. Although served lukewarm, it was spicy and pretty good. But just as I started my third spoon full, my entre was dropped on the table. By the time I got to the "meatloaf classic" the gravy was congealed and meatloaf cold. It was served with fair mash potatoes and half cook squash casserole. Oh...and a cold stale roll. So disappointing. I had such hope!
(2)
MJ C.
I ventured to this restaurant for the purpose of enjoying a great burger. Everyone knows that there are hundreds of burger joints in and around the district and for some reason I chose to go to Ted's. From beginning to end it was a disappointing experience. The complementary pickled cucumbers were clearly old by texture and taste. I ordered a "hand torn" side salad which was full of brown cut marks, showing it was clearly old and not hand torn. As an appetizer we ordered the sliders which were a disgrace. At least, a restaurant should make a dish presentable, but for some reason they believed that putting the meat half on the bun and serving a torn in half bun was acceptable. For my main corse I ordered the peppercorn burger cooked medium. The burger was cooked welldone and was served with a chewy stale bun and unmelted cheese. Really?!! Non melted cheese on a cheese burger??? With numerous choices for burgers in the area, why chose a joint that cannot even serve the basics on a plate in a semi-presentatble fashion. the server was great, the kitchen was slow, the atmosphere was nice, the food was very poor. 2 stars and nothing more. I am disappointed because I really wanted to like this place. Will I give them another chance...... still up in the air.
(2)
Stacy L.
I'll be honest. I have heard a lot of hype about this place and I found it to be nothing special. We were seated right away on a Saturday night which was great but then we had to wait for our server. I think the server was what ruined it for me. Lulu. First she came to our table chomping away on gum. That shouldn't be allowed at a nicer restaurant, even if it is a burger joint. Then, we could never find her. She had a big table and was clearly overwhelmed by it. We asked her to describe some things on the menu since this was our first time here and she couldn't really explain anything or give us suggestions. We had to ask her several times to bring us pickles for the table. Also had to ask for ketchup several times. The ketchup should have been given to us before the burgers came out. I never had bison meat before but decided to go ahead and get it. I had the mushroom swiss burger. It was ok. Definitely not worth $15! My bun was completely soggy. I kept wanting to ask my waitress for another bun but she didn't come to the table once after we got our food, except to finally bring us our bill. The onion rings were very good though. Not sure I will be back here any time soon.
(2)
Patrycja S.
One of our favorite place in Crystal City to go and eat a burger! Great every time, not a big fan of their french fries, but love the shakes... Can't stay away from pickles. Im highly recommending this place...
(4)
Jason S.
Had a steak craving and regretfully selected Ted's over the premium steakhouse and service standard across street. From the moment I arrived here, I couldn't seem to get a handle on what exactly was going on. The service and staff appeared inexperienced. I sat at the bar next to some dirty plates and silver that were not cleared for at least 10-15 minutes. A garden salad and some undercooked rolls arrived eventually. After my overcooked beef filet finally arrived, in a starved stupor I finished my baked potato (they nailed this !) and politely asked for a manager. When offered to recook another filet, i declined. Ted? tsk tsk tsk. Next time I'll clean up a bit more and scoot across the street to the steakhouse that rhymes with tooths fist! ;-)
(2)
Angela W.
The food was ok they were not ready for your group although we had reservations. The waitress screwed up your tickets so bad that it took over an hour to get them straightened out. Do not recommend for larger group. There was a larger group after ours and they screwed up their checks too. Waitress served us water that was warm and asked if it was ok without ice. That is what we are drinking. Ugg
(2)
Chris S.
I stood around for a while waiting to be seated although there were very few other customers at 5pm on a snow day. However, once the hostess finally sat me my server was great--friendly, cheerful, and frequently checking to see of I needed anything. Decor is quasi western with checkered table cloths. Borax soap and a vintage paper towel roller in the men's room. Not much of a wine by the glass selection and stingy pours. The carrots and broccoli sides were good. Wedge salad was okay. The buffalo NY strip steak was okay. Nothing wrong with it but to my taste it wasn't nearly as good as prime beef. It's probably better in a burger vs a steak. The apple crisp dessert was huge and very good.
(3)
Chris R.
During our last visit here about two months ago the service was significantly better. The waitress came and was constantly checking on us. The new manager also came by at the end of the meal to make sure we were satisfied with our food and dining experience. I will continue to update my review of Teds but it seems to be trending in the right direction.
(4)
Pegah Y.
Ted's Montana Grill has some solid burgers, albeit a bit on the pricey side (about $15 on average!). My friend and I visited right after work a couple weeks ago and the place was PACKED around 6:00pm! I suppose it makes sense, since a lot of people work in the Crystal City area. We both decided to order burgers. You have the choice of bison or beef burger. Since I'd tried bison burger a couple years and found it a bit too gamey, I decided to stick with the beef burger. I ordered the "Peppercorn" (I'd never had a peppercorn burger before!), which was seasoned and seared with peppercorns, Gruyère cheese, herb Dijon mustard and baby arugula. It was very delicious. And the thin fries that came with it were excellent as well. We also got drinks - girly margaritas. I enjoyed my strawberry margarita on the rocks, with sugar (instead of salt) on the rim of my glass. The service was decent and the restaurant has a classier (but not too upscale) feel to it. They seem to be very environmentally-friendly and we got these interesting paper compost straws. I appreciated that they are trying to go green (much respect for that), but you have to use at least a couple straws during your meal, since they seem to disintegrate in water after a while. I'd definitely visit again.
(4)
Roberto N.
I love this place- primarily, the food- GREAT. The Bison is magnificent. And, the decor--- kind of a 50's gentleman's club kind of vibe. Love it too! Why not 5 stars? You gotta wait forever to get in here, and it takes away from the overall experience.
(4)
Louis D.
Went to one of the regular dinner places that my co-workers and I enjoy. Several of us ordered the bison filet, which is always excellent. One person had the bison pot roast and really liked it, and another ordered the knife and fork chili cheese. My filet was a little more rare than I usually prefer, but still very good, and everyone was pleased with the side orders. A bit pricy, but when on per-diem it is just a matter of having a cheap lunch, and then splurging on dinner. In the past I've had the bison rib-eye, and a burger once. The burger was the only dinner that had a bit of a gamy taste. All the rest are like the finest beef, but with very little fat. Come early for dinner, otherwise there could be a long wait. Oh, there is a bison head that on the wall that will be watching you eat his cousins. Might be unnerving for some people.
(4)
Brianna D.
My husband and I were in town for vacation and Ted's was around the corner from our hotel. Man did we luck out. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was spectacular. It was so good we came back twice during our 5 day stay to enjoy it again. Buffalo burger was delicious and everything was cooked to perfection. If you want great American food Ted's is the place to go.
(5)
Anjaly P.
Would I call myself a regular here? Yes. For a while I went sans cow in my diet, but I needed a burger fix often. Cravings, they work in mysterious ways I tell you. Ted's has always made me happy. One such visit was at the start of one of the blizzards of 2010 smowmageddon and the friendly bartender (Coach!) handed me a lovely long island iced tea to go with dessert. (ice cream in snow is perfectly acceptable to go along with their fresh baked cookies). The restaurant was completely empty except me and a friend and snow had barely fallen yet..We felt like we were queens because we had such stellar service. Which leads me to my recommendation of sitting at the bar. There are normally two bartenders there during peak times and they run a smooth ship. (There's always some bumps in the sea, but for the majority of the ride..its smoooth sailing.) If you're in a party of 3 or more, then definitely get a table. For entrees, I tend to pick a bison burger from their variety of options. (They are available in beef too.) Lots of combinations to add to the flavorful meat and theyre accommodating if you need to change something. If you haven't tried bison, I would best describe bison burgers as juicy and flavorful, the meat itself is a tiny bit on the sweeter side compared to the beef. If you simply want to try it, I would start with their appetizer sliders. Bite sized burgers on their homemade dinner rolls. There are often seasonal specials as well, my most recent was the peppercorn burger with gruyere and arugula on an onion bun. The kitchen sink covers almost all meat bases between bread or you can go simple with a basic cheese too. Cocktails are fresh and all handmade. No box lemonade here, they squeeeeeze them fresh. Currently, theres a huckleberry margarita on menu and its been my go to friend for a few months now. (simply because I love Moon River). I go here for food, a well made drink is a bonus. (Oh and for french fries lovers..they're good here. But do try the salt and pepper onion rings, get the side its a much smaller portion. The appetizer is HUGE)
(4)
Sasha B.
To start off, the burgers are yummy. If you like bison meat, this is a great place to go- the bison patty is huge! Loved the avocado and grilled mushrooms on my burger, and there are lots of topping options. The fries are also amazing- skin on and crispy. On the downside, my bun was soggy and couldn't hold together my giant burger. Also, the burgers are not $16 burgers, I think they run a little expensive. One star off. The second star off is for the incredibly slow service. We thought they were out killing our buffalo for how long we waited for our burgers.
(3)
Heather G.
Ended up at Ted's Montana last week after drinking wine all day in the deserted storefronts of the Crystal city shops-- the 1K winewalk...which wouldn't get 4 stars from me, but that is another review. I liked the Ted's in Crystal City better than the one in Ballston. In fact, I ate the crap out that Bison burger and woke up in the morning wanting more! It was so tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and the toppings were just right (there are a LOT of topping options). The onion rings are super large and come with a great dipping sauce, love that you can get half fries and half rings with your burger!
(4)
Eric C.
NEVER EVER EAT AT THE BAR HERE! This was extremely disappointing.This is my worst experience at a restaurant EVER! It started out well. Gary greeted me and shook my hand. Very nice. Got the beer I wanted and ordered my meal. My Crab Cake appetizer came out in a timely manner and it was very tasty. That's when the experience went downhill fast. The other Bartender (female, don't remember her name took over). I waited about 20 minutes between my appetizer and my burger. During that time I had an empty beer for about 10 min and my water was empty as well. Finally she asked if I wanted more. I did and she did give me more. She finally got my food from the kitchen after I had to ask. The first thing the fries were cold. The next it had a wheat bun on it. I bit into it and it just doesn't taste right with a wheat bun. I asked her if this is how the burger now comes. She said, No and said she could get me a regular white bun. Gary joked and said, yes it tastes much different. So I moved my plate closer to the bartender thinking they would take plate and make sure the bun was changed. Instead, she comes over and plops down a white bun next to my plate. She tells me I have to change it. I ordered a bacon cheesburger with a fried egg. I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles and onions on my burger and I cut it in half. The burgers are big, it was cut, it was wet and juicy. I had no idea how to put a full bun on this and replace the old one. No help at all. I tried ripping the new bun in half, it came out odd. Then I proceeded to remove the old wheat bun. Everything on the burger halves fell over in a mess. I couldn't get the other buns on and it looked like a taco salad. She then finally said she would have someone try and put it back together. WOW! Talk about nuts. This was terrible. My hands were a mess, the plate was a mess and that's all I got. I said I am not eating this and asked to close out the tab. I said I would go somewhere else for dinner. She came back with tab and smugly said, I took the burger off your tab. WOW! I would hope so, since I didn't eat anything but one cold french fry and one bite of the burger on the wheat bun. She didn't really try to make it right, didn't talk to a manager or anything. So I closed out the bill and I left. This was a horrible experience and if this is what Ted's has become, I will never visit one again. I was appalled this is how you treat customers. I have never once been somewhere and they didn't try to make it right. This was horrible. Please don't go!
(1)
Chris C.
Ted's Montana Grill is ok. The people were friendly and we didn't have to wait. The food on the other hand is ok. Nothing to brag about. The salad tasted like a salad in a bag. The bison burger was pretty good.Would I go back....maybe.
(3)
Katie Y.
A $15 bison burger with cheese at lunch time should knock me off my feet with flavor. Ted's just didn't deliver. The burger, which I ordered "medium rare" came out just barely that and really lacked in flavor of any sort. The meat was as tender as it should be, either. It was all around a "meh" burger. If you're there for a business lunch, don't order an appetizer as well as an entree. For example, the onion rings are a laughable portion for one person - it takes a team to bring them down. Also, be prepared for a possible wait for lunchtime seating, and for the volume to be slightly up. Kudos to Ted's for their paper straws!
(2)
Tiffie L.
All I can say is SLOW. Very slow. My family was in town for my graduation, but before the festivities began, we went out to lunch on a Friday. It was a bit late of a lunch, so I figured we could get a quick bite since there would not be a lunch rush. While we were seated quickly, our wait for lunch? Another 20 or 30 minutes. We mostly ordered salads and only ONE burger... so I am not exactly sure what took so long. Our waitress was cheerful... almost too cheerful. She never apologized for the wait, but just happily passed by our table multiple times to serve others.... it was just pure torture. At least the food was good! Or was it just due to our starving state of mind?
(3)
Anne W.
I didn't think this place would be amazing... but it WAS!!! Never heard of this place before.. but I also never had bison before. The place was like a cowboy bar... but no reservations can be made. We got a table for all nine of us... we tried a whole spread of things. The most amazing was the Kansas Strip bison steak. Amazing and flavorful. I loved the squash casserole and green beans as well... the chili cheese fries was just okay.. as was the gumbo soup. Reasonably priced.. I loved the place!
(5)
Jada G.
Now I love me some teds. But this particular location lacks customer service and knowledge. the waiter's did not know the menu, they were going to give me old cookies, instead of fresh-baked. they weren't attentive ad it took forever to get out food even though only 2 other diners were in the place. Me thinks not!
(2)
Leah K.
I live right around the corner from this place and every time we dine here, the food is amazing. We've never had a complaint with the food. With that said, the service is slow. I don't recommend this place if you're looking to get in and out. The servers definitely take their time with everything. Each time we've dined, it's taken 10 minutes just for us to know who our server is and for he/she to take our drink order. My only complaint with this place but other than that, a great place to eat for quality food.
(4)
Russell S.
Good restaurant - it's a chain, but don't be fooled, it's not Appleby's. Burgers are great - not greasy, and their signature dishes allow for Bison (much leaner than beef) at a slightly higher price. Service at this location was the least friendly of the three I've been to, but it was good and efficient and better than a lot of places. If you're hungry for a burger but want a leaner option, go for the Bison. Great way to ease a red meat itch with less weight.
(3)
Cory R.
I went here for lunch with my boss and I had a great experience! I got the Balsamic Bleu Steak Salad and it was incredible. The pieces of steak in the salad were very tender and tasty, and the salad itself was very good. I didn't think I could be this impressed with a salad, but I was. I would definitely come back here. The staff was very friendly, too!
(4)
Edward M.
Worst Ted's I've ever been to with my family. Server showed up at the table with her ~9 year old daughter who carried plates and touched our food. Completely unsanitary given that kids (including our own) are always wiping their nose and you can't keep up with sanitary food delivery conditions. Food order was completely wrong. Wrong dressing for salads, wrong soups , wrong temp for burger (burnt/well done versus medium). We thought to give this location another chance since we are local. Bad idea. Not coming again.
(1)
Corey L.
Stopped in just after opening for a business lunch. My colleague and I both had Bison burgers. Be warned: there are so many good-sounding options you'll struggle with what to pick. I finally settled on the New Mexico style: guacamole, grilled pepper, tomato jam, and pepper jack cheese. I thought it would be spicier; it was actually quite mild. The bison meat is the real star of the show. It is as amazing as advertised, juicy without being greasy. I ordered mine medium and my colleague ordered medium well; to my pleasant surprise, both were cooked accurately. But the real star of the show today was the cup of bison chili I ordered as an appetizer. Bison makes for a great chili meat, and they top it with crisp raw red onion and a few jalapeño slices. The raw onion was a great touch, adding kick to the dish without adding spiciness. Service was friendly and prompt, and the only reason I can't give Ted's a fifth star is the price: I paid $30 for lunch today, and as excellent as the meal was, it still just seems a little too steep.
(4)
David K.
For a chain, I think this location of Ted's is quite impressive. As you may know, Ted's bit is to mix in bison where you are used to seeing beef. This is fine, and I understand bison is a bit healthier, but it really does just taste like lean beef. Which is fine, just be aware. The food here is great all around, and at reasonable prices. I've had the prime rib here served on weekends several times, and found it to be of similar quality to the prime ribs I've had at Morton's down the street. My fiance has enjoyed the tenderloin here as well, and it was perfectly prepared and seemed to be of high quality. For lunch, I've enjoyed the "Kitchen Sink" burger several times with bison. This burger has tons of toppings including a fried egg which is one of my weaknesses. Very delicious, very sloppy, very unhealthy, very gonna get ordered again soon. This location is large and open, the service is good in general. We did have one bad experience involving a waiter in training that was also a close talker. We were left alone for an hour waiting for our food. The manager offered to comp half of the check which was nice, but it was a bit of a pain to have dinner extended to over 2 hours. I highly recommend this Ted's. For some reason, I found it to be better than the Ballston location as well.
(4)
Fredy R.
Fun, delicious an unique restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here with six teens. The Bison nachos are generously topped and while unusual they tasted great. I enjoyed the "fork and knife" which was a burger topped with chili and cheese-hence the name. Everyone enjoyed the meal. We didn't get dessert but it looked wonderful. All meat meals give the option of beef or bison.
(4)
Tiffany Y.
I stopped in Ted's Montana Grill once recently for dinner. The menu has a variety of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, classics such as turkey and fish, steaks, and desserts. I ordered the bison meatloaf and ended up leaving sort of a lot of it on my plate because it tasted just OK. My husband also thought that his food was just OK. The atmosphere and service were good, but given the just-OK taste of the food, I will not return.
(3)
Paul G.
Really good dinner. Got there @7p and was told the wait was 25 min. Just got a round of drinks and the table was ready. Service was very good. I ordered the filet of bison. Not a speck of fat. Worth the visit!
(5)
Brian R.
Bison pot roast and meatloaf are fantastic, as is pretty much everything else I've tried here. Save some $$ and get the meatloaf sandwich. I sub the onion rings for a side. Many burger choices for toppings and all are available in beef or bison. Like the paper straws and powdered soap in the restroom too - very focused on conservation.
(5)
Paige M.
Bison. Never had it before, had to try it, and it was gorgeous. Much like the famed ostrich burger, bison is more tender and flavorful than typical beef. The restaurant was packed for a late dinner, but my friends and I managed to grab a table for four. Our waitress, Veronika, was a blast. She was sweet and energetic, making sure we had everything we need. My friends each had Bison Sliders. I had a Chipotle Cobb salad, but replaced the chicken with Bison chunks. I'm glad the restaurant was able to customize orders, as I really wanted to sample the Bison, but was in no mood for a burger. Another interesting detail of Ted's is that it is a "green" restaurant. All of the tablecloths are paper and made from recycled materials. The straws are recycled too, and made out of cardboard, not plastic. The cardboard straw was weird to get used to at first, but it worked just as well as the plastic variety. If you're looking for a great place to eat near all the hotels in Crystal City, check out Ted's. It's definitely the best place we found to eat near where we were staying.
(4)
J. W.
If you're in the mood for a good burger or a well cooked steak, you can't miss with Ted's. I'm giving it a 4 because the one time I got a bison burger, it was a bit on the dry side. I know that you'd expect that from a leaner meat like bison, but that's why I ordered medium rare. Everything else is great. Good service, clean dining area, and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Warren J.
Great friendly service and the best burger I've had in a very long time. The Avalon burger isn't just good. It's grrrrrrrrrrreat!
(4)
Joshua S.
Ted's was pretty good. It has a folksy, sort of "old west" feel to it, with a definite flare for the green and sustainable. Bison is the featured protein of choice, although there is plenty of beef available. I tried the Prime Rib, which was pretty good, but I didn't get as lean a piece as I would have liked. Buttered broccoli was a pretty good side, but the french fries were AMAZING. Cherry Lemonade to drink was quite refreshing and the cardboard straws were innovative. All in all, this is not on the same plane as Ruth's Chris or Morton's or even really Outback in my view, but it's a nice change-up to a somewhat vanilla market-space.
(3)
A A.
Great food , great service but BRING BACK THE CREAMED SPINACH. Was completely unique in a market that is dominated by the "same old same old"
(5)
Karen G.
I can't praise the food here enough! We went on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. Wasn't crowded at all, but after being here I could imagine it being packed later on in the day. I had the Green and hot burger (I'm pretty sure that's the name), had it cooked well done... It was by far the best hamburger I've ever eaten! Had huge jalapenos on it and great guacamole. Excellent! Also, order the chips and dip for the appetizer! Better order two if you have more than two people at your table - Yes, they are that good! I don't remember what my daughter had (she can write her own review) but she said it was great! Suffice it to say, we'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Gerson R.
So, I just got back from one of the most wonderful burger meals I've ever had. Correction: the most wonderful burger meal I've ever had. My mouth is still salivating from the monstrous burger I had. This is the 3rd time I've been to this place in the last 2 months. Yep. That good. Going to Ted's Montana Grill, one is faced with the choice of having beef or bison for the burger or steak meat. GO WITH BISON!!! It's leaner, tastier, and just awesome! How many times are you really going to say you've eaten bison in your life?! Not many I bet. ABOUT THE MEAL: I had the biggest, baddest (in a good way) bison burger they had. It's name: The Kitchen Sink. This burger had it all. Cheddar cheese (Your choice of cheese), grilled ham, smoky bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms topped with a fried egg* "over-easy". The name is just like the burger...perfect. As soon as I bit into it, I knew then and there that this was pure euphoria. I think I may have actually had epiphanies and created new philosophies at the same time. This is how mind awakening this burger is. It touched my soul. That was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy to it's last bite. Flavor like no other. The egg was the cherry on the frosting on the cake. Yeah...that good. My fiance had the New Mexico. This came with roasted Anaheim pepper and handmade guacamole. I bit into it to try it. Very good combination of flavors. The peppers were cooked perfectly and combined with the meat so well. The guacamole was excellent as well. FOR DESSERT: My fiance, my best friend's dad, and myself all dug spoons into the Ted's Nutty Apple Crisp. This was comprised of apple pie filling, crust, pecans, all-round goodness, love, and topped with a hefty scoop of ice cream. Our server, Veronika, was so kind as to give us another scoop because our ice cream melted faster than we could eat it. This completely satisfied the craving I had for apple pie and ice cream. No joke, I seriously told my fiance to skip out on the fries so that we could order this mammoth dessert. Word of advice: don't order it unless you have at least 2 people to eat it. Conclusion: Excellent food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere and decor (we sat under a big bison head). Cool bathrooms. They even have the old-fashioned powder soap. I will definitely be going back. Papa bear. Out.
(5)
Marolyn L.
We had a great waiter and the food was pretty good. I would go here again.
(3)
Steven F.
Ted's has really good American food. I had been wanting to try this place for some time, and when I finally did, I was not disappointed. The portions were huge, and the burger was really good. The bison nachos are great and could easily be a meal on their own. You will like Ted's.
(4)
Boon K.
I saw this place in Nashville and it's always packed so finally I decide to try this place because I was waiting for my luggage that was coming on another flight. I got a beef burger, it taste like straight iron.. or metal tasting. My Bf got the roasted chicken and it was ok. I should have try the bison but this place is like american version of outback but I like outback better.
(2)
Miss E.
I remember eating here a few years ago and having a decent bison burger. So when a family friend was in town on business and staying in Crystal City, I suggested we eat here. Bad idea. At the risk of sounding like a broken record here on Yelp: I am SICK TO DEATH of paying $30 for a meal in the DC area, only to be served awful food by horrible waiters. Here's what I got for my money: 1.) A few disgusting slices of cucumber (WTF?). They serve it instead of bread. I actually spit it out. 2.) A tiny burnt bison steak, AFTER the waitress assured me it would come out warm/red in the middle. If she hadn't walked away for 15 minutes after she brought it out, I would have sent it back. The meat was tender and would have been AWESOME if it wasn't well done and the size of a chicken wing. PS - who the hell puts lemon butter on a steak? That should be illegal. 3). A tiny burnt baked potato. 4). A few stalks of asparagus. 5). A waiter who only stopped by our table a few times during our 1.5 hour meal. I want my money back. Seriously.
(1)
Tony S.
Ordered Kansas City strip bison. Steak was flavorless and very, very tough with a gristle vein running through it so tough I could not chew it. Onion rings were also over cooked and tough. Not what I expected. Service was excellent.
(2)
Michael M.
Let me first say that in my (brief) history of Yelping, I have yet to give out five stars. This place probably came the closest. Bison burgers are tough to find, which is truly unfortunate. Bison meat has far less fat than beef (and more iron), but is just as tasty (if not more so). Ted's offers a variety of burgers to choose from, and you can get any of them with beef or bison meat (or veggie, if you are lame like that). We also had nachos covered in bison chili as an appetizer. They were particularly delicious. Definitely some of the best nachos I have ever had. It was kind of a lot of food for two people, but would be great if you're in a group. We ate here at about 7:00 on a Saturday night. Although the restaurant was busy (just about every table was full), we did not have to wait and were seated immediately. Our waitress was outstanding. The service, the atmosphere, and the bison meat were all worthy of five stars. So, why give it only four stars? Well, the french fries were kind of mediocre. They weren't bad, just nothing to write home about. I've heard that the onion rings are great, and I'd imagine that you could substitute them in for the fries, but that option was never actually presented to us. Also, the draft list was a bit weak. If I recall correctly, the only brews they had on tap were Miller Light (or maybe it was Bud Light), Blue Moon, Yuengling, and a Sam seasonal. Not bad, but a few more options would have been nice. But all in all, I highly recommend Ted's if you are in the mood for a burger and some good old fashioned American food. Especially if you want a bison burger. And if you've never tried one, I highly recommend that you do. Like, now. Again, it is better for you than beef, and it tastes at least as good. What do you have to lose?
(4)
Angel M.
Tried a bison burger. Not too bad....
(3)
Jared B.
Excellent service, good sized portions and decent food. A little over priced but, in my opinion, every thing in this area is priced high. Wouldn't hesitate to come back here.
(4)
Cara W.
I work nearby so come here quite often. Service can be hit or miss, but in the last few months I think it has gotten much better. Ted's does tend to get a lot of big groups during lunch, so just pack your patience. The Balsamic Bleu Steak salad is one of my go tos and it's delicious. Of course the burgers are great. I always order the bison and have never been disappointed. Yes, sometimes the buns get soggy, yes sometimes you wait a while for a table and for your food, but if you have the time for a great meal try this place!
(4)
Greg L.
I just paid $16 for a mediocre burger. There was absolutely nothing special about this place except for the prices.
(1)
Gene E.
Bison Ribeye was AMAZING. Can't say much for anything else. The signature Pepper and Salt Onion Rings, were okay. The Asparagus was steamed and boring. The meat was worth every penny
(3)
Shellie D.
I have been to Ted's a few times and I can honestly say that nothing has wowed me. If it wasn't for the convenient location, I would never suggest eating at Ted's. To me, the burgers here are mediocre. Nothing really stood out to me. It appears that they try to use good quality ingredients, and the waiter gave us the run down about the bison meat which is 'organic' and is raised on Ted's farm. Well, I tried the bison burger and I didn't like it, which just may be my personal preference. My mouth was waiting for the flavorful beefy taste and the bison did not deliver. It was grainy and crumbled easily. It wasn't enough fat in it, in my opinion. And didn't have that juiciness I like. Hence the term 'big fat juicy burger'. The onion rings were good,but they weren't anything special. And the fries where flimsy. I would come back here, but only due to convenience. As I said, the food isn't bad, but it isn't great either. Prices are reasonable, but you will be paying $3 more if you want bison instead of beef. The staff is always super friendly, attentive and helpful.
(2)
Saen H.
This was a very bad experience. Myself and six of my friends came for dinner. The first thing that happened was that they gave our table away, and we had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. When we finally sat down and ordered it took one hour and twenty minutes to get the food out (keep in mind it was 8:00 when we sat, not busy). When the food arrived four of the six were not the correct order. They then told me they were out of the dish I ordered. Wow, now it's one hour forty five minutes later. I ask for a salad (it was late and I did not want to wait long for another dish). That took another twenty five minutes. When it came out they made the wrong one. It would have been faster to go to Montana, hunt a buffalo, and cook it.
(1)
Alex M.
I've been going here for ten years. Last night was the first time I left unsatisfied; the meat was dry, our server forgot several items including bringing my side of onion rings at the end of the meal as opposed to, you know, during it - just really poor service and for the first time, questionable food. Very surprising and disappointing.
(2)
Roger D.
Conveniently located and large, this popular restaurant can be difficult to get into. On a recent Wednesday night there was a 45 minute wait to be seated at 7 PM, however, by 8:30 PM it was very easy to find a table. Last call was at 10 PM. I mostly recommend Ted's for the bison burgers, which have a creative option of toppings and very generous portions. Be warned the prices are quiet high for what is still just a burger. Ted's tends to be overly cute with the environmentally friendly theme. While they didn't bother me, my dinner companions complained that the recyclable paper straws fell apart in their drinks and left an after taste in their mouth. The borax soup in the toilet feels like washing with sand and doesn't foam up like regular soap.
(3)
Mike B.
Delicious food, good and friendly staff the only thing that I want to hit them on is the pricing.
(4)
Kevin F.
My first time at Ted's. My wife used to work there and suggested it as a good place for us to meet some friends for dinner. I had the Avalon burger and a baked sweet potato. The burger was juicy, tasty, and cooked properly. It has been a while since I had a burger with that much flavor going on. Though, $15 does seem a little steep, or maybe I'm just not used to DC-area prices yet. We were greeted and seated quickly even though most of the tables were taken. The fact they were so busy on a weekday evening must be a good sign. If you have children, you will be glad to know they have high chairs and a kid's menu. Lots of really good looking stuff on the menu. I will be back to this Ted's Montana Grill!
(4)
Josiah P.
Red Rock burger is tasty with pepper jack, jalapenos, house sauce, and onion straws. Get bison over beef -- healthier and better flavor. Onion rings are pretty incredible, with cracked pepper in the batter. Tend to be too greasy though. Left me with an upset stomach after eating the whole stack. (No, I don't have good self-restraint when it comes to onion rings.) I could do without the chairs -- they're wooden, feel a little rickety, and cheap feeling. Not a single comfortable thing about the chairs, unless your alternative is sitting on the floor and reaching the table top. I could go back, but probably not very likely. Food was also on the slow side getting to the table, so don't go if you're imminently hungry.
(3)
Anonymous A.
Great service, good burger but way overpriced. If I'm paying $16 for a bison burger I expect more than a burger and fries (or substitute). If money is no object, this place is recommended, but otherwise you are paying way too much for what you get.
(2)
Phil R.
Had dinner here tonight. For the price, I thought the food was good. The bison chili was very good. Service, on the other hand, was less than sterling. I felt that since we were only drinking water, refills were neglected. I'd go back, but I think they could have been more attentive.
(2)
David H.
I end up in D.C. quite a bit and stay near Ted's, so I end up here sometimes for dinner. It's affordable, and everything about the experience is either good, or just above average. It's not the kind of place that I would go to back home, but when stuck next to the Pentagon for a few nights, it's better than going to Chili's, and doesn't stand out on the expense report like Ruth's Chris or Morton's.
(3)
Arval F.
Great food! The waitstaff was a bit absent but was friendly and helpfull when they were around.
(3)
Yelpowitz E.
The burguers are good but excessively large. I would suggest a more moderate portion for a few cents less. Service is good The place is nice but the huge bison looking at you while you eat a bison burguer it's ...interesting! You should try it out
(3)
John B.
Fantastic! What else is there to say? I have eaten here twice and both times were amazing. I tried the filet the first time and it was flavorful and cooked well. The second time I had the Bison burger and it was cooked to perfection, juicy and very full of flavor. Saving the best for the last the French fries were the best I ever ate. Similar to in-and-out burger but better. I plan to be back many times!
(5)
Heather G.
Stick with the burgers and you'll be okay here. The bison never disappoints. I particularly like the bison burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. The fries are top notch and the onion rings are really good too. My favorite beverage is the diet coke with cherry syrup in it. They serve ice just the way I like it. The paper straws are funky, though.
(3)
Steven B.
I am a sucker for good service. And lunch at Ted's Montana Grill this afternoon was nearly a five-star experience! I sat down and asked for a water and a menu, as I always do, and was immediately introduced to a delicacy I had never before experienced: "half-sour" pickles. These were more cucumber than "pickle," new to me, and addicting. I ended up finishing two entire dishes full of them. Seriously. I recently reviewed another establishment down the street from Ted's in Crystal City, Bailey's, and basically gripped about the lack of enthusiasm from the bartender. Complete opposite experience at Ted's this afternoon. The bartender was cool. The conversation was exactly what I want from my bar experience, light discussion from everything ranging from college to sports and, ultimately, to tattoos. My only disagreement with the conversation was the bartender's preference for Midwestern girls (Tampa girls for me!). But, really, I appreciate a welcoming experience when I dine out. This was one of those times where I felt as if I may have shorted the bartender when I left 20% on a $20 meal. He probably deserved more. At first, I was intimidated by the menu. The prices seemed steep and having no idea the quality, I was hesitant to go "all in." This is why, although I initially wanted to try that Bison Steak, I ended up opting for Bison Meatloaf as my entree, which, all told, was very well priced. First, though, I started with an iceberg wedge. Good stuff. Thick, chunky blue cheese dressing, icy cold lettuce, loads of bacon, fresh tomato, and even more blue cheese crumbles. Absolutely no complaints from me. The menu indicated that the meatloaf is served with mashed potatoes and squash casserole. I opted out of both and, instead, substituted broccoli and creamed spinach. The spinach was certainly a winner. The meatloaf was excellent. Perhaps the gravy was just a bit too sweet, but even then I provide a caveat. Caveat being: sugar is so nearly completely absent from my diet that I think mine may be a bit more perceptive to sweetness than others' palates. But, on a whole, the meal was delicious. And the portions were solid. I am rarely full and pride myself on my ability to eat but, for twenty bucks this afternoon, I left Ted's Montana Grill feeling nothing less than stuffed. Great service, complimentary "half sours" (a new favorite), and killer satisfying food. Now that I know what to expect, the next time I visit Ted's, I am going "all in," and getting that Bison Steak. And I fully expect then to push my review from four, to five stars!
(4)
Brad Z.
I think I enjoyed my Bison burger here better than my last hellburger at Rays. It was juicy, tasty, and cooked medium perfectly. The topping were great too. It's a chain, but nice atmosphere and the perfect spot to when a hankering for a hamburger hits. The service was fast friendly and efficient too.
(5)
Jason B.
Bison chili was awesome. Need the recipe!
(5)
Kerri Y.
There is no shortage of food- you will go home stuffed!! While looking for a good burger at a recent stay in Crystal City, we found this restaurant through yelp. They have a huge burger menu- all with the option of beef or bison. Food was tasty and plentiful. Soo soo soo much food. Service was beyond fantastic. We received our food so quickly it was amazing! It was a weeknight and fairly busy but we received exceptional service. Great experience here. I was actually surprised to find out this was a chain restaurant, I may be seeking out a location close to home, after my experience here.
(4)
Don K.
Meatloaf is fantastic especially coupled with squash casserole! The prime rib is very good with a nice Malbec. Enjoyed the bison chili covered nachos. Atmosphere is relaxing and yet properly steakhouse semi formal. Service was excellent even if not by an obvious American. Worth the walk from the Hyatt.
(5)
Malika H.
Interesting restaurant. Happy my job took me out to eat at Ted's, otherwise I would never have tried the place out. On the outside you'd expect to walk in to something similar to TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays but the restaurant actually has a very sophisticated layout. Nice for an intimate dinner or business meeting. Now on to the food. I ordered the Avalon Burger, and it was really good. I chose the bison meat instead of regular beef and it was SO thick. I appreciated the experience but I think next time I'd go with the beef just to be able to enjoy the taste of all the different components of the burger more. I particularly liked that they offered ciabatta rolls as an option for your bun. You can also get a wheat bun. Very health conscious menu and eco friendly (non-plastic straws). I'd say if you ever visit Ted's go for the burgers. They have a pretty extensive selection and they're all really good. There were 7 at my table, we all ordered burgers, and no one had any complaints. I'll for sure be back! :)
(4)
Chris M.
My husband and I wanted a new experience while visiting from California. The service was outstanding! Veronika was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us good recommendations. My husband had the bison filet which was excellent. I had Salt & Pepper trout with asparagus & a sweet potato- all delicious. I would recommend this restaurant again & again. Great atmosphere, great food. good for all ages. I was impressed they had salmon on the kids menu!!
(5)
Billy E.
Ted's is a hard place to review for me. I like the food/service, that it has buffalo meat, and in fact it's my preferred place to get a burger in Crystal City. It's just no matter what I get, I have a hard time spending less than $18-20 for lunch (ordering just an entree). If I had half stars it would get a bump up for sure.
(3)
Zachary G.
As we walked in we were immediately greeted with a smile!!! I ordered a Diet Coke with grenadine(my usual drink) and it was the best ratio I've ever had with that drink! I ordered the Swiss and Mushroom Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing!!! I then asked for some ranch for my fries and it literally was the best ranch I've eve tasted!! Grey service from the staff!! Overall a very enjoyable trip!!! I would definitely go back !!
(5)
Steven V.
Loved this place. No complaints whatsoever. The chicken noodle soup was very authentic and tasty. Real shredded, tender meat and veggies, none of that weird fake soup thickener stuff. My salad was also very good with fresh veggies and a tasty honey mustard dressing. The bison burger was the real treat. Slightly sweeter yet leaner than regular beef. Big tomato and a great bun made it perfect. The menu had a lot of variety. We might go back before our vacation is up. Well done Ted!
(5)
Todd U.
Food was great, but the service was not so great. Waiter seemed as though he did not know his menu. Priority of kids meal was asked for and all the food came out the same time. Kids sliders was a mess! The burger is placed on crumbling bread, will not return to this place again anytime soon. The service versus price? Yeah, not worth it.
(2)
Steve L.
Great service. Friendly staff. Bison burger was pretty good. Bun was soggy from the onions but.
(3)
Judith L.
Came here with my parents and a friend of theirs to take part in their bi-weekly burger and beers night. The location is convenient and when we met for dinner we did not need to pay for parking in the garage located to the left of the restaurant. Got a coke at the bar and it came in one of those weird little aluminum bottles. With a ton of crushed ice. So much that you need to get a straw to be able to actually drink anything. We were seated and brought the house made pickles (which are really slices of cucumber in some vinegar-y mix). Which were fine. Our waiter was very friendly and chatty, which if that wasn't your thing probably means that you wouldn't have enjoyed your time here. But people like to talk and that isn't something that especially bothers me since he didn't hover or overstay. Ordered a cheese burger (beef) and onion rings. The burger was fine, but nothing to write home about. The onion rings had a nice flavor (salt and pepper, I believe) but the coating was overly dry on the bigger ones. Overall, I'd give this place another shot or stop by with a group if they wanted to do lunch or dinner, but I this wouldn't be my first pick of places to dine in the area.
(3)
Michael C.
Food was good, and so was the service. Only problem was that our children's Mac'n'cheese came out a bit cold. The problem was quickly and kindly rectified, though. Wife had bison pot roast and I had the bison ribeye; both were great.
(4)
Lorrie L.
Had lunch here yesterday and it was good.I had a bison mushroom swiss burger and my hubby had a chili cheese burger. Every thing was good except the bison was kind of bland. Every where else I have ever had bison it had more flavor. Fries and tea were good. Service was very good. I loved the decor.
(4)
Don C.
Love the flavor of Bison and this is my "go to" when I visit DC.
(4)
Jeff R.
A far cry from Montana...just the name...the staff is friendly...let's try some Bison!
(3)
Meagan K.
I went on a date to Ted's sometime in March. I really enjoyed myself there. Parking wasn't difficult to find at all, as there is a large parking garage next door that doesn't charge in the evenings. (Don't quote me on that...it didn't charge the evening I was there, though) The service is great! We were promptly seated and our food came quickly. The environment is a mix of grown and sexy and family fun. I know that sounds really weird, but it makes a lot of sense. Ambiance is on point. I also admired the fact that the restaurant is very environmentally friendly. Everything is recyclable...and the drinking straws are even made out of paper or something conducive to going green. I'd give Ted's Montana Grill five stars, but I just don't feel comfortable with the "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" that appears when I select the fifth star. The "Yay! I'm a fan." that appears when you select four stars is more like it. Mostly because although I had a nice time, I am certain that I wouldn't even suggest this place if someone asked me to pick a spot to eat.
(4)
Elaine B.
Singletons? Lone lunchers? Steer clear because Ted's has instructed its staff to treat you differently from other patrons. One afternoon I had been working hard and had just finished a project. I wanted to celebrate by treating myself to lunch (it was 2:30 on a weekday and I hadn't eaten yet). When I asked for a table for one, the hostess replied, "Would you like a seat at the bar?" Was the place super crowded? No, at that time, the place was almost completely empty. I could see 5 other customers in the entire dining area - including the bar. n an era when customer service and brand is everything, Ted's management needs to understand the negative impact they are having. Because the next time I do have a party of 5-6 for lunch, guess where I'm not going. Their policy is short-sighted and extremely unappetizing. I am also posting this review for the benefit of anybody out there who is planning to eat alone and wants to avoid being treated as anything less than a valued customer. Ted's is not the only place that does this. I have seen a few do it, and I am leaving similar reviews for ALL of them until their policies change.
(1)
David S.
The server was not interested in helping our table of six. The food was mediocre at best. They ask how you want your hamburger cooked and then bring them all well done. Why ask. Drinks sit at the bar when glasses are empty. My wife ordered mashed potatoes and was never offered butter or gravy or anything to with. They are supposed to offer pickles when you sit at the table. We were never offered. Had to ask because we noticed other tables got them. Then we got some when our food was delivered. Took forever to pay even after the server picked up our credit card. She continued to help several tables ...all she had to do was drop off our bill. Then on top of all of this on their receipt it has a "tell us how we did". I got to the website and it asks for a survey code. Nowhere on the receipt is a "survey code ". Without the survey code you can't send feedback. I guess they really don't want the honest feedback. Sad part is that I recommended this place to our group. Now I look like a bad persons for recommending a dud of a restaurant.
(1)
Nick H.
Pot Roast with green beans and mashed potatoes. This was not the best food in the world and not the worst food either. Overall, the food is aok. Customer service is good and the people working here are very friendly. The restaurant does have a good vibe. A-OK.
(3)
Richard M.
The Bison steak was amazing! The guy that decided to kill off the Buffaloes in the 1800's clearly never had a bison steak.
(4)
Darrell K.
I didn't realize until I opened their menu that they serve bison. Oh baby, I knew exactly what I was going to get, the Bison Ribeye. The ribeye is the best cut, better than a filet mignon, due to the nice amount of fat that gives meat its flavor and tenderness. I had bison ribeyes at other restaurants so I knew I was in for a treat. However, it tasted like a cow ribeye. Even though it was good, it wasn't the bison I had in other restaurants. They ensured me it was bison, but I think they made a mistake. Disappointing since this is a nice place, with a good menu and friendly staff.
(2)
Alan K.
I'm not sure I would recommend this place to anyone since I find their signature food/dish to be pretty bad, but I will probably return every now and then when I'm in the mood for grabbing a quick dinner a sit-down restaurant. Honestly, although I like the taste of bison, I don't think any of the burgers are any good here. They tend to be giant to the point of being impossible to eat, and pretty dried out, even when you order them medium or medium rare. Same thing with some of the sandwiches--I tried the Red Rock grilled chicken one tonight and it was extremely dry chicken with more dry bread on top. It had good flavor but was hard to eat because it was so dry. On top of everything, it's all kind of pricey. For a beer, a sandwich, and a side salad substitute for the fries, it was 20 bucks before tip. On the plus side, they have pretty good salads, and the bison chili is tasty as well. I haven't tried any of the other sandwiches or the classic dinner entrees, but I'm not wholly put off by my bad experiences, so I would be game for giving them a go. The decor is also pretty nice, with much more of an upscale feel than your standard chain restaurant.
(3)
Anne C.
Authentic American Dining. I recommend the Bison Ribeye with their Merlot. Very well seasoned and tender. Also the Salt and Pepper Trout, a delicacy. This place had the best cheesecake Ive ever had. It was smoothe and creamy with raspberry sauce. Wow! Thats good American meal.
(4)
Todd L.
Roscoe was our server. Awsome job and answered every question. Made sure we had everything we needed. Food was amazing sides were perfect. Price was very well matched withe food selection. Bathrooms very clean. The amount of people they were serving our food came out in a timely manner.
(5)
Rob B.
Burgers are excellent. My co-worker swears by the meatloaf (he gets it EVERY time without fail). Fries are hit or miss. The pickles they give you when you sit down are good, and the free rolls are good enough that you should definitely ask for them!
(4)
Joshua M.
Went to Ted's Montana Grill on a Monday evening with four friends; I could not say I was a big fan. Bottom line is was the food was just not very good at all. I got the Bison Blue Creek Burger, and it was terrible. Maybe it was my own fault for getting Bison instead of regular beef (the bison just tasted like raw meat), but it went beyond that. The fries that came with the burger were in a clump and stuck together, as if they took them out of the package from the freezer, deep fried them, and they never separated from being frozen. So bottom line is the food wasn't exactly very fresh. Perhaps I got the wrong type of burger, but from what I had on my plate I was not impressed at all. Even though I wasn't a fan of the food, Ted's Montana Grill looked very nice, and the location seemed to be in a very happening place. The restaurant was located right next to a lot of other restaurants and seemed to be a busy area (people walking their dogs, etc).
(2)
Char P.
First time, sat at the bar. Had a cup of Chili.. The atmosphere was nice. The bartender was great. I'll update when I have a full meal. Bison is good..
(3)
Kristine B.
HORRIBLE service. I will never go back to this location or recommend it. The service was incredibly slow and 2 of our 4 entrees were incorrect. It took almost 20mins for new entrees to arrive. Never did a manager stop by to see how we were doing our apologize. Our waiter apologized once and we did not see him again til our new entrees were delivered. We were not asked if we wanted a drink or appetizer while we waited. We were shocked by this. We thought they might comp us a dessert for our wait - but this did not happen either. Clearly customer service, loyalty and recommendations are not a priority for this restaurant. Other restaurants in the area would have handled the situation differently - I have witnessed it. There is no reason to be treated this way when you can get a decent steak many other places and be treated much better. Visit: Saturday night at 8pm
(1)
Sazha R.
Great food and good service. Manager greeted us and frequently came to check on us. I ordered the chicken cranberry dish. Mind you I do not like chicken but boy was it delish! I subbed the mashed potatoes for sweet potatoe and it was divine. Hubby ordered prime rib with au jus and horseradish. A little tough but still delicious! I would definitely recommend the Arnold Palmers, drank a zillion of them. Be weary of the biscuits, so delicious you don't know when to stop. I will be returning!
(5)
George B.
Come here fairly often when I visit DC - lunch or dinner. This visit, got a table that was in very back next to kitchen and service center - very noisy! I have tried the entree cesar with chicken and with shrimp, tonight with salmon; proved to be my least favorite. Service was friendly but not very attentive. Overall, pretty average this evening.
(3)
Old Z.
Its amazing how you think a place will be and it was. I thought there wpuld be more of a variety but there was major emphsis on burgers. Meh burgers. A place like this should have more stakes because if freaking montana grill. Steak is king. Staff was mismanaged and very inattentive. My waitress was wierd, wast of tome wast of good money.
(1)
Charles H.
I love burgers so ordering a bison patty was an easy choice at Ted's Montana Grill. During my most recent visit (4/2/12) I ordered the Avalon Bison Burger. According to the menu its topped with melted Gruyère cheese, bleu cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli and baby arugula, and served on a toasted onion bun. When delivered to my table I noticed the bun was not as toasted as I would have liked. Also, I believe the bacon is chopped up in tiny bits within the sauce compared to your typical burger with a slab of bacon. The Avalon bison burger was a nice change of pace from the norm; however, I could not use my hands to eat it as lower bun was too soggy. The grilled shrimp appetizer was mediocre at best with a decent amount of shrimp placed on some flat bread. The big sky grilled salad was huge! Enough for two people to share. I highly recommend requesting the bacon ranch dressing and grilled salmon as an addition to the salad. Our server (Nina) was attentive to our needs. She refilled our drinks automatically and brought extra plates per our request. I'll definitely stop by again but order a different bison burger.
(3)
S. R.
The food isn't worth the price, even though I like bison. The service was slow also slow all around, from waters, to order to the bill. Example: Ten minutes after we ordered, our server told us that they were out of meatloaf. We would've appreciated knowing this right away - we started wondering if the other 3 entrees would sit under a heat lamp! Also, when the food did come, the extras (onion and avocado) we asked for were missing.
(2)
Kerrie N.
Four stars because I frequent this place but have had a couple of hiccups. Here we go: PROs: Overall Ted's serves up some pretty tasty food. You'll definitely add their salt-n-pepper onion rings to your "top 3 best places for onion rings" list! We usually sit at the bar and the service is always on point. The burgers are INSANE at this place! If you've never had a bison burger...make your way to Ted's get one! They never disappoint. I've had the bacon cheeseburger and the blue creek cheeseburger..both perfectly cooked, fresh and juicy! Their fries are made fresh just to the right of the bar (when facing it). You can see them placing whole potatoes in their French fry making gadget. It's pretty cool. Last but not least...the salt-n-pepper trout. It's a must try in my book. Comes with corn and tomato salsa, asparagus and sliced tomatoes. CONs: On two separate occasions I've had some pretty salty food placed in front of me (the chicken gumbo soup) and on one occasion, soggy bread with the mini burgers. My husband gave the gumbo another shot when we went earlier in the week, that time it was perfect. Maybe it's hit or miss! Overall...I'm still a huge fan of Ted's. The good meals FAR outweigh the few hiccups I mentioned. Give them a try!
(4)
Bella B.
This restaurant was such a surprise , not only delicious food But so affordable !!!! Great steak and fish . Their bison merlot was the house red and superb with my Ribeye steak done perfectly and we had a great waitress !!!!
(5)
Paul X.
During my recent trip to DC, there were plans made to go to Ted's Montana Grill. This was the restaurant I was most excited about going to during my 3 day stay in DC. I called ahead of time to see if we could make a reservation as it was Saturday night, but they said they make reservations for large groups. However, I think that is quite odd since 98% of the restaurant has tables set up specifically for four people or booths that fit four people. But moving on... The four of us managed to get a seat without a wait...I would've been disappointed to have to go somewhere with a shorter wait because all that was on my mind was a bison steak. And I wasn't disappointed...the bison ribeye was excellent!!! Really really REALLY damn good. The bison chili was also very good. That's why it's such a tragedy the rest of the experience was disappointing: - It was a too long a wait time for the beers and drinks to arrive at the table after we had ordered them, literally about 15 minutes. For a draft beer? - The hubby's mojito didn't taste anything at all like it should - it tasted more like watered down rum. All of us tried it, and all agreed it was pretty bad. It had to be returned. - I'm not one to return a meal because I'm pretty easy to please, but there's one exception; when a steak is ordered medium rare and it comes out much too well done (because meat is the best food group and it always should be experienced in the best way possible :). 2 out of the 4 entrees came out very well done as opposed to the medium rare order. The waiter came up with a "I gave them the right order". Well, buddy, we're not pointing fingers at anyone...no need to get defensive. Although we did eventually get a "Sorry" from him. - The waiter forgot silverware for two of us for desert even though he said he will be "bringing out for everyone". We ended up grabbing silverware off another table next to us after a few minutes. - Finally, due to business reasons, etc., we ended up getting four separate checks. The four of us paid with credit cards. The waiter returned four of our bills. None of the bills had a pen to sign our names or add a tip. WTF??? *We* ended up scrounging for a pen at the front desk because we couldn't spot him and we didn't want to have to wait another 15 minutes for a pen. Do you not want us to tip you, dude??? In fact, one of our party said they weren't leaving a tip. And frankly, I don't blame them. I was quite conflicted whether I should give the guy anything, either. The service really did suck. For a *steakhouse*??? C'mon! Usually I don't care too much about getting a free comp out of a restaurant (a free drink or a comped desert to end things on a better note), but in this case, I think it should've been attempted, and I would've included that in this review to at least show they at least made an effort. I think even a manager coming out to say something would've been nice. It's happened in other restaurants I've been in and for much better service in a more casual atmosphere. But that steak really was damn good...that's why it truly pains me to give these guys two stars...and that's kind of being generous.
(2)
Sue K.
Steak was very good, but you have to ask for free bread. The small plates are on table, he took our order, came back gave is pickles (a little salty)took plates away, we then said "don't we get bread?" He paused And said "sure" like it was an after thought. When we got our meal we asked for additional bread, he nodded bit we never got any more. So all in all food is great service can use a little improvement
(2)
David H.
Try a bison burger here and you won't be disappointed. I originally ordered the Chili Cheeseburger but was told it's not served anymore (though it's on the menu), I didn't get how they don't serve it when it's on the menu and they serve all the ingredients (burger, bun, chili, cheese). Not a huge deal and I had the bacon bbq cheese burger instead which was good as well. I also had the salt and pepper onion rings which had a good flavor, were, crispy, and weren't greasy which impressed me. I also had the Big Sky Lemonade which is a fresh made lemonade with bourbon and would order it again. They also give you free homemade pickles with your meal. Teds is a chain, but for a chain I'd recommend it. Send the tourists here also and let the locals enjoy Ray's in peace.
(4)
P G.
I liked it for a variety of reasons. An expansive menu. The food was very good considering the price point, which is quite reasonable considering the area. My bison KC strip was perfectly prepared but tasted lean. No kidding, bison is lean so I expected it. I did like the sustainability aspect. It felt like there was very little waste there. A little crowded; the woman sitting at the table next to us bumped into ours when she sat down.
(4)
Carol Y.
Loved this place - we had a booth which greatly cuts the noise - and the waiter was fabulous. We'd not had bison before and thought it was great. I was feeling stuffed from sitting in a conference all day so had the bison chopped salad and it was just what I wanted. The Kid had salmon and loved it. The Husband had a bison cut and loved it too. We'd eat at a Ted's again if we come across one.
(4)
Marivic L.
I've been to Ted's a bunch of times, mostly because I used to work near this location and now work near the Alexandria one. Anywho, I visited this location again this past Saturday since I had to go to the airport. The upside is that Ted's has enough of a variety of things to keep most people happy. I've tried their salad with salmon cooked on a cedar plank. Yup, my attempt to be healthy, and it was good. I really just wanted one of their burgers which are big and juicy and even tastier than the salad could ever hope to be. I've had so many kinds there, I can't remember them all. My all time fave is still the swiss and mushroom. Though basic, it really is surprisingly scrumptious. Their fries are good and so are their onion rings, but the star here are their burgers. I've also tried the bison burgers but, honestly, I like the fat, flavor, and juiciness of the beef. If you want a solid burger, served in a welcoming atmosphere with waiters/waitresses who are attentive, Ted's a good place to go. Now, if I would only have enough room for dessert, I'd try those too. MMM, cookies.
(3)
SC O.
Lunch after shopping and always been "meh" about Teds menu. Nice surprise! One of the best classic cheeseburgers ever, the pickles to start were fab and our bartender was great! Late lunch w/ high marks. Minus feeling like a tourist in my own city. People, take your lanyard badges off when strolling.
(4)
Lindsey O.
Excellent burgers, excellent bison nachos. We visited on a Saturday night, received prompt service, with an expert server. She was fully knowledgeable about the menu & never let our drinks become empty. I absolutely will be returning.
(4)
Josh B.
I had the caesar salad with salmon last night for dinner. What an amazing fish. As someone new to the area, I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Scot W.
Their bison burgers are awesome; I like mine medium rare with either the cheddar, bacon and bbq sauce or with blue cheese (and maybe bacon). If you get yours medium rare, or even medium, it is very juicy and can be tough to keep together, but it is still delicious. Their fries are very good and the brined pickles they put out on the table are excellent. (I don't like regular pickles, but these are great). The service is always friendly and professional, they keep your drinks full and make you feel welcome without being overbearing. The atmosphere is casual, although it is regularly visited by military-industrial complex suit n' tie types. (Causing global destruction can work up quite an appetite) The rotating soups are usually pretty good and the buffalo chili is quite excellent. There is nothing on the appetizer menu that is mindblowing, but the salads are fresh and tasty. None of the desserts stand out except for the cookies; they keep it pretty simple. I once had a bison steak there and was quite impressed, but I typically stick to the burgers. If you have the misfortune of spending an evening in crystal city, this is not a bad place to go.
(4)
Mindy M.
I would give this place 4 stars if it was not for the fact that it is a chain (I have issues with chain restaurants). With that said, we were seated immediately even though it was still technically dinner hour - not having a long wait was refreshing. We weren't expecting to be seated that quickly and even had to take our nearly full beers that we ordered from the bartender to our table. I got "George's Cadillac Bison burger" (bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce) medium and it was AMAZING. Very moist and flavorful - I would get it again in a heartbeat. The fries that came with my burger were hot (I hate cold or tepid fries) and I actually ate all of them which I rarely do. My boyfriend got the Bison meatloaf and that was good as well though I must note that the mashed potatoes were disappointing (and dry) and the "Aunt Fannie's" squash casserole was also a little too dry and the squash was really over cooked. The dinner (w/o the 2 beers) was only $22 - can't beat that price! Next time though I think we'll order different sides with the entree. Also, the lighting was a little too low and I found the mirrors that they have at each booth a little odd (why not just turn up the lights a bit?!) Other than those 2 things (and the side dishes that came with the yummy meatloaf), I was really happy with the place. It was different, the bison actually tasted different than beef, and our service was fantastic. The guy was really attentive and didn't do the "disappearing act" that some reviewers have noted. Also, the beer they have on tap is good even if there is not a wide selection available. I had their house ale and it hit the spot. I also liked the fact that their straws are biodegradable/ earth friendly as are their table clothes and their to-go boxes. With so much waste these days, it was a nice change of pace from the norm. Lastly, the next day my boyfriend got a call from the restaurant. Apparently we left the cc there. Our waiter gave the card to the manager and they immediately worked on finding out how to contact him through the Amex Corp. Card number (that's how they got his #). What a sigh of relief that they not only found it, but took the extra time to track us down- now that's customer service for you.
(3)
Daniel R.
Being from Hawaii this was someplace I probably would not find myself eating. I ate the bison and surprisingly it was very delicious. It was very savory and tender, I haven't had bison so I thought it'd taste a bit gamey or so but it didn't. One thing that I liked about here was that I left full, which is always a good ting.
(4)
Tom C.
Always great service, friendly waiters/waitresses, fun food and atmosphere. Not highbrow, but I'm ok with that. I give 5 stars for always being solid in its category.
(5)
Allison M.
Wow, I had a really great burger here. I ordered the Canyon Creek, which had "cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, fresh jalapeños, blackberry jam and a fried egg* "over-easy" and was so amazing. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Joe I.
This has been the fifth or sixth time my wife and I have eaten here, as we live just down the street. Everytime we've come here, I have had no complaints and the food and service have been very good. But this time, we had such a great experience, I just felt compelled to write a review. It was all mainly due to our server, Chip. What a delightful person he is! My recommendation is to ask to be seated in Chip's section if you go in. He's just a great conversationalist, but very intuitive and knows when and when not to visit your table. He had some great recommendations on menu and bar items. All in all, it was one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long time. We had the bison nachos to start. It was just the right amount for two, and the chili they put on there is really good. It has a nice, slightly mild/sweet flavor that I really like. I had the bison meatloaf, and it came with a wonderful squash casserole and mashed potatos. My wife had the Big Sky grilled salad with freshly made honey-mustard dressing that was the best I've ever had. I had a Stella Artois and my wife had a Yuengling--both soooo good and cold. We were stuffed when we walked out.
(5)
Mary S.
The waitress added herself a 20% tip amount without our consent. We'd almost add new tips because we thought those prices are only for food. We noticed only after she swiped and left us no way to find her again. This is a horrible and disgusting act to cheat. Any restaurant that encourages its waitresses to cheat on their customers should close and lose all its money.
(1)
Kirk V.
One of the best burgers I have every had. They have quite a few different burgers on their menu and everyone in my dinner group loved the one they ordered. They have steaks on their menu, but the large selection of burgers seem to be their specialty. Very fancy interior but reasonable prices.
(5)
Ryan T.
Food was decent but the service was horrid. Only a handful of customers, there were twice as many servers and yet somehow, no one could get any service. Maybe it was because they were too busy dancing by the bar.
(3)
Valarie G.
Great food and good prices. The burgers were great and huge portions. I wasn't impressed with the service (took 15 minutes before we saw the waiter) and there were lots of screaming children (so there goes the atmosphere). Great for groups but not much more.
(3)
Olive O.
I like this place for a casual dinner get-together. The food is good, the ambiance reasonable, and the service (usually, but not always) very good. The prices are also very good. I have a family member who loves this place, so we've frequented this place over the last couple of years. I like this place! I'll be going back.
(4)
Rachel B.
The steaks and burgers are of course fantastic. The onion rings are huge (never ordered them though). The chopped salad is also perfect for a lunch splurge or light dinner.
(3)
David L.
Pretty good bison burger. Service was mediocre. Will go again if I am ever in the area.
(3)
Alisa M.
I give Ted's 4.5 stars. Ted's is always great for a bison burger or when you have a hankering for a home cooked meal. My recommendations are either a bison burger (excellent, they dont pack their burgers like most places, the meat is kept lose so it can breathe while it cooks - i think this makes it yummy and moist!), bar none sliders (excellent as well), or the beer can chicken which is what I had tonight. Phenomenal. I usually do not like chicken breast but this chicken is super moist. It comes with two sides pretty much of your choice since you can substitute the original offering. Atmosphere is quiet, quaint, homey. However you'd like to describe it. Looks like a saloon with dark woods and brown paper on the tables. Everything I've had here has been good. You can't really go wrong in my opinion. Food is always fresh. They have interesting straws, it's eco friendly either made out of straws or paper, i'm not sure. There is a kids menu as well. I think it's a great place for kids. Prices are not bad at all. Very reasonable. Go to Ted's! It's great!
(4)
Will D.
I ate at Ted's Montana Grill in a group of 4. We all ordered bison, but prepared 4 different ways, all of which we enjoyed very much (5 stars). There was about a 20 minute wait for a table when we visited. Service was very friendly, but not always available (it seemed as though they were understaffed: 3 stars). Our server seemed aware that he wasn't at our table frequently enough (for drink refilling, etc.) and did try to make it up to us with a free desert to go (which was delicious). Since this experience, some of our original party have eaten at another Ted's location and had an excellent experience.
(4)
Michael A.
My favorite bison burger anywhere
(5)
K S.
The best thing about this place is probably that the wait is never as long as the hostess tells you it will be. I only come here for business lunches where I'm not paying. Yeah, you can get bison...but I'm not down with $12 (BEFORE tax and tip) burgers at a chain restaurant. And the fries aren't even that good. They have sweet tea and environmentally-friendly cardboard straws, that's a plus, but instead of a bread basket or other beer snack you get pickles. I hate pickles, but YMMV. Bottom line: does Ted Turner need any more of your money?
(2)
Chris M.
I went there for the first time with some coworkers for lunch. I had never eaten bison before, so I gave it a try.... SO good. The prices are decent, and the food was well worth it. The service was good. Despite the place being packed during the lunch hour, we sat down (without reservations) in about 15 minutes I'll be back!
(4)
Ian L.
When it comes to burgers, its hard to beat Ted's bison. The bison meat is more flavorful and more healthy then beef. They have a wide range of ways to top the burger, my favorite is the New Mexico. I always get medium rare and have found the burger to be cooked correctly. Their service is good and the wait staff is very attentive.
(4)
P J.
Do yourself a favor and eat an Amazing bison burger.
(4)
Pete D.
I was in the area for business about a year ago and stumbled upon this place. Ate here and came back the next day for the same one item. I was in the area again for business recently and clearly remembered that one item, came back again, bison burger. I'm a sucker for burgers and obviously, ground beef is your number one choice. But each time I come here, I just have to get the ground bison meat (I'll give in one of these days and get the cow). But anyway, I'm here for quick lunch, so I snatch up a vacant spot at the bar. Right away, the bartender scoops you a small bowl of their pickled cucumbers, good stuff here (ask for a refill if you devour them). They have a handful of burgers as far as the type of toppings you want, as well as cheeses. You'll probably be overwhelmed of which one to try. This time around, I had "name" (I can't recall) but it had swiss, guacamole and a green pepper chile. I asked for all this on the side, except for the cheese. The burger came out just as I ordered, medium and it was great. Full of flavor, tender, dripping juices which flowed off of the bun and also soaked into the bun. The taste of bison has a slight gamey taste to it, but it's nothing like lamb or goat. It's different, a stronger "beef" scent. Bison is lean, but their burgers are done well, as I've mentioned. Served with fresh cut potatoes, literally, because behind the bar, there's someone cutting them and frying them fresh. I ordered a side caesar salad too, nothing spectacular here, but not disappointing either. Service at the bar is good. There are usually two team members running around and taking care of you. For lunch time though, it gets pretty crowded, so go before the 12:00 PM rush or after the rush. I got there about 1:00 PM and the crowd was dying out, both the bar and restaurant area. The price for the bison burger meal starts at $11, depending what toppings you get. Lastly, I recommend this place for the bison burger. I honestly cannot rate anything else because I haven't had it. A solid 3-star and I will always make room and time if I'm in the area.
(3)
Sonny B.
Hungry? Bison curious? In Crystal City and looking for a great burger? One word. Teds I go here at least twice a month for lunch, have had most of the burgers on the menu, and love the Green & Hot Bison burger. The best times to go are either at 11:00AM or 1:30PM. The service can still be slow during these times, but is much improved. Definitely a 45-minute lunch. Definitely not as cheap as McDonald's or as great value as Ray's Hell Burger, but the best bet in Crystal City for a decent burger. Fun Fact: The Bison/Buffalo head in the dining room is real!
(4)
Judy C.
Bumped Ted's down to 3 stars. The food is just as good as before, but it's just too pricey. $16 for a burger and fries is a bit too much, even if it is bison...
(3)
Mikkela T.
Looks like a steak house. Feels like a gentleman's club. But there is no cigar smoke and the only salty talk was me commenting on my hamburger, the buffalo sliders, the onion rings, and even the asparagus! But I like that they have cardboard straws (eco-friendly), they substitute any side at no extra cost, they have lots of booths, and they have a lunch menu for $13. But, too salty!
(3)
Frank H.
Stream of consciousness Review - Good burger - bison sort of gimmicky but nothing special to me. - I went during lunch - the crowd is lively and a bit crowded. - My waiter was a little short with us; apparently asking for mustard is a sin. - $12 for a burger seemed like a lot. - Fries were good; kaiser bun reminded me of Wendy's. - I like Ray's HB.
(3)
Marc B.
We discovered Ted's Montana Grill in Suburban Denver and decided to find one in the DC burbs (as usual the better restaurants are in NoVa).. The bison burgers and bison ribs (Saturday night only) are superb (if you like bison). Portion sizes are decent and the service was attentive and friend. I feel odd recommending and giving five stars to a restaurant owned by Ted Turner, since I am the "reddest" of all Republicans. Bottom line, if you like meat go to this restaurant!
(5)
DeAngelo V.
Everything at this place is excellent! Bison Burger's are amazing. The Sunday Turkey dinner is exceptional as well. Parking in and around there can be a pain.
(5)
Dee M.
Ted's is great because of its prime location. There really aren't many other choices besides Ruby Tuesdays. The food was just okay. I tried the bison burger for the first time and it's definitely not my cup of tea. The service was good, but there are better choices in nearby Oldtown Alexandria.
(2)
Brittany G.
Bison! More places should serve bison. Healthy and yummy and good times. Ted's does a solid burger, good free pickles and yeasty rolls, and I've always had great service. I'd give them more stars if they improved their drinks -- they have a pretty respectable wine list, but both times I've gotten wine there have been problems (corked bottles in one and chunks of cork the other, bad form). I have also been thoroughly underwhelmed by their bartenders, who mix weak drinks poorly. I'd stay away from the alcohol here, but it's a great place for a burger.
(3)
John O.
All of my stars are for the bison meals and service. I love the bison burgers and chili, and the service is usually very good. I hate that they pour weak ass mixed drinks, and how much said drinks cost.
(4)
Mich S.
Great for lunch and Happy Hour! Highly recommend the Cranberry Glazed Roasted Chicken.
(5)
Kyle U.
One of the best burgers I have ever tasted! Although a few dollars more expensive than the original burger, make sure you get your burger made with Bison - amazing. Good unique selection of burgers (mine had an egg, bacon, and a blackberry jam sauce that was to die for). All of my friends got different burgers and we loved them all. Price is a bit steep at $18 for a bison burger (hence the 4 stars), but if you're looking for a high quality burger and a great establishment... go no further.
(4)
Craig H.
Fun. Great burgers!
(4)
Len P.
Take the 5 star rating with a small grain of salt, as Ted's is a chain... but this is certainly the best Ted's location I've eaten at and Ted's is probably my favorite chain restaurant. Why is this? Well, to start this Ted's is a place that's flanked by Ruth's Chris, Morton's and McCormicks, all of which I've eaten at several times, and somehow manages to come out on top on both quality of food and price. The sliders are incredible, the bison chili is suburb and the burgers are everything you could hope for. Most Ted's rate a 3-4 star rating but this location consistently outperforms on every dish I've ordered. The Fish & Chips is almost as good as Old Ebbitt's even.
(5)
Lauren M.
Outstanding. Ted you really know how to cook a burger. I love meat!!
(5)
Ryan C.
The burgers are far better than good especially if you go the bison route. The drink pricing is not the best but that is to be expected as the food is the focus here. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this establishment for a fun but casual night out with friends or your lady.
(4)
Jive T.
The buffalo burgers are my favorite with a good old fashioned milk shake. The cocktails are well made and strong. The outdoor dining is fun and pleasant and CLEAN! The best part is the interior decor--the bathrooms have a 1930's/1940's theme. It is conveniently located near the metro and the Crystal City walk/park area.
(5)
Stephanie P.
What do you do when you've been up since before dawn and spent your whole day flying across the country? Why, you stagger off the plane, grab your bag, and head straight for the nearest patty of sizzling buffalo meat, that's what! Or at least that's how I got my first taste of Ted's Montana Grill. I wasn't sure if my friend was joking when she told me the place was owned by Ted Turner, who also provided the meat from his ranches, but apparently she was telling the truth. All I know is that stretching out my legs and sucking down a cherry lemonade was sweet, sweet post-flight relief. I went with the classic cheeseburger, but there are lots of different variations on the buffalo burger theme, from the S.O.B. (Swiss cheese, grilled onions & bacon) to the disgusting-sounding Kitchen Sink (grilled ham, mushrooms, onions, fried egg, bacon & choice of cheese). My friend had the bison meatloaf, which she proclaimed to be just right, especially the garlic mashed potatoes. The service was fine, and our waiter was excessively friendly, although he had this unbelievable Italian accent that I could barely understand (and also suspected might be a joke). We couldn't even finish our dinners and therefore couldn't even consider dessert, but I do wish I had stopped at the gift shop on the way out and gotten one of the $2 buffalo keychains, which really were awfully cute. tedsmontanagrill.com/sto… I really like buffalo meat, although I prefer it in fajita form - not that there's anything wrong with Ted's burgers, I'm just not a huge fan of hamburgers in general. But for a jet-lagged stomach that had been surviving on soda and roasted peanuts all day, a huge slab of meat was exactly what the doctor ordered. I suspect it would also be excellent hangover food, although, naturally, I wouldn't know anything about that myself...
(3)
George P.
This place has great food. The atmosphere is fun, the staff is friendly and there's parking on the street.
(3)
Peter T.
Found the place using the app while we were staying nearby. Easy walk from lots of hotels. Fun and large menu with something for everyone, even my somewhat picky kids. We all had good meals and drinks. Service was friendly and prompt. Comfortable table and seating. Prices weren't cheap, just on the edge of high for a family meal, but fair for a vacation.
(5)
John G.
Thanks to a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver, we had a great dinner here. While it is a atmosphere where you would think to order the steaks, this place is all about the burgers. We ordered four burgers and a side do fries and rings. The girls also split a milkshake. The burgers can be made with beef or bison. Pay the extra dollar and get the bison. It is sweeter and more tender. Only four stars because it is pricey for a burger and our waitress was slow on refilling our waters each time but the food was 5 star!
(4)
Paul H.
I moved here about 2 months ago and I can easily say this is the best burger I've had. A lot of the other reviews said the service was bad but my personal experience was great. It was my friend and I and we both got different burgers and loved them both. The onion rings were the best I've ever had and I recommend them as an appetizer. I will definitely be returning. It is about 20$ for an appetizer and burger so it's by no means cheap but it is worth it.
(4)
Ison Z.
Loved the bison ribeye! Service was excellent. Would come back anytime.
(5)
Trisha H.
I have eaten here twice, and both have been great experiences. They bring you cucumbers instead of bread, which I like because I love cucumbers. The first time I decided to be adventurous and I went with their bison burger that has jalapenos and blackberry jam, and it was DELICIOUS! The second time I went with three other friends and it was still awesome. Everyone enjoyed their burger, and was happy with the ambiance and service. If you are craving a delicious burger, definitely check this place out.
(4)
Katie H.
Glad we decided to check this place out. Our waiter (Chip) was super friendly and helpful with touring through the menu! He recommended the Avalon bison burger with housemade onion rings and it was on point. My sister got the bison rib-eye and loved it as well. For dessert we shared the apple crisp and it was delish! Overall it was a good experience I'd definitely come back!
(5)
Danielle L.
VERY DISAPPOINTED! I had heard great things and was excited to try this for the first time- I even brought out of town vistors with me. NOT WORTH IT. Service was terrible! Our server barely spoke to us, ignored our table for LONG periods of time (we had to flag him down to ask questions about menu, order our meals, ask for referrals, AND to ask for check!!), plus he would just disappear for long periods of time. He had zero personality and mumbled when he was at our table. Strike one against the restaurant. We ordered the bison nachos and they ended up being the best thing of the night. Tortilla chips with ground seasoned bison, sourcream, cheese, and some halepenos. I ordered the smoked cedar plank salmon which came with mashed potatos, and green beans. Green beans were ice cold and had to be sent back- when the hot ones arrived I seasoned with salt and pepper and they ended up being best part of my meal...however, I can do that at home and dont need to be paying $17! The salmon lacked flavor and was luke warm- it was only salvagabe by being eaten with the horse radish sauce they provided. Mashed pot also lacked flavor and were luke warm. If this were like a $12 dinner I would have been more ok with having such a lackluster meal but not for $17. My group also ordered the bison pot roast, bison meatloaf, and a beef ribeye. All were "okay" lacking flavor and freshness. Not worth the money. Won't be back.
(2)
Mandy M.
great food, great staff! We went to Ted's for dinner tonight and had a great meal- Caesar salad and bison steak. Adrian was our server and he was awesome. Super professional and took good care of us, constantly checking to make sure we were doing fine. Highly recommend the restaurant and esp if you can sit in Adrian's section!
(5)
Esther H.
One of my absolute favorite places in DC. I ordered the strip bison steak, which was amazing and cooked perfectly, but, more than that, I was surprised by how great everything was. Even the Caesar dressing is spicy and fresh and wonderful! VERY happy, and not just because of the wonderful Muscato!
(5)
Wanting M.
Good stop to go if you are craving burgers (which I was when I went). Good selection of burgers and I've never actually seen bison served anywhere else yet so that was interesting to try. My server was very attentive and I did like the atmosphere of the restaurant-- very casual yet polished. The burgers are generally $13 for beef and $16 for bison, so slightly pricey for what I would consider paying for burgers. But I would definitely go back again on days when those burger cravings hit!
(4)
Jennifer D.
Huge fan off bison who will have to find it elsewhere. Service was super slow, waiter forgot to place wine order, waiter didn't bring ketchup or butter despite the fact that we had French fries, rolls, and potatoes, silverware was noticeably dirty. Food was decent but definitely didn't make up for the service issues. Paid $50 for lunch for two, not worth it.
(2)
Blair L.
We waited 10 minutes after being seated and were never waited on. No less than 4 members of the wait staff walked by as we obviously looked for some assistance in hopes that one would stop by, but they all avoided our gaze. As we left, we informed the hostess of what happened and not even an apology was murmured as we walked out the door. We were so looking forward to some bison steaks too... So disappointed.
(1)
Lamia A.
Best burgers!!! I'm not a meat lover but I LOVE their fork and knife burger mmmm. Good atmosphere and overall service. Food is the best!!
(5)
Discerning T.
Everyone in our party of six raved about their food - excellent! Service was good. After reading some other reviews, I wondered if it was because our Saturday lunch is slow. Good service, excellent food - burgers, salads, fresh-brewed tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade - fantastic!
(4)
Branden G.
Absolutely a must in my opinion. I've been here for years and can't believe I am only discovering Ted's, the burgers are incredible and I highly recommend the bison. Service was great, too!
(5)
Shell S.
Overpriced burgers. The food was ok, not great. Service was ok. Wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)
Amie P.
This place was awful. Sweetest waitress, adorable and I felt bad for her because our food was so bad. I ordered the bison sliders, grilled asparagus and sweet potato. The sliders were dry and over cooked, they were screaming for fresher bread, lettuce and tomato. The asparagus wasn't grilled at all, it was steamed. We also didn't Ike the paper drinking straws....weird. Won't go back...what a shame.
(1)
Nils S.
Excellent service, but the food was not my style (bison burger). A bit overpriced, but I assume that was due to the rarity of the product. I will not return, only because bison was not worth the price I paid.
(3)
Bob B.
Started with a 5 minute wait at the hostess stand with no acknowledgement from anyone. Hostess finally came over said how many, grabbed the menus and walked away. We followed only because we thought that was the thing to do. She threw the menus on the table, said here and walked away. That's when my patience went out the window. I asked her to come back and asked if she was having a bad day and she answered "yes, as a matter of fact I am." Wow! I then gave her my speech about no matter how bad her day is she should never take it out on the customer because at the end of the day, it's the customers who keep your doors open. She gave me a dirtly look and at that point I asked to see the manager. He did apologize but you could tell that he wasn't going to do anything about it. We continued to get dirty looks all night from the hostess and I understood why she was upset; she was doing all of the table bussing. The service was painfully slow and our server lacked a shred of personality. The food was decent but as a resident of Crystal City, I wouldn't go back with this type of service. I had a similar miserable experience at Kora the night before and I'm getting tired of bad service being the norm. Had dinner at Bar Louie on Thursday and it was great. Food was okay, what we expected, but the server was lively, helfpul and made our experience.
(2)
Ken E.
Why this place was SRO last night is beyond me. The only pro is its ideal location in Crystal City. The cons include service personnel more suitable for a fast food restaurant, lousy, tasteless food and a sub par wine/beer menu. If you like the food, go to Applebees, eat the blue plate special and save yourself time and lots of $$. You deserve better.
(1)
Amanda E.
Food was great! Had the Bison Filet and it just melted in my mouth. Service was even better. Alex was fantastic! Definitely will go back.
(5)
Bryan B.
Very good food, outstanding Buffalo ribeye... Service needs a little work to see a five star
(4)
Tatyana M.
The first and we think the last time here. a) at 4pm the hostess having 90% of the tables vacant placed us at the very unappealing boot facing women restroom door and service station right behind it. b) ordered wedge salad, chicken and Delmonico bison entrees. Salad was OK, Chicken was mediocre but still eatable, Bison was raw instead of medium rare and so salty that after 2 bites we stooped eating it. c) Service was kind of "nice", but didn't care even to take back dirty dishes till the very end of the dining. d) For that quality of experience the value is very poor. No return for us.
(1)
Cat W.
The food is good - love the onion rings, the Big Sky Grilled Salad, and the strawberry lemonade. Service is always good, but can be a little slow every now and then when it's really busy. Take out service is great. They pack the food really well, keeping things separate so nothing gets soggy.
(4)
Ken C.
Bison Burgers with Kitchen Sink option. Knock you out and fill you up : ) Free parking is another good deal after 4pm.... So, you can't beat that at VA area. Plus not far from Pentagon city which you can head over there for bars. If not, then take the metro or drive to GT is not that far away...
(3)
Alan L.
We held an office luncheon at Ted Montana Grill today with 20 people in attendance. As to be expected the food was excellent! Everyone in the group ordered something different, from bison burgers to bison meatloaf to bison steak. In each case, the meal was prepared with care and flair. Not a single bad experience in the entire group. My bison meatloaf was delicious, and I especially loved the tangy sauce on top. Substitutions to the order? Not a problem, every change was made with ease and a smile. Our waitress, Veronika, took extremely good care of us--refilling drinks before we asked, bringing the food out quickly, and best of all delivering individual checks to each diner without us having to even ask. My only disappointment is that in such a good restaurant, they seem woefully ill-prepared for a large group in an area where such groups visit regularly. Our group was seated at 3 separate tables of 6-7 diners, and when it came time for achievement acknowledgement and gift giving, there was no easy way to arrange the group. Speakers had to shout to be heard, which I'm sure was as annoying to other patrons as it was to us. Would love to see them develop some table arrangements for larger groups in te rear of the restaurant to facilitate these types of luncheons! But beyond that, you can't go wrong for your meal or price!
(3)
Adam R.
Ted's is awesome! Try the bison, it's half the fat, and tastes good too. Please remember to substitue the fries for onion rings....you wont be disappointed unless you are trying to lose weight, then you will be very disappointed....but why are you eating a Ted's if you're trying to lose weight, HUH?
(4)
Kim S.
went with some friends who simply LOVE this place and I understand why. we crept in at 11pm on the dot (closing time) and they still served us w/o rushing us out - how cool is that? they even put our ColdStone IceCream in the freezer for us (coldstone is next door). this was my first time trying bison and it was marvelous, simply marvelous - the onion rings rings were huge and the fries were five guyish but good. I was only able to eat 1/2 of my burger but it was lovely (bacon & fried onions). my 17 y/o enjoyed his bison burger as well. Looking forward to going back.
(4)
Gayle G.
This place loses a star just for being part of Ted Turner's "empire." No, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. A few months ago, my father in law came into town for a conference and was staying at the Marriott Crystal City so we needed to come up with a place for the three of us to go to dinner. Hubby is all about Buffalo meat, and we had already been to the other restaurants on this strip, so Ted's it was. I ordered the tenderloin strip of bison and hubby got the rib eye. I think my father in law ordered a bison burger. The service was slow, and our waiter disappeared for chunks of time without any warning. The steaks were less than impressive, but the squash casserole that I got with mine was really good. Other than that, if I go back..it will just be for drinks. For the price of the meal Jaleo or Bebo does much better.
(3)
Jackie M.
Ahhh....another awkward group luncheon with co-workers. This time it was because someone from our team was leaving. Ted's was a new venue for the work-group lunch, so at the very least, props to my co-worker for mixing it up and suggesting somewhere-not-where-we-always-go. Why awkward you might ask? Well, because I'm the youngest person in my group by about 20 years and I'm also the only girl (almost). The table conversation consists of talk about cardiologists, high blood pressure, adult children (ie: kids who are my age), and then jokes about how I'm young and don't have to worry about these things ... yet. Too many lunches like this and it makes you want to run screaming from the restaurant and sprint to Georgetown so you can dive head first into the first college infested bar you come across. If I had a collar, I would pop it like it was 2004 and not think twice, just please, no more talk of bad knees, heart medication, or collecting social security next year. But I digress, I'm here to talk about Ted's ... First of all, I'm sure our waiter cringed in fear and loathing as we sat down and answered 'yes' to his question of separate checks. Sorry. Secondly, props to him for never letting me see the bottom of my Diet Coke glass and remembering a fresh lemon every time. Although, he spoke so softly that I thought about offering him a tin can on a string so we could communicate across the table, but I didn't have one in my purse that day so I was left to say, 'What?' and 'Pardon?' After he asked me various questions about my order. I ordered a cup of Ted's signature bison chili, and the salad (it is a Cobb salad with your choice of salmon, shrimp, bison, or beef) with grilled salmon and basil vinaigrette dressing, which actually came out creamier than I would have liked. I was disappointed that Ted's did not offer a simple balsamic vinaigrette for those of us who are trying to avoid conversations about clogged arteries and cardiologists, but oh well. All that aside, the dressing was tasty and the salmon was cooked just enough to not be over or under done. The salad itself consisted of lettuce, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, and avocado (although mine came devoid of avocado, which made me sad). Unfortunately, my cup of chili was forgotten. However, it was not forgotten when I received my separate check. I didn't want to make a big stink during the meal when I realized that my chili would never appear in front of me, because managing a table of 15 people was enough work for one soft spoken man who seemed easily flustered. But, not one to pay for food I didn't eat, I had the waiter take it off the bill before I handed over any cash. When he came back with my corrected bill, he also handed me a chocolate chip cookie as a consolation for the mistake. Hooray! I felt like a little kid getting a lollipop after a haircut. That cookie was damn good. I also want to point out that I love the pickles here. They set them out on your table when you sit down and they remind me of pickles I used to eat when I was a kid, growing up in New York City - not overly vinegary, slightly salty, and crisp. The portions of food are large and you get good value for your dollar. The drink straws are made from recycled paper, which seems a bit odd, but it works. You worry that it might disintegrate in your mouth like those trick birthday candles that can't be blown out, but it doesn't. It performs its straw duty to an appropriate level of satisfaction.
(4)
Paul W.
At one point, this place may have offered the area's best burger. It was the only reason I'd go at least. Enter Five Guys, Hellburger, and Burger Joint. For me this place has become standby in case there's absolutely nowhere else to go in Ballston.
(2)
Peta B.
I'd say "A-OK" describes it well, it's got solid food and the ambiance is really quite nice. You are seated in booths that have three wooden walls (love the privacy and intimacy this provides) and your food is served on a leather table cloth. The ceiling features lovely beveling and detail and the Montana-Rocky Mountain theme is tastefully done. The food is quite good, my husband was satisfied with his bison pot roast, the mashed potatoes were flavor-packed and vegetarians should be able to find something on the menu, at least I didn't have trouble. I would recommend this for a solid meal if you're in the Crystal City-Pentagon area.
(3)
Jenna M.
No good. The restaurant was empty and we still had to wait for them to clean a table. The bartender walked us around, saw that there were no tables, brought us back to the front and made us wait while they cleaned a table. We sat down and no one came to our table for more than 10 minutes. I ordered a Corona and when I asked for a lime the waitress went to the bar (directly next to our booth) picked the lime up with her hands and HANDED it to me! No napkin or anything!! GROSS. Then we asked her how the Peppercorn burger was and she said "the cheese on it is like really stinky so I don't know." And then we asked her what their special "Z-Sauce was." She replied, "It's like mayonnaise and something else, I don't know." WHAT?! She didn't even say, "let me go ask" or anything. Then she forgot to bring our sodas.... the food was edible but no better than a typical American chain restaurant... The service was absolutely terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Sean D.
Bison ribeye was excellent! Paired with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Wait staff was attentive and extremely courteous. I'd eat here again.
(4)
Chris C.
Food - The Burgers are pretty good, but a tad pricey, and they have some other finger foods which are pretty good. Service - Good service everytime i've gone, even at the bar. Restaurant - Very fancy for a burger joint and in a nice location (crystal drive and 23rd street)
(4)
A. F.
I haven't found bison burgers since my trip to Yellowstone several years ago, so I was happy to find it here. It was pretty good. Bison is good because its leaner than beef. I really liked it here. I also like that this restaurant is a "go green" restaurant - everything from biodegradable straws to powdered soap (which I guess is better for the environment) in the restrooms. Your standard American fare here but with bison burgers and it is oh so good :)
(3)
Rachel W.
Ok, first, let's get over this .... it's a chain. Like Panera Bread, it's a chain I know and love without going down the shame spiral. Look, I went in here a half hour before closing, ordered a buffalo blue burger and a bourbon. Instead of being annoying the server commended me on my choice and carried on a coversation regarding the choice of Ted Turner's artwork in restaurants. That's customer service people. As for the food...the bison burgers are awesome and never dry. It's just consistently meaty goodness.
(4)
s g.
Horrible service! We stopped in tonight in hopes of having a casual dinner out with our 2.5 year old and our 1 year old. A server sat my wife and I at a booth with our children without saying a word to us and walked off without offering highchairs or booster seats. When our server finally came over, with me still standing at the table holding my 1 year old son, my wife asked about both. She said we couldn't have a high chair at a booth as servers had to walk by to serve food to other tables, of which there literally were none around us. (There were only two other tables of customers, and one was across the room and one wouldn't need to walk by our table to serve them, and the other was also across the room and behind our table and again, a server would not have had to walk by our table to serve them). I would have completely understood had the restaurant been busy, but it wasn't so a high chair at the booth wouldn't have been a safety issue today. We didn't mind moving though so we happily agreed to go sit at a table in the middle of the restaurant, however when my wife asked if they had booster seats for our 2.5 year old, she said we couldn't have a booster seat at a table, only in a booth! So, we literally couldn't eat at any of the tables in their restaurant with our family, unless one of us wanted to sit at the booth with our daughter in a booster, and the other one of us wanted to sit at the table with our son in a highchair. She offered to go ask a manager if she could give us a high chair at the booth, but at this point we'd already had enough and left. This restaurant really isn't kid friendly, so I wouldn't waste my time going there if you have little ones.
(1)
Rebecca J.
I give Ted's two stars - one for the food, one for the service. Honestly, I would give the service nearly four stars, but I don't want that to sway the overall rating. I was perplexed by the free appetizer of pickled cucumbers. While not terrible, it was clear they were experiencing an identity crisis - "am I pickle or am I a cucumber." I think a better idea would be to fry pickle slices and serve them with a complimentary cream sauce/dip. I don't expect to eat healthy at a steakhouse, so don't confuse me with cucumbers as an appetizer. Then comes the ceasar salads. All heart, no leaf. Thankfully, the server was intuitive enough to gather we didn't enjoy them and comped them from our ticket. Additionally, she offered us free dessert. I'll get to the dessert in a minute. Here comes the beef, or was it bison? I'm not sure. I ordered a medium "Avalon" beef burger, which came out well done and gamey tasting. You be the judge. The fries were somewhat redeeming of the mediocre entree. My bf's pot roast looked like a picture of pot roast but not actual edible pot roast as indicated by the gelatin gravy hiding the pulled beef. And now for the free dessert. They were out of chocolate chip cookies (perhaps they're the only good thing on the menu), so we got the fudge brownie. Let's just say, Little Debbie's are a more reliable source for a sugar craving. I'm not discounting the good experiences other reviewers supposedly had, but our trip was less than impressive. Our server, Nina, did take really good care of us, which is why the taste in our mouths is not so bitter. However, we won't be back.
(2)
K B.
Great yeast rolls. Fish was tasty too. The grilled asparagus was soggy; that was really disappointing.
(3)
Philip C.
Great ambience and friendly staff. I enjoyed the bison meatloaf and the dirty martini. Excellent wedge Cobb salad with crispy fresh iceberg lettuce.
(4)
Lyd K.
Buffalo meatloaf is awesome. Nice setting + good service. Go for it!
(4)
Kelly K.
July 2008-I was asked why I would order a fish sandwich at a meat place like this. Well, I had two badly cooked beef meals prior to this vist at the Sterling location of Ted's Montana Grill. The last time my steak was practically swimming in a sea of butter...gross! When I tried this other location in Crystal City someone at the bar was eating the fish sandwich...so I figured I would try it...and now I know that they are bad at cooking the fish sandwich too. Hey, I wasn't expecting it to be great...but I did expect it better than a fish fillet at a fast food restaurant...and it was not!
(2)
Becky F.
I suppose I should have tried the Bison Burger or Something made out of Buffalo.... Perhaps that is why I did not find this place to be particularly memorable. It seemed to me to have pretty average food, prices, etc... Nothing stands out, but if you are looking for something simple while staying in the area, not a bad option.
(2)
Peter T.
A more upscale chain restaurant with a western plains theme. You know the drill. Cowboy kitsch on the walls and lots of meat on the menu. Good burgers. Mediocre side dishes.
(3)
Scott J.
Great bison steak! I ate here this weekend since its close walking distance to the hotel and Ruth Chris was closed. Service was good and food tasty at less cost than Mortons or Ruths Chris. Quality is above Outback and just less than the expensive places. I liked the bison steak as its healthier than beef and unique taste.
(3)
Aaron E.
Do it. I loved the bison burgers, onion rings, and beer. You likely will be stuffed after eating here. The apple crisp dessert portion is also massive; enough to feed four. Not a fancy place, but it has a nice ambiance (nicer than Outback and Fudruckers). Also, checkout the biodegradable corn based straws. Nice environmentally friendly touch.
(3)
Mickey A.
Sliders rocked with roasted asparagus, great service.
(4)
Rachel T.
Bison burgers are the best. I have found no one ...yet who can compare to Ted's. Maybe it's the burger oat bun combo, maybe its the fact that whether the burger is naked, or covered in avocado or with plane old ketchup it's great every time. There are often waits, service is good but slow so this is the grade for the burger not the whole experience or even the whole menu-since the burger is why I come I never stray from that page of the menu. They keep your drinks full but don't get addicted to the lemonade in the summer since the refills are not free. Some reviewers say to get the bison medium rare-I would go well done it really tastes great. Their cookies are pretty good and so are starter salads and fries that come with the burger.
(5)
Wallace V.
Good service. Really friendly. Burgers are pretty standards, meat was a little dry(I had the bison). Buddy had the bison meatloaf and said it was awesome. Just a side note you can add vanilla or cherry flavoring to your coke if you want. Hard to find places that still do that.
(4)
Nicole F.
Just noticed that nobody commented on the chicken sandwich, which is what I had when I went. It was not good (overcooked & dry). Plus, it was overpriced. The restaurant was packed at lunch and I didn't understand what all the hub-bub was about. Can't remember what my husband ordered but he said it was unremarkable and we both agreed there are lots better choices in the area - especially with the mediocre service and long wait at lunch.
(2)
Jamie M.
This place is fairly average unless you're just craving some bison meat. I've tried their eggless Caesar salad and burgers and they're both just okay. Their burgers are really crumbly (probably means they're better quality) so be prepared for a mess. I usually end up eating mine with a fork. The bartenders and servers are all really friendly - this is the only place where we've had them initiate conversation with us.
(3)
Evan T.
I had never heard if this chain but it really hit the spot. God bless Ted Turner and his bison filet! If bison steak is actually leaner and tastes as delicious as it did then I see no reason to continue raising cattle.
(4)
Terry S.
The food at this chain never ceases to amaze. I'm particularly fond of the ribeye (either beef or bison!) and the bacon cheeseburger. Great stuff!
(5)
Nuj M.
I go for dinner, happy hour, dessert! Their sangria is so delicious, bartenders are friendly, food is always good, and I love the cucumbers they give you.
(5)
Rachel S.
Since I am from Montana, I get asked if I have been to Ted's Montana Grill all the time. I finally decided to try it out while my parents were visiting and staying in Crystal City. Not while it matters, but I really wish Ted could have kept the name "Montana" out of his restaurant. There is nothing Montana about this place at all. Anyways, the food was fine, but not anything I would ever crave again. I have had better steaks elsewhere. It was incredibly obvious that the food had been sitting out under a heat lamp for several minutes, which really disgusts me. The onion rings were bland. The garlic mashed potatoes were good, but again I wish they had been piping hot! My rib eye steak was tasty, and they seem to follow cooking specifications well. My steak was a perfect medium rare, but again, luke warm. Our server was pleasant, but as others have mentioned, I had to struggle to understand her heavy accent. I hate making an issue about someones accent, but it was very difficult to order from our server. Plus, for some reason the dining room is incredibly LOUD. I could barely hear my mother across the table, so my server was impossible to hear over the din! The prices were reasonable, but I think that there are better places to spend your money. Unless you are really into bison, this place can be avoided.
(2)
Lisa R.
very good eatery with wonderful meats, definitely not for the vegetarian! lol I didn't get the chance to try the bison meat (i wanted to get it, but it was too expensive to justify at the time), but i still ate a yummy steak there and loved loved loved the desert. WOW, YUM!!! I don't remember the name, the strawberry ice cream hot biscuit so yum yum! I like the idea of the paper straws for the environmental stuff, but they tasted simply bizarre, it tasted like a paper straw. not something i'd prefer. we got stuck at a table, i really wish there were more booths! i'm not a huge fan of sitting at a table in the middle of a large room. place is dark, pretty relaxed, not pretentious at all, and good for a dinner date. I'll have to check out the place for lunch! salad was great, as was the tomato :-)
(4)
Kathleen M.
I'm from Atlanta, so I'm sure that indirectly I owe Ted Turner my life or something. He did a hell of a job with the Braves, so I've got to love him for that. Know what else I love him for? His support of sustainable agriculture! Woo! For those who don't know, bison is an incredibly environmentally friendly piece of meat. Bison, unlike domesticated cows, are natural species along the Great Plains and do not cause the kind of destruction that cows have done. For one pound of beef you need to feed it 20 pounds of grain (hence why American agriculture has become a monoculture system, completely lacking of any biological diversity), whereas a bison can live on the natural grasses that grow in the areas. Also, bison are raised free-range, which we all know is a happy thing. Even if you don't give a rats ass about the environment, bison is the better choice because it is much leaner than beef. Ok, now that I've gotten my love for bison out of the way, on to the review of the restaurant itself. I used to live in Crystal City and my roommate and I would come here often for some good, juicy burgers. I don't think it's any pricier than other nice burger joints and I appreciate the fresh, diverse ingredients. I've always had great service. One night, my roommate and I were disgustingly starving and our waiter was great about bringing out the food really quickly and refilling our drinks as soon as they ran out. I've never had anything but burgers and salads here. Skip the fries and get the creamed spinach! It's to diiiiiiie for.
(4)
Chris R.
Best bison burgers ever. Great place for lunch and a beer.
(4)
Brent M.
This is a tough review to write. The food was pretty damn good when I went here. I had a buffalo burger with mushrooms, cheese, barbeque sauce, etc. The quantity and quality of the food I thought was pretty good, and they had a decent wine selection. The atmosphere is nice, and it's in a busy section of Arlington within walking distance of a bunch of places. The negatives were pretty strong. Because of the location and time of day, I had to park a bit far away in the parking garage of the mall next door. That was a pain in the neck. The big loss of points here was in the service. I was discussing this with my friends, and I understand that unemployment in this part of Virginia is very low right now, but seriously, at least hire a waiter who can speak English. In addition to having trouble communicating, he was not very attentive and was unable to answer any questions we had about the menu or food. This really detracted from my experience. I don't know if I would go back here - there are too many other options in the area that just seem like better picks.
(3)
Ken G.
The meal started off great with the cucumbers in place of bread. I ordered the COB Bison burger and it was pretty good. I got the onion rings on the advice of previous yelp review, however of the entire meal I would skip the onion rings. Not a winner
(4)
Rebecca O.
I wasn't sure what to expect, being born and raised in ND, I feel like me and Montana have something in common. Buffalo. So anyway, I felt at home, but still to 'chicken' to eat the bison, never been a big fan of it. We got cows in ND and Montana too, so I'll eat beef. That said, the burgers were juicy and delicious! My husband had some kinda chicken which was also delicious and the kids were given wiki-sticks to play with, which kept them busy for 1 1/2 days, thank you very much :)
(4)
Kim G.
I walked in thinking it was gonna be a great place, because of it's location and the leather booths and all the old men with ties. But then I saw the red and white checkered napkins and thought to myself "huh? something's off." Had to go with a bison burger, but nothin looked that appetizing on the menu so I made one up: avocado and mushroom...yum. Ordered a cherry lemonade and the refills kept coming, even before I was done with my drink, so I felt pressured to pawn it off to someone else or wet my pants later in the day. I chose the former. It was too pricey. Especially for me when I can do with a burger that's 10 bucks cheaper (IN-N-OUT hells yes)!
(3)
Dave S.
This place is great. The baked potato soup is one of my favorite items on the menu. Service is always good.
(4)
Will Y.
Walking by Ted's I always assumed it was a rather upscale place. I was surprised to discover that its very reasonably priced. I went for a quick dinner and almost picked the $16 three course option but decided that I simply had to have a bison burger. I chose one with swiss cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce and I can say that it was an excellent decision. I feel like this would be a great lunch spot for people who work in Crystal City.
(4)
Gigi A.
Best onion rings ever made. I'm actually writing this because I'm craving some, unfortunately the nearest Ted's is 2 hours away from here. Really great burgers, great chilled out place. Haven't tried the bison, but the beef was great.
(4)
Joe S.
Nothing crazy about the interior of the place, but the Bison burger was out of this world. I got the guacamole burger and was blown away. It was grilled to perfection. I am not a huge fan of chains, but this was really nice.
(4)
Jalyn H.
Am I committing blasphemy with this review? Ted's is a place that is raved about over and over again, and repeatedly fails to live up to the lofty expectations. Each time I go (I believe I've been there around 6 times, in Atlanta and in DC), I am faced with the same issues. Granted you get an ample amount of food, but it is way overpriced for what you get. Afterwards you feel so full that you can't eat for the rest of the day (maybe that's a personal problem). The service is consistently awful. Maybe it's a Ted's company policy that the server must be one or more of the following: tortoise slow, forgetful, or just plain unable to comprehend the difficult process of taking orders and computing checks. And this happens every single time! Another common occurrence is undercooked food. No matter if I order the bison burger or just a chicken salad, the meat is partially raw. Hello? Lose the heat lamps, people! Not that I wouldn't recommend the bison burger. More times than not it is really tasty, and a lot messy. The salads are passable and the aforementioned burgers are a safe bet. The pickle appetizers are a nice touch and the onion rings are also yummy. But don't eat too many otherwise you'll hate yourself later. Kudos to Ted's for keeping a clean establishment. Also a gold star for the powdered soap in the restroom. Ah, takes me back to 2nd grade.....
(2)
Bill H.
Two words: food poisoning. My wife and I have been there several times, and really enjoyed it, but the last time we went I got food poisoning from the bison burger. I threw up for three days straight, and nearly a week later my stomach still can't handle a full meal. It may have been a one time error, but I will certainly not be taking that chance again.
(1)
TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Had a beef burger. It was supposed to be medium well. It was well. The meat was not held together. It kept the spaghetti shape of the processor. I ate a quarter of my burger. Onion rings to salty. Drinks 10 each. Really good lemonade. But Lemonade is not worth $66 (cost of nasty dinner for two). Please close this place so something better may come
(1)
Jon J.
This restaurant is tasty enough that on two separate business trips to the area, I've eaten at it twice in the same week. The steak, whether you get bison or beef, is excellent - always well cooked and a very flavorful cut. The burgers, however, are out of this world. They've got a wide variety of them on the menu and will make one with just about anything that you can imagine (case in point, the "Kitchen Sink", which has ham, egg, bacon, onions, and mushrooms - all on top of a burger). They also have a good selection of side dishes and a staff of friendly servers. There is a Ted's near my office back home, but I never go there because it is more of a business-trip place for me. I can't see myself coming here more often than a few times a year, as the mostly American classics menu would get a little boring. But those few times I'm here - I love it!
(4)
Kadian F.
The prices are great. The buffalo meatloaf is pretty good and the buffalo burger is great and less guilty than a beef burger.
(4)
James B.
The first time I came here I was a bit nervous about trying buffalo. To my surprise, it is delicious! This Ted's has wonderful service and the food is always great. Be sure to make reservations though because it can get very busy, especially during tourist seasons. Since my first time going, I tried buffalo burgers, steaks, meatloaf and pot roast which are all scrumptious! They have a very good selection of burgers, both beef and buffalo, that are unique to Ted's.
(5)
Jon L.
This is bar none the best value - er "bang-for-the-buck" dining experience I have had in some time. The service was wonderful, as was my Bison Burger with fries. Loved the bottled Cokes! Bartender was also my server - friendly, made you felt welcomed. I had table service here before and the waitress was outstanding. I am as picky as they come. To those who abhor chains, this one may just change your mind!
(5)
Hilary J. A.
The burgers here are delicious!!! Mouth watering if you will--the bison anyways... there's a ton of different types that they make--the overall menu is decent for selection with large servings. The inside area is okay with large comfortable booths, but they have a nice patio area as well. The service was great and the drinks were just as good--they actually have some of their own cocktails that seem qutie tasty.
(4)
Sam Y.
This Ted's is nice with good food. It was slow getting our food, but our waitress was on point. The basic bison burger I ordered was good, but I was little disappointed with the squash casserole (I think that's what it was called). I was expected a healthier option than the fries, but the casserole was mostly bread with a few pieces of squash.
(4)
Mark B.
You almost have to feel guilty eating a bison steak with that big ol bison head staring down at. I couldn't help but continually glance up at his sad sad eyes as I devoured what could have been one of its family. I left wondering if I will be haunted by the souls of the bison that were slaughtered to tantalize our taste buds. After eating the bison Rib-eye, i still honestly have to say I am still a beef man. My server was efficient and friendly, the bison steak was cooked correctly, mashed spuds were good as always, however the usually top notch squash casserole left a little to be desired today. It was very clear that I was served the lasts of the pan as it was dried out and crunchy and still maintained the rounded shape of the corner of a serving pan. Overall I enjoyed my lunch and service was good, I will return but will order the beef so to avoid the judging glares of that freakin bison above me.
(3)
choad x.
Best Bison Burger in the area. A little bit of a walk from the Metro but best place for lunch around here.
(4)
Dan F.
Ever since I moved into Crystal City, I saw this "Ted's Montana Grill" and wondered how expensive it was, because I really wanted to try it out. Eventually my roommate and I got up the nerve and went down to try it out. Even though the place looks relatively classy from the outside (and it is), you'll see people go in dressed nicely and casually alike. Now, I had never tried bison before, but the bison burgers were quite a treat! The prices weren't too bad. A bit pricey for a burger (~$11), but for the atmosphere and quality, I couldn't complain. In addition, the service is great!
(4)
CYNTHIA C.
I wouldn't categorize Ted's Montana Grill as a great steakhouse. It's just average. What would be more fitting is to call this place an upscale burger joint. I ordered salmon one time and it was good. I like the food as I have never been disappointed but I have never been wowed. It's not too pricey and the service has always been good. However, the wait for food has always been slow. You need more than an hour to eat lunch here. The wait was so bad one time, my meal was comp'ed by the manager.
(3)
Steve P.
I had met a friend nearby for a drink, and was walking back toward my hotel when I saw Ted's. Hadn't heard of it before, and poked my head in to check it out. It's a dark-paneled, high-ceilinged room with a lot of hard surfaces, so quite loud. You have a choice of booths, freestanding tables, and a bar area that extends down in front of the kitchen prep area. I ended up ordering the George's Cadillac bison burger, cooked medium, on the recommendation of the other poster. The burger was flavorful and juicy. I ate it as a knife-and-fork meal without the top bun as the bison is a little looser than a beef burger. That, plus a Blue Moon bottle, was $16.67 plus tip. I don't know how this compares to other burger choices in the area, didn't think it was outrageously expensive.
(4)
Jeff E.
Ted's has a nice atmosphere and is in a good location in Crystal City. I live and work close by, so I eat here often. They have very good bison burgers, and bison steaks and bison nachos!. (Try the green and hot bison burger) They are known for their bison. The meat loaf is good, as is the beer can chicken. Get the Sweet Potato at night, it is tasty but not offered during the day. They also have onion rings and several salad options. The service is sometimes excellent, and sometime slow depending on which server you get, and how busy they are. They stay very busy at lunch and most weekday nights, so there can be a wait. Overall, I would recommend Ted's as a good go to resurant in Crystal City!
(3)
Chris E.
It is a little too pricey. But for an "Outback" style alternative this a great place. I got great service. Plus this is the only place I know that specializes in Bison.
(4)
David B.
Came here right after landing at Reagan Airport after a long day of work and traveling. Onion Rings are wonderful! The onions are thick, the batter is crispy, and not greasy. I had to try a bison burger and I have to say, it was very good. Had I not known it was bison, I would have sworn it was beef, very flavorful and juicy. The fries are fresh cut and very tasty as well. Burgers are in the $12 range with fries. I will certainly be back next time I am in Crystal City.
(5)
PC W.
I like this place and the concept that all the food is flown in fresh daily and nothing is refrigerated, blah blah blah. I also like bison. I've had the bison meatloaf, slow-roasted pork, bison pot roast and bison steak and it's all been good. Prices are reasonable. Garlic mash potatoes are yummay.
(3)
Nathan K.
I haven't been to this actual location of Ted's but I had a great experience at Teds my first time & a mediocre visit my second. The onion rings they served as appetizer were AWESOME--the ones I got with my meal the second time were borderline cold. I asked politely and the waitress rectified the issue, but if you eat at Teds, just be prepared to send some part of your meal back if its not up to par. Also, they play music thats pre-1950 for old-timey ambiance. If you haven't visited, I would give it a visit.(3.8-4.1)
(4)
ChuVan E.
Had a late night dinner here once. I had the bison burger with bacon and cheese with a baked potato. I finished about 1/2 of my burger b/c the portions are generous and greasy (mostly b/c of the bacon). It was my first time having bison and I enjoyed it. Service was slow. Our waiter was pleasant.
(3)
Steve N.
We came in around 10 pm on a Friday night and had to wait for at least 1 minute before we were greeted by a waiter and then immediately taken to a table. Both of us ordered the bison ribeye steak (1st time ever that we have eaten bison or buffalo), which was properly cooked at medium temperature but was very chewy (similar to eating a sirloin steak). The sides (garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms & onions) were pretty good. The strawberry shortcake was pretty big and made to share. It had a crunchy-on-the-outside biscuit (instead of a soft cake), very good HD vanilla ice cream, and strawberries. I give this dessert a thumbs-up. Since our waitress provided us with very good service and the food was good (except for the chewyness of the steaks), we'll definitely come back to try the bison burger (which we hope will not be as chewy) and onion rings.
(3)
Craig M.
Great food, mediocre service.
(3)
Catalina R.
This review is for service only: A friend and I had dinner at Ted's and ordered the trout and No. 11. The No. 11 was asked to be cooked medium, however, the end result was much closer to well-done. Our server, Theo, was extremely accomodating and apologetic. Theo promptly removed the item from the bill and took the opportunity to present us with a very nice dessert on the house. The manager also came by the table and took the opportunity to express his apologies. We really appreciated how the restaurant managed this error. They went above and beyond!
First time here. Decor was nicer than I expected...could be a little upscale but still casual and kid friendly. They serve marinated cucumbers instead of bread...but ask for bread, it's great. My son had a bison burger with egg and huckleberry jam...he loved it. My wife had the crabcakes...she never had crabcakes with so much crab at a restaurant. I had the bison steak. I am picky and the steak was awesome. Lean, tender and didn't need any sauce. Definitely would recommend and go back again. Server waa very nice.
(5)
Curtis H.
I usually avoid chain restaurants in favor of trying the independent places which are more innovative with their menus. But tried this place a few nights ago because I initially was in the mood for steak and it was close to the hotel. Once in I sat at the bar (single diners usually find themselves relegated to the bar). Was glad I decided to take the bar seat because the bartender turned out to be an excellent waitress as well. She recommended the special, a bone-in bison ribeye, which I ordered medium rare with a side of salt and pepper onion rings (enormous and tasty) and sliced ripe tomatoes. The steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. They have a nice little selection of wines by the glass to wash it all down with. Atmosphere is casual and the service as noted above was excellent.
(4)
Dan S.
Given that I've been to one of these in other cities, I kinda knew what to expect. But that doesn't make the meal less enjoyable. Good service, great chili, good salad, and a strong drink make for an enjoyable time. We got to sit outside on a recent weeknight. Gorgeous. It can be a little loud at times (but quieted down quite quickly at some point) outside, but the few tables that were there made the meal more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the tables didn't seem to fit the chairs -- trying to fit 4 people meant two of us were near the corners. The salad was big and I couldn't finish it but the meat with it was great too. Overall, it's a definite winner in Crystal City -- even if it is a chain restaurant.
(4)
E D.
A great place to have lunch or dinner. Food and service is what you have come to expect from Ted's. They keep pouring ice tea, then charge you $2.99 for each glass; after spending $17.00 on a burger.....not cool.
(3)
Bill P.
Very nice restaurant, courteous service and very attentive. The selection of meals were also very good. Loved the buffalo mounted on the wall, I felt like I was out west in Montana. PS- there is a Cold Stone Creamery next door. I would definitely go there again.
(4)
Claire A.
My husband and I came here at around 9 pm on a Friday. We got the chips as an appetizer and they were fine but boring. I had a bison burger and I don't know if I'm not a fan of bison or what but it was on of the most bland burgers I've ever had. My husband had the ribs and they were room temperature and the sauce was cold to the point of having congealed on top. Our waitress didn't check till we were almost done, and when he expressed his dissatisfaction she took his plate away and offered to bring something else. He elected for the meatloaf and it was probably worse, again, room temp and congealed sauce. The sides (mashed potatoes, some squash thing) were fine with the exception of the onion rings, which were really thick and practically green. At this point we were just sick of being there. There was no discount or comp despite his repeated expressed disappointment. We live and I work in the area, and there are a ton of places I would rather spend my money on- we won't be back!
(2)
Josh G.
Ted's Montana Grill had good food and nice decor, but nothing was special or unique to their restaurant. The food was most definitely good, but nothing that stood out. And, for the price I don't think it was a good deal. However, our waiter, named Alex, did a very well job in serving us and was very friendly and attentive. Overall, Ted's Montana Grill is a good/decent restaurant!
(3)
Mike R.
There is nothing wrong with the food here....but the service was underwhelming. I mean I had to ask for a drink. Ask for a menu. Ask to order. Ask for water....basically anything I wanted...I had to ask for it. One caveat...I was sitting at the bar. However, it wasn't crowded or very busy.
(2)
Keith N.
This place does not even deserve a star!!! I ordered a roasted chicken and they brought out a prime rib meal. The manager comes out and states that they are out of chicken. So I order the salmon entree and it takes another 20 minutes!! The rest of my party is done eating so I took my meal to go. Unbelievable! The server was not very pleasant and made me feel like it was my fault! By the way the other 4 people in my party heard me order chicken! I don't know if I will ever return back to this restaurant! Final note, the manager comp'd my meal and I threw the meal in the trash!
(1)
Terry H.
You would think when half the menu is burgers, they'd know how to make them. One burger came out wrong bread. The other came out burned when ordered medium. Got one burgers bread fixed, but burned burger came back with fries missing. Then meat patty falling apart. Neither burger had any flavor. To quote my wife, "worst burger I've ever had in my life." Too bad. We came here couple years ago and was good.
(1)
Damaris V.
Had dinner here tonight with party of 7 (incl. 3 kids). Ordered a kids' well-done steak for my son and it came out BURNT! Luckily my husband doesn't mind the charcoal taste so he gave my son his salmon and he ate the steak. I ordered the Ted's Filet, medium with a sweet potato and broccoli. The steak was also overly well done, dry and incredibly tough. The broccoli and sweet potato were both practically raw. I didn't eat any of it. My friends' steaks were also overcooked and rubbery. Their broccoli was also undercooked. Steaks aside, my husband and son really enjoyed the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes and my daughter enjoyed her mac-n-cheese. However, for a restaurant whose entire identity is based upon steak, we were severely disappointed. I gave 3 stars though because our server, Dr. Nora, was a total Rockstar! She absolutely made the less than mediocre food bearable with her awesome sense of humor and attentiveness to our table and my out-of-town friends.
(3)
Beth C.
This steakhouse was within walking distance of my convention hotel. At 5pm on a Friday, it was still quiet--the crowds come later. Our service was top notch throughout the whole meal. My son, who is autistic and a very picky eater, loved their homemade potato chips. I had the balsamic blue steak. It really hit the spot. They didn't skimp on steak, and it was cooked perfectly to medium the way I requested. The variety of toppings combined for great texture. I drank a big sky lemonade, and it was quite tasty. My husband had a bison steak. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Now, he found that the bison wasn't quite to his preference since it was leaner than his usual beef, but he still liked it and thought the cut was very good. This is the sort of place that we'd visit more often if we were locals.
(4)
S K.
I was so impressed! We had a 34 person reunion dinner to plan, and chose Ted's Montana Grill on the recommendation of someone who had previously had a good experience there with a large group. Thank goodness for the recommendation, because our experience was fantastic. The service was outstanding. Patient, attentive, and enthusiastic despite the chaos that such a large group brings. They also accommodated us by providing individual checks, which is such a stress-reliever when coordinating a large group gathering. And on top of being a fabulous experience in terms of logistics, the food was delicious :) We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)
John W.
Wow, had my first Bison Burger. You have to try the Blue Creek Burger. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)
Taylor L.
They have great food amazing atmosphere and the people are very nice. My husband and I were in no rush one day going to eat and we sat down and we were only waiting for about seven minutes which isn't a big deal to us when we could see they were busy. The manager came out and brought chips because we were waiting for seven minutes to get our drink order in. The waitress felt so bad about it even though my husband and I didn't think it was a big deal. We kept telling her it was fine but she was so nice and prompted when it came to food and drinks. We love Teds and it is one of our usual places to go if we want to eat out because we always know it's going to be great.
(5)
C B.
Great place for a date night. Haven't had anything here that I didn't like. Can't go wrong with the bison; always tender and tasty. Onion rings are unique with w tempura-like breading; taste good. Enjoyed the bison ribeye and the bison burgers. Kale salad was phenomenal. Apple pecan crisp is big enough for two or more and tasty. Waitress was kind to point out that it was big enough to share. Good service and easy ambiance. Parking garage next door. We'll definitely be back!
(5)
Nicole M.
The service is always great and the food is always perfectly cooked and fresh. Something for everyone on the menu. They make great salads with tender chicken and they also do a fabulous job with steaks. The sides that come with the steaks are paired well. Generous portions so you won't leave hungry.
(5)
Drew T.
Twisted shakes are really good! I'm not a big bison or beef consumer but the chicken is good. The potato soup is great here too. It's only offered on certain days though.
(4)
Emann B.
Popped in for lunch with my big bro and took two seats at the bar. The affable bartender was a real treat, almost as much as the thick and chunky cup of chowder I started with. I had the farmhouse salad which was chock full of bacon, chicken, kale, and other veggie delights, nicely dressed with a tangy citrus dressing. It was huge and I took half of it home and finished it off 24 hours later for lunch. Still crisp and delicious after a night in the fridge. Now that's a good salad!
(4)
Kristopher H.
Very good experience. Ahmed our server was exceptional would eat at again. Burgers were great
(5)
Angela I.
Delish!!! I had the bison meatloaf and my friend had a burger! Well-seasoned and both amazing!
(5)
Bridget R.
My husband and I had a great time visiting this restaurant while on a business trip. Unlike some other posters mentioned, we had no problem with service. In fact our waitress was very sweet, helpful in appetizer reccomendation. Our waitress even brought us a new basket of fries, when we felt like ours were a bit undercooked. Burgers were tasty, ans unique. The guacamole burger I had was spicy, just like I wanted! Overall worth checking out!
(4)
Peter W.
So I ordered the prime rib and I couldn't cut or chew it without a struggle. I was doubting my choice so much I asked and the bartender and he says that's supposed to be a tough cut. I guess I forgot or maybe I need to lift weights or something. I turned it back in and upgraded to a filet. Much better and tender, next time I'll know. Kudos to the bartender for being patient.
(4)
Erin B.
New year's eve dinner and we unfortunately added another BS experience to 2014. We decided to eat here because everyone else was closed and we needed to eat some food before our planned heavy drinking for the night. The dinner was so bad that my friend offered to hack into Yelp in order for me to leave a no star rating. It was five of us and three of us ordered the same burger, the Red Rock. The Red Rock had Z sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, pepper jack cheese and fried onions. They brought out some burgers with jelly on it, that's it. When we asked the servers about the burgers they said they were right and asked us if we were sure we remembered what we ordered. Heffa, I think I would know what I ordered. The burgers took forever to come to the table and when we sent them back it took another forever. Finally they came back and they were cooked to DEFF... like super well done. Luckily they comped all of the burgers so we only paid for drinks and one meal. They gave my husband a free apple pie crisp because his burger was F-ed up again and they gave us cookies that tasted like ass. Just don't come here.
(1)
Joshua W.
This place was outstanding in every way a restaurant can be. Service, food and value for yout $$$
(5)
Jay J.
This really should be a great place. Atmosphere is good and could be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, food quality must be a second thought. Ordered the chili as a starter. Although served lukewarm, it was spicy and pretty good. But just as I started my third spoon full, my entre was dropped on the table. By the time I got to the "meatloaf classic" the gravy was congealed and meatloaf cold. It was served with fair mash potatoes and half cook squash casserole. Oh...and a cold stale roll. So disappointing. I had such hope!
(2)
Trisha H.
I have eaten here twice, and both have been great experiences. They bring you cucumbers instead of bread, which I like because I love cucumbers. The first time I decided to be adventurous and I went with their bison burger that has jalapenos and blackberry jam, and it was DELICIOUS! The second time I went with three other friends and it was still awesome. Everyone enjoyed their burger, and was happy with the ambiance and service. If you are craving a delicious burger, definitely check this place out.
(4)
Katie H.
Glad we decided to check this place out. Our waiter (Chip) was super friendly and helpful with touring through the menu! He recommended the Avalon bison burger with housemade onion rings and it was on point. My sister got the bison rib-eye and loved it as well. For dessert we shared the apple crisp and it was delish! Overall it was a good experience I'd definitely come back!
(5)
MJ C.
I ventured to this restaurant for the purpose of enjoying a great burger. Everyone knows that there are hundreds of burger joints in and around the district and for some reason I chose to go to Ted's. From beginning to end it was a disappointing experience. The complementary pickled cucumbers were clearly old by texture and taste. I ordered a "hand torn" side salad which was full of brown cut marks, showing it was clearly old and not hand torn. As an appetizer we ordered the sliders which were a disgrace. At least, a restaurant should make a dish presentable, but for some reason they believed that putting the meat half on the bun and serving a torn in half bun was acceptable. For my main corse I ordered the peppercorn burger cooked medium. The burger was cooked welldone and was served with a chewy stale bun and unmelted cheese. Really?!! Non melted cheese on a cheese burger??? With numerous choices for burgers in the area, why chose a joint that cannot even serve the basics on a plate in a semi-presentatble fashion. the server was great, the kitchen was slow, the atmosphere was nice, the food was very poor. 2 stars and nothing more. I am disappointed because I really wanted to like this place. Will I give them another chance...... still up in the air.
(2)
Gerald V.
Ted's is a favorite of mine. Casual atmosphere, booth seating. They have a good menu selection of big salads, sandwiches and meals. Everything I have ever tried was good. Fish, chicken, beef and bison. They have a house wine that is very good as well. There is something for everyone on the menu. The nachos were not that great, :(. Service is usually above average. The place can get crowded sometimes. So where r you want a burger salad or steak you will find something. Worth a visit.
(3)
Stacy L.
I'll be honest. I have heard a lot of hype about this place and I found it to be nothing special. We were seated right away on a Saturday night which was great but then we had to wait for our server. I think the server was what ruined it for me. Lulu. First she came to our table chomping away on gum. That shouldn't be allowed at a nicer restaurant, even if it is a burger joint. Then, we could never find her. She had a big table and was clearly overwhelmed by it. We asked her to describe some things on the menu since this was our first time here and she couldn't really explain anything or give us suggestions. We had to ask her several times to bring us pickles for the table. Also had to ask for ketchup several times. The ketchup should have been given to us before the burgers came out. I never had bison meat before but decided to go ahead and get it. I had the mushroom swiss burger. It was ok. Definitely not worth $15! My bun was completely soggy. I kept wanting to ask my waitress for another bun but she didn't come to the table once after we got our food, except to finally bring us our bill. The onion rings were very good though. Not sure I will be back here any time soon.
(2)
Patrycja S.
One of our favorite place in Crystal City to go and eat a burger! Great every time, not a big fan of their french fries, but love the shakes... Can't stay away from pickles. Im highly recommending this place...
(4)
Jason S.
Had a steak craving and regretfully selected Ted's over the premium steakhouse and service standard across street. From the moment I arrived here, I couldn't seem to get a handle on what exactly was going on. The service and staff appeared inexperienced. I sat at the bar next to some dirty plates and silver that were not cleared for at least 10-15 minutes. A garden salad and some undercooked rolls arrived eventually. After my overcooked beef filet finally arrived, in a starved stupor I finished my baked potato (they nailed this !) and politely asked for a manager. When offered to recook another filet, i declined. Ted? tsk tsk tsk. Next time I'll clean up a bit more and scoot across the street to the steakhouse that rhymes with tooths fist! ;-)
(2)
Angela W.
The food was ok they were not ready for your group although we had reservations. The waitress screwed up your tickets so bad that it took over an hour to get them straightened out. Do not recommend for larger group. There was a larger group after ours and they screwed up their checks too. Waitress served us water that was warm and asked if it was ok without ice. That is what we are drinking. Ugg
(2)
Chris S.
I stood around for a while waiting to be seated although there were very few other customers at 5pm on a snow day. However, once the hostess finally sat me my server was great--friendly, cheerful, and frequently checking to see of I needed anything. Decor is quasi western with checkered table cloths. Borax soap and a vintage paper towel roller in the men's room. Not much of a wine by the glass selection and stingy pours. The carrots and broccoli sides were good. Wedge salad was okay. The buffalo NY strip steak was okay. Nothing wrong with it but to my taste it wasn't nearly as good as prime beef. It's probably better in a burger vs a steak. The apple crisp dessert was huge and very good.
(3)
Chris R.
During our last visit here about two months ago the service was significantly better. The waitress came and was constantly checking on us. The new manager also came by at the end of the meal to make sure we were satisfied with our food and dining experience. I will continue to update my review of Teds but it seems to be trending in the right direction.
(4)
Blair L.
We waited 10 minutes after being seated and were never waited on. No less than 4 members of the wait staff walked by as we obviously looked for some assistance in hopes that one would stop by, but they all avoided our gaze. As we left, we informed the hostess of what happened and not even an apology was murmured as we walked out the door. We were so looking forward to some bison steaks too... So disappointed.
(1)
Lamia A.
Best burgers!!! I'm not a meat lover but I LOVE their fork and knife burger mmmm. Good atmosphere and overall service. Food is the best!!
(5)
Discerning T.
Everyone in our party of six raved about their food - excellent! Service was good. After reading some other reviews, I wondered if it was because our Saturday lunch is slow. Good service, excellent food - burgers, salads, fresh-brewed tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade - fantastic!
(4)
Pegah Y.
Ted's Montana Grill has some solid burgers, albeit a bit on the pricey side (about $15 on average!). My friend and I visited right after work a couple weeks ago and the place was PACKED around 6:00pm! I suppose it makes sense, since a lot of people work in the Crystal City area. We both decided to order burgers. You have the choice of bison or beef burger. Since I'd tried bison burger a couple years and found it a bit too gamey, I decided to stick with the beef burger. I ordered the "Peppercorn" (I'd never had a peppercorn burger before!), which was seasoned and seared with peppercorns, Gruyère cheese, herb Dijon mustard and baby arugula. It was very delicious. And the thin fries that came with it were excellent as well. We also got drinks - girly margaritas. I enjoyed my strawberry margarita on the rocks, with sugar (instead of salt) on the rim of my glass. The service was decent and the restaurant has a classier (but not too upscale) feel to it. They seem to be very environmentally-friendly and we got these interesting paper compost straws. I appreciated that they are trying to go green (much respect for that), but you have to use at least a couple straws during your meal, since they seem to disintegrate in water after a while. I'd definitely visit again.
(4)
Roberto N.
I love this place- primarily, the food- GREAT. The Bison is magnificent. And, the decor--- kind of a 50's gentleman's club kind of vibe. Love it too! Why not 5 stars? You gotta wait forever to get in here, and it takes away from the overall experience.
(4)
Louis D.
Went to one of the regular dinner places that my co-workers and I enjoy. Several of us ordered the bison filet, which is always excellent. One person had the bison pot roast and really liked it, and another ordered the knife and fork chili cheese. My filet was a little more rare than I usually prefer, but still very good, and everyone was pleased with the side orders. A bit pricy, but when on per-diem it is just a matter of having a cheap lunch, and then splurging on dinner. In the past I've had the bison rib-eye, and a burger once. The burger was the only dinner that had a bit of a gamy taste. All the rest are like the finest beef, but with very little fat. Come early for dinner, otherwise there could be a long wait. Oh, there is a bison head that on the wall that will be watching you eat his cousins. Might be unnerving for some people.
(4)
Brianna D.
My husband and I were in town for vacation and Ted's was around the corner from our hotel. Man did we luck out. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was spectacular. It was so good we came back twice during our 5 day stay to enjoy it again. Buffalo burger was delicious and everything was cooked to perfection. If you want great American food Ted's is the place to go.
(5)
Ison Z.
Loved the bison ribeye! Service was excellent. Would come back anytime.
(5)
Danielle L.
VERY DISAPPOINTED! I had heard great things and was excited to try this for the first time- I even brought out of town vistors with me. NOT WORTH IT. Service was terrible! Our server barely spoke to us, ignored our table for LONG periods of time (we had to flag him down to ask questions about menu, order our meals, ask for referrals, AND to ask for check!!), plus he would just disappear for long periods of time. He had zero personality and mumbled when he was at our table. Strike one against the restaurant. We ordered the bison nachos and they ended up being the best thing of the night. Tortilla chips with ground seasoned bison, sourcream, cheese, and some halepenos. I ordered the smoked cedar plank salmon which came with mashed potatos, and green beans. Green beans were ice cold and had to be sent back- when the hot ones arrived I seasoned with salt and pepper and they ended up being best part of my meal...however, I can do that at home and dont need to be paying $17! The salmon lacked flavor and was luke warm- it was only salvagabe by being eaten with the horse radish sauce they provided. Mashed pot also lacked flavor and were luke warm. If this were like a $12 dinner I would have been more ok with having such a lackluster meal but not for $17. My group also ordered the bison pot roast, bison meatloaf, and a beef ribeye. All were "okay" lacking flavor and freshness. Not worth the money. Won't be back.
(2)
Mandy M.
great food, great staff! We went to Ted's for dinner tonight and had a great meal- Caesar salad and bison steak. Adrian was our server and he was awesome. Super professional and took good care of us, constantly checking to make sure we were doing fine. Highly recommend the restaurant and esp if you can sit in Adrian's section!
(5)
Esther H.
One of my absolute favorite places in DC. I ordered the strip bison steak, which was amazing and cooked perfectly, but, more than that, I was surprised by how great everything was. Even the Caesar dressing is spicy and fresh and wonderful! VERY happy, and not just because of the wonderful Muscato!
(5)
Wanting M.
Good stop to go if you are craving burgers (which I was when I went). Good selection of burgers and I've never actually seen bison served anywhere else yet so that was interesting to try. My server was very attentive and I did like the atmosphere of the restaurant-- very casual yet polished. The burgers are generally $13 for beef and $16 for bison, so slightly pricey for what I would consider paying for burgers. But I would definitely go back again on days when those burger cravings hit!
(4)
Jennifer D.
Huge fan off bison who will have to find it elsewhere. Service was super slow, waiter forgot to place wine order, waiter didn't bring ketchup or butter despite the fact that we had French fries, rolls, and potatoes, silverware was noticeably dirty. Food was decent but definitely didn't make up for the service issues. Paid $50 for lunch for two, not worth it.
(2)
Branden G.
Absolutely a must in my opinion. I've been here for years and can't believe I am only discovering Ted's, the burgers are incredible and I highly recommend the bison. Service was great, too!
(5)
Shell S.
Overpriced burgers. The food was ok, not great. Service was ok. Wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)
Bob B.
Started with a 5 minute wait at the hostess stand with no acknowledgement from anyone. Hostess finally came over said how many, grabbed the menus and walked away. We followed only because we thought that was the thing to do. She threw the menus on the table, said here and walked away. That's when my patience went out the window. I asked her to come back and asked if she was having a bad day and she answered "yes, as a matter of fact I am." Wow! I then gave her my speech about no matter how bad her day is she should never take it out on the customer because at the end of the day, it's the customers who keep your doors open. She gave me a dirtly look and at that point I asked to see the manager. He did apologize but you could tell that he wasn't going to do anything about it. We continued to get dirty looks all night from the hostess and I understood why she was upset; she was doing all of the table bussing. The service was painfully slow and our server lacked a shred of personality. The food was decent but as a resident of Crystal City, I wouldn't go back with this type of service. I had a similar miserable experience at Kora the night before and I'm getting tired of bad service being the norm. Had dinner at Bar Louie on Thursday and it was great. Food was okay, what we expected, but the server was lively, helfpul and made our experience.
(2)
Ken E.
Why this place was SRO last night is beyond me. The only pro is its ideal location in Crystal City. The cons include service personnel more suitable for a fast food restaurant, lousy, tasteless food and a sub par wine/beer menu. If you like the food, go to Applebees, eat the blue plate special and save yourself time and lots of $$. You deserve better.
(1)
Amanda E.
Food was great! Had the Bison Filet and it just melted in my mouth. Service was even better. Alex was fantastic! Definitely will go back.
(5)
Bryan B.
Very good food, outstanding Buffalo ribeye... Service needs a little work to see a five star
(4)
Tatyana M.
The first and we think the last time here. a) at 4pm the hostess having 90% of the tables vacant placed us at the very unappealing boot facing women restroom door and service station right behind it. b) ordered wedge salad, chicken and Delmonico bison entrees. Salad was OK, Chicken was mediocre but still eatable, Bison was raw instead of medium rare and so salty that after 2 bites we stooped eating it. c) Service was kind of "nice", but didn't care even to take back dirty dishes till the very end of the dining. d) For that quality of experience the value is very poor. No return for us.
(1)
Anita K.
Decided to satisfy my steak craving during a late night at work. Ted's is right next door so it was the obvious choice. I arrived a few minutes early and sat at the bar. The bartender was pleasant enough and immediately went to check on my food. My food comes out about 5 minutes later. I check the bag and then have to ask for utensils. She looks and tells me she does not see any. Someone goes to the back to look and still no luck. The manager comes to look and then just walks off. The bartender has to yell to ask if she found any. The bartender looks at me, shrugs her shoulders, says a very nonchalant "sorry', and then walks off. Um, yeah I did order a steak. Back at work, I managed to find a utensil package at the back of a drawer - semi-crisis averted. I start in on my steak and the taste is amazing. After 2 bites, I notice that my medium steak has turned into medium rare. Ok, I've had it before so I continue. I had to stop when medium rare turned into rare. Then other side of the steak was medium well and well done! I'm not even sure how that happens. Such inconsistency in an otherwise flavorful steak. First impressions are everything to me and Ted's definitely missed the mark.
(2)
Jesse C.
I've been to this location 4 locations now. All 4 times were for lunch. If you are going to go during lunch, go early. The place seems to get packed fast. I have tired both the bison burgers as well as their beef burgers. I've also had the bison meatloaf. To be honest, they just taste like regular burgers. I personally like the beef burgers better, I think it's more flavorful and juicer then the bison. I know bison is leaner, but if that's what you like go for it =) The bison meatloaf was decent, but then again nothing special. If I go back again for lunch, I'll just stick with the beef burgers. Every time I've been here, the service was good. The wait staff has always been friendly, and the wait isn't too long. Considering how packed the place is during lunch. I think they do a good job of it. Our drinks are always full, and they are always happy to bring out more pickles. I'm a fan of pickles. These pickles are descent. The could use a little more brining, but that o.k. Still good. Overall, it's a descent place to eat. Nothing fancy, just ordinary food. Prices are a little high, but isn't everything these days?
(3)
Jeff K.
I tried the green and hot burger at this Montana grill and I got the bison. I couldn't tell the difference between beef or bison. The burger was good. The Green (avacado) and the hot (jalapeno chilis) made this burger even better. As for sides, I didn't opt for the fries, I chose a baked potato and a side of steamed brocholi. The potato may have been sitting a round a while but the brocholi was cooked right. It wasn't dark green and evenly cooked. It was a decent eveningi for my first time there. Would I go back, yes.
(3)
Robert W.
I was disappointed in my "buffalo meat loaf". Perhaps I just don't care for buffalo. Overall excellent service. Prices were reasonable, In spite of all of this I probably won't ask to return and won't eat here again on my own. Very popular restaurant.
(3)
Adam B.
I went to Ted's about a year ago before I moved to Virginia. I remembered having a decent experience so I decided to take my girlfriend there for Valentine's Day (2014). After we were sat, we waited around 10 minutes before we asked the hostess where our server was. When we were finally waited on, our server gave a half-hearted apology and seemed annoyed. My girlfriend and I agreed that she probably wasn't the server who covered the area we were sat. She took our complete order all at once. Throughout our entire meal she only came by once and that was when she asked if I needed another beer as she walked by to another table. She didn't seem to care about our table... As for the food. We were going to order the crab cake for a starter until we were informed that the $13 appetizer included only one crab cake about the size of a coaster. Unless the crab is fresh from the Bering Sea and I'm in Anchorage, Vancouver, or Seattle, $13 for one crab cake is absolutely ridiculous. We decided on the grilled shrimp and while it was tasty, that too, was a little pricy ($10 for 5 shrimp). I ordered a medium bison bacon burger. It was slightly over-cooked but tasted okay. My steamed broccoli needed another couple minutes of steam, as it was a little too hard to be served unless as part of a salad. Not to mention bland. The presentation of my plate was awful. It was the just the burger and two extremely small florets of broccoli. I mean if there was more broccoli it might have looked better... My girlfriend ordered the salmon, which was really good. Her yam was also pretty tasty. Her green beans looked ok but I didn't try them. Her dish was better prepared and better presented than mine by far. I have to add this last point. I ordered a Blue Moon and my girlfriend a martini. The glassware was filthy. There were water spots and crusted food on both glasses. Once again, horrible presentation. I'll probably try Ted's again but not anytime soon.
(2)
Heather M.
I'm only giving it one star since I cannot give zero stars. I went with a friend for an after-dinner drink, and was not impressed. The bar looked rundown, and rather dirty. The bar counter looked like it had seem better days, and the area smelled like old, wet towels. The worst part was the service. We waited for five minutes before the one bartender brought drink menus. We waited some more and he didn't come back. We put on our coats and left. I will not go back to Ted's anytime soon.
(1)
Edward Tj G.
This is another example of good food hanging out with bad service. The short and pretty, my Red Bison Burger was fantastic though it took forever to order and then my waitress disappeared. The service is one of the worst locations I have ever been to and the manager's response was, "it is Sunday, what do you want?" Maybe to tell me that if I didn't want to wait an hour for my dinner to go elsewhere. This place isn't cheap and for that reason alone you should not go here since the service is nonexistent.
(2)
Carol D.
We've eaten at other Ted's before, and are always happy. This was our first time at this location, and we met up with out of town work colleagues. The food was very good - we had the ribeye, burgers, salmon, and pot roast. We had bison chili nachos and onion rings as appetziers. The service was OUTSTANDING! Our server, Alex, was very professional, super friendly, extremely efficient - absolutely charming. We will be back.
(4)
Cat W.
The food is good - love the onion rings, the Big Sky Grilled Salad, and the strawberry lemonade. Service is always good, but can be a little slow every now and then when it's really busy. Take out service is great. They pack the food really well, keeping things separate so nothing gets soggy.
Visited Teds on a Monday night around 8pm. Had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table while 4 tables were open near the window at the front of the restaurant. 3 people in our party. We asked about the empty tables and were told that those are saved for parties of 5 or 6. Seems to me that you might want to sit the people who are in your restaurant, rather than wait for the possiblility of larger parties potentially coming in, but what do I know. So, we had a drink near the bar while we waited. Service was good. Food was ok. I had the Bison pot roast with the grilled shrimp appetizer. Shrimp were delicious and the flat bread it was served on with butter and garlic was the best part of the meal. The pot roast portion was small. I substituted the mashed for the corn caserole, big mistake there, but live and learn. The other two had burgers and they were happy with their selections.
(3)
Mark D.
Great burger, mixed drink and desert but the wait was a little long even though it was an hour after the lunch rush. Price a little high but comparative to the rest of Crystal City. Over all 3 1/2 to 4 Stars
(4)
Keith O.
I had some friends from out of town who were here on business and I recommended we meet at Ted's Montana Grill in Crystal Drive, although I had never eaten there before. Huge mistake. Won't be back soon. And won't be encouraging anyone to go either. Food was decent but overpriced. I had the Swiss Mushroom bison burger. Moreover, service was one of the worse I had ever experienced. First server was very abrupt and impatient. We ended up with a group of 8 from the initial 10 I reserved. He insisted we were all going to fit around one round table comfortably. We were already seated around 2 tables joined together. I told him we were fine the way it was set up. He finally coalesed. After our food was served the server changed. She checked on us once. The next time she stopped by was to give us our bill. We waited for close to 15 min before she came back to take my credit card for payment, even after I signaled the greeter about it. When I stood up to go was when she came. The greeter was helping bus tables. I don't think they are staffed properly to be able to attend to diners better. And I have not seen a response from management to comments on this venue. So I suspect they really don't care and are getting enough business. Two stars only because food was decent and Bison was on the menu. That makes it peculiar and unique.
(2)
WP L.
Good Food. Good Service. Comfortable/Cozy Atmosphere. Will come again!
(4)
Sarah S.
We ate here with 3 adults and 4 kids and thought this place was great! Walked in at 7 pm, no reservations on Thursday night, and were seated right away. Kids menus had great choices, even salmon! Food was excellent! Price was very reasonable as well....we'd eat here again for sure!
(4)
Diane S.
I had been to the Ted's in nyc near rockafeller but was not impressed. I just had a snack here at the bar, after class getting invited by a friend. I got the 50/50 side of fries and onion rings and let me just share and tell you that the onion rings are huge!! Super good too :) The fries are okay. Only $3.50 for a full plate. My friend got the bison burger which was huge!! He said he prefers beef though. Its $2 more to get the bison. We also got lemonades which my friend said were to die for, but I've had better at like theme parks. They say the lemonade is fresh squeezed. Unlimited free refills is a plus! It was a little too sweet for me but I liked the crushed ice they put.
(4)
Rachel E.
I got terrible food poisoning from their Trout. Not fun at all. It's too bad... I loved their baked sweet potato.
(2)
Ju L.
Pros: Bison meat is an option, which I highly recommend over beef. Nice aura. Cons: Extremely inefficient waitstaff and cooks. It shouldn't take 45 minutes to seat customers during down time. We shouldn't need to hunt the waiter down anytime we needed something. Also, it shouldn't take 30 minutes to cook an order during said down time.
(3)
Sean T.
Food was great, staff was great and the bison was amazing.
(5)
Tee F.
Went here Saturday night to eat. Nice atmosphere. Hubby and I had bison for the first time and really liked it over beef. So we were seated and had to wait a few min before our waitress came to the table. She brought out that pickled cucumber which I didn't like. Hubs had no problem with it because he dive right in and finished it. We placed our order and it didn't take too long before we got it. Food was good, except I hated that my bread was dry and cold. I which they had heated the bread since the meat just finish and it was warm. Who eats dry cold bread? Def not this girl. I literally tore that bread apart trying to find the soft part so I could eat. After we were through with our meal we want to catch a movie, we check the time the time and notice one starts at 10:15. We had 15 mins to spear and the theatre was literally a mile away. Unfortunately that didn't happen bc we couldn't find our waitress to pay. We sat there the whole 15 mins and I decided to use the bathroom hoping that when I return hubs was ready to go. I walk towards the back of the restaurant and to my surprise I found out waitress seating down enjoying her meal. Really :/ I'm trying to leave and u stuffing ur face. She was surprise to see me so by the time I went back hubs already paid and we were finally able to leave. Bottom line is the food was good but the service sucks
(3)
Nelson H.
Based off of the reviews about the Bison burger, I couldn't resist. I ordered it medium with bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce. It was a pretty good burger and like the other reviewer mentioned, you are able to customize any side which is convenient because after awhile you just get tired of having fries, so I ordered a sweet potato instead. My girlfriend had gotten a regular burger and she enjoyed it as well.
This place was awful. Sweetest waitress, adorable and I felt bad for her because our food was so bad. I ordered the bison sliders, grilled asparagus and sweet potato. The sliders were dry and over cooked, they were screaming for fresher bread, lettuce and tomato. The asparagus wasn't grilled at all, it was steamed. We also didn't Ike the paper drinking straws....weird. Won't go back...what a shame.
(1)
Nils S.
Excellent service, but the food was not my style (bison burger). A bit overpriced, but I assume that was due to the rarity of the product. I will not return, only because bison was not worth the price I paid.
(3)
Jonathan M.
Few things in life hit the spot like a honey mustard soaked slab of fried chicken between two pieces of Ciabatta bread. God bless America all that deep fry within her! The food here is great. I'm not a huge Bison fan, I get the beef, or chicken. This inst a place to go when your on a diet, that much is true, but when one feels the need to widen the ol' belt, this be the place to do it. American Food is all about excess - Ted Turner knows this fact, and prays to his excess altar every night. Ted's is an interesting place. One one hand, I feel the uncontrollable urge to kill a buffalo and sear its meat over a wood stove under the Orion constellation - but on the other hand, I'd better use organic wood and recycle those ashes when I'm done. I'm all for a "Greener" experience at dinner. So much is just wasted these days.Ted's tackles this with a recycled interior. Straws, table cloth, coasters - its all recyclable. I guess this is how Ted counter acts his 1500 calorie Chicken sandwich. But it's a green chicken sandwich.......
(4)
Kevin M.
Would give 0 stars but not an option. Never had a chance to try the food. Incompetent hostess told us we had a 30 minute wait when we checked in. Went back to check at 40 minutes and were told we were next. After 10 more minutes went back to check status and was told at least 30 more minutes. Told them they were incompetent and left.
(1)
Kevin D.
Would like to review the food, but didn't get that far. Poor hostesses and chaos. Called it quits after an hour and a half of waiting with tons of empty tables. No luck.
(1)
Thugnificent M.
I've been to two of these before and they're all pretty much the same. If you've never been been to a Ted's they're a lot like a McCormick and Schmidt or any other classier chain restaurant. The staple of this chain is the bison burger. If you've never had bison before its gameier than regular beef, but I had no problems with it. Tasted like a normal burger. They're supposed to be healthier than beef burgers but they're a bit more expensive. Bottom line if you happen to go here get bison. Hate it or love it you got to get it because its what people do here. I hate meeting or hooking up with scurvy girls, but every time I go to Bmore, Baltimore for you non-Marylanders, I gotta do it. When in Rome.
(3)
Amanda K.
i'd like to start out with a applause to the waitress that i had. i wish i remembered her name. she was so polite, professional, and thorough. she used reflective listening regarding our orders and was just amazing. i really enjoyed the old school feel of this place. they had every detail down to the powdered soap in the bathroom! that was a real throw back to my elementary school days! i also loved the paper straws they had for the beverages. i've never see that before! i took two home for a mini souvenir. HEHE i ordered the avalon. it had Gruyere, blue cheese, argula, onion and a garlic aoli. with buffalo of course! it was okay. it was a bit dry and i ordered "medium" which i assumed would be pink in the center but it was cooked all the way through. got onion rings that were big and thick. came with a side of ranch. pretty good. i don't like when i bite into an onion ring and the whole onion doesn't come out and all you're left with is the crispy shell. not a problem here! cucumbers: complimentary and delish!! its not quite pickled like a jar of pickles but it is just refreshing. dessert: they have these really great cookies! they are really thin and yummy. i had the snickerdoodle. however they ran out of cookies. the double chocolate cookie is really heavy, it was like a meal in itself! overall the food was good but not amazing. my burger was a bit dry and was cooked welldone rather than the medium i requested.
(3)
Tiger C.
After a tough morning, the answer is bison, straight up get your bison and recover afterwards. Got the bacon, egg, blackberry jam, bison burger here and it is a piece of art. Bison is cooked to a medium setting in this instance, and it is a real unique experience, superbly filling and tasty. The atmosphere and setting here during the power lunch period is great, lots of movers and shakers here, all of them thoroughly drained after going through the bison. Recommend this place, just think they should have a liability waiver signing that you may not be productive after consumption of bison.
(4)
Donald P.
Not bad...not great. Wednesday lunch, this place is pretty full. Montana Burger (w/beef, not bison) and with onion rings, Included cheddar cheese, a thick slice of grilled ham, sauteed onions, and bbq sauce. The pices of meet were THICK. You definitely get you money's worth here in meat, but the bun is severely lacking. As you can see from my picture, the kaiser roll appears flat, and grossy inadequate to handle the inards. I would have definitely appreciated a thicker and firmer bread. The onion rings were thick and big, but some where also mangled and ugly. Taste was actually quite forgetable. Fresh Fish Sandwich w/ fries, and cole slaw My co-worker ordered this one, but he said he liked it...even after I warned him that another YELP reviewer didn't recommend it. For the money you pay, I almost postiive I won't be coming back here, but I wouldn't discourage others from going...I would just tell them not to expect too much.
(3)
Andres M.
I can't remember ever going to a restaurant where waitress recommended ordering from a nearby restaurant because this restaurant didn't have something my son wanted. That is what happened hear. My 4 year old was so happy and he loved the food. This place has excellent service, is family friendly, and great food. Next time I am in virginia I will definitely return.
(5)
Craig S.
I started with a cup of Bison chili and it was very good, they don't skimp on the amount of ground bison in this item and the red onions on top were fresh and crisp. Please, if you've never been here, don't get fish or a regular burger your first go-around, get a bison burger! I had the plain ole bison with Swiss. I don't want all the extra stuff, that takes away from the meat taste, just cheese, lettuce, onion and a little BBQ sauce. Cooked perfectly as ordered-medium. It was soooo good. Extremely juicy, so keep your napkin close, you're going to need it. Juicey as in - NOT GREASY AT ALL. That's one of the benefits of bison, much lower fat content than cow. Enjoy!
(5)
Angela N.
Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant! Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant!
(4)
Jim L.
Always a awesome work lunch. Get the Ted's chopped with a bison burger on top!
(5)
Angie M.
We (the fam) enjoyed eating at Ted's. The burgers were amazing and big and messy. They were made of Bison, which made us feel bad for sitting under a bison head but......sorry Mr. Bison head, your burgers are delicious!
(4)
Jocelyn R.
I recently moved to the East Coast and have been looking to find a place where I can be considered a "regular." Doesn't everyone want to walk in to somewhere where everyone knows your name? You definitely get good food for reasonable prices here. My friend and I started off with the bison nachos. We've never tried bison before and wanted to try it out on an appetizer before committing to a steak or burger. They were soooooooo goood. Like I could not stop eating them even though I knew I'd spoil my appetite for the main course. For someone who is 5'2 and 114 pounds, I don't really need to order both an appetizer and entree, one will do. At least I know this for next time. I ordered a mushroom burger and it was great too. This isn't your fast food patty. It's large and juicy and flavorful. I could not finish it and had to take it home. And the service was awesome. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave us great suggestions. Will be going back there soon.
(5)
Chris C.
Lots to choose from on the menu. Can't go wrong with a burger, steak or chicken if you have to. Portion sizes were right on and the price wasn't outrageous. Overall we really enjoyed eating here. We'll be back, and we'll bring family & friends.
(4)
Jasen F.
4.5 stars - solid. Every location I've been to has stellar service and great food and this is my most frequent location. Even when dining on per diem, I feel like visiting Ted's is a treat. Perhaps I get nostalgic surrounded by all that wood, the tiled floors, the paper straws and the dry, powdered soap in the washrooms, but the food always delivers as well. I tend to always get the same thing - New Mexico Bison burger (there are no buffaloes in American - google it), medium-rare, with coleslaw. It's cooked perfectly in their fine kitchen and the first bite is nearly as tender, juicy, and wonderful as the first (usually minus the Anaheim pepper that got stolen a while back). I get coleslaw because I can't pass up the salt-n-pepper onion rings which feature thickly sliced onions battered up well and served with a side of horseradish sauce. My only complaint is the draft beer list - not very big and they tend to only feature one seasonal.
(4)
Glenn C.
Good Onion Rings and Bison Burgers (any way you like it)! Service was very slow; that's why I am only giving it 3 stars.
(3)
Mansoor M.
It was one of those nights when you feel you gotta try something new.Looked up couple place in the neighborhood and decided to dine at TMG. Ordered a New Mexico burger , crab cakes , The food was pretty much average ,I guess people go to this place more just to have a sort of group dinner.The service started well but ended up in the waiter forgetting something i ordered.Well didn't really make a big deal of it.Nothing to tempt me to go back anyway.
(3)
Chris S.
Nice little place along the Crystal Drive strip. Came here when Buffalo Wild Wings was too full. Burgers were pretty good, had the cheddar and fries, wife had bacon cheddar, and my father had the red rock. Everyone seemed pleased with it, although for three people it came out to be about 40. There was one TV and lucky me we got a seat not at the bar that could watch it. Service wasn't as on point as I would have liked it to be, only getting one, requested refill on my water. I was thirsty damnit!
(4)
Randez H.
My daughter was in town and came to CC to meet me for lunch. Decided on Teds. It was both our 1st time to this restaurant. My daughter grew up loving vinaigrette and cucumbers which by coincidence was brought to our table to nibble on. I ordered the blue cheese steak salad and she ordered the chicken salad. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Would given teds all 5s but the service was a little shaky. Extended wait to order and for check. Plus had to flag someone down to get silverware after food was served. So good food but could improve service.
(4)
Valerie W.
This place is great! It had been a very long time since I had consumed red meat and I just wanted a burger. I was not let down! We ordered the Salt and Pepper Onion Rings as an appetizer, they were fabulous. For my entree, I had the Green and Hot Bison Burger. It was a perfect blend of spicy and savory. My friend wanted to keep it simple and had the Naked Burger, also in Bison. Overall, we had a great time, the food was exactly what we were craving, and the prices reasonable. We will definitely be going back again.
(4)
Stefan A.
Remember Ponderosa ? Same thing but 30 years later... A-Z pure crap. Malbec, good. Delmonico steak, very, very average. Fries, terrible. Highlight of the meal was the cole slaw.
(2)
Anjaly P.
Would I call myself a regular here? Yes. For a while I went sans cow in my diet, but I needed a burger fix often. Cravings, they work in mysterious ways I tell you. Ted's has always made me happy. One such visit was at the start of one of the blizzards of 2010 smowmageddon and the friendly bartender (Coach!) handed me a lovely long island iced tea to go with dessert. (ice cream in snow is perfectly acceptable to go along with their fresh baked cookies). The restaurant was completely empty except me and a friend and snow had barely fallen yet..We felt like we were queens because we had such stellar service. Which leads me to my recommendation of sitting at the bar. There are normally two bartenders there during peak times and they run a smooth ship. (There's always some bumps in the sea, but for the majority of the ride..its smoooth sailing.) If you're in a party of 3 or more, then definitely get a table. For entrees, I tend to pick a bison burger from their variety of options. (They are available in beef too.) Lots of combinations to add to the flavorful meat and theyre accommodating if you need to change something. If you haven't tried bison, I would best describe bison burgers as juicy and flavorful, the meat itself is a tiny bit on the sweeter side compared to the beef. If you simply want to try it, I would start with their appetizer sliders. Bite sized burgers on their homemade dinner rolls. There are often seasonal specials as well, my most recent was the peppercorn burger with gruyere and arugula on an onion bun. The kitchen sink covers almost all meat bases between bread or you can go simple with a basic cheese too. Cocktails are fresh and all handmade. No box lemonade here, they squeeeeeze them fresh. Currently, theres a huckleberry margarita on menu and its been my go to friend for a few months now. (simply because I love Moon River). I go here for food, a well made drink is a bonus. (Oh and for french fries lovers..they're good here. But do try the salt and pepper onion rings, get the side its a much smaller portion. The appetizer is HUGE)
(4)
Joshua S.
Ted's was pretty good. It has a folksy, sort of "old west" feel to it, with a definite flare for the green and sustainable. Bison is the featured protein of choice, although there is plenty of beef available. I tried the Prime Rib, which was pretty good, but I didn't get as lean a piece as I would have liked. Buttered broccoli was a pretty good side, but the french fries were AMAZING. Cherry Lemonade to drink was quite refreshing and the cardboard straws were innovative. All in all, this is not on the same plane as Ruth's Chris or Morton's or even really Outback in my view, but it's a nice change-up to a somewhat vanilla market-space.
(3)
Eric C.
NEVER EVER EAT AT THE BAR HERE! This was extremely disappointing.This is my worst experience at a restaurant EVER! It started out well. Gary greeted me and shook my hand. Very nice. Got the beer I wanted and ordered my meal. My Crab Cake appetizer came out in a timely manner and it was very tasty. That's when the experience went downhill fast. The other Bartender (female, don't remember her name took over). I waited about 20 minutes between my appetizer and my burger. During that time I had an empty beer for about 10 min and my water was empty as well. Finally she asked if I wanted more. I did and she did give me more. She finally got my food from the kitchen after I had to ask. The first thing the fries were cold. The next it had a wheat bun on it. I bit into it and it just doesn't taste right with a wheat bun. I asked her if this is how the burger now comes. She said, No and said she could get me a regular white bun. Gary joked and said, yes it tastes much different. So I moved my plate closer to the bartender thinking they would take plate and make sure the bun was changed. Instead, she comes over and plops down a white bun next to my plate. She tells me I have to change it. I ordered a bacon cheesburger with a fried egg. I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles and onions on my burger and I cut it in half. The burgers are big, it was cut, it was wet and juicy. I had no idea how to put a full bun on this and replace the old one. No help at all. I tried ripping the new bun in half, it came out odd. Then I proceeded to remove the old wheat bun. Everything on the burger halves fell over in a mess. I couldn't get the other buns on and it looked like a taco salad. She then finally said she would have someone try and put it back together. WOW! Talk about nuts. This was terrible. My hands were a mess, the plate was a mess and that's all I got. I said I am not eating this and asked to close out the tab. I said I would go somewhere else for dinner. She came back with tab and smugly said, I took the burger off your tab. WOW! I would hope so, since I didn't eat anything but one cold french fry and one bite of the burger on the wheat bun. She didn't really try to make it right, didn't talk to a manager or anything. So I closed out the bill and I left. This was a horrible experience and if this is what Ted's has become, I will never visit one again. I was appalled this is how you treat customers. I have never once been somewhere and they didn't try to make it right. This was horrible. Please don't go!
(1)
Chris C.
Ted's Montana Grill is ok. The people were friendly and we didn't have to wait. The food on the other hand is ok. Nothing to brag about. The salad tasted like a salad in a bag. The bison burger was pretty good.Would I go back....maybe.
(3)
Katie Y.
A $15 bison burger with cheese at lunch time should knock me off my feet with flavor. Ted's just didn't deliver. The burger, which I ordered "medium rare" came out just barely that and really lacked in flavor of any sort. The meat was as tender as it should be, either. It was all around a "meh" burger. If you're there for a business lunch, don't order an appetizer as well as an entree. For example, the onion rings are a laughable portion for one person - it takes a team to bring them down. Also, be prepared for a possible wait for lunchtime seating, and for the volume to be slightly up. Kudos to Ted's for their paper straws!
(2)
Tiffie L.
All I can say is SLOW. Very slow. My family was in town for my graduation, but before the festivities began, we went out to lunch on a Friday. It was a bit late of a lunch, so I figured we could get a quick bite since there would not be a lunch rush. While we were seated quickly, our wait for lunch? Another 20 or 30 minutes. We mostly ordered salads and only ONE burger... so I am not exactly sure what took so long. Our waitress was cheerful... almost too cheerful. She never apologized for the wait, but just happily passed by our table multiple times to serve others.... it was just pure torture. At least the food was good! Or was it just due to our starving state of mind?
(3)
Anne W.
I didn't think this place would be amazing... but it WAS!!! Never heard of this place before.. but I also never had bison before. The place was like a cowboy bar... but no reservations can be made. We got a table for all nine of us... we tried a whole spread of things. The most amazing was the Kansas Strip bison steak. Amazing and flavorful. I loved the squash casserole and green beans as well... the chili cheese fries was just okay.. as was the gumbo soup. Reasonably priced.. I loved the place!
(5)
Jada G.
Now I love me some teds. But this particular location lacks customer service and knowledge. the waiter's did not know the menu, they were going to give me old cookies, instead of fresh-baked. they weren't attentive ad it took forever to get out food even though only 2 other diners were in the place. Me thinks not!
(2)
Leah K.
I live right around the corner from this place and every time we dine here, the food is amazing. We've never had a complaint with the food. With that said, the service is slow. I don't recommend this place if you're looking to get in and out. The servers definitely take their time with everything. Each time we've dined, it's taken 10 minutes just for us to know who our server is and for he/she to take our drink order. My only complaint with this place but other than that, a great place to eat for quality food.
(4)
Russell S.
Good restaurant - it's a chain, but don't be fooled, it's not Appleby's. Burgers are great - not greasy, and their signature dishes allow for Bison (much leaner than beef) at a slightly higher price. Service at this location was the least friendly of the three I've been to, but it was good and efficient and better than a lot of places. If you're hungry for a burger but want a leaner option, go for the Bison. Great way to ease a red meat itch with less weight.
(3)
A A.
Great food , great service but BRING BACK THE CREAMED SPINACH. Was completely unique in a market that is dominated by the "same old same old"
(5)
Corey L.
Stopped in just after opening for a business lunch. My colleague and I both had Bison burgers. Be warned: there are so many good-sounding options you'll struggle with what to pick. I finally settled on the New Mexico style: guacamole, grilled pepper, tomato jam, and pepper jack cheese. I thought it would be spicier; it was actually quite mild. The bison meat is the real star of the show. It is as amazing as advertised, juicy without being greasy. I ordered mine medium and my colleague ordered medium well; to my pleasant surprise, both were cooked accurately. But the real star of the show today was the cup of bison chili I ordered as an appetizer. Bison makes for a great chili meat, and they top it with crisp raw red onion and a few jalapeño slices. The raw onion was a great touch, adding kick to the dish without adding spiciness. Service was friendly and prompt, and the only reason I can't give Ted's a fifth star is the price: I paid $30 for lunch today, and as excellent as the meal was, it still just seems a little too steep.
(4)
David K.
For a chain, I think this location of Ted's is quite impressive. As you may know, Ted's bit is to mix in bison where you are used to seeing beef. This is fine, and I understand bison is a bit healthier, but it really does just taste like lean beef. Which is fine, just be aware. The food here is great all around, and at reasonable prices. I've had the prime rib here served on weekends several times, and found it to be of similar quality to the prime ribs I've had at Morton's down the street. My fiance has enjoyed the tenderloin here as well, and it was perfectly prepared and seemed to be of high quality. For lunch, I've enjoyed the "Kitchen Sink" burger several times with bison. This burger has tons of toppings including a fried egg which is one of my weaknesses. Very delicious, very sloppy, very unhealthy, very gonna get ordered again soon. This location is large and open, the service is good in general. We did have one bad experience involving a waiter in training that was also a close talker. We were left alone for an hour waiting for our food. The manager offered to comp half of the check which was nice, but it was a bit of a pain to have dinner extended to over 2 hours. I highly recommend this Ted's. For some reason, I found it to be better than the Ballston location as well.
(4)
Tiffany Y.
I stopped in Ted's Montana Grill once recently for dinner. The menu has a variety of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, classics such as turkey and fish, steaks, and desserts. I ordered the bison meatloaf and ended up leaving sort of a lot of it on my plate because it tasted just OK. My husband also thought that his food was just OK. The atmosphere and service were good, but given the just-OK taste of the food, I will not return.
(3)
Arval F.
Great food! The waitstaff was a bit absent but was friendly and helpfull when they were around.
(3)
Paige M.
Bison. Never had it before, had to try it, and it was gorgeous. Much like the famed ostrich burger, bison is more tender and flavorful than typical beef. The restaurant was packed for a late dinner, but my friends and I managed to grab a table for four. Our waitress, Veronika, was a blast. She was sweet and energetic, making sure we had everything we need. My friends each had Bison Sliders. I had a Chipotle Cobb salad, but replaced the chicken with Bison chunks. I'm glad the restaurant was able to customize orders, as I really wanted to sample the Bison, but was in no mood for a burger. Another interesting detail of Ted's is that it is a "green" restaurant. All of the tablecloths are paper and made from recycled materials. The straws are recycled too, and made out of cardboard, not plastic. The cardboard straw was weird to get used to at first, but it worked just as well as the plastic variety. If you're looking for a great place to eat near all the hotels in Crystal City, check out Ted's. It's definitely the best place we found to eat near where we were staying.
(4)
J. W.
If you're in the mood for a good burger or a well cooked steak, you can't miss with Ted's. I'm giving it a 4 because the one time I got a bison burger, it was a bit on the dry side. I know that you'd expect that from a leaner meat like bison, but that's why I ordered medium rare. Everything else is great. Good service, clean dining area, and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)
Warren J.
Great friendly service and the best burger I've had in a very long time. The Avalon burger isn't just good. It's grrrrrrrrrrreat!
(4)
Sasha B.
To start off, the burgers are yummy. If you like bison meat, this is a great place to go- the bison patty is huge! Loved the avocado and grilled mushrooms on my burger, and there are lots of topping options. The fries are also amazing- skin on and crispy. On the downside, my bun was soggy and couldn't hold together my giant burger. Also, the burgers are not $16 burgers, I think they run a little expensive. One star off. The second star off is for the incredibly slow service. We thought they were out killing our buffalo for how long we waited for our burgers.
(3)
Heather G.
Ended up at Ted's Montana last week after drinking wine all day in the deserted storefronts of the Crystal city shops-- the 1K winewalk...which wouldn't get 4 stars from me, but that is another review. I liked the Ted's in Crystal City better than the one in Ballston. In fact, I ate the crap out that Bison burger and woke up in the morning wanting more! It was so tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and the toppings were just right (there are a LOT of topping options). The onion rings are super large and come with a great dipping sauce, love that you can get half fries and half rings with your burger!
(4)
Cory R.
I went here for lunch with my boss and I had a great experience! I got the Balsamic Bleu Steak Salad and it was incredible. The pieces of steak in the salad were very tender and tasty, and the salad itself was very good. I didn't think I could be this impressed with a salad, but I was. I would definitely come back here. The staff was very friendly, too!
(4)
Gerson R.
So, I just got back from one of the most wonderful burger meals I've ever had. Correction: the most wonderful burger meal I've ever had. My mouth is still salivating from the monstrous burger I had. This is the 3rd time I've been to this place in the last 2 months. Yep. That good. Going to Ted's Montana Grill, one is faced with the choice of having beef or bison for the burger or steak meat. GO WITH BISON!!! It's leaner, tastier, and just awesome! How many times are you really going to say you've eaten bison in your life?! Not many I bet. ABOUT THE MEAL: I had the biggest, baddest (in a good way) bison burger they had. It's name: The Kitchen Sink. This burger had it all. Cheddar cheese (Your choice of cheese), grilled ham, smoky bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms topped with a fried egg* "over-easy". The name is just like the burger...perfect. As soon as I bit into it, I knew then and there that this was pure euphoria. I think I may have actually had epiphanies and created new philosophies at the same time. This is how mind awakening this burger is. It touched my soul. That was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy to it's last bite. Flavor like no other. The egg was the cherry on the frosting on the cake. Yeah...that good. My fiance had the New Mexico. This came with roasted Anaheim pepper and handmade guacamole. I bit into it to try it. Very good combination of flavors. The peppers were cooked perfectly and combined with the meat so well. The guacamole was excellent as well. FOR DESSERT: My fiance, my best friend's dad, and myself all dug spoons into the Ted's Nutty Apple Crisp. This was comprised of apple pie filling, crust, pecans, all-round goodness, love, and topped with a hefty scoop of ice cream. Our server, Veronika, was so kind as to give us another scoop because our ice cream melted faster than we could eat it. This completely satisfied the craving I had for apple pie and ice cream. No joke, I seriously told my fiance to skip out on the fries so that we could order this mammoth dessert. Word of advice: don't order it unless you have at least 2 people to eat it. Conclusion: Excellent food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere and decor (we sat under a big bison head). Cool bathrooms. They even have the old-fashioned powder soap. I will definitely be going back. Papa bear. Out.
(5)
Marolyn L.
We had a great waiter and the food was pretty good. I would go here again.
(3)
Steven F.
Ted's has really good American food. I had been wanting to try this place for some time, and when I finally did, I was not disappointed. The portions were huge, and the burger was really good. The bison nachos are great and could easily be a meal on their own. You will like Ted's.
(4)
Boon K.
I saw this place in Nashville and it's always packed so finally I decide to try this place because I was waiting for my luggage that was coming on another flight. I got a beef burger, it taste like straight iron.. or metal tasting. My Bf got the roasted chicken and it was ok. I should have try the bison but this place is like american version of outback but I like outback better.
(2)
Miss E.
I remember eating here a few years ago and having a decent bison burger. So when a family friend was in town on business and staying in Crystal City, I suggested we eat here. Bad idea. At the risk of sounding like a broken record here on Yelp: I am SICK TO DEATH of paying $30 for a meal in the DC area, only to be served awful food by horrible waiters. Here's what I got for my money: 1.) A few disgusting slices of cucumber (WTF?). They serve it instead of bread. I actually spit it out. 2.) A tiny burnt bison steak, AFTER the waitress assured me it would come out warm/red in the middle. If she hadn't walked away for 15 minutes after she brought it out, I would have sent it back. The meat was tender and would have been AWESOME if it wasn't well done and the size of a chicken wing. PS - who the hell puts lemon butter on a steak? That should be illegal. 3). A tiny burnt baked potato. 4). A few stalks of asparagus. 5). A waiter who only stopped by our table a few times during our 1.5 hour meal. I want my money back. Seriously.
(1)
Tony S.
Ordered Kansas City strip bison. Steak was flavorless and very, very tough with a gristle vein running through it so tough I could not chew it. Onion rings were also over cooked and tough. Not what I expected. Service was excellent.
(2)
Michael M.
Let me first say that in my (brief) history of Yelping, I have yet to give out five stars. This place probably came the closest. Bison burgers are tough to find, which is truly unfortunate. Bison meat has far less fat than beef (and more iron), but is just as tasty (if not more so). Ted's offers a variety of burgers to choose from, and you can get any of them with beef or bison meat (or veggie, if you are lame like that). We also had nachos covered in bison chili as an appetizer. They were particularly delicious. Definitely some of the best nachos I have ever had. It was kind of a lot of food for two people, but would be great if you're in a group. We ate here at about 7:00 on a Saturday night. Although the restaurant was busy (just about every table was full), we did not have to wait and were seated immediately. Our waitress was outstanding. The service, the atmosphere, and the bison meat were all worthy of five stars. So, why give it only four stars? Well, the french fries were kind of mediocre. They weren't bad, just nothing to write home about. I've heard that the onion rings are great, and I'd imagine that you could substitute them in for the fries, but that option was never actually presented to us. Also, the draft list was a bit weak. If I recall correctly, the only brews they had on tap were Miller Light (or maybe it was Bud Light), Blue Moon, Yuengling, and a Sam seasonal. Not bad, but a few more options would have been nice. But all in all, I highly recommend Ted's if you are in the mood for a burger and some good old fashioned American food. Especially if you want a bison burger. And if you've never tried one, I highly recommend that you do. Like, now. Again, it is better for you than beef, and it tastes at least as good. What do you have to lose?
(4)
Angel M.
Tried a bison burger. Not too bad....
(3)
Josiah P.
Red Rock burger is tasty with pepper jack, jalapenos, house sauce, and onion straws. Get bison over beef -- healthier and better flavor. Onion rings are pretty incredible, with cracked pepper in the batter. Tend to be too greasy though. Left me with an upset stomach after eating the whole stack. (No, I don't have good self-restraint when it comes to onion rings.) I could do without the chairs -- they're wooden, feel a little rickety, and cheap feeling. Not a single comfortable thing about the chairs, unless your alternative is sitting on the floor and reaching the table top. I could go back, but probably not very likely. Food was also on the slow side getting to the table, so don't go if you're imminently hungry.
(3)
Anonymous A.
Great service, good burger but way overpriced. If I'm paying $16 for a bison burger I expect more than a burger and fries (or substitute). If money is no object, this place is recommended, but otherwise you are paying way too much for what you get.
(2)
Phil R.
Had dinner here tonight. For the price, I thought the food was good. The bison chili was very good. Service, on the other hand, was less than sterling. I felt that since we were only drinking water, refills were neglected. I'd go back, but I think they could have been more attentive.
(2)
David H.
I end up in D.C. quite a bit and stay near Ted's, so I end up here sometimes for dinner. It's affordable, and everything about the experience is either good, or just above average. It's not the kind of place that I would go to back home, but when stuck next to the Pentagon for a few nights, it's better than going to Chili's, and doesn't stand out on the expense report like Ruth's Chris or Morton's.
(3)
Karen G.
I can't praise the food here enough! We went on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. Wasn't crowded at all, but after being here I could imagine it being packed later on in the day. I had the Green and hot burger (I'm pretty sure that's the name), had it cooked well done... It was by far the best hamburger I've ever eaten! Had huge jalapenos on it and great guacamole. Excellent! Also, order the chips and dip for the appetizer! Better order two if you have more than two people at your table - Yes, they are that good! I don't remember what my daughter had (she can write her own review) but she said it was great! Suffice it to say, we'll definitely be going back!
(4)
Paul G.
Really good dinner. Got there @7p and was told the wait was 25 min. Just got a round of drinks and the table was ready. Service was very good. I ordered the filet of bison. Not a speck of fat. Worth the visit!
(5)
Brian R.
Bison pot roast and meatloaf are fantastic, as is pretty much everything else I've tried here. Save some $$ and get the meatloaf sandwich. I sub the onion rings for a side. Many burger choices for toppings and all are available in beef or bison. Like the paper straws and powdered soap in the restroom too - very focused on conservation.
(5)
Steven B.
I am a sucker for good service. And lunch at Ted's Montana Grill this afternoon was nearly a five-star experience! I sat down and asked for a water and a menu, as I always do, and was immediately introduced to a delicacy I had never before experienced: "half-sour" pickles. These were more cucumber than "pickle," new to me, and addicting. I ended up finishing two entire dishes full of them. Seriously. I recently reviewed another establishment down the street from Ted's in Crystal City, Bailey's, and basically gripped about the lack of enthusiasm from the bartender. Complete opposite experience at Ted's this afternoon. The bartender was cool. The conversation was exactly what I want from my bar experience, light discussion from everything ranging from college to sports and, ultimately, to tattoos. My only disagreement with the conversation was the bartender's preference for Midwestern girls (Tampa girls for me!). But, really, I appreciate a welcoming experience when I dine out. This was one of those times where I felt as if I may have shorted the bartender when I left 20% on a $20 meal. He probably deserved more. At first, I was intimidated by the menu. The prices seemed steep and having no idea the quality, I was hesitant to go "all in." This is why, although I initially wanted to try that Bison Steak, I ended up opting for Bison Meatloaf as my entree, which, all told, was very well priced. First, though, I started with an iceberg wedge. Good stuff. Thick, chunky blue cheese dressing, icy cold lettuce, loads of bacon, fresh tomato, and even more blue cheese crumbles. Absolutely no complaints from me. The menu indicated that the meatloaf is served with mashed potatoes and squash casserole. I opted out of both and, instead, substituted broccoli and creamed spinach. The spinach was certainly a winner. The meatloaf was excellent. Perhaps the gravy was just a bit too sweet, but even then I provide a caveat. Caveat being: sugar is so nearly completely absent from my diet that I think mine may be a bit more perceptive to sweetness than others' palates. But, on a whole, the meal was delicious. And the portions were solid. I am rarely full and pride myself on my ability to eat but, for twenty bucks this afternoon, I left Ted's Montana Grill feeling nothing less than stuffed. Great service, complimentary "half sours" (a new favorite), and killer satisfying food. Now that I know what to expect, the next time I visit Ted's, I am going "all in," and getting that Bison Steak. And I fully expect then to push my review from four, to five stars!
(4)
Brad Z.
I think I enjoyed my Bison burger here better than my last hellburger at Rays. It was juicy, tasty, and cooked medium perfectly. The topping were great too. It's a chain, but nice atmosphere and the perfect spot to when a hankering for a hamburger hits. The service was fast friendly and efficient too.
(5)
Jason B.
Bison chili was awesome. Need the recipe!
(5)
Marivic L.
I've been to Ted's a bunch of times, mostly because I used to work near this location and now work near the Alexandria one. Anywho, I visited this location again this past Saturday since I had to go to the airport. The upside is that Ted's has enough of a variety of things to keep most people happy. I've tried their salad with salmon cooked on a cedar plank. Yup, my attempt to be healthy, and it was good. I really just wanted one of their burgers which are big and juicy and even tastier than the salad could ever hope to be. I've had so many kinds there, I can't remember them all. My all time fave is still the swiss and mushroom. Though basic, it really is surprisingly scrumptious. Their fries are good and so are their onion rings, but the star here are their burgers. I've also tried the bison burgers but, honestly, I like the fat, flavor, and juiciness of the beef. If you want a solid burger, served in a welcoming atmosphere with waiters/waitresses who are attentive, Ted's a good place to go. Now, if I would only have enough room for dessert, I'd try those too. MMM, cookies.
(3)
SC O.
Lunch after shopping and always been "meh" about Teds menu. Nice surprise! One of the best classic cheeseburgers ever, the pickles to start were fab and our bartender was great! Late lunch w/ high marks. Minus feeling like a tourist in my own city. People, take your lanyard badges off when strolling.
(4)
Lindsey O.
Excellent burgers, excellent bison nachos. We visited on a Saturday night, received prompt service, with an expert server. She was fully knowledgeable about the menu & never let our drinks become empty. I absolutely will be returning.
(4)
Josh B.
I had the caesar salad with salmon last night for dinner. What an amazing fish. As someone new to the area, I can't wait to go back.
(4)
Scot W.
Their bison burgers are awesome; I like mine medium rare with either the cheddar, bacon and bbq sauce or with blue cheese (and maybe bacon). If you get yours medium rare, or even medium, it is very juicy and can be tough to keep together, but it is still delicious. Their fries are very good and the brined pickles they put out on the table are excellent. (I don't like regular pickles, but these are great). The service is always friendly and professional, they keep your drinks full and make you feel welcome without being overbearing. The atmosphere is casual, although it is regularly visited by military-industrial complex suit n' tie types. (Causing global destruction can work up quite an appetite) The rotating soups are usually pretty good and the buffalo chili is quite excellent. There is nothing on the appetizer menu that is mindblowing, but the salads are fresh and tasty. None of the desserts stand out except for the cookies; they keep it pretty simple. I once had a bison steak there and was quite impressed, but I typically stick to the burgers. If you have the misfortune of spending an evening in crystal city, this is not a bad place to go.
(4)
Mindy M.
I would give this place 4 stars if it was not for the fact that it is a chain (I have issues with chain restaurants). With that said, we were seated immediately even though it was still technically dinner hour - not having a long wait was refreshing. We weren't expecting to be seated that quickly and even had to take our nearly full beers that we ordered from the bartender to our table. I got "George's Cadillac Bison burger" (bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce) medium and it was AMAZING. Very moist and flavorful - I would get it again in a heartbeat. The fries that came with my burger were hot (I hate cold or tepid fries) and I actually ate all of them which I rarely do. My boyfriend got the Bison meatloaf and that was good as well though I must note that the mashed potatoes were disappointing (and dry) and the "Aunt Fannie's" squash casserole was also a little too dry and the squash was really over cooked. The dinner (w/o the 2 beers) was only $22 - can't beat that price! Next time though I think we'll order different sides with the entree. Also, the lighting was a little too low and I found the mirrors that they have at each booth a little odd (why not just turn up the lights a bit?!) Other than those 2 things (and the side dishes that came with the yummy meatloaf), I was really happy with the place. It was different, the bison actually tasted different than beef, and our service was fantastic. The guy was really attentive and didn't do the "disappearing act" that some reviewers have noted. Also, the beer they have on tap is good even if there is not a wide selection available. I had their house ale and it hit the spot. I also liked the fact that their straws are biodegradable/ earth friendly as are their table clothes and their to-go boxes. With so much waste these days, it was a nice change of pace from the norm. Lastly, the next day my boyfriend got a call from the restaurant. Apparently we left the cc there. Our waiter gave the card to the manager and they immediately worked on finding out how to contact him through the Amex Corp. Card number (that's how they got his #). What a sigh of relief that they not only found it, but took the extra time to track us down- now that's customer service for you.
(3)
Daniel R.
Being from Hawaii this was someplace I probably would not find myself eating. I ate the bison and surprisingly it was very delicious. It was very savory and tender, I haven't had bison so I thought it'd taste a bit gamey or so but it didn't. One thing that I liked about here was that I left full, which is always a good ting.
(4)
Tom C.
Always great service, friendly waiters/waitresses, fun food and atmosphere. Not highbrow, but I'm ok with that. I give 5 stars for always being solid in its category.
(5)
Allison M.
Wow, I had a really great burger here. I ordered the Canyon Creek, which had "cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, fresh jalapeños, blackberry jam and a fried egg* "over-easy" and was so amazing. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)
Joe I.
This has been the fifth or sixth time my wife and I have eaten here, as we live just down the street. Everytime we've come here, I have had no complaints and the food and service have been very good. But this time, we had such a great experience, I just felt compelled to write a review. It was all mainly due to our server, Chip. What a delightful person he is! My recommendation is to ask to be seated in Chip's section if you go in. He's just a great conversationalist, but very intuitive and knows when and when not to visit your table. He had some great recommendations on menu and bar items. All in all, it was one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long time. We had the bison nachos to start. It was just the right amount for two, and the chili they put on there is really good. It has a nice, slightly mild/sweet flavor that I really like. I had the bison meatloaf, and it came with a wonderful squash casserole and mashed potatos. My wife had the Big Sky grilled salad with freshly made honey-mustard dressing that was the best I've ever had. I had a Stella Artois and my wife had a Yuengling--both soooo good and cold. We were stuffed when we walked out.
(5)
Mary S.
The waitress added herself a 20% tip amount without our consent. We'd almost add new tips because we thought those prices are only for food. We noticed only after she swiped and left us no way to find her again. This is a horrible and disgusting act to cheat. Any restaurant that encourages its waitresses to cheat on their customers should close and lose all its money.
(1)
Kirk V.
One of the best burgers I have every had. They have quite a few different burgers on their menu and everyone in my dinner group loved the one they ordered. They have steaks on their menu, but the large selection of burgers seem to be their specialty. Very fancy interior but reasonable prices.
(5)
Ryan T.
Food was decent but the service was horrid. Only a handful of customers, there were twice as many servers and yet somehow, no one could get any service. Maybe it was because they were too busy dancing by the bar.
(3)
Valarie G.
Great food and good prices. The burgers were great and huge portions. I wasn't impressed with the service (took 15 minutes before we saw the waiter) and there were lots of screaming children (so there goes the atmosphere). Great for groups but not much more.
(3)
Olive O.
I like this place for a casual dinner get-together. The food is good, the ambiance reasonable, and the service (usually, but not always) very good. The prices are also very good. I have a family member who loves this place, so we've frequented this place over the last couple of years. I like this place! I'll be going back.
(4)
Rachel B.
The steaks and burgers are of course fantastic. The onion rings are huge (never ordered them though). The chopped salad is also perfect for a lunch splurge or light dinner.
(3)
David L.
Pretty good bison burger. Service was mediocre. Will go again if I am ever in the area.
(3)
Alisa M.
I give Ted's 4.5 stars. Ted's is always great for a bison burger or when you have a hankering for a home cooked meal. My recommendations are either a bison burger (excellent, they dont pack their burgers like most places, the meat is kept lose so it can breathe while it cooks - i think this makes it yummy and moist!), bar none sliders (excellent as well), or the beer can chicken which is what I had tonight. Phenomenal. I usually do not like chicken breast but this chicken is super moist. It comes with two sides pretty much of your choice since you can substitute the original offering. Atmosphere is quiet, quaint, homey. However you'd like to describe it. Looks like a saloon with dark woods and brown paper on the tables. Everything I've had here has been good. You can't really go wrong in my opinion. Food is always fresh. They have interesting straws, it's eco friendly either made out of straws or paper, i'm not sure. There is a kids menu as well. I think it's a great place for kids. Prices are not bad at all. Very reasonable. Go to Ted's! It's great!
(4)
Will D.
I ate at Ted's Montana Grill in a group of 4. We all ordered bison, but prepared 4 different ways, all of which we enjoyed very much (5 stars). There was about a 20 minute wait for a table when we visited. Service was very friendly, but not always available (it seemed as though they were understaffed: 3 stars). Our server seemed aware that he wasn't at our table frequently enough (for drink refilling, etc.) and did try to make it up to us with a free desert to go (which was delicious). Since this experience, some of our original party have eaten at another Ted's location and had an excellent experience.
(4)
Michael A.
My favorite bison burger anywhere
(5)
K S.
The best thing about this place is probably that the wait is never as long as the hostess tells you it will be. I only come here for business lunches where I'm not paying. Yeah, you can get bison...but I'm not down with $12 (BEFORE tax and tip) burgers at a chain restaurant. And the fries aren't even that good. They have sweet tea and environmentally-friendly cardboard straws, that's a plus, but instead of a bread basket or other beer snack you get pickles. I hate pickles, but YMMV. Bottom line: does Ted Turner need any more of your money?
(2)
Chris M.
I went there for the first time with some coworkers for lunch. I had never eaten bison before, so I gave it a try.... SO good. The prices are decent, and the food was well worth it. The service was good. Despite the place being packed during the lunch hour, we sat down (without reservations) in about 15 minutes I'll be back!
(4)
Ian L.
When it comes to burgers, its hard to beat Ted's bison. The bison meat is more flavorful and more healthy then beef. They have a wide range of ways to top the burger, my favorite is the New Mexico. I always get medium rare and have found the burger to be cooked correctly. Their service is good and the wait staff is very attentive.
(4)
Pete D.
I was in the area for business about a year ago and stumbled upon this place. Ate here and came back the next day for the same one item. I was in the area again for business recently and clearly remembered that one item, came back again, bison burger. I'm a sucker for burgers and obviously, ground beef is your number one choice. But each time I come here, I just have to get the ground bison meat (I'll give in one of these days and get the cow). But anyway, I'm here for quick lunch, so I snatch up a vacant spot at the bar. Right away, the bartender scoops you a small bowl of their pickled cucumbers, good stuff here (ask for a refill if you devour them). They have a handful of burgers as far as the type of toppings you want, as well as cheeses. You'll probably be overwhelmed of which one to try. This time around, I had "name" (I can't recall) but it had swiss, guacamole and a green pepper chile. I asked for all this on the side, except for the cheese. The burger came out just as I ordered, medium and it was great. Full of flavor, tender, dripping juices which flowed off of the bun and also soaked into the bun. The taste of bison has a slight gamey taste to it, but it's nothing like lamb or goat. It's different, a stronger "beef" scent. Bison is lean, but their burgers are done well, as I've mentioned. Served with fresh cut potatoes, literally, because behind the bar, there's someone cutting them and frying them fresh. I ordered a side caesar salad too, nothing spectacular here, but not disappointing either. Service at the bar is good. There are usually two team members running around and taking care of you. For lunch time though, it gets pretty crowded, so go before the 12:00 PM rush or after the rush. I got there about 1:00 PM and the crowd was dying out, both the bar and restaurant area. The price for the bison burger meal starts at $11, depending what toppings you get. Lastly, I recommend this place for the bison burger. I honestly cannot rate anything else because I haven't had it. A solid 3-star and I will always make room and time if I'm in the area.
(3)
Sonny B.
Hungry? Bison curious? In Crystal City and looking for a great burger? One word. Teds I go here at least twice a month for lunch, have had most of the burgers on the menu, and love the Green & Hot Bison burger. The best times to go are either at 11:00AM or 1:30PM. The service can still be slow during these times, but is much improved. Definitely a 45-minute lunch. Definitely not as cheap as McDonald's or as great value as Ray's Hell Burger, but the best bet in Crystal City for a decent burger. Fun Fact: The Bison/Buffalo head in the dining room is real!
(4)
Judy C.
Bumped Ted's down to 3 stars. The food is just as good as before, but it's just too pricey. $16 for a burger and fries is a bit too much, even if it is bison...
(3)
Mikkela T.
Looks like a steak house. Feels like a gentleman's club. But there is no cigar smoke and the only salty talk was me commenting on my hamburger, the buffalo sliders, the onion rings, and even the asparagus! But I like that they have cardboard straws (eco-friendly), they substitute any side at no extra cost, they have lots of booths, and they have a lunch menu for $13. But, too salty!
(3)
Yelpowitz E.
The burguers are good but excessively large. I would suggest a more moderate portion for a few cents less. Service is good The place is nice but the huge bison looking at you while you eat a bison burguer it's ...interesting! You should try it out
(3)
John B.
Fantastic! What else is there to say? I have eaten here twice and both times were amazing. I tried the filet the first time and it was flavorful and cooked well. The second time I had the Bison burger and it was cooked to perfection, juicy and very full of flavor. Saving the best for the last the French fries were the best I ever ate. Similar to in-and-out burger but better. I plan to be back many times!
(5)
Heather G.
Stick with the burgers and you'll be okay here. The bison never disappoints. I particularly like the bison burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. The fries are top notch and the onion rings are really good too. My favorite beverage is the diet coke with cherry syrup in it. They serve ice just the way I like it. The paper straws are funky, though.
(3)
Frank H.
Stream of consciousness Review - Good burger - bison sort of gimmicky but nothing special to me. - I went during lunch - the crowd is lively and a bit crowded. - My waiter was a little short with us; apparently asking for mustard is a sin. - $12 for a burger seemed like a lot. - Fries were good; kaiser bun reminded me of Wendy's. - I like Ray's HB.
(3)
Marc B.
We discovered Ted's Montana Grill in Suburban Denver and decided to find one in the DC burbs (as usual the better restaurants are in NoVa).. The bison burgers and bison ribs (Saturday night only) are superb (if you like bison). Portion sizes are decent and the service was attentive and friend. I feel odd recommending and giving five stars to a restaurant owned by Ted Turner, since I am the "reddest" of all Republicans. Bottom line, if you like meat go to this restaurant!
(5)
DeAngelo V.
Everything at this place is excellent! Bison Burger's are amazing. The Sunday Turkey dinner is exceptional as well. Parking in and around there can be a pain.
(5)
Dee M.
Ted's is great because of its prime location. There really aren't many other choices besides Ruby Tuesdays. The food was just okay. I tried the bison burger for the first time and it's definitely not my cup of tea. The service was good, but there are better choices in nearby Oldtown Alexandria.
(2)
Brittany G.
Bison! More places should serve bison. Healthy and yummy and good times. Ted's does a solid burger, good free pickles and yeasty rolls, and I've always had great service. I'd give them more stars if they improved their drinks -- they have a pretty respectable wine list, but both times I've gotten wine there have been problems (corked bottles in one and chunks of cork the other, bad form). I have also been thoroughly underwhelmed by their bartenders, who mix weak drinks poorly. I'd stay away from the alcohol here, but it's a great place for a burger.
(3)
John O.
All of my stars are for the bison meals and service. I love the bison burgers and chili, and the service is usually very good. I hate that they pour weak ass mixed drinks, and how much said drinks cost.
(4)
Mich S.
Great for lunch and Happy Hour! Highly recommend the Cranberry Glazed Roasted Chicken.
(5)
Kyle U.
One of the best burgers I have ever tasted! Although a few dollars more expensive than the original burger, make sure you get your burger made with Bison - amazing. Good unique selection of burgers (mine had an egg, bacon, and a blackberry jam sauce that was to die for). All of my friends got different burgers and we loved them all. Price is a bit steep at $18 for a bison burger (hence the 4 stars), but if you're looking for a high quality burger and a great establishment... go no further.
(4)
Craig H.
Fun. Great burgers!
(4)
Len P.
Take the 5 star rating with a small grain of salt, as Ted's is a chain... but this is certainly the best Ted's location I've eaten at and Ted's is probably my favorite chain restaurant. Why is this? Well, to start this Ted's is a place that's flanked by Ruth's Chris, Morton's and McCormicks, all of which I've eaten at several times, and somehow manages to come out on top on both quality of food and price. The sliders are incredible, the bison chili is suburb and the burgers are everything you could hope for. Most Ted's rate a 3-4 star rating but this location consistently outperforms on every dish I've ordered. The Fish & Chips is almost as good as Old Ebbitt's even.
(5)
Lauren M.
Outstanding. Ted you really know how to cook a burger. I love meat!!
(5)
Ryan C.
The burgers are far better than good especially if you go the bison route. The drink pricing is not the best but that is to be expected as the food is the focus here. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this establishment for a fun but casual night out with friends or your lady.
(4)
Jive T.
The buffalo burgers are my favorite with a good old fashioned milk shake. The cocktails are well made and strong. The outdoor dining is fun and pleasant and CLEAN! The best part is the interior decor--the bathrooms have a 1930's/1940's theme. It is conveniently located near the metro and the Crystal City walk/park area.
(5)
Stephanie P.
What do you do when you've been up since before dawn and spent your whole day flying across the country? Why, you stagger off the plane, grab your bag, and head straight for the nearest patty of sizzling buffalo meat, that's what! Or at least that's how I got my first taste of Ted's Montana Grill. I wasn't sure if my friend was joking when she told me the place was owned by Ted Turner, who also provided the meat from his ranches, but apparently she was telling the truth. All I know is that stretching out my legs and sucking down a cherry lemonade was sweet, sweet post-flight relief. I went with the classic cheeseburger, but there are lots of different variations on the buffalo burger theme, from the S.O.B. (Swiss cheese, grilled onions & bacon) to the disgusting-sounding Kitchen Sink (grilled ham, mushrooms, onions, fried egg, bacon & choice of cheese). My friend had the bison meatloaf, which she proclaimed to be just right, especially the garlic mashed potatoes. The service was fine, and our waiter was excessively friendly, although he had this unbelievable Italian accent that I could barely understand (and also suspected might be a joke). We couldn't even finish our dinners and therefore couldn't even consider dessert, but I do wish I had stopped at the gift shop on the way out and gotten one of the $2 buffalo keychains, which really were awfully cute. tedsmontanagrill.com/sto… I really like buffalo meat, although I prefer it in fajita form - not that there's anything wrong with Ted's burgers, I'm just not a huge fan of hamburgers in general. But for a jet-lagged stomach that had been surviving on soda and roasted peanuts all day, a huge slab of meat was exactly what the doctor ordered. I suspect it would also be excellent hangover food, although, naturally, I wouldn't know anything about that myself...
(3)
Ken C.
Bison Burgers with Kitchen Sink option. Knock you out and fill you up : ) Free parking is another good deal after 4pm.... So, you can't beat that at VA area. Plus not far from Pentagon city which you can head over there for bars. If not, then take the metro or drive to GT is not that far away...
(3)
Alan L.
We held an office luncheon at Ted Montana Grill today with 20 people in attendance. As to be expected the food was excellent! Everyone in the group ordered something different, from bison burgers to bison meatloaf to bison steak. In each case, the meal was prepared with care and flair. Not a single bad experience in the entire group. My bison meatloaf was delicious, and I especially loved the tangy sauce on top. Substitutions to the order? Not a problem, every change was made with ease and a smile. Our waitress, Veronika, took extremely good care of us--refilling drinks before we asked, bringing the food out quickly, and best of all delivering individual checks to each diner without us having to even ask. My only disappointment is that in such a good restaurant, they seem woefully ill-prepared for a large group in an area where such groups visit regularly. Our group was seated at 3 separate tables of 6-7 diners, and when it came time for achievement acknowledgement and gift giving, there was no easy way to arrange the group. Speakers had to shout to be heard, which I'm sure was as annoying to other patrons as it was to us. Would love to see them develop some table arrangements for larger groups in te rear of the restaurant to facilitate these types of luncheons! But beyond that, you can't go wrong for your meal or price!
(3)
Adam R.
Ted's is awesome! Try the bison, it's half the fat, and tastes good too. Please remember to substitue the fries for onion rings....you wont be disappointed unless you are trying to lose weight, then you will be very disappointed....but why are you eating a Ted's if you're trying to lose weight, HUH?
(4)
Kim S.
went with some friends who simply LOVE this place and I understand why. we crept in at 11pm on the dot (closing time) and they still served us w/o rushing us out - how cool is that? they even put our ColdStone IceCream in the freezer for us (coldstone is next door). this was my first time trying bison and it was marvelous, simply marvelous - the onion rings rings were huge and the fries were five guyish but good. I was only able to eat 1/2 of my burger but it was lovely (bacon & fried onions). my 17 y/o enjoyed his bison burger as well. Looking forward to going back.
(4)
Gayle G.
This place loses a star just for being part of Ted Turner's "empire." No, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. A few months ago, my father in law came into town for a conference and was staying at the Marriott Crystal City so we needed to come up with a place for the three of us to go to dinner. Hubby is all about Buffalo meat, and we had already been to the other restaurants on this strip, so Ted's it was. I ordered the tenderloin strip of bison and hubby got the rib eye. I think my father in law ordered a bison burger. The service was slow, and our waiter disappeared for chunks of time without any warning. The steaks were less than impressive, but the squash casserole that I got with mine was really good. Other than that, if I go back..it will just be for drinks. For the price of the meal Jaleo or Bebo does much better.
(3)
Peta B.
I'd say "A-OK" describes it well, it's got solid food and the ambiance is really quite nice. You are seated in booths that have three wooden walls (love the privacy and intimacy this provides) and your food is served on a leather table cloth. The ceiling features lovely beveling and detail and the Montana-Rocky Mountain theme is tastefully done. The food is quite good, my husband was satisfied with his bison pot roast, the mashed potatoes were flavor-packed and vegetarians should be able to find something on the menu, at least I didn't have trouble. I would recommend this for a solid meal if you're in the Crystal City-Pentagon area.
(3)
Jenna M.
No good. The restaurant was empty and we still had to wait for them to clean a table. The bartender walked us around, saw that there were no tables, brought us back to the front and made us wait while they cleaned a table. We sat down and no one came to our table for more than 10 minutes. I ordered a Corona and when I asked for a lime the waitress went to the bar (directly next to our booth) picked the lime up with her hands and HANDED it to me! No napkin or anything!! GROSS. Then we asked her how the Peppercorn burger was and she said "the cheese on it is like really stinky so I don't know." And then we asked her what their special "Z-Sauce was." She replied, "It's like mayonnaise and something else, I don't know." WHAT?! She didn't even say, "let me go ask" or anything. Then she forgot to bring our sodas.... the food was edible but no better than a typical American chain restaurant... The service was absolutely terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)
Jackie M.
Ahhh....another awkward group luncheon with co-workers. This time it was because someone from our team was leaving. Ted's was a new venue for the work-group lunch, so at the very least, props to my co-worker for mixing it up and suggesting somewhere-not-where-we-always-go. Why awkward you might ask? Well, because I'm the youngest person in my group by about 20 years and I'm also the only girl (almost). The table conversation consists of talk about cardiologists, high blood pressure, adult children (ie: kids who are my age), and then jokes about how I'm young and don't have to worry about these things ... yet. Too many lunches like this and it makes you want to run screaming from the restaurant and sprint to Georgetown so you can dive head first into the first college infested bar you come across. If I had a collar, I would pop it like it was 2004 and not think twice, just please, no more talk of bad knees, heart medication, or collecting social security next year. But I digress, I'm here to talk about Ted's ... First of all, I'm sure our waiter cringed in fear and loathing as we sat down and answered 'yes' to his question of separate checks. Sorry. Secondly, props to him for never letting me see the bottom of my Diet Coke glass and remembering a fresh lemon every time. Although, he spoke so softly that I thought about offering him a tin can on a string so we could communicate across the table, but I didn't have one in my purse that day so I was left to say, 'What?' and 'Pardon?' After he asked me various questions about my order. I ordered a cup of Ted's signature bison chili, and the salad (it is a Cobb salad with your choice of salmon, shrimp, bison, or beef) with grilled salmon and basil vinaigrette dressing, which actually came out creamier than I would have liked. I was disappointed that Ted's did not offer a simple balsamic vinaigrette for those of us who are trying to avoid conversations about clogged arteries and cardiologists, but oh well. All that aside, the dressing was tasty and the salmon was cooked just enough to not be over or under done. The salad itself consisted of lettuce, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, and avocado (although mine came devoid of avocado, which made me sad). Unfortunately, my cup of chili was forgotten. However, it was not forgotten when I received my separate check. I didn't want to make a big stink during the meal when I realized that my chili would never appear in front of me, because managing a table of 15 people was enough work for one soft spoken man who seemed easily flustered. But, not one to pay for food I didn't eat, I had the waiter take it off the bill before I handed over any cash. When he came back with my corrected bill, he also handed me a chocolate chip cookie as a consolation for the mistake. Hooray! I felt like a little kid getting a lollipop after a haircut. That cookie was damn good. I also want to point out that I love the pickles here. They set them out on your table when you sit down and they remind me of pickles I used to eat when I was a kid, growing up in New York City - not overly vinegary, slightly salty, and crisp. The portions of food are large and you get good value for your dollar. The drink straws are made from recycled paper, which seems a bit odd, but it works. You worry that it might disintegrate in your mouth like those trick birthday candles that can't be blown out, but it doesn't. It performs its straw duty to an appropriate level of satisfaction.
(4)
Paul W.
At one point, this place may have offered the area's best burger. It was the only reason I'd go at least. Enter Five Guys, Hellburger, and Burger Joint. For me this place has become standby in case there's absolutely nowhere else to go in Ballston.
(2)
Sean D.
Bison ribeye was excellent! Paired with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Wait staff was attentive and extremely courteous. I'd eat here again.
(4)
Chris C.
Food - The Burgers are pretty good, but a tad pricey, and they have some other finger foods which are pretty good. Service - Good service everytime i've gone, even at the bar. Restaurant - Very fancy for a burger joint and in a nice location (crystal drive and 23rd street)
(4)
s g.
Horrible service! We stopped in tonight in hopes of having a casual dinner out with our 2.5 year old and our 1 year old. A server sat my wife and I at a booth with our children without saying a word to us and walked off without offering highchairs or booster seats. When our server finally came over, with me still standing at the table holding my 1 year old son, my wife asked about both. She said we couldn't have a high chair at a booth as servers had to walk by to serve food to other tables, of which there literally were none around us. (There were only two other tables of customers, and one was across the room and one wouldn't need to walk by our table to serve them, and the other was also across the room and behind our table and again, a server would not have had to walk by our table to serve them). I would have completely understood had the restaurant been busy, but it wasn't so a high chair at the booth wouldn't have been a safety issue today. We didn't mind moving though so we happily agreed to go sit at a table in the middle of the restaurant, however when my wife asked if they had booster seats for our 2.5 year old, she said we couldn't have a booster seat at a table, only in a booth! So, we literally couldn't eat at any of the tables in their restaurant with our family, unless one of us wanted to sit at the booth with our daughter in a booster, and the other one of us wanted to sit at the table with our son in a highchair. She offered to go ask a manager if she could give us a high chair at the booth, but at this point we'd already had enough and left. This restaurant really isn't kid friendly, so I wouldn't waste my time going there if you have little ones.
(1)
Kelly K.
July 2008-I was asked why I would order a fish sandwich at a meat place like this. Well, I had two badly cooked beef meals prior to this vist at the Sterling location of Ted's Montana Grill. The last time my steak was practically swimming in a sea of butter...gross! When I tried this other location in Crystal City someone at the bar was eating the fish sandwich...so I figured I would try it...and now I know that they are bad at cooking the fish sandwich too. Hey, I wasn't expecting it to be great...but I did expect it better than a fish fillet at a fast food restaurant...and it was not!
(2)
Becky F.
I suppose I should have tried the Bison Burger or Something made out of Buffalo.... Perhaps that is why I did not find this place to be particularly memorable. It seemed to me to have pretty average food, prices, etc... Nothing stands out, but if you are looking for something simple while staying in the area, not a bad option.
(2)
Peter T.
A more upscale chain restaurant with a western plains theme. You know the drill. Cowboy kitsch on the walls and lots of meat on the menu. Good burgers. Mediocre side dishes.
(3)
Rebecca J.
I give Ted's two stars - one for the food, one for the service. Honestly, I would give the service nearly four stars, but I don't want that to sway the overall rating. I was perplexed by the free appetizer of pickled cucumbers. While not terrible, it was clear they were experiencing an identity crisis - "am I pickle or am I a cucumber." I think a better idea would be to fry pickle slices and serve them with a complimentary cream sauce/dip. I don't expect to eat healthy at a steakhouse, so don't confuse me with cucumbers as an appetizer. Then comes the ceasar salads. All heart, no leaf. Thankfully, the server was intuitive enough to gather we didn't enjoy them and comped them from our ticket. Additionally, she offered us free dessert. I'll get to the dessert in a minute. Here comes the beef, or was it bison? I'm not sure. I ordered a medium "Avalon" beef burger, which came out well done and gamey tasting. You be the judge. The fries were somewhat redeeming of the mediocre entree. My bf's pot roast looked like a picture of pot roast but not actual edible pot roast as indicated by the gelatin gravy hiding the pulled beef. And now for the free dessert. They were out of chocolate chip cookies (perhaps they're the only good thing on the menu), so we got the fudge brownie. Let's just say, Little Debbie's are a more reliable source for a sugar craving. I'm not discounting the good experiences other reviewers supposedly had, but our trip was less than impressive. Our server, Nina, did take really good care of us, which is why the taste in our mouths is not so bitter. However, we won't be back.
(2)
K B.
Great yeast rolls. Fish was tasty too. The grilled asparagus was soggy; that was really disappointing.
(3)
A. F.
I haven't found bison burgers since my trip to Yellowstone several years ago, so I was happy to find it here. It was pretty good. Bison is good because its leaner than beef. I really liked it here. I also like that this restaurant is a "go green" restaurant - everything from biodegradable straws to powdered soap (which I guess is better for the environment) in the restrooms. Your standard American fare here but with bison burgers and it is oh so good :)
(3)
Rachel W.
Ok, first, let's get over this .... it's a chain. Like Panera Bread, it's a chain I know and love without going down the shame spiral. Look, I went in here a half hour before closing, ordered a buffalo blue burger and a bourbon. Instead of being annoying the server commended me on my choice and carried on a coversation regarding the choice of Ted Turner's artwork in restaurants. That's customer service people. As for the food...the bison burgers are awesome and never dry. It's just consistently meaty goodness.
(4)
Philip C.
Great ambience and friendly staff. I enjoyed the bison meatloaf and the dirty martini. Excellent wedge Cobb salad with crispy fresh iceberg lettuce.
(4)
Lyd K.
Buffalo meatloaf is awesome. Nice setting + good service. Go for it!
(4)
Scott J.
Great bison steak! I ate here this weekend since its close walking distance to the hotel and Ruth Chris was closed. Service was good and food tasty at less cost than Mortons or Ruths Chris. Quality is above Outback and just less than the expensive places. I liked the bison steak as its healthier than beef and unique taste.
(3)
Aaron E.
Do it. I loved the bison burgers, onion rings, and beer. You likely will be stuffed after eating here. The apple crisp dessert portion is also massive; enough to feed four. Not a fancy place, but it has a nice ambiance (nicer than Outback and Fudruckers). Also, checkout the biodegradable corn based straws. Nice environmentally friendly touch.
(3)
Mickey A.
Sliders rocked with roasted asparagus, great service.
(4)
Rachel T.
Bison burgers are the best. I have found no one ...yet who can compare to Ted's. Maybe it's the burger oat bun combo, maybe its the fact that whether the burger is naked, or covered in avocado or with plane old ketchup it's great every time. There are often waits, service is good but slow so this is the grade for the burger not the whole experience or even the whole menu-since the burger is why I come I never stray from that page of the menu. They keep your drinks full but don't get addicted to the lemonade in the summer since the refills are not free. Some reviewers say to get the bison medium rare-I would go well done it really tastes great. Their cookies are pretty good and so are starter salads and fries that come with the burger.
(5)
P J.
Do yourself a favor and eat an Amazing bison burger.
(4)
Wallace V.
Good service. Really friendly. Burgers are pretty standards, meat was a little dry(I had the bison). Buddy had the bison meatloaf and said it was awesome. Just a side note you can add vanilla or cherry flavoring to your coke if you want. Hard to find places that still do that.
(4)
Nicole F.
Just noticed that nobody commented on the chicken sandwich, which is what I had when I went. It was not good (overcooked & dry). Plus, it was overpriced. The restaurant was packed at lunch and I didn't understand what all the hub-bub was about. Can't remember what my husband ordered but he said it was unremarkable and we both agreed there are lots better choices in the area - especially with the mediocre service and long wait at lunch.
(2)
Jamie M.
This place is fairly average unless you're just craving some bison meat. I've tried their eggless Caesar salad and burgers and they're both just okay. Their burgers are really crumbly (probably means they're better quality) so be prepared for a mess. I usually end up eating mine with a fork. The bartenders and servers are all really friendly - this is the only place where we've had them initiate conversation with us.
(3)
Evan T.
I had never heard if this chain but it really hit the spot. God bless Ted Turner and his bison filet! If bison steak is actually leaner and tastes as delicious as it did then I see no reason to continue raising cattle.
(4)
Terry S.
The food at this chain never ceases to amaze. I'm particularly fond of the ribeye (either beef or bison!) and the bacon cheeseburger. Great stuff!
(5)
Nuj M.
I go for dinner, happy hour, dessert! Their sangria is so delicious, bartenders are friendly, food is always good, and I love the cucumbers they give you.
(5)
Rachel S.
Since I am from Montana, I get asked if I have been to Ted's Montana Grill all the time. I finally decided to try it out while my parents were visiting and staying in Crystal City. Not while it matters, but I really wish Ted could have kept the name "Montana" out of his restaurant. There is nothing Montana about this place at all. Anyways, the food was fine, but not anything I would ever crave again. I have had better steaks elsewhere. It was incredibly obvious that the food had been sitting out under a heat lamp for several minutes, which really disgusts me. The onion rings were bland. The garlic mashed potatoes were good, but again I wish they had been piping hot! My rib eye steak was tasty, and they seem to follow cooking specifications well. My steak was a perfect medium rare, but again, luke warm. Our server was pleasant, but as others have mentioned, I had to struggle to understand her heavy accent. I hate making an issue about someones accent, but it was very difficult to order from our server. Plus, for some reason the dining room is incredibly LOUD. I could barely hear my mother across the table, so my server was impossible to hear over the din! The prices were reasonable, but I think that there are better places to spend your money. Unless you are really into bison, this place can be avoided.
(2)
Lisa R.
very good eatery with wonderful meats, definitely not for the vegetarian! lol I didn't get the chance to try the bison meat (i wanted to get it, but it was too expensive to justify at the time), but i still ate a yummy steak there and loved loved loved the desert. WOW, YUM!!! I don't remember the name, the strawberry ice cream hot biscuit so yum yum! I like the idea of the paper straws for the environmental stuff, but they tasted simply bizarre, it tasted like a paper straw. not something i'd prefer. we got stuck at a table, i really wish there were more booths! i'm not a huge fan of sitting at a table in the middle of a large room. place is dark, pretty relaxed, not pretentious at all, and good for a dinner date. I'll have to check out the place for lunch! salad was great, as was the tomato :-)
(4)
Kathleen M.
I'm from Atlanta, so I'm sure that indirectly I owe Ted Turner my life or something. He did a hell of a job with the Braves, so I've got to love him for that. Know what else I love him for? His support of sustainable agriculture! Woo! For those who don't know, bison is an incredibly environmentally friendly piece of meat. Bison, unlike domesticated cows, are natural species along the Great Plains and do not cause the kind of destruction that cows have done. For one pound of beef you need to feed it 20 pounds of grain (hence why American agriculture has become a monoculture system, completely lacking of any biological diversity), whereas a bison can live on the natural grasses that grow in the areas. Also, bison are raised free-range, which we all know is a happy thing. Even if you don't give a rats ass about the environment, bison is the better choice because it is much leaner than beef. Ok, now that I've gotten my love for bison out of the way, on to the review of the restaurant itself. I used to live in Crystal City and my roommate and I would come here often for some good, juicy burgers. I don't think it's any pricier than other nice burger joints and I appreciate the fresh, diverse ingredients. I've always had great service. One night, my roommate and I were disgustingly starving and our waiter was great about bringing out the food really quickly and refilling our drinks as soon as they ran out. I've never had anything but burgers and salads here. Skip the fries and get the creamed spinach! It's to diiiiiiie for.
(4)
Chris R.
Best bison burgers ever. Great place for lunch and a beer.
(4)
Brent M.
This is a tough review to write. The food was pretty damn good when I went here. I had a buffalo burger with mushrooms, cheese, barbeque sauce, etc. The quantity and quality of the food I thought was pretty good, and they had a decent wine selection. The atmosphere is nice, and it's in a busy section of Arlington within walking distance of a bunch of places. The negatives were pretty strong. Because of the location and time of day, I had to park a bit far away in the parking garage of the mall next door. That was a pain in the neck. The big loss of points here was in the service. I was discussing this with my friends, and I understand that unemployment in this part of Virginia is very low right now, but seriously, at least hire a waiter who can speak English. In addition to having trouble communicating, he was not very attentive and was unable to answer any questions we had about the menu or food. This really detracted from my experience. I don't know if I would go back here - there are too many other options in the area that just seem like better picks.
(3)
Ken G.
The meal started off great with the cucumbers in place of bread. I ordered the COB Bison burger and it was pretty good. I got the onion rings on the advice of previous yelp review, however of the entire meal I would skip the onion rings. Not a winner
(4)
Rebecca O.
I wasn't sure what to expect, being born and raised in ND, I feel like me and Montana have something in common. Buffalo. So anyway, I felt at home, but still to 'chicken' to eat the bison, never been a big fan of it. We got cows in ND and Montana too, so I'll eat beef. That said, the burgers were juicy and delicious! My husband had some kinda chicken which was also delicious and the kids were given wiki-sticks to play with, which kept them busy for 1 1/2 days, thank you very much :)
(4)
Kim G.
I walked in thinking it was gonna be a great place, because of it's location and the leather booths and all the old men with ties. But then I saw the red and white checkered napkins and thought to myself "huh? something's off." Had to go with a bison burger, but nothin looked that appetizing on the menu so I made one up: avocado and mushroom...yum. Ordered a cherry lemonade and the refills kept coming, even before I was done with my drink, so I felt pressured to pawn it off to someone else or wet my pants later in the day. I chose the former. It was too pricey. Especially for me when I can do with a burger that's 10 bucks cheaper (IN-N-OUT hells yes)!
(3)
Dave S.
This place is great. The baked potato soup is one of my favorite items on the menu. Service is always good.
(4)
Will Y.
Walking by Ted's I always assumed it was a rather upscale place. I was surprised to discover that its very reasonably priced. I went for a quick dinner and almost picked the $16 three course option but decided that I simply had to have a bison burger. I chose one with swiss cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce and I can say that it was an excellent decision. I feel like this would be a great lunch spot for people who work in Crystal City.
(4)
Gigi A.
Best onion rings ever made. I'm actually writing this because I'm craving some, unfortunately the nearest Ted's is 2 hours away from here. Really great burgers, great chilled out place. Haven't tried the bison, but the beef was great.
(4)
Joe S.
Nothing crazy about the interior of the place, but the Bison burger was out of this world. I got the guacamole burger and was blown away. It was grilled to perfection. I am not a huge fan of chains, but this was really nice.
(4)
James B.
The first time I came here I was a bit nervous about trying buffalo. To my surprise, it is delicious! This Ted's has wonderful service and the food is always great. Be sure to make reservations though because it can get very busy, especially during tourist seasons. Since my first time going, I tried buffalo burgers, steaks, meatloaf and pot roast which are all scrumptious! They have a very good selection of burgers, both beef and buffalo, that are unique to Ted's.
(5)
Jalyn H.
Am I committing blasphemy with this review? Ted's is a place that is raved about over and over again, and repeatedly fails to live up to the lofty expectations. Each time I go (I believe I've been there around 6 times, in Atlanta and in DC), I am faced with the same issues. Granted you get an ample amount of food, but it is way overpriced for what you get. Afterwards you feel so full that you can't eat for the rest of the day (maybe that's a personal problem). The service is consistently awful. Maybe it's a Ted's company policy that the server must be one or more of the following: tortoise slow, forgetful, or just plain unable to comprehend the difficult process of taking orders and computing checks. And this happens every single time! Another common occurrence is undercooked food. No matter if I order the bison burger or just a chicken salad, the meat is partially raw. Hello? Lose the heat lamps, people! Not that I wouldn't recommend the bison burger. More times than not it is really tasty, and a lot messy. The salads are passable and the aforementioned burgers are a safe bet. The pickle appetizers are a nice touch and the onion rings are also yummy. But don't eat too many otherwise you'll hate yourself later. Kudos to Ted's for keeping a clean establishment. Also a gold star for the powdered soap in the restroom. Ah, takes me back to 2nd grade.....
(2)
Bill H.
Two words: food poisoning. My wife and I have been there several times, and really enjoyed it, but the last time we went I got food poisoning from the bison burger. I threw up for three days straight, and nearly a week later my stomach still can't handle a full meal. It may have been a one time error, but I will certainly not be taking that chance again.
(1)
TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Had a beef burger. It was supposed to be medium well. It was well. The meat was not held together. It kept the spaghetti shape of the processor. I ate a quarter of my burger. Onion rings to salty. Drinks 10 each. Really good lemonade. But Lemonade is not worth $66 (cost of nasty dinner for two). Please close this place so something better may come
(1)
Jon J.
This restaurant is tasty enough that on two separate business trips to the area, I've eaten at it twice in the same week. The steak, whether you get bison or beef, is excellent - always well cooked and a very flavorful cut. The burgers, however, are out of this world. They've got a wide variety of them on the menu and will make one with just about anything that you can imagine (case in point, the "Kitchen Sink", which has ham, egg, bacon, onions, and mushrooms - all on top of a burger). They also have a good selection of side dishes and a staff of friendly servers. There is a Ted's near my office back home, but I never go there because it is more of a business-trip place for me. I can't see myself coming here more often than a few times a year, as the mostly American classics menu would get a little boring. But those few times I'm here - I love it!
(4)
Kadian F.
The prices are great. The buffalo meatloaf is pretty good and the buffalo burger is great and less guilty than a beef burger.
(4)
Jon L.
This is bar none the best value - er "bang-for-the-buck" dining experience I have had in some time. The service was wonderful, as was my Bison Burger with fries. Loved the bottled Cokes! Bartender was also my server - friendly, made you felt welcomed. I had table service here before and the waitress was outstanding. I am as picky as they come. To those who abhor chains, this one may just change your mind!
(5)
Hilary J. A.
The burgers here are delicious!!! Mouth watering if you will--the bison anyways... there's a ton of different types that they make--the overall menu is decent for selection with large servings. The inside area is okay with large comfortable booths, but they have a nice patio area as well. The service was great and the drinks were just as good--they actually have some of their own cocktails that seem qutie tasty.
(4)
Sam Y.
This Ted's is nice with good food. It was slow getting our food, but our waitress was on point. The basic bison burger I ordered was good, but I was little disappointed with the squash casserole (I think that's what it was called). I was expected a healthier option than the fries, but the casserole was mostly bread with a few pieces of squash.
(4)
Mark B.
You almost have to feel guilty eating a bison steak with that big ol bison head staring down at. I couldn't help but continually glance up at his sad sad eyes as I devoured what could have been one of its family. I left wondering if I will be haunted by the souls of the bison that were slaughtered to tantalize our taste buds. After eating the bison Rib-eye, i still honestly have to say I am still a beef man. My server was efficient and friendly, the bison steak was cooked correctly, mashed spuds were good as always, however the usually top notch squash casserole left a little to be desired today. It was very clear that I was served the lasts of the pan as it was dried out and crunchy and still maintained the rounded shape of the corner of a serving pan. Overall I enjoyed my lunch and service was good, I will return but will order the beef so to avoid the judging glares of that freakin bison above me.
(3)
choad x.
Best Bison Burger in the area. A little bit of a walk from the Metro but best place for lunch around here.
(4)
Dan F.
Ever since I moved into Crystal City, I saw this "Ted's Montana Grill" and wondered how expensive it was, because I really wanted to try it out. Eventually my roommate and I got up the nerve and went down to try it out. Even though the place looks relatively classy from the outside (and it is), you'll see people go in dressed nicely and casually alike. Now, I had never tried bison before, but the bison burgers were quite a treat! The prices weren't too bad. A bit pricey for a burger (~$11), but for the atmosphere and quality, I couldn't complain. In addition, the service is great!
(4)
CYNTHIA C.
I wouldn't categorize Ted's Montana Grill as a great steakhouse. It's just average. What would be more fitting is to call this place an upscale burger joint. I ordered salmon one time and it was good. I like the food as I have never been disappointed but I have never been wowed. It's not too pricey and the service has always been good. However, the wait for food has always been slow. You need more than an hour to eat lunch here. The wait was so bad one time, my meal was comp'ed by the manager.
(3)
Steve P.
I had met a friend nearby for a drink, and was walking back toward my hotel when I saw Ted's. Hadn't heard of it before, and poked my head in to check it out. It's a dark-paneled, high-ceilinged room with a lot of hard surfaces, so quite loud. You have a choice of booths, freestanding tables, and a bar area that extends down in front of the kitchen prep area. I ended up ordering the George's Cadillac bison burger, cooked medium, on the recommendation of the other poster. The burger was flavorful and juicy. I ate it as a knife-and-fork meal without the top bun as the bison is a little looser than a beef burger. That, plus a Blue Moon bottle, was $16.67 plus tip. I don't know how this compares to other burger choices in the area, didn't think it was outrageously expensive.
(4)
Jeff E.
Ted's has a nice atmosphere and is in a good location in Crystal City. I live and work close by, so I eat here often. They have very good bison burgers, and bison steaks and bison nachos!. (Try the green and hot bison burger) They are known for their bison. The meat loaf is good, as is the beer can chicken. Get the Sweet Potato at night, it is tasty but not offered during the day. They also have onion rings and several salad options. The service is sometimes excellent, and sometime slow depending on which server you get, and how busy they are. They stay very busy at lunch and most weekday nights, so there can be a wait. Overall, I would recommend Ted's as a good go to resurant in Crystal City!
(3)
Chris E.
It is a little too pricey. But for an "Outback" style alternative this a great place. I got great service. Plus this is the only place I know that specializes in Bison.
(4)
David B.
Came here right after landing at Reagan Airport after a long day of work and traveling. Onion Rings are wonderful! The onions are thick, the batter is crispy, and not greasy. I had to try a bison burger and I have to say, it was very good. Had I not known it was bison, I would have sworn it was beef, very flavorful and juicy. The fries are fresh cut and very tasty as well. Burgers are in the $12 range with fries. I will certainly be back next time I am in Crystal City.
(5)
PC W.
I like this place and the concept that all the food is flown in fresh daily and nothing is refrigerated, blah blah blah. I also like bison. I've had the bison meatloaf, slow-roasted pork, bison pot roast and bison steak and it's all been good. Prices are reasonable. Garlic mash potatoes are yummay.
(3)
Nathan K.
I haven't been to this actual location of Ted's but I had a great experience at Teds my first time & a mediocre visit my second. The onion rings they served as appetizer were AWESOME--the ones I got with my meal the second time were borderline cold. I asked politely and the waitress rectified the issue, but if you eat at Teds, just be prepared to send some part of your meal back if its not up to par. Also, they play music thats pre-1950 for old-timey ambiance. If you haven't visited, I would give it a visit.(3.8-4.1)
(4)
ChuVan E.
Had a late night dinner here once. I had the bison burger with bacon and cheese with a baked potato. I finished about 1/2 of my burger b/c the portions are generous and greasy (mostly b/c of the bacon). It was my first time having bison and I enjoyed it. Service was slow. Our waiter was pleasant.
(3)
Steve N.
We came in around 10 pm on a Friday night and had to wait for at least 1 minute before we were greeted by a waiter and then immediately taken to a table. Both of us ordered the bison ribeye steak (1st time ever that we have eaten bison or buffalo), which was properly cooked at medium temperature but was very chewy (similar to eating a sirloin steak). The sides (garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms & onions) were pretty good. The strawberry shortcake was pretty big and made to share. It had a crunchy-on-the-outside biscuit (instead of a soft cake), very good HD vanilla ice cream, and strawberries. I give this dessert a thumbs-up. Since our waitress provided us with very good service and the food was good (except for the chewyness of the steaks), we'll definitely come back to try the bison burger (which we hope will not be as chewy) and onion rings.
(3)
Craig M.
Great food, mediocre service.
(3)
Jared B.
Excellent service, good sized portions and decent food. A little over priced but, in my opinion, every thing in this area is priced high. Wouldn't hesitate to come back here.
(4)
Cara W.
I work nearby so come here quite often. Service can be hit or miss, but in the last few months I think it has gotten much better. Ted's does tend to get a lot of big groups during lunch, so just pack your patience. The Balsamic Bleu Steak salad is one of my go tos and it's delicious. Of course the burgers are great. I always order the bison and have never been disappointed. Yes, sometimes the buns get soggy, yes sometimes you wait a while for a table and for your food, but if you have the time for a great meal try this place!
(4)
Greg L.
I just paid $16 for a mediocre burger. There was absolutely nothing special about this place except for the prices.
(1)
Gene E.
Bison Ribeye was AMAZING. Can't say much for anything else. The signature Pepper and Salt Onion Rings, were okay. The Asparagus was steamed and boring. The meat was worth every penny
(3)
Shellie D.
I have been to Ted's a few times and I can honestly say that nothing has wowed me. If it wasn't for the convenient location, I would never suggest eating at Ted's. To me, the burgers here are mediocre. Nothing really stood out to me. It appears that they try to use good quality ingredients, and the waiter gave us the run down about the bison meat which is 'organic' and is raised on Ted's farm. Well, I tried the bison burger and I didn't like it, which just may be my personal preference. My mouth was waiting for the flavorful beefy taste and the bison did not deliver. It was grainy and crumbled easily. It wasn't enough fat in it, in my opinion. And didn't have that juiciness I like. Hence the term 'big fat juicy burger'. The onion rings were good,but they weren't anything special. And the fries where flimsy. I would come back here, but only due to convenience. As I said, the food isn't bad, but it isn't great either. Prices are reasonable, but you will be paying $3 more if you want bison instead of beef. The staff is always super friendly, attentive and helpful.
(2)
Saen H.
This was a very bad experience. Myself and six of my friends came for dinner. The first thing that happened was that they gave our table away, and we had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. When we finally sat down and ordered it took one hour and twenty minutes to get the food out (keep in mind it was 8:00 when we sat, not busy). When the food arrived four of the six were not the correct order. They then told me they were out of the dish I ordered. Wow, now it's one hour forty five minutes later. I ask for a salad (it was late and I did not want to wait long for another dish). That took another twenty five minutes. When it came out they made the wrong one. It would have been faster to go to Montana, hunt a buffalo, and cook it.
(1)
Alex M.
I've been going here for ten years. Last night was the first time I left unsatisfied; the meat was dry, our server forgot several items including bringing my side of onion rings at the end of the meal as opposed to, you know, during it - just really poor service and for the first time, questionable food. Very surprising and disappointing.
(2)
Roger D.
Conveniently located and large, this popular restaurant can be difficult to get into. On a recent Wednesday night there was a 45 minute wait to be seated at 7 PM, however, by 8:30 PM it was very easy to find a table. Last call was at 10 PM. I mostly recommend Ted's for the bison burgers, which have a creative option of toppings and very generous portions. Be warned the prices are quiet high for what is still just a burger. Ted's tends to be overly cute with the environmentally friendly theme. While they didn't bother me, my dinner companions complained that the recyclable paper straws fell apart in their drinks and left an after taste in their mouth. The borax soup in the toilet feels like washing with sand and doesn't foam up like regular soap.
(3)
Mike B.
Delicious food, good and friendly staff the only thing that I want to hit them on is the pricing.
(4)
Kevin F.
My first time at Ted's. My wife used to work there and suggested it as a good place for us to meet some friends for dinner. I had the Avalon burger and a baked sweet potato. The burger was juicy, tasty, and cooked properly. It has been a while since I had a burger with that much flavor going on. Though, $15 does seem a little steep, or maybe I'm just not used to DC-area prices yet. We were greeted and seated quickly even though most of the tables were taken. The fact they were so busy on a weekday evening must be a good sign. If you have children, you will be glad to know they have high chairs and a kid's menu. Lots of really good looking stuff on the menu. I will be back to this Ted's Montana Grill!
(4)
David H.
Try a bison burger here and you won't be disappointed. I originally ordered the Chili Cheeseburger but was told it's not served anymore (though it's on the menu), I didn't get how they don't serve it when it's on the menu and they serve all the ingredients (burger, bun, chili, cheese). Not a huge deal and I had the bacon bbq cheese burger instead which was good as well. I also had the salt and pepper onion rings which had a good flavor, were, crispy, and weren't greasy which impressed me. I also had the Big Sky Lemonade which is a fresh made lemonade with bourbon and would order it again. They also give you free homemade pickles with your meal. Teds is a chain, but for a chain I'd recommend it. Send the tourists here also and let the locals enjoy Ray's in peace.
(4)
P G.
I liked it for a variety of reasons. An expansive menu. The food was very good considering the price point, which is quite reasonable considering the area. My bison KC strip was perfectly prepared but tasted lean. No kidding, bison is lean so I expected it. I did like the sustainability aspect. It felt like there was very little waste there. A little crowded; the woman sitting at the table next to us bumped into ours when she sat down.
(4)
Carol Y.
Loved this place - we had a booth which greatly cuts the noise - and the waiter was fabulous. We'd not had bison before and thought it was great. I was feeling stuffed from sitting in a conference all day so had the bison chopped salad and it was just what I wanted. The Kid had salmon and loved it. The Husband had a bison cut and loved it too. We'd eat at a Ted's again if we come across one.
(4)
George P.
This place has great food. The atmosphere is fun, the staff is friendly and there's parking on the street.
(3)
Peter T.
Found the place using the app while we were staying nearby. Easy walk from lots of hotels. Fun and large menu with something for everyone, even my somewhat picky kids. We all had good meals and drinks. Service was friendly and prompt. Comfortable table and seating. Prices weren't cheap, just on the edge of high for a family meal, but fair for a vacation.
(5)
John G.
Thanks to a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver, we had a great dinner here. While it is a atmosphere where you would think to order the steaks, this place is all about the burgers. We ordered four burgers and a side do fries and rings. The girls also split a milkshake. The burgers can be made with beef or bison. Pay the extra dollar and get the bison. It is sweeter and more tender. Only four stars because it is pricey for a burger and our waitress was slow on refilling our waters each time but the food was 5 star!
(4)
Paul H.
I moved here about 2 months ago and I can easily say this is the best burger I've had. A lot of the other reviews said the service was bad but my personal experience was great. It was my friend and I and we both got different burgers and loved them both. The onion rings were the best I've ever had and I recommend them as an appetizer. I will definitely be returning. It is about 20$ for an appetizer and burger so it's by no means cheap but it is worth it.
(4)
Don K.
Meatloaf is fantastic especially coupled with squash casserole! The prime rib is very good with a nice Malbec. Enjoyed the bison chili covered nachos. Atmosphere is relaxing and yet properly steakhouse semi formal. Service was excellent even if not by an obvious American. Worth the walk from the Hyatt.
(5)
Kerri Y.
There is no shortage of food- you will go home stuffed!! While looking for a good burger at a recent stay in Crystal City, we found this restaurant through yelp. They have a huge burger menu- all with the option of beef or bison. Food was tasty and plentiful. Soo soo soo much food. Service was beyond fantastic. We received our food so quickly it was amazing! It was a weeknight and fairly busy but we received exceptional service. Great experience here. I was actually surprised to find out this was a chain restaurant, I may be seeking out a location close to home, after my experience here.
(4)
Edward M.
Worst Ted's I've ever been to with my family. Server showed up at the table with her ~9 year old daughter who carried plates and touched our food. Completely unsanitary given that kids (including our own) are always wiping their nose and you can't keep up with sanitary food delivery conditions. Food order was completely wrong. Wrong dressing for salads, wrong soups , wrong temp for burger (burnt/well done versus medium). We thought to give this location another chance since we are local. Bad idea. Not coming again.
(1)
Fredy R.
Fun, delicious an unique restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here with six teens. The Bison nachos are generously topped and while unusual they tasted great. I enjoyed the "fork and knife" which was a burger topped with chili and cheese-hence the name. Everyone enjoyed the meal. We didn't get dessert but it looked wonderful. All meat meals give the option of beef or bison.
(4)
Mark H.
Burgers schmurgers. Yes they're good, but why waste your time on a freakin' burger when Ted's got BISON RIBEYE? THAT, my friends, kicks seriously delicious ASS!
(4)
Mitchel B.
Tonight my wife and I had dinner at Ted's Montana Grill I had the bison bone in ribeye she had the bison ribeye. We had the salt and pepper onion rings she had spinach and the baked potato I had the kale salad and baked potato everything was delicious. For a beverage I had a strawberry milkshake and my wife had the mountain breeze she said it was fantastic. All in all it was a great experience our server was nice. We did have to ask for water a couple of times other than that it. I would highly recommend eating there as the food was well-prepared and as I said earlier delicious.
(5)
Malika H.
Interesting restaurant. Happy my job took me out to eat at Ted's, otherwise I would never have tried the place out. On the outside you'd expect to walk in to something similar to TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays but the restaurant actually has a very sophisticated layout. Nice for an intimate dinner or business meeting. Now on to the food. I ordered the Avalon Burger, and it was really good. I chose the bison meat instead of regular beef and it was SO thick. I appreciated the experience but I think next time I'd go with the beef just to be able to enjoy the taste of all the different components of the burger more. I particularly liked that they offered ciabatta rolls as an option for your bun. You can also get a wheat bun. Very health conscious menu and eco friendly (non-plastic straws). I'd say if you ever visit Ted's go for the burgers. They have a pretty extensive selection and they're all really good. There were 7 at my table, we all ordered burgers, and no one had any complaints. I'll for sure be back! :)
(4)
Chris M.
My husband and I wanted a new experience while visiting from California. The service was outstanding! Veronika was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us good recommendations. My husband had the bison filet which was excellent. I had Salt & Pepper trout with asparagus & a sweet potato- all delicious. I would recommend this restaurant again & again. Great atmosphere, great food. good for all ages. I was impressed they had salmon on the kids menu!!
(5)
Billy E.
Ted's is a hard place to review for me. I like the food/service, that it has buffalo meat, and in fact it's my preferred place to get a burger in Crystal City. It's just no matter what I get, I have a hard time spending less than $18-20 for lunch (ordering just an entree). If I had half stars it would get a bump up for sure.
(3)
Zachary G.
As we walked in we were immediately greeted with a smile!!! I ordered a Diet Coke with grenadine(my usual drink) and it was the best ratio I've ever had with that drink! I ordered the Swiss and Mushroom Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing!!! I then asked for some ranch for my fries and it literally was the best ranch I've eve tasted!! Grey service from the staff!! Overall a very enjoyable trip!!! I would definitely go back !!
(5)
Steven V.
Loved this place. No complaints whatsoever. The chicken noodle soup was very authentic and tasty. Real shredded, tender meat and veggies, none of that weird fake soup thickener stuff. My salad was also very good with fresh veggies and a tasty honey mustard dressing. The bison burger was the real treat. Slightly sweeter yet leaner than regular beef. Big tomato and a great bun made it perfect. The menu had a lot of variety. We might go back before our vacation is up. Well done Ted!
(5)
Todd U.
Food was great, but the service was not so great. Waiter seemed as though he did not know his menu. Priority of kids meal was asked for and all the food came out the same time. Kids sliders was a mess! The burger is placed on crumbling bread, will not return to this place again anytime soon. The service versus price? Yeah, not worth it.
(2)
Steve L.
Great service. Friendly staff. Bison burger was pretty good. Bun was soggy from the onions but.
(3)
Judith L.
Came here with my parents and a friend of theirs to take part in their bi-weekly burger and beers night. The location is convenient and when we met for dinner we did not need to pay for parking in the garage located to the left of the restaurant. Got a coke at the bar and it came in one of those weird little aluminum bottles. With a ton of crushed ice. So much that you need to get a straw to be able to actually drink anything. We were seated and brought the house made pickles (which are really slices of cucumber in some vinegar-y mix). Which were fine. Our waiter was very friendly and chatty, which if that wasn't your thing probably means that you wouldn't have enjoyed your time here. But people like to talk and that isn't something that especially bothers me since he didn't hover or overstay. Ordered a cheese burger (beef) and onion rings. The burger was fine, but nothing to write home about. The onion rings had a nice flavor (salt and pepper, I believe) but the coating was overly dry on the bigger ones. Overall, I'd give this place another shot or stop by with a group if they wanted to do lunch or dinner, but I this wouldn't be my first pick of places to dine in the area.
(3)
Michael C.
Food was good, and so was the service. Only problem was that our children's Mac'n'cheese came out a bit cold. The problem was quickly and kindly rectified, though. Wife had bison pot roast and I had the bison ribeye; both were great.
(4)
Lorrie L.
Had lunch here yesterday and it was good.I had a bison mushroom swiss burger and my hubby had a chili cheese burger. Every thing was good except the bison was kind of bland. Every where else I have ever had bison it had more flavor. Fries and tea were good. Service was very good. I loved the decor.
(4)
Don C.
Love the flavor of Bison and this is my "go to" when I visit DC.
(4)
Jeff R.
A far cry from Montana...just the name...the staff is friendly...let's try some Bison!
(3)
Meagan K.
I went on a date to Ted's sometime in March. I really enjoyed myself there. Parking wasn't difficult to find at all, as there is a large parking garage next door that doesn't charge in the evenings. (Don't quote me on that...it didn't charge the evening I was there, though) The service is great! We were promptly seated and our food came quickly. The environment is a mix of grown and sexy and family fun. I know that sounds really weird, but it makes a lot of sense. Ambiance is on point. I also admired the fact that the restaurant is very environmentally friendly. Everything is recyclable...and the drinking straws are even made out of paper or something conducive to going green. I'd give Ted's Montana Grill five stars, but I just don't feel comfortable with the "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" that appears when I select the fifth star. The "Yay! I'm a fan." that appears when you select four stars is more like it. Mostly because although I had a nice time, I am certain that I wouldn't even suggest this place if someone asked me to pick a spot to eat.
(4)
Elaine B.
Singletons? Lone lunchers? Steer clear because Ted's has instructed its staff to treat you differently from other patrons. One afternoon I had been working hard and had just finished a project. I wanted to celebrate by treating myself to lunch (it was 2:30 on a weekday and I hadn't eaten yet). When I asked for a table for one, the hostess replied, "Would you like a seat at the bar?" Was the place super crowded? No, at that time, the place was almost completely empty. I could see 5 other customers in the entire dining area - including the bar. n an era when customer service and brand is everything, Ted's management needs to understand the negative impact they are having. Because the next time I do have a party of 5-6 for lunch, guess where I'm not going. Their policy is short-sighted and extremely unappetizing. I am also posting this review for the benefit of anybody out there who is planning to eat alone and wants to avoid being treated as anything less than a valued customer. Ted's is not the only place that does this. I have seen a few do it, and I am leaving similar reviews for ALL of them until their policies change.
(1)
David S.
The server was not interested in helping our table of six. The food was mediocre at best. They ask how you want your hamburger cooked and then bring them all well done. Why ask. Drinks sit at the bar when glasses are empty. My wife ordered mashed potatoes and was never offered butter or gravy or anything to with. They are supposed to offer pickles when you sit at the table. We were never offered. Had to ask because we noticed other tables got them. Then we got some when our food was delivered. Took forever to pay even after the server picked up our credit card. She continued to help several tables ...all she had to do was drop off our bill. Then on top of all of this on their receipt it has a "tell us how we did". I got to the website and it asks for a survey code. Nowhere on the receipt is a "survey code ". Without the survey code you can't send feedback. I guess they really don't want the honest feedback. Sad part is that I recommended this place to our group. Now I look like a bad persons for recommending a dud of a restaurant.
(1)
Nick H.
Pot Roast with green beans and mashed potatoes. This was not the best food in the world and not the worst food either. Overall, the food is aok. Customer service is good and the people working here are very friendly. The restaurant does have a good vibe. A-OK.
(3)
Richard M.
The Bison steak was amazing! The guy that decided to kill off the Buffaloes in the 1800's clearly never had a bison steak.
(4)
Alan K.
I'm not sure I would recommend this place to anyone since I find their signature food/dish to be pretty bad, but I will probably return every now and then when I'm in the mood for grabbing a quick dinner a sit-down restaurant. Honestly, although I like the taste of bison, I don't think any of the burgers are any good here. They tend to be giant to the point of being impossible to eat, and pretty dried out, even when you order them medium or medium rare. Same thing with some of the sandwiches--I tried the Red Rock grilled chicken one tonight and it was extremely dry chicken with more dry bread on top. It had good flavor but was hard to eat because it was so dry. On top of everything, it's all kind of pricey. For a beer, a sandwich, and a side salad substitute for the fries, it was 20 bucks before tip. On the plus side, they have pretty good salads, and the bison chili is tasty as well. I haven't tried any of the other sandwiches or the classic dinner entrees, but I'm not wholly put off by my bad experiences, so I would be game for giving them a go. The decor is also pretty nice, with much more of an upscale feel than your standard chain restaurant.
(3)
Anne C.
Authentic American Dining. I recommend the Bison Ribeye with their Merlot. Very well seasoned and tender. Also the Salt and Pepper Trout, a delicacy. This place had the best cheesecake Ive ever had. It was smoothe and creamy with raspberry sauce. Wow! Thats good American meal.
(4)
Todd L.
Roscoe was our server. Awsome job and answered every question. Made sure we had everything we needed. Food was amazing sides were perfect. Price was very well matched withe food selection. Bathrooms very clean. The amount of people they were serving our food came out in a timely manner.
(5)
Rob B.
Burgers are excellent. My co-worker swears by the meatloaf (he gets it EVERY time without fail). Fries are hit or miss. The pickles they give you when you sit down are good, and the free rolls are good enough that you should definitely ask for them!
(4)
Bella B.
This restaurant was such a surprise , not only delicious food But so affordable !!!! Great steak and fish . Their bison merlot was the house red and superb with my Ribeye steak done perfectly and we had a great waitress !!!!
(5)
Joshua M.
Went to Ted's Montana Grill on a Monday evening with four friends; I could not say I was a big fan. Bottom line is was the food was just not very good at all. I got the Bison Blue Creek Burger, and it was terrible. Maybe it was my own fault for getting Bison instead of regular beef (the bison just tasted like raw meat), but it went beyond that. The fries that came with the burger were in a clump and stuck together, as if they took them out of the package from the freezer, deep fried them, and they never separated from being frozen. So bottom line is the food wasn't exactly very fresh. Perhaps I got the wrong type of burger, but from what I had on my plate I was not impressed at all. Even though I wasn't a fan of the food, Ted's Montana Grill looked very nice, and the location seemed to be in a very happening place. The restaurant was located right next to a lot of other restaurants and seemed to be a busy area (people walking their dogs, etc).
(2)
Char P.
First time, sat at the bar. Had a cup of Chili.. The atmosphere was nice. The bartender was great. I'll update when I have a full meal. Bison is good..
(3)
Kristine B.
HORRIBLE service. I will never go back to this location or recommend it. The service was incredibly slow and 2 of our 4 entrees were incorrect. It took almost 20mins for new entrees to arrive. Never did a manager stop by to see how we were doing our apologize. Our waiter apologized once and we did not see him again til our new entrees were delivered. We were not asked if we wanted a drink or appetizer while we waited. We were shocked by this. We thought they might comp us a dessert for our wait - but this did not happen either. Clearly customer service, loyalty and recommendations are not a priority for this restaurant. Other restaurants in the area would have handled the situation differently - I have witnessed it. There is no reason to be treated this way when you can get a decent steak many other places and be treated much better. Visit: Saturday night at 8pm
(1)
Sazha R.
Great food and good service. Manager greeted us and frequently came to check on us. I ordered the chicken cranberry dish. Mind you I do not like chicken but boy was it delish! I subbed the mashed potatoes for sweet potatoe and it was divine. Hubby ordered prime rib with au jus and horseradish. A little tough but still delicious! I would definitely recommend the Arnold Palmers, drank a zillion of them. Be weary of the biscuits, so delicious you don't know when to stop. I will be returning!
(5)
George B.
Come here fairly often when I visit DC - lunch or dinner. This visit, got a table that was in very back next to kitchen and service center - very noisy! I have tried the entree cesar with chicken and with shrimp, tonight with salmon; proved to be my least favorite. Service was friendly but not very attentive. Overall, pretty average this evening.
(3)
Old Z.
Its amazing how you think a place will be and it was. I thought there wpuld be more of a variety but there was major emphsis on burgers. Meh burgers. A place like this should have more stakes because if freaking montana grill. Steak is king. Staff was mismanaged and very inattentive. My waitress was wierd, wast of tome wast of good money.
(1)
Charles H.
I love burgers so ordering a bison patty was an easy choice at Ted's Montana Grill. During my most recent visit (4/2/12) I ordered the Avalon Bison Burger. According to the menu its topped with melted Gruyère cheese, bleu cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli and baby arugula, and served on a toasted onion bun. When delivered to my table I noticed the bun was not as toasted as I would have liked. Also, I believe the bacon is chopped up in tiny bits within the sauce compared to your typical burger with a slab of bacon. The Avalon bison burger was a nice change of pace from the norm; however, I could not use my hands to eat it as lower bun was too soggy. The grilled shrimp appetizer was mediocre at best with a decent amount of shrimp placed on some flat bread. The big sky grilled salad was huge! Enough for two people to share. I highly recommend requesting the bacon ranch dressing and grilled salmon as an addition to the salad. Our server (Nina) was attentive to our needs. She refilled our drinks automatically and brought extra plates per our request. I'll definitely stop by again but order a different bison burger.
(3)
Darrell K.
I didn't realize until I opened their menu that they serve bison. Oh baby, I knew exactly what I was going to get, the Bison Ribeye. The ribeye is the best cut, better than a filet mignon, due to the nice amount of fat that gives meat its flavor and tenderness. I had bison ribeyes at other restaurants so I knew I was in for a treat. However, it tasted like a cow ribeye. Even though it was good, it wasn't the bison I had in other restaurants. They ensured me it was bison, but I think they made a mistake. Disappointing since this is a nice place, with a good menu and friendly staff.
(2)
S. R.
The food isn't worth the price, even though I like bison. The service was slow also slow all around, from waters, to order to the bill. Example: Ten minutes after we ordered, our server told us that they were out of meatloaf. We would've appreciated knowing this right away - we started wondering if the other 3 entrees would sit under a heat lamp! Also, when the food did come, the extras (onion and avocado) we asked for were missing.
(2)
Kerrie N.
Four stars because I frequent this place but have had a couple of hiccups. Here we go: PROs: Overall Ted's serves up some pretty tasty food. You'll definitely add their salt-n-pepper onion rings to your "top 3 best places for onion rings" list! We usually sit at the bar and the service is always on point. The burgers are INSANE at this place! If you've never had a bison burger...make your way to Ted's get one! They never disappoint. I've had the bacon cheeseburger and the blue creek cheeseburger..both perfectly cooked, fresh and juicy! Their fries are made fresh just to the right of the bar (when facing it). You can see them placing whole potatoes in their French fry making gadget. It's pretty cool. Last but not least...the salt-n-pepper trout. It's a must try in my book. Comes with corn and tomato salsa, asparagus and sliced tomatoes. CONs: On two separate occasions I've had some pretty salty food placed in front of me (the chicken gumbo soup) and on one occasion, soggy bread with the mini burgers. My husband gave the gumbo another shot when we went earlier in the week, that time it was perfect. Maybe it's hit or miss! Overall...I'm still a huge fan of Ted's. The good meals FAR outweigh the few hiccups I mentioned. Give them a try!
(4)
Paul X.
During my recent trip to DC, there were plans made to go to Ted's Montana Grill. This was the restaurant I was most excited about going to during my 3 day stay in DC. I called ahead of time to see if we could make a reservation as it was Saturday night, but they said they make reservations for large groups. However, I think that is quite odd since 98% of the restaurant has tables set up specifically for four people or booths that fit four people. But moving on... The four of us managed to get a seat without a wait...I would've been disappointed to have to go somewhere with a shorter wait because all that was on my mind was a bison steak. And I wasn't disappointed...the bison ribeye was excellent!!! Really really REALLY damn good. The bison chili was also very good. That's why it's such a tragedy the rest of the experience was disappointing: - It was a too long a wait time for the beers and drinks to arrive at the table after we had ordered them, literally about 15 minutes. For a draft beer? - The hubby's mojito didn't taste anything at all like it should - it tasted more like watered down rum. All of us tried it, and all agreed it was pretty bad. It had to be returned. - I'm not one to return a meal because I'm pretty easy to please, but there's one exception; when a steak is ordered medium rare and it comes out much too well done (because meat is the best food group and it always should be experienced in the best way possible :). 2 out of the 4 entrees came out very well done as opposed to the medium rare order. The waiter came up with a "I gave them the right order". Well, buddy, we're not pointing fingers at anyone...no need to get defensive. Although we did eventually get a "Sorry" from him. - The waiter forgot silverware for two of us for desert even though he said he will be "bringing out for everyone". We ended up grabbing silverware off another table next to us after a few minutes. - Finally, due to business reasons, etc., we ended up getting four separate checks. The four of us paid with credit cards. The waiter returned four of our bills. None of the bills had a pen to sign our names or add a tip. WTF??? *We* ended up scrounging for a pen at the front desk because we couldn't spot him and we didn't want to have to wait another 15 minutes for a pen. Do you not want us to tip you, dude??? In fact, one of our party said they weren't leaving a tip. And frankly, I don't blame them. I was quite conflicted whether I should give the guy anything, either. The service really did suck. For a *steakhouse*??? C'mon! Usually I don't care too much about getting a free comp out of a restaurant (a free drink or a comped desert to end things on a better note), but in this case, I think it should've been attempted, and I would've included that in this review to at least show they at least made an effort. I think even a manager coming out to say something would've been nice. It's happened in other restaurants I've been in and for much better service in a more casual atmosphere. But that steak really was damn good...that's why it truly pains me to give these guys two stars...and that's kind of being generous.
(2)
Sue K.
Steak was very good, but you have to ask for free bread. The small plates are on table, he took our order, came back gave is pickles (a little salty)took plates away, we then said "don't we get bread?" He paused And said "sure" like it was an after thought. When we got our meal we asked for additional bread, he nodded bit we never got any more. So all in all food is great service can use a little improvement
(2)
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Address :2200 Crystal Dr,Ste A
Arlington, VA, 22202
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Drive-Thru : No Caters : No
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Anita K.
Decided to satisfy my steak craving during a late night at work. Ted's is right next door so it was the obvious choice. I arrived a few minutes early and sat at the bar. The bartender was pleasant enough and immediately went to check on my food. My food comes out about 5 minutes later. I check the bag and then have to ask for utensils. She looks and tells me she does not see any. Someone goes to the back to look and still no luck. The manager comes to look and then just walks off. The bartender has to yell to ask if she found any. The bartender looks at me, shrugs her shoulders, says a very nonchalant "sorry', and then walks off. Um, yeah I did order a steak. Back at work, I managed to find a utensil package at the back of a drawer - semi-crisis averted. I start in on my steak and the taste is amazing. After 2 bites, I notice that my medium steak has turned into medium rare. Ok, I've had it before so I continue. I had to stop when medium rare turned into rare. Then other side of the steak was medium well and well done! I'm not even sure how that happens. Such inconsistency in an otherwise flavorful steak. First impressions are everything to me and Ted's definitely missed the mark.
(2)Jesse C.
I've been to this location 4 locations now. All 4 times were for lunch. If you are going to go during lunch, go early. The place seems to get packed fast. I have tired both the bison burgers as well as their beef burgers. I've also had the bison meatloaf. To be honest, they just taste like regular burgers. I personally like the beef burgers better, I think it's more flavorful and juicer then the bison. I know bison is leaner, but if that's what you like go for it =) The bison meatloaf was decent, but then again nothing special. If I go back again for lunch, I'll just stick with the beef burgers. Every time I've been here, the service was good. The wait staff has always been friendly, and the wait isn't too long. Considering how packed the place is during lunch. I think they do a good job of it. Our drinks are always full, and they are always happy to bring out more pickles. I'm a fan of pickles. These pickles are descent. The could use a little more brining, but that o.k. Still good. Overall, it's a descent place to eat. Nothing fancy, just ordinary food. Prices are a little high, but isn't everything these days?
(3)Jeff K.
I tried the green and hot burger at this Montana grill and I got the bison. I couldn't tell the difference between beef or bison. The burger was good. The Green (avacado) and the hot (jalapeno chilis) made this burger even better. As for sides, I didn't opt for the fries, I chose a baked potato and a side of steamed brocholi. The potato may have been sitting a round a while but the brocholi was cooked right. It wasn't dark green and evenly cooked. It was a decent eveningi for my first time there. Would I go back, yes.
(3)Robert W.
I was disappointed in my "buffalo meat loaf". Perhaps I just don't care for buffalo. Overall excellent service. Prices were reasonable, In spite of all of this I probably won't ask to return and won't eat here again on my own. Very popular restaurant.
(3)Adam B.
I went to Ted's about a year ago before I moved to Virginia. I remembered having a decent experience so I decided to take my girlfriend there for Valentine's Day (2014). After we were sat, we waited around 10 minutes before we asked the hostess where our server was. When we were finally waited on, our server gave a half-hearted apology and seemed annoyed. My girlfriend and I agreed that she probably wasn't the server who covered the area we were sat. She took our complete order all at once. Throughout our entire meal she only came by once and that was when she asked if I needed another beer as she walked by to another table. She didn't seem to care about our table... As for the food. We were going to order the crab cake for a starter until we were informed that the $13 appetizer included only one crab cake about the size of a coaster. Unless the crab is fresh from the Bering Sea and I'm in Anchorage, Vancouver, or Seattle, $13 for one crab cake is absolutely ridiculous. We decided on the grilled shrimp and while it was tasty, that too, was a little pricy ($10 for 5 shrimp). I ordered a medium bison bacon burger. It was slightly over-cooked but tasted okay. My steamed broccoli needed another couple minutes of steam, as it was a little too hard to be served unless as part of a salad. Not to mention bland. The presentation of my plate was awful. It was the just the burger and two extremely small florets of broccoli. I mean if there was more broccoli it might have looked better... My girlfriend ordered the salmon, which was really good. Her yam was also pretty tasty. Her green beans looked ok but I didn't try them. Her dish was better prepared and better presented than mine by far. I have to add this last point. I ordered a Blue Moon and my girlfriend a martini. The glassware was filthy. There were water spots and crusted food on both glasses. Once again, horrible presentation. I'll probably try Ted's again but not anytime soon.
(2)Heather M.
I'm only giving it one star since I cannot give zero stars. I went with a friend for an after-dinner drink, and was not impressed. The bar looked rundown, and rather dirty. The bar counter looked like it had seem better days, and the area smelled like old, wet towels. The worst part was the service. We waited for five minutes before the one bartender brought drink menus. We waited some more and he didn't come back. We put on our coats and left. I will not go back to Ted's anytime soon.
(1)Edward Tj G.
This is another example of good food hanging out with bad service. The short and pretty, my Red Bison Burger was fantastic though it took forever to order and then my waitress disappeared. The service is one of the worst locations I have ever been to and the manager's response was, "it is Sunday, what do you want?" Maybe to tell me that if I didn't want to wait an hour for my dinner to go elsewhere. This place isn't cheap and for that reason alone you should not go here since the service is nonexistent.
(2)Carol D.
We've eaten at other Ted's before, and are always happy. This was our first time at this location, and we met up with out of town work colleagues. The food was very good - we had the ribeye, burgers, salmon, and pot roast. We had bison chili nachos and onion rings as appetziers. The service was OUTSTANDING! Our server, Alex, was very professional, super friendly, extremely efficient - absolutely charming. We will be back.
(4)Renee S.
I don't know Ted but his restaurant er grill rather, is all hat and no cattle, really, all Ted and no Montana. The state of Yellowstone, Glaciers, and Mountains - where the cowboy is king and bears are more numerous than people (well maybe not, but Montana does have the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48). There is plenty of opportunity to reflect the original unbridled American spirit and grit in the food but regrettably Ted's Montana Grill fell far short of its states nickname "Big Sky Country", opting for an urbanized dumbed down chain like feel, very disjointed from any real unique identity. What do cowboys drink? Certainly not Lemon Drops, fruity margaritas, or Mountain Breezes - so why make a mediocre signature drink menu centered around them? I opted for a simple off the menu Gin and Tonic. No sticky, fruity, frothy drink for this (cow)girl! I really wanted the bison, burger or steak ($29 for the filet) but I was fearful my expectations would let me down, opting instead for the safer, more wallet friendly $18 barbeque beef short ribs. The ribs were saucy and tender, falling right off the huge bone although the accompanying sides of green beans and mashed potatoes were a little bland and unimaginative. While TMG claimed to be full Montana they fell short choosing to tie in Montana only with cliché and kitschy naming of the uninspired dishes and drinks. What if they'd muddled real huckleberries into a whisky instead of using a syrup and tequila as they did in the sugary sweet Huckleberry Margarita? What if they'd focused on the great Montana produce, or featured (and used) many of the abundant grains, beef or bison (besides as a steak.)? Then this review would be a star of another color and another number I imagine.
(2)Joe A.
Visited Teds on a Monday night around 8pm. Had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table while 4 tables were open near the window at the front of the restaurant. 3 people in our party. We asked about the empty tables and were told that those are saved for parties of 5 or 6. Seems to me that you might want to sit the people who are in your restaurant, rather than wait for the possiblility of larger parties potentially coming in, but what do I know. So, we had a drink near the bar while we waited. Service was good. Food was ok. I had the Bison pot roast with the grilled shrimp appetizer. Shrimp were delicious and the flat bread it was served on with butter and garlic was the best part of the meal. The pot roast portion was small. I substituted the mashed for the corn caserole, big mistake there, but live and learn. The other two had burgers and they were happy with their selections.
(3)Mark D.
Great burger, mixed drink and desert but the wait was a little long even though it was an hour after the lunch rush. Price a little high but comparative to the rest of Crystal City. Over all 3 1/2 to 4 Stars
(4)Keith O.
I had some friends from out of town who were here on business and I recommended we meet at Ted's Montana Grill in Crystal Drive, although I had never eaten there before. Huge mistake. Won't be back soon. And won't be encouraging anyone to go either. Food was decent but overpriced. I had the Swiss Mushroom bison burger. Moreover, service was one of the worse I had ever experienced. First server was very abrupt and impatient. We ended up with a group of 8 from the initial 10 I reserved. He insisted we were all going to fit around one round table comfortably. We were already seated around 2 tables joined together. I told him we were fine the way it was set up. He finally coalesed. After our food was served the server changed. She checked on us once. The next time she stopped by was to give us our bill. We waited for close to 15 min before she came back to take my credit card for payment, even after I signaled the greeter about it. When I stood up to go was when she came. The greeter was helping bus tables. I don't think they are staffed properly to be able to attend to diners better. And I have not seen a response from management to comments on this venue. So I suspect they really don't care and are getting enough business. Two stars only because food was decent and Bison was on the menu. That makes it peculiar and unique.
(2)WP L.
Good Food. Good Service. Comfortable/Cozy Atmosphere. Will come again!
(4)Sarah S.
We ate here with 3 adults and 4 kids and thought this place was great! Walked in at 7 pm, no reservations on Thursday night, and were seated right away. Kids menus had great choices, even salmon! Food was excellent! Price was very reasonable as well....we'd eat here again for sure!
(4)Diane S.
I had been to the Ted's in nyc near rockafeller but was not impressed. I just had a snack here at the bar, after class getting invited by a friend. I got the 50/50 side of fries and onion rings and let me just share and tell you that the onion rings are huge!! Super good too :) The fries are okay. Only $3.50 for a full plate. My friend got the bison burger which was huge!! He said he prefers beef though. Its $2 more to get the bison. We also got lemonades which my friend said were to die for, but I've had better at like theme parks. They say the lemonade is fresh squeezed. Unlimited free refills is a plus! It was a little too sweet for me but I liked the crushed ice they put.
(4)Rachel E.
I got terrible food poisoning from their Trout. Not fun at all. It's too bad... I loved their baked sweet potato.
(2)Ju L.
Pros: Bison meat is an option, which I highly recommend over beef. Nice aura. Cons: Extremely inefficient waitstaff and cooks. It shouldn't take 45 minutes to seat customers during down time. We shouldn't need to hunt the waiter down anytime we needed something. Also, it shouldn't take 30 minutes to cook an order during said down time.
(3)Sean T.
Food was great, staff was great and the bison was amazing.
(5)Tee F.
Went here Saturday night to eat. Nice atmosphere. Hubby and I had bison for the first time and really liked it over beef. So we were seated and had to wait a few min before our waitress came to the table. She brought out that pickled cucumber which I didn't like. Hubs had no problem with it because he dive right in and finished it. We placed our order and it didn't take too long before we got it. Food was good, except I hated that my bread was dry and cold. I which they had heated the bread since the meat just finish and it was warm. Who eats dry cold bread? Def not this girl. I literally tore that bread apart trying to find the soft part so I could eat. After we were through with our meal we want to catch a movie, we check the time the time and notice one starts at 10:15. We had 15 mins to spear and the theatre was literally a mile away. Unfortunately that didn't happen bc we couldn't find our waitress to pay. We sat there the whole 15 mins and I decided to use the bathroom hoping that when I return hubs was ready to go. I walk towards the back of the restaurant and to my surprise I found out waitress seating down enjoying her meal. Really :/ I'm trying to leave and u stuffing ur face. She was surprise to see me so by the time I went back hubs already paid and we were finally able to leave. Bottom line is the food was good but the service sucks
(3)Nelson H.
Based off of the reviews about the Bison burger, I couldn't resist. I ordered it medium with bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce. It was a pretty good burger and like the other reviewer mentioned, you are able to customize any side which is convenient because after awhile you just get tired of having fries, so I ordered a sweet potato instead. My girlfriend had gotten a regular burger and she enjoyed it as well.
(3)Jenny S.
We were walking around the AMC Hoffman Theater trying to find a place to eat for dinner before our movie started and stumbled upon Ted's Montana Grill. You could guess exactly what the décor and cuisine is with just the restaurant's name. It is your typical grilling-meat mid-west joint. I'm not much of a burger type of girl, but will eat one when I'm starving, which at this point, I was. The boyfriend and I were so hungry that we couldn't wait the 15 minutes for our burgers to come out, that we had to order an appetizer to keep our stomachs quiet for the time being. We ordered the Homemade Chips and Dips and it was as if they just poured open a jar of UTZ's sour cream and onion dip and served it to us. Next our burgers came out, and they were massive portions. I know most burger places will give you plenty of food, but this was basically one of the biggest burgers I've seen. I got the knife and fork chili cheese (Anything with chili cheese on the menu, almost 99.9% sure I'm going to order it). I decide to forgo the bison option for my burger since I can't tell the difference between bison and beef anyways and if it's covered in chili and cheese, there's no point in paying for the upgrade. Meh, my burger was okay, I've had better at Red Robin's chain restaurant. The chili lacked any sort of flavor and spice and the diced onions on top just completely overpowered everything else. The boyfriend got the Canyon Creek and he thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a cleaver mix of sweet and savory with the bacon, jalapenos and blackberry jam. Maybe because I'm not into burgers at all, but I wasn't impressed at all. The food was more bland than exciting. I'll pass the next time the boyfriend suggests a place to eat.
(2)Jonathan M.
Few things in life hit the spot like a honey mustard soaked slab of fried chicken between two pieces of Ciabatta bread. God bless America all that deep fry within her! The food here is great. I'm not a huge Bison fan, I get the beef, or chicken. This inst a place to go when your on a diet, that much is true, but when one feels the need to widen the ol' belt, this be the place to do it. American Food is all about excess - Ted Turner knows this fact, and prays to his excess altar every night. Ted's is an interesting place. One one hand, I feel the uncontrollable urge to kill a buffalo and sear its meat over a wood stove under the Orion constellation - but on the other hand, I'd better use organic wood and recycle those ashes when I'm done. I'm all for a "Greener" experience at dinner. So much is just wasted these days.Ted's tackles this with a recycled interior. Straws, table cloth, coasters - its all recyclable. I guess this is how Ted counter acts his 1500 calorie Chicken sandwich. But it's a green chicken sandwich.......
(4)Kevin M.
Would give 0 stars but not an option. Never had a chance to try the food. Incompetent hostess told us we had a 30 minute wait when we checked in. Went back to check at 40 minutes and were told we were next. After 10 more minutes went back to check status and was told at least 30 more minutes. Told them they were incompetent and left.
(1)Amanda K.
i'd like to start out with a applause to the waitress that i had. i wish i remembered her name. she was so polite, professional, and thorough. she used reflective listening regarding our orders and was just amazing. i really enjoyed the old school feel of this place. they had every detail down to the powdered soap in the bathroom! that was a real throw back to my elementary school days! i also loved the paper straws they had for the beverages. i've never see that before! i took two home for a mini souvenir. HEHE i ordered the avalon. it had Gruyere, blue cheese, argula, onion and a garlic aoli. with buffalo of course! it was okay. it was a bit dry and i ordered "medium" which i assumed would be pink in the center but it was cooked all the way through. got onion rings that were big and thick. came with a side of ranch. pretty good. i don't like when i bite into an onion ring and the whole onion doesn't come out and all you're left with is the crispy shell. not a problem here! cucumbers: complimentary and delish!! its not quite pickled like a jar of pickles but it is just refreshing. dessert: they have these really great cookies! they are really thin and yummy. i had the snickerdoodle. however they ran out of cookies. the double chocolate cookie is really heavy, it was like a meal in itself! overall the food was good but not amazing. my burger was a bit dry and was cooked welldone rather than the medium i requested.
(3)Tiger C.
After a tough morning, the answer is bison, straight up get your bison and recover afterwards. Got the bacon, egg, blackberry jam, bison burger here and it is a piece of art. Bison is cooked to a medium setting in this instance, and it is a real unique experience, superbly filling and tasty. The atmosphere and setting here during the power lunch period is great, lots of movers and shakers here, all of them thoroughly drained after going through the bison. Recommend this place, just think they should have a liability waiver signing that you may not be productive after consumption of bison.
(4)Donald P.
Not bad...not great. Wednesday lunch, this place is pretty full. Montana Burger (w/beef, not bison) and with onion rings, Included cheddar cheese, a thick slice of grilled ham, sauteed onions, and bbq sauce. The pices of meet were THICK. You definitely get you money's worth here in meat, but the bun is severely lacking. As you can see from my picture, the kaiser roll appears flat, and grossy inadequate to handle the inards. I would have definitely appreciated a thicker and firmer bread. The onion rings were thick and big, but some where also mangled and ugly. Taste was actually quite forgetable. Fresh Fish Sandwich w/ fries, and cole slaw My co-worker ordered this one, but he said he liked it...even after I warned him that another YELP reviewer didn't recommend it. For the money you pay, I almost postiive I won't be coming back here, but I wouldn't discourage others from going...I would just tell them not to expect too much.
(3)Andres M.
I can't remember ever going to a restaurant where waitress recommended ordering from a nearby restaurant because this restaurant didn't have something my son wanted. That is what happened hear. My 4 year old was so happy and he loved the food. This place has excellent service, is family friendly, and great food. Next time I am in virginia I will definitely return.
(5)Craig S.
I started with a cup of Bison chili and it was very good, they don't skimp on the amount of ground bison in this item and the red onions on top were fresh and crisp. Please, if you've never been here, don't get fish or a regular burger your first go-around, get a bison burger! I had the plain ole bison with Swiss. I don't want all the extra stuff, that takes away from the meat taste, just cheese, lettuce, onion and a little BBQ sauce. Cooked perfectly as ordered-medium. It was soooo good. Extremely juicy, so keep your napkin close, you're going to need it. Juicey as in - NOT GREASY AT ALL. That's one of the benefits of bison, much lower fat content than cow. Enjoy!
(5)Angela N.
Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant! Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant!
(4)Jim L.
Always a awesome work lunch. Get the Ted's chopped with a bison burger on top!
(5)Angie M.
We (the fam) enjoyed eating at Ted's. The burgers were amazing and big and messy. They were made of Bison, which made us feel bad for sitting under a bison head but......sorry Mr. Bison head, your burgers are delicious!
(4)Jocelyn R.
I recently moved to the East Coast and have been looking to find a place where I can be considered a "regular." Doesn't everyone want to walk in to somewhere where everyone knows your name? You definitely get good food for reasonable prices here. My friend and I started off with the bison nachos. We've never tried bison before and wanted to try it out on an appetizer before committing to a steak or burger. They were soooooooo goood. Like I could not stop eating them even though I knew I'd spoil my appetite for the main course. For someone who is 5'2 and 114 pounds, I don't really need to order both an appetizer and entree, one will do. At least I know this for next time. I ordered a mushroom burger and it was great too. This isn't your fast food patty. It's large and juicy and flavorful. I could not finish it and had to take it home. And the service was awesome. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave us great suggestions. Will be going back there soon.
(5)Kevin D.
Would like to review the food, but didn't get that far. Poor hostesses and chaos. Called it quits after an hour and a half of waiting with tons of empty tables. No luck.
(1)Thugnificent M.
I've been to two of these before and they're all pretty much the same. If you've never been been to a Ted's they're a lot like a McCormick and Schmidt or any other classier chain restaurant. The staple of this chain is the bison burger. If you've never had bison before its gameier than regular beef, but I had no problems with it. Tasted like a normal burger. They're supposed to be healthier than beef burgers but they're a bit more expensive. Bottom line if you happen to go here get bison. Hate it or love it you got to get it because its what people do here. I hate meeting or hooking up with scurvy girls, but every time I go to Bmore, Baltimore for you non-Marylanders, I gotta do it. When in Rome.
(3)Chris C.
Lots to choose from on the menu. Can't go wrong with a burger, steak or chicken if you have to. Portion sizes were right on and the price wasn't outrageous. Overall we really enjoyed eating here. We'll be back, and we'll bring family & friends.
(4)Stefan A.
Remember Ponderosa ? Same thing but 30 years later... A-Z pure crap. Malbec, good. Delmonico steak, very, very average. Fries, terrible. Highlight of the meal was the cole slaw.
(2)Jasen F.
4.5 stars - solid. Every location I've been to has stellar service and great food and this is my most frequent location. Even when dining on per diem, I feel like visiting Ted's is a treat. Perhaps I get nostalgic surrounded by all that wood, the tiled floors, the paper straws and the dry, powdered soap in the washrooms, but the food always delivers as well. I tend to always get the same thing - New Mexico Bison burger (there are no buffaloes in American - google it), medium-rare, with coleslaw. It's cooked perfectly in their fine kitchen and the first bite is nearly as tender, juicy, and wonderful as the first (usually minus the Anaheim pepper that got stolen a while back). I get coleslaw because I can't pass up the salt-n-pepper onion rings which feature thickly sliced onions battered up well and served with a side of horseradish sauce. My only complaint is the draft beer list - not very big and they tend to only feature one seasonal.
(4)Glenn C.
Good Onion Rings and Bison Burgers (any way you like it)! Service was very slow; that's why I am only giving it 3 stars.
(3)Mansoor M.
It was one of those nights when you feel you gotta try something new.Looked up couple place in the neighborhood and decided to dine at TMG. Ordered a New Mexico burger , crab cakes , The food was pretty much average ,I guess people go to this place more just to have a sort of group dinner.The service started well but ended up in the waiter forgetting something i ordered.Well didn't really make a big deal of it.Nothing to tempt me to go back anyway.
(3)Chris S.
Nice little place along the Crystal Drive strip. Came here when Buffalo Wild Wings was too full. Burgers were pretty good, had the cheddar and fries, wife had bacon cheddar, and my father had the red rock. Everyone seemed pleased with it, although for three people it came out to be about 40. There was one TV and lucky me we got a seat not at the bar that could watch it. Service wasn't as on point as I would have liked it to be, only getting one, requested refill on my water. I was thirsty damnit!
(4)Randez H.
My daughter was in town and came to CC to meet me for lunch. Decided on Teds. It was both our 1st time to this restaurant. My daughter grew up loving vinaigrette and cucumbers which by coincidence was brought to our table to nibble on. I ordered the blue cheese steak salad and she ordered the chicken salad. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Would given teds all 5s but the service was a little shaky. Extended wait to order and for check. Plus had to flag someone down to get silverware after food was served. So good food but could improve service.
(4)Valerie W.
This place is great! It had been a very long time since I had consumed red meat and I just wanted a burger. I was not let down! We ordered the Salt and Pepper Onion Rings as an appetizer, they were fabulous. For my entree, I had the Green and Hot Bison Burger. It was a perfect blend of spicy and savory. My friend wanted to keep it simple and had the Naked Burger, also in Bison. Overall, we had a great time, the food was exactly what we were craving, and the prices reasonable. We will definitely be going back again.
(4)Mark H.
Burgers schmurgers. Yes they're good, but why waste your time on a freakin' burger when Ted's got BISON RIBEYE? THAT, my friends, kicks seriously delicious ASS!
(4)Mitchel B.
Tonight my wife and I had dinner at Ted's Montana Grill I had the bison bone in ribeye she had the bison ribeye. We had the salt and pepper onion rings she had spinach and the baked potato I had the kale salad and baked potato everything was delicious. For a beverage I had a strawberry milkshake and my wife had the mountain breeze she said it was fantastic. All in all it was a great experience our server was nice. We did have to ask for water a couple of times other than that it. I would highly recommend eating there as the food was well-prepared and as I said earlier delicious.
(5)Catalina R.
This review is for service only: A friend and I had dinner at Ted's and ordered the trout and No. 11. The No. 11 was asked to be cooked medium, however, the end result was much closer to well-done. Our server, Theo, was extremely accomodating and apologetic. Theo promptly removed the item from the bill and took the opportunity to present us with a very nice dessert on the house. The manager also came by the table and took the opportunity to express his apologies. We really appreciated how the restaurant managed this error. They went above and beyond!
(4)Amanda M.
Besides the long wait for our food which is understandable being they were busy, and all the burgers were made to order, I enjoyed this place. Everything from the paper straws to the eco friendly hand soap in the bathrooms. They also offered each burger as beef or bison, and you got to choose your side. They also give a bowl or homemade pickles for the table. These weren't the pickles you find on grocery store shelves, but the kind that are actually my favorite. My sister and fiancé didn't like them. Prices are also very resonable. I asked for my burger medium-rare and it came out medium-well but I still found it edible. Service was friendly.
(4)Ralph C.
First time here. Decor was nicer than I expected...could be a little upscale but still casual and kid friendly. They serve marinated cucumbers instead of bread...but ask for bread, it's great. My son had a bison burger with egg and huckleberry jam...he loved it. My wife had the crabcakes...she never had crabcakes with so much crab at a restaurant. I had the bison steak. I am picky and the steak was awesome. Lean, tender and didn't need any sauce. Definitely would recommend and go back again. Server waa very nice.
(5)Curtis H.
I usually avoid chain restaurants in favor of trying the independent places which are more innovative with their menus. But tried this place a few nights ago because I initially was in the mood for steak and it was close to the hotel. Once in I sat at the bar (single diners usually find themselves relegated to the bar). Was glad I decided to take the bar seat because the bartender turned out to be an excellent waitress as well. She recommended the special, a bone-in bison ribeye, which I ordered medium rare with a side of salt and pepper onion rings (enormous and tasty) and sliced ripe tomatoes. The steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. They have a nice little selection of wines by the glass to wash it all down with. Atmosphere is casual and the service as noted above was excellent.
(4)Dan S.
Given that I've been to one of these in other cities, I kinda knew what to expect. But that doesn't make the meal less enjoyable. Good service, great chili, good salad, and a strong drink make for an enjoyable time. We got to sit outside on a recent weeknight. Gorgeous. It can be a little loud at times (but quieted down quite quickly at some point) outside, but the few tables that were there made the meal more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the tables didn't seem to fit the chairs -- trying to fit 4 people meant two of us were near the corners. The salad was big and I couldn't finish it but the meat with it was great too. Overall, it's a definite winner in Crystal City -- even if it is a chain restaurant.
(4)E D.
A great place to have lunch or dinner. Food and service is what you have come to expect from Ted's. They keep pouring ice tea, then charge you $2.99 for each glass; after spending $17.00 on a burger.....not cool.
(3)Bill P.
Very nice restaurant, courteous service and very attentive. The selection of meals were also very good. Loved the buffalo mounted on the wall, I felt like I was out west in Montana. PS- there is a Cold Stone Creamery next door. I would definitely go there again.
(4)C B.
Great place for a date night. Haven't had anything here that I didn't like. Can't go wrong with the bison; always tender and tasty. Onion rings are unique with w tempura-like breading; taste good. Enjoyed the bison ribeye and the bison burgers. Kale salad was phenomenal. Apple pecan crisp is big enough for two or more and tasty. Waitress was kind to point out that it was big enough to share. Good service and easy ambiance. Parking garage next door. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Claire A.
My husband and I came here at around 9 pm on a Friday. We got the chips as an appetizer and they were fine but boring. I had a bison burger and I don't know if I'm not a fan of bison or what but it was on of the most bland burgers I've ever had. My husband had the ribs and they were room temperature and the sauce was cold to the point of having congealed on top. Our waitress didn't check till we were almost done, and when he expressed his dissatisfaction she took his plate away and offered to bring something else. He elected for the meatloaf and it was probably worse, again, room temp and congealed sauce. The sides (mashed potatoes, some squash thing) were fine with the exception of the onion rings, which were really thick and practically green. At this point we were just sick of being there. There was no discount or comp despite his repeated expressed disappointment. We live and I work in the area, and there are a ton of places I would rather spend my money on- we won't be back!
(2)Josh G.
Ted's Montana Grill had good food and nice decor, but nothing was special or unique to their restaurant. The food was most definitely good, but nothing that stood out. And, for the price I don't think it was a good deal. However, our waiter, named Alex, did a very well job in serving us and was very friendly and attentive. Overall, Ted's Montana Grill is a good/decent restaurant!
(3)Mike R.
There is nothing wrong with the food here....but the service was underwhelming. I mean I had to ask for a drink. Ask for a menu. Ask to order. Ask for water....basically anything I wanted...I had to ask for it. One caveat...I was sitting at the bar. However, it wasn't crowded or very busy.
(2)Keith N.
This place does not even deserve a star!!! I ordered a roasted chicken and they brought out a prime rib meal. The manager comes out and states that they are out of chicken. So I order the salmon entree and it takes another 20 minutes!! The rest of my party is done eating so I took my meal to go. Unbelievable! The server was not very pleasant and made me feel like it was my fault! By the way the other 4 people in my party heard me order chicken! I don't know if I will ever return back to this restaurant! Final note, the manager comp'd my meal and I threw the meal in the trash!
(1)Terry H.
You would think when half the menu is burgers, they'd know how to make them. One burger came out wrong bread. The other came out burned when ordered medium. Got one burgers bread fixed, but burned burger came back with fries missing. Then meat patty falling apart. Neither burger had any flavor. To quote my wife, "worst burger I've ever had in my life." Too bad. We came here couple years ago and was good.
(1)Damaris V.
Had dinner here tonight with party of 7 (incl. 3 kids). Ordered a kids' well-done steak for my son and it came out BURNT! Luckily my husband doesn't mind the charcoal taste so he gave my son his salmon and he ate the steak. I ordered the Ted's Filet, medium with a sweet potato and broccoli. The steak was also overly well done, dry and incredibly tough. The broccoli and sweet potato were both practically raw. I didn't eat any of it. My friends' steaks were also overcooked and rubbery. Their broccoli was also undercooked. Steaks aside, my husband and son really enjoyed the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes and my daughter enjoyed her mac-n-cheese. However, for a restaurant whose entire identity is based upon steak, we were severely disappointed. I gave 3 stars though because our server, Dr. Nora, was a total Rockstar! She absolutely made the less than mediocre food bearable with her awesome sense of humor and attentiveness to our table and my out-of-town friends.
(3)Beth C.
This steakhouse was within walking distance of my convention hotel. At 5pm on a Friday, it was still quiet--the crowds come later. Our service was top notch throughout the whole meal. My son, who is autistic and a very picky eater, loved their homemade potato chips. I had the balsamic blue steak. It really hit the spot. They didn't skimp on steak, and it was cooked perfectly to medium the way I requested. The variety of toppings combined for great texture. I drank a big sky lemonade, and it was quite tasty. My husband had a bison steak. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Now, he found that the bison wasn't quite to his preference since it was leaner than his usual beef, but he still liked it and thought the cut was very good. This is the sort of place that we'd visit more often if we were locals.
(4)S K.
I was so impressed! We had a 34 person reunion dinner to plan, and chose Ted's Montana Grill on the recommendation of someone who had previously had a good experience there with a large group. Thank goodness for the recommendation, because our experience was fantastic. The service was outstanding. Patient, attentive, and enthusiastic despite the chaos that such a large group brings. They also accommodated us by providing individual checks, which is such a stress-reliever when coordinating a large group gathering. And on top of being a fabulous experience in terms of logistics, the food was delicious :) We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)John W.
Wow, had my first Bison Burger. You have to try the Blue Creek Burger. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)Taylor L.
They have great food amazing atmosphere and the people are very nice. My husband and I were in no rush one day going to eat and we sat down and we were only waiting for about seven minutes which isn't a big deal to us when we could see they were busy. The manager came out and brought chips because we were waiting for seven minutes to get our drink order in. The waitress felt so bad about it even though my husband and I didn't think it was a big deal. We kept telling her it was fine but she was so nice and prompted when it came to food and drinks. We love Teds and it is one of our usual places to go if we want to eat out because we always know it's going to be great.
(5)Nicole M.
The service is always great and the food is always perfectly cooked and fresh. Something for everyone on the menu. They make great salads with tender chicken and they also do a fabulous job with steaks. The sides that come with the steaks are paired well. Generous portions so you won't leave hungry.
(5)Drew T.
Twisted shakes are really good! I'm not a big bison or beef consumer but the chicken is good. The potato soup is great here too. It's only offered on certain days though.
(4)Emann B.
Popped in for lunch with my big bro and took two seats at the bar. The affable bartender was a real treat, almost as much as the thick and chunky cup of chowder I started with. I had the farmhouse salad which was chock full of bacon, chicken, kale, and other veggie delights, nicely dressed with a tangy citrus dressing. It was huge and I took half of it home and finished it off 24 hours later for lunch. Still crisp and delicious after a night in the fridge. Now that's a good salad!
(4)Kristopher H.
Very good experience. Ahmed our server was exceptional would eat at again. Burgers were great
(5)Angela I.
Delish!!! I had the bison meatloaf and my friend had a burger! Well-seasoned and both amazing!
(5)Bridget R.
My husband and I had a great time visiting this restaurant while on a business trip. Unlike some other posters mentioned, we had no problem with service. In fact our waitress was very sweet, helpful in appetizer reccomendation. Our waitress even brought us a new basket of fries, when we felt like ours were a bit undercooked. Burgers were tasty, ans unique. The guacamole burger I had was spicy, just like I wanted! Overall worth checking out!
(4)Peter W.
So I ordered the prime rib and I couldn't cut or chew it without a struggle. I was doubting my choice so much I asked and the bartender and he says that's supposed to be a tough cut. I guess I forgot or maybe I need to lift weights or something. I turned it back in and upgraded to a filet. Much better and tender, next time I'll know. Kudos to the bartender for being patient.
(4)Gerald V.
Ted's is a favorite of mine. Casual atmosphere, booth seating. They have a good menu selection of big salads, sandwiches and meals. Everything I have ever tried was good. Fish, chicken, beef and bison. They have a house wine that is very good as well. There is something for everyone on the menu. The nachos were not that great, :(. Service is usually above average. The place can get crowded sometimes. So where r you want a burger salad or steak you will find something. Worth a visit.
(3)Erin B.
New year's eve dinner and we unfortunately added another BS experience to 2014. We decided to eat here because everyone else was closed and we needed to eat some food before our planned heavy drinking for the night. The dinner was so bad that my friend offered to hack into Yelp in order for me to leave a no star rating. It was five of us and three of us ordered the same burger, the Red Rock. The Red Rock had Z sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, pepper jack cheese and fried onions. They brought out some burgers with jelly on it, that's it. When we asked the servers about the burgers they said they were right and asked us if we were sure we remembered what we ordered. Heffa, I think I would know what I ordered. The burgers took forever to come to the table and when we sent them back it took another forever. Finally they came back and they were cooked to DEFF... like super well done. Luckily they comped all of the burgers so we only paid for drinks and one meal. They gave my husband a free apple pie crisp because his burger was F-ed up again and they gave us cookies that tasted like ass. Just don't come here.
(1)Joshua W.
This place was outstanding in every way a restaurant can be. Service, food and value for yout $$$
(5)Jay J.
This really should be a great place. Atmosphere is good and could be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, food quality must be a second thought. Ordered the chili as a starter. Although served lukewarm, it was spicy and pretty good. But just as I started my third spoon full, my entre was dropped on the table. By the time I got to the "meatloaf classic" the gravy was congealed and meatloaf cold. It was served with fair mash potatoes and half cook squash casserole. Oh...and a cold stale roll. So disappointing. I had such hope!
(2)MJ C.
I ventured to this restaurant for the purpose of enjoying a great burger. Everyone knows that there are hundreds of burger joints in and around the district and for some reason I chose to go to Ted's. From beginning to end it was a disappointing experience. The complementary pickled cucumbers were clearly old by texture and taste. I ordered a "hand torn" side salad which was full of brown cut marks, showing it was clearly old and not hand torn. As an appetizer we ordered the sliders which were a disgrace. At least, a restaurant should make a dish presentable, but for some reason they believed that putting the meat half on the bun and serving a torn in half bun was acceptable. For my main corse I ordered the peppercorn burger cooked medium. The burger was cooked welldone and was served with a chewy stale bun and unmelted cheese. Really?!! Non melted cheese on a cheese burger??? With numerous choices for burgers in the area, why chose a joint that cannot even serve the basics on a plate in a semi-presentatble fashion. the server was great, the kitchen was slow, the atmosphere was nice, the food was very poor. 2 stars and nothing more. I am disappointed because I really wanted to like this place. Will I give them another chance...... still up in the air.
(2)Stacy L.
I'll be honest. I have heard a lot of hype about this place and I found it to be nothing special. We were seated right away on a Saturday night which was great but then we had to wait for our server. I think the server was what ruined it for me. Lulu. First she came to our table chomping away on gum. That shouldn't be allowed at a nicer restaurant, even if it is a burger joint. Then, we could never find her. She had a big table and was clearly overwhelmed by it. We asked her to describe some things on the menu since this was our first time here and she couldn't really explain anything or give us suggestions. We had to ask her several times to bring us pickles for the table. Also had to ask for ketchup several times. The ketchup should have been given to us before the burgers came out. I never had bison meat before but decided to go ahead and get it. I had the mushroom swiss burger. It was ok. Definitely not worth $15! My bun was completely soggy. I kept wanting to ask my waitress for another bun but she didn't come to the table once after we got our food, except to finally bring us our bill. The onion rings were very good though. Not sure I will be back here any time soon.
(2)Patrycja S.
One of our favorite place in Crystal City to go and eat a burger! Great every time, not a big fan of their french fries, but love the shakes... Can't stay away from pickles. Im highly recommending this place...
(4)Jason S.
Had a steak craving and regretfully selected Ted's over the premium steakhouse and service standard across street. From the moment I arrived here, I couldn't seem to get a handle on what exactly was going on. The service and staff appeared inexperienced. I sat at the bar next to some dirty plates and silver that were not cleared for at least 10-15 minutes. A garden salad and some undercooked rolls arrived eventually. After my overcooked beef filet finally arrived, in a starved stupor I finished my baked potato (they nailed this !) and politely asked for a manager. When offered to recook another filet, i declined. Ted? tsk tsk tsk. Next time I'll clean up a bit more and scoot across the street to the steakhouse that rhymes with tooths fist! ;-)
(2)Angela W.
The food was ok they were not ready for your group although we had reservations. The waitress screwed up your tickets so bad that it took over an hour to get them straightened out. Do not recommend for larger group. There was a larger group after ours and they screwed up their checks too. Waitress served us water that was warm and asked if it was ok without ice. That is what we are drinking. Ugg
(2)Chris S.
I stood around for a while waiting to be seated although there were very few other customers at 5pm on a snow day. However, once the hostess finally sat me my server was great--friendly, cheerful, and frequently checking to see of I needed anything. Decor is quasi western with checkered table cloths. Borax soap and a vintage paper towel roller in the men's room. Not much of a wine by the glass selection and stingy pours. The carrots and broccoli sides were good. Wedge salad was okay. The buffalo NY strip steak was okay. Nothing wrong with it but to my taste it wasn't nearly as good as prime beef. It's probably better in a burger vs a steak. The apple crisp dessert was huge and very good.
(3)Chris R.
During our last visit here about two months ago the service was significantly better. The waitress came and was constantly checking on us. The new manager also came by at the end of the meal to make sure we were satisfied with our food and dining experience. I will continue to update my review of Teds but it seems to be trending in the right direction.
(4)Pegah Y.
Ted's Montana Grill has some solid burgers, albeit a bit on the pricey side (about $15 on average!). My friend and I visited right after work a couple weeks ago and the place was PACKED around 6:00pm! I suppose it makes sense, since a lot of people work in the Crystal City area. We both decided to order burgers. You have the choice of bison or beef burger. Since I'd tried bison burger a couple years and found it a bit too gamey, I decided to stick with the beef burger. I ordered the "Peppercorn" (I'd never had a peppercorn burger before!), which was seasoned and seared with peppercorns, Gruyère cheese, herb Dijon mustard and baby arugula. It was very delicious. And the thin fries that came with it were excellent as well. We also got drinks - girly margaritas. I enjoyed my strawberry margarita on the rocks, with sugar (instead of salt) on the rim of my glass. The service was decent and the restaurant has a classier (but not too upscale) feel to it. They seem to be very environmentally-friendly and we got these interesting paper compost straws. I appreciated that they are trying to go green (much respect for that), but you have to use at least a couple straws during your meal, since they seem to disintegrate in water after a while. I'd definitely visit again.
(4)Roberto N.
I love this place- primarily, the food- GREAT. The Bison is magnificent. And, the decor--- kind of a 50's gentleman's club kind of vibe. Love it too! Why not 5 stars? You gotta wait forever to get in here, and it takes away from the overall experience.
(4)Louis D.
Went to one of the regular dinner places that my co-workers and I enjoy. Several of us ordered the bison filet, which is always excellent. One person had the bison pot roast and really liked it, and another ordered the knife and fork chili cheese. My filet was a little more rare than I usually prefer, but still very good, and everyone was pleased with the side orders. A bit pricy, but when on per-diem it is just a matter of having a cheap lunch, and then splurging on dinner. In the past I've had the bison rib-eye, and a burger once. The burger was the only dinner that had a bit of a gamy taste. All the rest are like the finest beef, but with very little fat. Come early for dinner, otherwise there could be a long wait. Oh, there is a bison head that on the wall that will be watching you eat his cousins. Might be unnerving for some people.
(4)Brianna D.
My husband and I were in town for vacation and Ted's was around the corner from our hotel. Man did we luck out. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was spectacular. It was so good we came back twice during our 5 day stay to enjoy it again. Buffalo burger was delicious and everything was cooked to perfection. If you want great American food Ted's is the place to go.
(5)Anjaly P.
Would I call myself a regular here? Yes. For a while I went sans cow in my diet, but I needed a burger fix often. Cravings, they work in mysterious ways I tell you. Ted's has always made me happy. One such visit was at the start of one of the blizzards of 2010 smowmageddon and the friendly bartender (Coach!) handed me a lovely long island iced tea to go with dessert. (ice cream in snow is perfectly acceptable to go along with their fresh baked cookies). The restaurant was completely empty except me and a friend and snow had barely fallen yet..We felt like we were queens because we had such stellar service. Which leads me to my recommendation of sitting at the bar. There are normally two bartenders there during peak times and they run a smooth ship. (There's always some bumps in the sea, but for the majority of the ride..its smoooth sailing.) If you're in a party of 3 or more, then definitely get a table. For entrees, I tend to pick a bison burger from their variety of options. (They are available in beef too.) Lots of combinations to add to the flavorful meat and theyre accommodating if you need to change something. If you haven't tried bison, I would best describe bison burgers as juicy and flavorful, the meat itself is a tiny bit on the sweeter side compared to the beef. If you simply want to try it, I would start with their appetizer sliders. Bite sized burgers on their homemade dinner rolls. There are often seasonal specials as well, my most recent was the peppercorn burger with gruyere and arugula on an onion bun. The kitchen sink covers almost all meat bases between bread or you can go simple with a basic cheese too. Cocktails are fresh and all handmade. No box lemonade here, they squeeeeeze them fresh. Currently, theres a huckleberry margarita on menu and its been my go to friend for a few months now. (simply because I love Moon River). I go here for food, a well made drink is a bonus. (Oh and for french fries lovers..they're good here. But do try the salt and pepper onion rings, get the side its a much smaller portion. The appetizer is HUGE)
(4)Sasha B.
To start off, the burgers are yummy. If you like bison meat, this is a great place to go- the bison patty is huge! Loved the avocado and grilled mushrooms on my burger, and there are lots of topping options. The fries are also amazing- skin on and crispy. On the downside, my bun was soggy and couldn't hold together my giant burger. Also, the burgers are not $16 burgers, I think they run a little expensive. One star off. The second star off is for the incredibly slow service. We thought they were out killing our buffalo for how long we waited for our burgers.
(3)Heather G.
Ended up at Ted's Montana last week after drinking wine all day in the deserted storefronts of the Crystal city shops-- the 1K winewalk...which wouldn't get 4 stars from me, but that is another review. I liked the Ted's in Crystal City better than the one in Ballston. In fact, I ate the crap out that Bison burger and woke up in the morning wanting more! It was so tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and the toppings were just right (there are a LOT of topping options). The onion rings are super large and come with a great dipping sauce, love that you can get half fries and half rings with your burger!
(4)Eric C.
NEVER EVER EAT AT THE BAR HERE! This was extremely disappointing.This is my worst experience at a restaurant EVER! It started out well. Gary greeted me and shook my hand. Very nice. Got the beer I wanted and ordered my meal. My Crab Cake appetizer came out in a timely manner and it was very tasty. That's when the experience went downhill fast. The other Bartender (female, don't remember her name took over). I waited about 20 minutes between my appetizer and my burger. During that time I had an empty beer for about 10 min and my water was empty as well. Finally she asked if I wanted more. I did and she did give me more. She finally got my food from the kitchen after I had to ask. The first thing the fries were cold. The next it had a wheat bun on it. I bit into it and it just doesn't taste right with a wheat bun. I asked her if this is how the burger now comes. She said, No and said she could get me a regular white bun. Gary joked and said, yes it tastes much different. So I moved my plate closer to the bartender thinking they would take plate and make sure the bun was changed. Instead, she comes over and plops down a white bun next to my plate. She tells me I have to change it. I ordered a bacon cheesburger with a fried egg. I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles and onions on my burger and I cut it in half. The burgers are big, it was cut, it was wet and juicy. I had no idea how to put a full bun on this and replace the old one. No help at all. I tried ripping the new bun in half, it came out odd. Then I proceeded to remove the old wheat bun. Everything on the burger halves fell over in a mess. I couldn't get the other buns on and it looked like a taco salad. She then finally said she would have someone try and put it back together. WOW! Talk about nuts. This was terrible. My hands were a mess, the plate was a mess and that's all I got. I said I am not eating this and asked to close out the tab. I said I would go somewhere else for dinner. She came back with tab and smugly said, I took the burger off your tab. WOW! I would hope so, since I didn't eat anything but one cold french fry and one bite of the burger on the wheat bun. She didn't really try to make it right, didn't talk to a manager or anything. So I closed out the bill and I left. This was a horrible experience and if this is what Ted's has become, I will never visit one again. I was appalled this is how you treat customers. I have never once been somewhere and they didn't try to make it right. This was horrible. Please don't go!
(1)Chris C.
Ted's Montana Grill is ok. The people were friendly and we didn't have to wait. The food on the other hand is ok. Nothing to brag about. The salad tasted like a salad in a bag. The bison burger was pretty good.Would I go back....maybe.
(3)Katie Y.
A $15 bison burger with cheese at lunch time should knock me off my feet with flavor. Ted's just didn't deliver. The burger, which I ordered "medium rare" came out just barely that and really lacked in flavor of any sort. The meat was as tender as it should be, either. It was all around a "meh" burger. If you're there for a business lunch, don't order an appetizer as well as an entree. For example, the onion rings are a laughable portion for one person - it takes a team to bring them down. Also, be prepared for a possible wait for lunchtime seating, and for the volume to be slightly up. Kudos to Ted's for their paper straws!
(2)Tiffie L.
All I can say is SLOW. Very slow. My family was in town for my graduation, but before the festivities began, we went out to lunch on a Friday. It was a bit late of a lunch, so I figured we could get a quick bite since there would not be a lunch rush. While we were seated quickly, our wait for lunch? Another 20 or 30 minutes. We mostly ordered salads and only ONE burger... so I am not exactly sure what took so long. Our waitress was cheerful... almost too cheerful. She never apologized for the wait, but just happily passed by our table multiple times to serve others.... it was just pure torture. At least the food was good! Or was it just due to our starving state of mind?
(3)Anne W.
I didn't think this place would be amazing... but it WAS!!! Never heard of this place before.. but I also never had bison before. The place was like a cowboy bar... but no reservations can be made. We got a table for all nine of us... we tried a whole spread of things. The most amazing was the Kansas Strip bison steak. Amazing and flavorful. I loved the squash casserole and green beans as well... the chili cheese fries was just okay.. as was the gumbo soup. Reasonably priced.. I loved the place!
(5)Jada G.
Now I love me some teds. But this particular location lacks customer service and knowledge. the waiter's did not know the menu, they were going to give me old cookies, instead of fresh-baked. they weren't attentive ad it took forever to get out food even though only 2 other diners were in the place. Me thinks not!
(2)Leah K.
I live right around the corner from this place and every time we dine here, the food is amazing. We've never had a complaint with the food. With that said, the service is slow. I don't recommend this place if you're looking to get in and out. The servers definitely take their time with everything. Each time we've dined, it's taken 10 minutes just for us to know who our server is and for he/she to take our drink order. My only complaint with this place but other than that, a great place to eat for quality food.
(4)Russell S.
Good restaurant - it's a chain, but don't be fooled, it's not Appleby's. Burgers are great - not greasy, and their signature dishes allow for Bison (much leaner than beef) at a slightly higher price. Service at this location was the least friendly of the three I've been to, but it was good and efficient and better than a lot of places. If you're hungry for a burger but want a leaner option, go for the Bison. Great way to ease a red meat itch with less weight.
(3)Cory R.
I went here for lunch with my boss and I had a great experience! I got the Balsamic Bleu Steak Salad and it was incredible. The pieces of steak in the salad were very tender and tasty, and the salad itself was very good. I didn't think I could be this impressed with a salad, but I was. I would definitely come back here. The staff was very friendly, too!
(4)Edward M.
Worst Ted's I've ever been to with my family. Server showed up at the table with her ~9 year old daughter who carried plates and touched our food. Completely unsanitary given that kids (including our own) are always wiping their nose and you can't keep up with sanitary food delivery conditions. Food order was completely wrong. Wrong dressing for salads, wrong soups , wrong temp for burger (burnt/well done versus medium). We thought to give this location another chance since we are local. Bad idea. Not coming again.
(1)Corey L.
Stopped in just after opening for a business lunch. My colleague and I both had Bison burgers. Be warned: there are so many good-sounding options you'll struggle with what to pick. I finally settled on the New Mexico style: guacamole, grilled pepper, tomato jam, and pepper jack cheese. I thought it would be spicier; it was actually quite mild. The bison meat is the real star of the show. It is as amazing as advertised, juicy without being greasy. I ordered mine medium and my colleague ordered medium well; to my pleasant surprise, both were cooked accurately. But the real star of the show today was the cup of bison chili I ordered as an appetizer. Bison makes for a great chili meat, and they top it with crisp raw red onion and a few jalapeño slices. The raw onion was a great touch, adding kick to the dish without adding spiciness. Service was friendly and prompt, and the only reason I can't give Ted's a fifth star is the price: I paid $30 for lunch today, and as excellent as the meal was, it still just seems a little too steep.
(4)David K.
For a chain, I think this location of Ted's is quite impressive. As you may know, Ted's bit is to mix in bison where you are used to seeing beef. This is fine, and I understand bison is a bit healthier, but it really does just taste like lean beef. Which is fine, just be aware. The food here is great all around, and at reasonable prices. I've had the prime rib here served on weekends several times, and found it to be of similar quality to the prime ribs I've had at Morton's down the street. My fiance has enjoyed the tenderloin here as well, and it was perfectly prepared and seemed to be of high quality. For lunch, I've enjoyed the "Kitchen Sink" burger several times with bison. This burger has tons of toppings including a fried egg which is one of my weaknesses. Very delicious, very sloppy, very unhealthy, very gonna get ordered again soon. This location is large and open, the service is good in general. We did have one bad experience involving a waiter in training that was also a close talker. We were left alone for an hour waiting for our food. The manager offered to comp half of the check which was nice, but it was a bit of a pain to have dinner extended to over 2 hours. I highly recommend this Ted's. For some reason, I found it to be better than the Ballston location as well.
(4)Fredy R.
Fun, delicious an unique restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here with six teens. The Bison nachos are generously topped and while unusual they tasted great. I enjoyed the "fork and knife" which was a burger topped with chili and cheese-hence the name. Everyone enjoyed the meal. We didn't get dessert but it looked wonderful. All meat meals give the option of beef or bison.
(4)Tiffany Y.
I stopped in Ted's Montana Grill once recently for dinner. The menu has a variety of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, classics such as turkey and fish, steaks, and desserts. I ordered the bison meatloaf and ended up leaving sort of a lot of it on my plate because it tasted just OK. My husband also thought that his food was just OK. The atmosphere and service were good, but given the just-OK taste of the food, I will not return.
(3)Paul G.
Really good dinner. Got there @7p and was told the wait was 25 min. Just got a round of drinks and the table was ready. Service was very good. I ordered the filet of bison. Not a speck of fat. Worth the visit!
(5)Brian R.
Bison pot roast and meatloaf are fantastic, as is pretty much everything else I've tried here. Save some $$ and get the meatloaf sandwich. I sub the onion rings for a side. Many burger choices for toppings and all are available in beef or bison. Like the paper straws and powdered soap in the restroom too - very focused on conservation.
(5)Paige M.
Bison. Never had it before, had to try it, and it was gorgeous. Much like the famed ostrich burger, bison is more tender and flavorful than typical beef. The restaurant was packed for a late dinner, but my friends and I managed to grab a table for four. Our waitress, Veronika, was a blast. She was sweet and energetic, making sure we had everything we need. My friends each had Bison Sliders. I had a Chipotle Cobb salad, but replaced the chicken with Bison chunks. I'm glad the restaurant was able to customize orders, as I really wanted to sample the Bison, but was in no mood for a burger. Another interesting detail of Ted's is that it is a "green" restaurant. All of the tablecloths are paper and made from recycled materials. The straws are recycled too, and made out of cardboard, not plastic. The cardboard straw was weird to get used to at first, but it worked just as well as the plastic variety. If you're looking for a great place to eat near all the hotels in Crystal City, check out Ted's. It's definitely the best place we found to eat near where we were staying.
(4)J. W.
If you're in the mood for a good burger or a well cooked steak, you can't miss with Ted's. I'm giving it a 4 because the one time I got a bison burger, it was a bit on the dry side. I know that you'd expect that from a leaner meat like bison, but that's why I ordered medium rare. Everything else is great. Good service, clean dining area, and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)Warren J.
Great friendly service and the best burger I've had in a very long time. The Avalon burger isn't just good. It's grrrrrrrrrrreat!
(4)Joshua S.
Ted's was pretty good. It has a folksy, sort of "old west" feel to it, with a definite flare for the green and sustainable. Bison is the featured protein of choice, although there is plenty of beef available. I tried the Prime Rib, which was pretty good, but I didn't get as lean a piece as I would have liked. Buttered broccoli was a pretty good side, but the french fries were AMAZING. Cherry Lemonade to drink was quite refreshing and the cardboard straws were innovative. All in all, this is not on the same plane as Ruth's Chris or Morton's or even really Outback in my view, but it's a nice change-up to a somewhat vanilla market-space.
(3)A A.
Great food , great service but BRING BACK THE CREAMED SPINACH. Was completely unique in a market that is dominated by the "same old same old"
(5)Karen G.
I can't praise the food here enough! We went on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. Wasn't crowded at all, but after being here I could imagine it being packed later on in the day. I had the Green and hot burger (I'm pretty sure that's the name), had it cooked well done... It was by far the best hamburger I've ever eaten! Had huge jalapenos on it and great guacamole. Excellent! Also, order the chips and dip for the appetizer! Better order two if you have more than two people at your table - Yes, they are that good! I don't remember what my daughter had (she can write her own review) but she said it was great! Suffice it to say, we'll definitely be going back!
(4)Gerson R.
So, I just got back from one of the most wonderful burger meals I've ever had. Correction: the most wonderful burger meal I've ever had. My mouth is still salivating from the monstrous burger I had. This is the 3rd time I've been to this place in the last 2 months. Yep. That good. Going to Ted's Montana Grill, one is faced with the choice of having beef or bison for the burger or steak meat. GO WITH BISON!!! It's leaner, tastier, and just awesome! How many times are you really going to say you've eaten bison in your life?! Not many I bet. ABOUT THE MEAL: I had the biggest, baddest (in a good way) bison burger they had. It's name: The Kitchen Sink. This burger had it all. Cheddar cheese (Your choice of cheese), grilled ham, smoky bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms topped with a fried egg* "over-easy". The name is just like the burger...perfect. As soon as I bit into it, I knew then and there that this was pure euphoria. I think I may have actually had epiphanies and created new philosophies at the same time. This is how mind awakening this burger is. It touched my soul. That was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy to it's last bite. Flavor like no other. The egg was the cherry on the frosting on the cake. Yeah...that good. My fiance had the New Mexico. This came with roasted Anaheim pepper and handmade guacamole. I bit into it to try it. Very good combination of flavors. The peppers were cooked perfectly and combined with the meat so well. The guacamole was excellent as well. FOR DESSERT: My fiance, my best friend's dad, and myself all dug spoons into the Ted's Nutty Apple Crisp. This was comprised of apple pie filling, crust, pecans, all-round goodness, love, and topped with a hefty scoop of ice cream. Our server, Veronika, was so kind as to give us another scoop because our ice cream melted faster than we could eat it. This completely satisfied the craving I had for apple pie and ice cream. No joke, I seriously told my fiance to skip out on the fries so that we could order this mammoth dessert. Word of advice: don't order it unless you have at least 2 people to eat it. Conclusion: Excellent food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere and decor (we sat under a big bison head). Cool bathrooms. They even have the old-fashioned powder soap. I will definitely be going back. Papa bear. Out.
(5)Marolyn L.
We had a great waiter and the food was pretty good. I would go here again.
(3)Steven F.
Ted's has really good American food. I had been wanting to try this place for some time, and when I finally did, I was not disappointed. The portions were huge, and the burger was really good. The bison nachos are great and could easily be a meal on their own. You will like Ted's.
(4)Boon K.
I saw this place in Nashville and it's always packed so finally I decide to try this place because I was waiting for my luggage that was coming on another flight. I got a beef burger, it taste like straight iron.. or metal tasting. My Bf got the roasted chicken and it was ok. I should have try the bison but this place is like american version of outback but I like outback better.
(2)Miss E.
I remember eating here a few years ago and having a decent bison burger. So when a family friend was in town on business and staying in Crystal City, I suggested we eat here. Bad idea. At the risk of sounding like a broken record here on Yelp: I am SICK TO DEATH of paying $30 for a meal in the DC area, only to be served awful food by horrible waiters. Here's what I got for my money: 1.) A few disgusting slices of cucumber (WTF?). They serve it instead of bread. I actually spit it out. 2.) A tiny burnt bison steak, AFTER the waitress assured me it would come out warm/red in the middle. If she hadn't walked away for 15 minutes after she brought it out, I would have sent it back. The meat was tender and would have been AWESOME if it wasn't well done and the size of a chicken wing. PS - who the hell puts lemon butter on a steak? That should be illegal. 3). A tiny burnt baked potato. 4). A few stalks of asparagus. 5). A waiter who only stopped by our table a few times during our 1.5 hour meal. I want my money back. Seriously.
(1)Tony S.
Ordered Kansas City strip bison. Steak was flavorless and very, very tough with a gristle vein running through it so tough I could not chew it. Onion rings were also over cooked and tough. Not what I expected. Service was excellent.
(2)Michael M.
Let me first say that in my (brief) history of Yelping, I have yet to give out five stars. This place probably came the closest. Bison burgers are tough to find, which is truly unfortunate. Bison meat has far less fat than beef (and more iron), but is just as tasty (if not more so). Ted's offers a variety of burgers to choose from, and you can get any of them with beef or bison meat (or veggie, if you are lame like that). We also had nachos covered in bison chili as an appetizer. They were particularly delicious. Definitely some of the best nachos I have ever had. It was kind of a lot of food for two people, but would be great if you're in a group. We ate here at about 7:00 on a Saturday night. Although the restaurant was busy (just about every table was full), we did not have to wait and were seated immediately. Our waitress was outstanding. The service, the atmosphere, and the bison meat were all worthy of five stars. So, why give it only four stars? Well, the french fries were kind of mediocre. They weren't bad, just nothing to write home about. I've heard that the onion rings are great, and I'd imagine that you could substitute them in for the fries, but that option was never actually presented to us. Also, the draft list was a bit weak. If I recall correctly, the only brews they had on tap were Miller Light (or maybe it was Bud Light), Blue Moon, Yuengling, and a Sam seasonal. Not bad, but a few more options would have been nice. But all in all, I highly recommend Ted's if you are in the mood for a burger and some good old fashioned American food. Especially if you want a bison burger. And if you've never tried one, I highly recommend that you do. Like, now. Again, it is better for you than beef, and it tastes at least as good. What do you have to lose?
(4)Angel M.
Tried a bison burger. Not too bad....
(3)Jared B.
Excellent service, good sized portions and decent food. A little over priced but, in my opinion, every thing in this area is priced high. Wouldn't hesitate to come back here.
(4)Cara W.
I work nearby so come here quite often. Service can be hit or miss, but in the last few months I think it has gotten much better. Ted's does tend to get a lot of big groups during lunch, so just pack your patience. The Balsamic Bleu Steak salad is one of my go tos and it's delicious. Of course the burgers are great. I always order the bison and have never been disappointed. Yes, sometimes the buns get soggy, yes sometimes you wait a while for a table and for your food, but if you have the time for a great meal try this place!
(4)Greg L.
I just paid $16 for a mediocre burger. There was absolutely nothing special about this place except for the prices.
(1)Gene E.
Bison Ribeye was AMAZING. Can't say much for anything else. The signature Pepper and Salt Onion Rings, were okay. The Asparagus was steamed and boring. The meat was worth every penny
(3)Shellie D.
I have been to Ted's a few times and I can honestly say that nothing has wowed me. If it wasn't for the convenient location, I would never suggest eating at Ted's. To me, the burgers here are mediocre. Nothing really stood out to me. It appears that they try to use good quality ingredients, and the waiter gave us the run down about the bison meat which is 'organic' and is raised on Ted's farm. Well, I tried the bison burger and I didn't like it, which just may be my personal preference. My mouth was waiting for the flavorful beefy taste and the bison did not deliver. It was grainy and crumbled easily. It wasn't enough fat in it, in my opinion. And didn't have that juiciness I like. Hence the term 'big fat juicy burger'. The onion rings were good,but they weren't anything special. And the fries where flimsy. I would come back here, but only due to convenience. As I said, the food isn't bad, but it isn't great either. Prices are reasonable, but you will be paying $3 more if you want bison instead of beef. The staff is always super friendly, attentive and helpful.
(2)Saen H.
This was a very bad experience. Myself and six of my friends came for dinner. The first thing that happened was that they gave our table away, and we had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. When we finally sat down and ordered it took one hour and twenty minutes to get the food out (keep in mind it was 8:00 when we sat, not busy). When the food arrived four of the six were not the correct order. They then told me they were out of the dish I ordered. Wow, now it's one hour forty five minutes later. I ask for a salad (it was late and I did not want to wait long for another dish). That took another twenty five minutes. When it came out they made the wrong one. It would have been faster to go to Montana, hunt a buffalo, and cook it.
(1)Alex M.
I've been going here for ten years. Last night was the first time I left unsatisfied; the meat was dry, our server forgot several items including bringing my side of onion rings at the end of the meal as opposed to, you know, during it - just really poor service and for the first time, questionable food. Very surprising and disappointing.
(2)Roger D.
Conveniently located and large, this popular restaurant can be difficult to get into. On a recent Wednesday night there was a 45 minute wait to be seated at 7 PM, however, by 8:30 PM it was very easy to find a table. Last call was at 10 PM. I mostly recommend Ted's for the bison burgers, which have a creative option of toppings and very generous portions. Be warned the prices are quiet high for what is still just a burger. Ted's tends to be overly cute with the environmentally friendly theme. While they didn't bother me, my dinner companions complained that the recyclable paper straws fell apart in their drinks and left an after taste in their mouth. The borax soup in the toilet feels like washing with sand and doesn't foam up like regular soap.
(3)Mike B.
Delicious food, good and friendly staff the only thing that I want to hit them on is the pricing.
(4)Kevin F.
My first time at Ted's. My wife used to work there and suggested it as a good place for us to meet some friends for dinner. I had the Avalon burger and a baked sweet potato. The burger was juicy, tasty, and cooked properly. It has been a while since I had a burger with that much flavor going on. Though, $15 does seem a little steep, or maybe I'm just not used to DC-area prices yet. We were greeted and seated quickly even though most of the tables were taken. The fact they were so busy on a weekday evening must be a good sign. If you have children, you will be glad to know they have high chairs and a kid's menu. Lots of really good looking stuff on the menu. I will be back to this Ted's Montana Grill!
(4)Josiah P.
Red Rock burger is tasty with pepper jack, jalapenos, house sauce, and onion straws. Get bison over beef -- healthier and better flavor. Onion rings are pretty incredible, with cracked pepper in the batter. Tend to be too greasy though. Left me with an upset stomach after eating the whole stack. (No, I don't have good self-restraint when it comes to onion rings.) I could do without the chairs -- they're wooden, feel a little rickety, and cheap feeling. Not a single comfortable thing about the chairs, unless your alternative is sitting on the floor and reaching the table top. I could go back, but probably not very likely. Food was also on the slow side getting to the table, so don't go if you're imminently hungry.
(3)Anonymous A.
Great service, good burger but way overpriced. If I'm paying $16 for a bison burger I expect more than a burger and fries (or substitute). If money is no object, this place is recommended, but otherwise you are paying way too much for what you get.
(2)Phil R.
Had dinner here tonight. For the price, I thought the food was good. The bison chili was very good. Service, on the other hand, was less than sterling. I felt that since we were only drinking water, refills were neglected. I'd go back, but I think they could have been more attentive.
(2)David H.
I end up in D.C. quite a bit and stay near Ted's, so I end up here sometimes for dinner. It's affordable, and everything about the experience is either good, or just above average. It's not the kind of place that I would go to back home, but when stuck next to the Pentagon for a few nights, it's better than going to Chili's, and doesn't stand out on the expense report like Ruth's Chris or Morton's.
(3)Arval F.
Great food! The waitstaff was a bit absent but was friendly and helpfull when they were around.
(3)Yelpowitz E.
The burguers are good but excessively large. I would suggest a more moderate portion for a few cents less. Service is good The place is nice but the huge bison looking at you while you eat a bison burguer it's ...interesting! You should try it out
(3)John B.
Fantastic! What else is there to say? I have eaten here twice and both times were amazing. I tried the filet the first time and it was flavorful and cooked well. The second time I had the Bison burger and it was cooked to perfection, juicy and very full of flavor. Saving the best for the last the French fries were the best I ever ate. Similar to in-and-out burger but better. I plan to be back many times!
(5)Heather G.
Stick with the burgers and you'll be okay here. The bison never disappoints. I particularly like the bison burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. The fries are top notch and the onion rings are really good too. My favorite beverage is the diet coke with cherry syrup in it. They serve ice just the way I like it. The paper straws are funky, though.
(3)Steven B.
I am a sucker for good service. And lunch at Ted's Montana Grill this afternoon was nearly a five-star experience! I sat down and asked for a water and a menu, as I always do, and was immediately introduced to a delicacy I had never before experienced: "half-sour" pickles. These were more cucumber than "pickle," new to me, and addicting. I ended up finishing two entire dishes full of them. Seriously. I recently reviewed another establishment down the street from Ted's in Crystal City, Bailey's, and basically gripped about the lack of enthusiasm from the bartender. Complete opposite experience at Ted's this afternoon. The bartender was cool. The conversation was exactly what I want from my bar experience, light discussion from everything ranging from college to sports and, ultimately, to tattoos. My only disagreement with the conversation was the bartender's preference for Midwestern girls (Tampa girls for me!). But, really, I appreciate a welcoming experience when I dine out. This was one of those times where I felt as if I may have shorted the bartender when I left 20% on a $20 meal. He probably deserved more. At first, I was intimidated by the menu. The prices seemed steep and having no idea the quality, I was hesitant to go "all in." This is why, although I initially wanted to try that Bison Steak, I ended up opting for Bison Meatloaf as my entree, which, all told, was very well priced. First, though, I started with an iceberg wedge. Good stuff. Thick, chunky blue cheese dressing, icy cold lettuce, loads of bacon, fresh tomato, and even more blue cheese crumbles. Absolutely no complaints from me. The menu indicated that the meatloaf is served with mashed potatoes and squash casserole. I opted out of both and, instead, substituted broccoli and creamed spinach. The spinach was certainly a winner. The meatloaf was excellent. Perhaps the gravy was just a bit too sweet, but even then I provide a caveat. Caveat being: sugar is so nearly completely absent from my diet that I think mine may be a bit more perceptive to sweetness than others' palates. But, on a whole, the meal was delicious. And the portions were solid. I am rarely full and pride myself on my ability to eat but, for twenty bucks this afternoon, I left Ted's Montana Grill feeling nothing less than stuffed. Great service, complimentary "half sours" (a new favorite), and killer satisfying food. Now that I know what to expect, the next time I visit Ted's, I am going "all in," and getting that Bison Steak. And I fully expect then to push my review from four, to five stars!
(4)Brad Z.
I think I enjoyed my Bison burger here better than my last hellburger at Rays. It was juicy, tasty, and cooked medium perfectly. The topping were great too. It's a chain, but nice atmosphere and the perfect spot to when a hankering for a hamburger hits. The service was fast friendly and efficient too.
(5)Jason B.
Bison chili was awesome. Need the recipe!
(5)Kerri Y.
There is no shortage of food- you will go home stuffed!! While looking for a good burger at a recent stay in Crystal City, we found this restaurant through yelp. They have a huge burger menu- all with the option of beef or bison. Food was tasty and plentiful. Soo soo soo much food. Service was beyond fantastic. We received our food so quickly it was amazing! It was a weeknight and fairly busy but we received exceptional service. Great experience here. I was actually surprised to find out this was a chain restaurant, I may be seeking out a location close to home, after my experience here.
(4)Don K.
Meatloaf is fantastic especially coupled with squash casserole! The prime rib is very good with a nice Malbec. Enjoyed the bison chili covered nachos. Atmosphere is relaxing and yet properly steakhouse semi formal. Service was excellent even if not by an obvious American. Worth the walk from the Hyatt.
(5)Malika H.
Interesting restaurant. Happy my job took me out to eat at Ted's, otherwise I would never have tried the place out. On the outside you'd expect to walk in to something similar to TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays but the restaurant actually has a very sophisticated layout. Nice for an intimate dinner or business meeting. Now on to the food. I ordered the Avalon Burger, and it was really good. I chose the bison meat instead of regular beef and it was SO thick. I appreciated the experience but I think next time I'd go with the beef just to be able to enjoy the taste of all the different components of the burger more. I particularly liked that they offered ciabatta rolls as an option for your bun. You can also get a wheat bun. Very health conscious menu and eco friendly (non-plastic straws). I'd say if you ever visit Ted's go for the burgers. They have a pretty extensive selection and they're all really good. There were 7 at my table, we all ordered burgers, and no one had any complaints. I'll for sure be back! :)
(4)Chris M.
My husband and I wanted a new experience while visiting from California. The service was outstanding! Veronika was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us good recommendations. My husband had the bison filet which was excellent. I had Salt & Pepper trout with asparagus & a sweet potato- all delicious. I would recommend this restaurant again & again. Great atmosphere, great food. good for all ages. I was impressed they had salmon on the kids menu!!
(5)Billy E.
Ted's is a hard place to review for me. I like the food/service, that it has buffalo meat, and in fact it's my preferred place to get a burger in Crystal City. It's just no matter what I get, I have a hard time spending less than $18-20 for lunch (ordering just an entree). If I had half stars it would get a bump up for sure.
(3)Zachary G.
As we walked in we were immediately greeted with a smile!!! I ordered a Diet Coke with grenadine(my usual drink) and it was the best ratio I've ever had with that drink! I ordered the Swiss and Mushroom Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing!!! I then asked for some ranch for my fries and it literally was the best ranch I've eve tasted!! Grey service from the staff!! Overall a very enjoyable trip!!! I would definitely go back !!
(5)Steven V.
Loved this place. No complaints whatsoever. The chicken noodle soup was very authentic and tasty. Real shredded, tender meat and veggies, none of that weird fake soup thickener stuff. My salad was also very good with fresh veggies and a tasty honey mustard dressing. The bison burger was the real treat. Slightly sweeter yet leaner than regular beef. Big tomato and a great bun made it perfect. The menu had a lot of variety. We might go back before our vacation is up. Well done Ted!
(5)Todd U.
Food was great, but the service was not so great. Waiter seemed as though he did not know his menu. Priority of kids meal was asked for and all the food came out the same time. Kids sliders was a mess! The burger is placed on crumbling bread, will not return to this place again anytime soon. The service versus price? Yeah, not worth it.
(2)Steve L.
Great service. Friendly staff. Bison burger was pretty good. Bun was soggy from the onions but.
(3)Judith L.
Came here with my parents and a friend of theirs to take part in their bi-weekly burger and beers night. The location is convenient and when we met for dinner we did not need to pay for parking in the garage located to the left of the restaurant. Got a coke at the bar and it came in one of those weird little aluminum bottles. With a ton of crushed ice. So much that you need to get a straw to be able to actually drink anything. We were seated and brought the house made pickles (which are really slices of cucumber in some vinegar-y mix). Which were fine. Our waiter was very friendly and chatty, which if that wasn't your thing probably means that you wouldn't have enjoyed your time here. But people like to talk and that isn't something that especially bothers me since he didn't hover or overstay. Ordered a cheese burger (beef) and onion rings. The burger was fine, but nothing to write home about. The onion rings had a nice flavor (salt and pepper, I believe) but the coating was overly dry on the bigger ones. Overall, I'd give this place another shot or stop by with a group if they wanted to do lunch or dinner, but I this wouldn't be my first pick of places to dine in the area.
(3)Michael C.
Food was good, and so was the service. Only problem was that our children's Mac'n'cheese came out a bit cold. The problem was quickly and kindly rectified, though. Wife had bison pot roast and I had the bison ribeye; both were great.
(4)Lorrie L.
Had lunch here yesterday and it was good.I had a bison mushroom swiss burger and my hubby had a chili cheese burger. Every thing was good except the bison was kind of bland. Every where else I have ever had bison it had more flavor. Fries and tea were good. Service was very good. I loved the decor.
(4)Don C.
Love the flavor of Bison and this is my "go to" when I visit DC.
(4)Jeff R.
A far cry from Montana...just the name...the staff is friendly...let's try some Bison!
(3)Meagan K.
I went on a date to Ted's sometime in March. I really enjoyed myself there. Parking wasn't difficult to find at all, as there is a large parking garage next door that doesn't charge in the evenings. (Don't quote me on that...it didn't charge the evening I was there, though) The service is great! We were promptly seated and our food came quickly. The environment is a mix of grown and sexy and family fun. I know that sounds really weird, but it makes a lot of sense. Ambiance is on point. I also admired the fact that the restaurant is very environmentally friendly. Everything is recyclable...and the drinking straws are even made out of paper or something conducive to going green. I'd give Ted's Montana Grill five stars, but I just don't feel comfortable with the "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" that appears when I select the fifth star. The "Yay! I'm a fan." that appears when you select four stars is more like it. Mostly because although I had a nice time, I am certain that I wouldn't even suggest this place if someone asked me to pick a spot to eat.
(4)Elaine B.
Singletons? Lone lunchers? Steer clear because Ted's has instructed its staff to treat you differently from other patrons. One afternoon I had been working hard and had just finished a project. I wanted to celebrate by treating myself to lunch (it was 2:30 on a weekday and I hadn't eaten yet). When I asked for a table for one, the hostess replied, "Would you like a seat at the bar?" Was the place super crowded? No, at that time, the place was almost completely empty. I could see 5 other customers in the entire dining area - including the bar. n an era when customer service and brand is everything, Ted's management needs to understand the negative impact they are having. Because the next time I do have a party of 5-6 for lunch, guess where I'm not going. Their policy is short-sighted and extremely unappetizing. I am also posting this review for the benefit of anybody out there who is planning to eat alone and wants to avoid being treated as anything less than a valued customer. Ted's is not the only place that does this. I have seen a few do it, and I am leaving similar reviews for ALL of them until their policies change.
(1)David S.
The server was not interested in helping our table of six. The food was mediocre at best. They ask how you want your hamburger cooked and then bring them all well done. Why ask. Drinks sit at the bar when glasses are empty. My wife ordered mashed potatoes and was never offered butter or gravy or anything to with. They are supposed to offer pickles when you sit at the table. We were never offered. Had to ask because we noticed other tables got them. Then we got some when our food was delivered. Took forever to pay even after the server picked up our credit card. She continued to help several tables ...all she had to do was drop off our bill. Then on top of all of this on their receipt it has a "tell us how we did". I got to the website and it asks for a survey code. Nowhere on the receipt is a "survey code ". Without the survey code you can't send feedback. I guess they really don't want the honest feedback. Sad part is that I recommended this place to our group. Now I look like a bad persons for recommending a dud of a restaurant.
(1)Nick H.
Pot Roast with green beans and mashed potatoes. This was not the best food in the world and not the worst food either. Overall, the food is aok. Customer service is good and the people working here are very friendly. The restaurant does have a good vibe. A-OK.
(3)Richard M.
The Bison steak was amazing! The guy that decided to kill off the Buffaloes in the 1800's clearly never had a bison steak.
(4)Darrell K.
I didn't realize until I opened their menu that they serve bison. Oh baby, I knew exactly what I was going to get, the Bison Ribeye. The ribeye is the best cut, better than a filet mignon, due to the nice amount of fat that gives meat its flavor and tenderness. I had bison ribeyes at other restaurants so I knew I was in for a treat. However, it tasted like a cow ribeye. Even though it was good, it wasn't the bison I had in other restaurants. They ensured me it was bison, but I think they made a mistake. Disappointing since this is a nice place, with a good menu and friendly staff.
(2)Alan K.
I'm not sure I would recommend this place to anyone since I find their signature food/dish to be pretty bad, but I will probably return every now and then when I'm in the mood for grabbing a quick dinner a sit-down restaurant. Honestly, although I like the taste of bison, I don't think any of the burgers are any good here. They tend to be giant to the point of being impossible to eat, and pretty dried out, even when you order them medium or medium rare. Same thing with some of the sandwiches--I tried the Red Rock grilled chicken one tonight and it was extremely dry chicken with more dry bread on top. It had good flavor but was hard to eat because it was so dry. On top of everything, it's all kind of pricey. For a beer, a sandwich, and a side salad substitute for the fries, it was 20 bucks before tip. On the plus side, they have pretty good salads, and the bison chili is tasty as well. I haven't tried any of the other sandwiches or the classic dinner entrees, but I'm not wholly put off by my bad experiences, so I would be game for giving them a go. The decor is also pretty nice, with much more of an upscale feel than your standard chain restaurant.
(3)Anne C.
Authentic American Dining. I recommend the Bison Ribeye with their Merlot. Very well seasoned and tender. Also the Salt and Pepper Trout, a delicacy. This place had the best cheesecake Ive ever had. It was smoothe and creamy with raspberry sauce. Wow! Thats good American meal.
(4)Todd L.
Roscoe was our server. Awsome job and answered every question. Made sure we had everything we needed. Food was amazing sides were perfect. Price was very well matched withe food selection. Bathrooms very clean. The amount of people they were serving our food came out in a timely manner.
(5)Rob B.
Burgers are excellent. My co-worker swears by the meatloaf (he gets it EVERY time without fail). Fries are hit or miss. The pickles they give you when you sit down are good, and the free rolls are good enough that you should definitely ask for them!
(4)Joshua M.
Went to Ted's Montana Grill on a Monday evening with four friends; I could not say I was a big fan. Bottom line is was the food was just not very good at all. I got the Bison Blue Creek Burger, and it was terrible. Maybe it was my own fault for getting Bison instead of regular beef (the bison just tasted like raw meat), but it went beyond that. The fries that came with the burger were in a clump and stuck together, as if they took them out of the package from the freezer, deep fried them, and they never separated from being frozen. So bottom line is the food wasn't exactly very fresh. Perhaps I got the wrong type of burger, but from what I had on my plate I was not impressed at all. Even though I wasn't a fan of the food, Ted's Montana Grill looked very nice, and the location seemed to be in a very happening place. The restaurant was located right next to a lot of other restaurants and seemed to be a busy area (people walking their dogs, etc).
(2)Char P.
First time, sat at the bar. Had a cup of Chili.. The atmosphere was nice. The bartender was great. I'll update when I have a full meal. Bison is good..
(3)Kristine B.
HORRIBLE service. I will never go back to this location or recommend it. The service was incredibly slow and 2 of our 4 entrees were incorrect. It took almost 20mins for new entrees to arrive. Never did a manager stop by to see how we were doing our apologize. Our waiter apologized once and we did not see him again til our new entrees were delivered. We were not asked if we wanted a drink or appetizer while we waited. We were shocked by this. We thought they might comp us a dessert for our wait - but this did not happen either. Clearly customer service, loyalty and recommendations are not a priority for this restaurant. Other restaurants in the area would have handled the situation differently - I have witnessed it. There is no reason to be treated this way when you can get a decent steak many other places and be treated much better. Visit: Saturday night at 8pm
(1)Sazha R.
Great food and good service. Manager greeted us and frequently came to check on us. I ordered the chicken cranberry dish. Mind you I do not like chicken but boy was it delish! I subbed the mashed potatoes for sweet potatoe and it was divine. Hubby ordered prime rib with au jus and horseradish. A little tough but still delicious! I would definitely recommend the Arnold Palmers, drank a zillion of them. Be weary of the biscuits, so delicious you don't know when to stop. I will be returning!
(5)George B.
Come here fairly often when I visit DC - lunch or dinner. This visit, got a table that was in very back next to kitchen and service center - very noisy! I have tried the entree cesar with chicken and with shrimp, tonight with salmon; proved to be my least favorite. Service was friendly but not very attentive. Overall, pretty average this evening.
(3)Old Z.
Its amazing how you think a place will be and it was. I thought there wpuld be more of a variety but there was major emphsis on burgers. Meh burgers. A place like this should have more stakes because if freaking montana grill. Steak is king. Staff was mismanaged and very inattentive. My waitress was wierd, wast of tome wast of good money.
(1)Charles H.
I love burgers so ordering a bison patty was an easy choice at Ted's Montana Grill. During my most recent visit (4/2/12) I ordered the Avalon Bison Burger. According to the menu its topped with melted Gruyère cheese, bleu cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli and baby arugula, and served on a toasted onion bun. When delivered to my table I noticed the bun was not as toasted as I would have liked. Also, I believe the bacon is chopped up in tiny bits within the sauce compared to your typical burger with a slab of bacon. The Avalon bison burger was a nice change of pace from the norm; however, I could not use my hands to eat it as lower bun was too soggy. The grilled shrimp appetizer was mediocre at best with a decent amount of shrimp placed on some flat bread. The big sky grilled salad was huge! Enough for two people to share. I highly recommend requesting the bacon ranch dressing and grilled salmon as an addition to the salad. Our server (Nina) was attentive to our needs. She refilled our drinks automatically and brought extra plates per our request. I'll definitely stop by again but order a different bison burger.
(3)S. R.
The food isn't worth the price, even though I like bison. The service was slow also slow all around, from waters, to order to the bill. Example: Ten minutes after we ordered, our server told us that they were out of meatloaf. We would've appreciated knowing this right away - we started wondering if the other 3 entrees would sit under a heat lamp! Also, when the food did come, the extras (onion and avocado) we asked for were missing.
(2)Kerrie N.
Four stars because I frequent this place but have had a couple of hiccups. Here we go: PROs: Overall Ted's serves up some pretty tasty food. You'll definitely add their salt-n-pepper onion rings to your "top 3 best places for onion rings" list! We usually sit at the bar and the service is always on point. The burgers are INSANE at this place! If you've never had a bison burger...make your way to Ted's get one! They never disappoint. I've had the bacon cheeseburger and the blue creek cheeseburger..both perfectly cooked, fresh and juicy! Their fries are made fresh just to the right of the bar (when facing it). You can see them placing whole potatoes in their French fry making gadget. It's pretty cool. Last but not least...the salt-n-pepper trout. It's a must try in my book. Comes with corn and tomato salsa, asparagus and sliced tomatoes. CONs: On two separate occasions I've had some pretty salty food placed in front of me (the chicken gumbo soup) and on one occasion, soggy bread with the mini burgers. My husband gave the gumbo another shot when we went earlier in the week, that time it was perfect. Maybe it's hit or miss! Overall...I'm still a huge fan of Ted's. The good meals FAR outweigh the few hiccups I mentioned. Give them a try!
(4)Bella B.
This restaurant was such a surprise , not only delicious food But so affordable !!!! Great steak and fish . Their bison merlot was the house red and superb with my Ribeye steak done perfectly and we had a great waitress !!!!
(5)Paul X.
During my recent trip to DC, there were plans made to go to Ted's Montana Grill. This was the restaurant I was most excited about going to during my 3 day stay in DC. I called ahead of time to see if we could make a reservation as it was Saturday night, but they said they make reservations for large groups. However, I think that is quite odd since 98% of the restaurant has tables set up specifically for four people or booths that fit four people. But moving on... The four of us managed to get a seat without a wait...I would've been disappointed to have to go somewhere with a shorter wait because all that was on my mind was a bison steak. And I wasn't disappointed...the bison ribeye was excellent!!! Really really REALLY damn good. The bison chili was also very good. That's why it's such a tragedy the rest of the experience was disappointing: - It was a too long a wait time for the beers and drinks to arrive at the table after we had ordered them, literally about 15 minutes. For a draft beer? - The hubby's mojito didn't taste anything at all like it should - it tasted more like watered down rum. All of us tried it, and all agreed it was pretty bad. It had to be returned. - I'm not one to return a meal because I'm pretty easy to please, but there's one exception; when a steak is ordered medium rare and it comes out much too well done (because meat is the best food group and it always should be experienced in the best way possible :). 2 out of the 4 entrees came out very well done as opposed to the medium rare order. The waiter came up with a "I gave them the right order". Well, buddy, we're not pointing fingers at anyone...no need to get defensive. Although we did eventually get a "Sorry" from him. - The waiter forgot silverware for two of us for desert even though he said he will be "bringing out for everyone". We ended up grabbing silverware off another table next to us after a few minutes. - Finally, due to business reasons, etc., we ended up getting four separate checks. The four of us paid with credit cards. The waiter returned four of our bills. None of the bills had a pen to sign our names or add a tip. WTF??? *We* ended up scrounging for a pen at the front desk because we couldn't spot him and we didn't want to have to wait another 15 minutes for a pen. Do you not want us to tip you, dude??? In fact, one of our party said they weren't leaving a tip. And frankly, I don't blame them. I was quite conflicted whether I should give the guy anything, either. The service really did suck. For a *steakhouse*??? C'mon! Usually I don't care too much about getting a free comp out of a restaurant (a free drink or a comped desert to end things on a better note), but in this case, I think it should've been attempted, and I would've included that in this review to at least show they at least made an effort. I think even a manager coming out to say something would've been nice. It's happened in other restaurants I've been in and for much better service in a more casual atmosphere. But that steak really was damn good...that's why it truly pains me to give these guys two stars...and that's kind of being generous.
(2)Sue K.
Steak was very good, but you have to ask for free bread. The small plates are on table, he took our order, came back gave is pickles (a little salty)took plates away, we then said "don't we get bread?" He paused And said "sure" like it was an after thought. When we got our meal we asked for additional bread, he nodded bit we never got any more. So all in all food is great service can use a little improvement
(2)David H.
Try a bison burger here and you won't be disappointed. I originally ordered the Chili Cheeseburger but was told it's not served anymore (though it's on the menu), I didn't get how they don't serve it when it's on the menu and they serve all the ingredients (burger, bun, chili, cheese). Not a huge deal and I had the bacon bbq cheese burger instead which was good as well. I also had the salt and pepper onion rings which had a good flavor, were, crispy, and weren't greasy which impressed me. I also had the Big Sky Lemonade which is a fresh made lemonade with bourbon and would order it again. They also give you free homemade pickles with your meal. Teds is a chain, but for a chain I'd recommend it. Send the tourists here also and let the locals enjoy Ray's in peace.
(4)P G.
I liked it for a variety of reasons. An expansive menu. The food was very good considering the price point, which is quite reasonable considering the area. My bison KC strip was perfectly prepared but tasted lean. No kidding, bison is lean so I expected it. I did like the sustainability aspect. It felt like there was very little waste there. A little crowded; the woman sitting at the table next to us bumped into ours when she sat down.
(4)Carol Y.
Loved this place - we had a booth which greatly cuts the noise - and the waiter was fabulous. We'd not had bison before and thought it was great. I was feeling stuffed from sitting in a conference all day so had the bison chopped salad and it was just what I wanted. The Kid had salmon and loved it. The Husband had a bison cut and loved it too. We'd eat at a Ted's again if we come across one.
(4)Marivic L.
I've been to Ted's a bunch of times, mostly because I used to work near this location and now work near the Alexandria one. Anywho, I visited this location again this past Saturday since I had to go to the airport. The upside is that Ted's has enough of a variety of things to keep most people happy. I've tried their salad with salmon cooked on a cedar plank. Yup, my attempt to be healthy, and it was good. I really just wanted one of their burgers which are big and juicy and even tastier than the salad could ever hope to be. I've had so many kinds there, I can't remember them all. My all time fave is still the swiss and mushroom. Though basic, it really is surprisingly scrumptious. Their fries are good and so are their onion rings, but the star here are their burgers. I've also tried the bison burgers but, honestly, I like the fat, flavor, and juiciness of the beef. If you want a solid burger, served in a welcoming atmosphere with waiters/waitresses who are attentive, Ted's a good place to go. Now, if I would only have enough room for dessert, I'd try those too. MMM, cookies.
(3)SC O.
Lunch after shopping and always been "meh" about Teds menu. Nice surprise! One of the best classic cheeseburgers ever, the pickles to start were fab and our bartender was great! Late lunch w/ high marks. Minus feeling like a tourist in my own city. People, take your lanyard badges off when strolling.
(4)Lindsey O.
Excellent burgers, excellent bison nachos. We visited on a Saturday night, received prompt service, with an expert server. She was fully knowledgeable about the menu & never let our drinks become empty. I absolutely will be returning.
(4)Josh B.
I had the caesar salad with salmon last night for dinner. What an amazing fish. As someone new to the area, I can't wait to go back.
(4)Scot W.
Their bison burgers are awesome; I like mine medium rare with either the cheddar, bacon and bbq sauce or with blue cheese (and maybe bacon). If you get yours medium rare, or even medium, it is very juicy and can be tough to keep together, but it is still delicious. Their fries are very good and the brined pickles they put out on the table are excellent. (I don't like regular pickles, but these are great). The service is always friendly and professional, they keep your drinks full and make you feel welcome without being overbearing. The atmosphere is casual, although it is regularly visited by military-industrial complex suit n' tie types. (Causing global destruction can work up quite an appetite) The rotating soups are usually pretty good and the buffalo chili is quite excellent. There is nothing on the appetizer menu that is mindblowing, but the salads are fresh and tasty. None of the desserts stand out except for the cookies; they keep it pretty simple. I once had a bison steak there and was quite impressed, but I typically stick to the burgers. If you have the misfortune of spending an evening in crystal city, this is not a bad place to go.
(4)Mindy M.
I would give this place 4 stars if it was not for the fact that it is a chain (I have issues with chain restaurants). With that said, we were seated immediately even though it was still technically dinner hour - not having a long wait was refreshing. We weren't expecting to be seated that quickly and even had to take our nearly full beers that we ordered from the bartender to our table. I got "George's Cadillac Bison burger" (bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce) medium and it was AMAZING. Very moist and flavorful - I would get it again in a heartbeat. The fries that came with my burger were hot (I hate cold or tepid fries) and I actually ate all of them which I rarely do. My boyfriend got the Bison meatloaf and that was good as well though I must note that the mashed potatoes were disappointing (and dry) and the "Aunt Fannie's" squash casserole was also a little too dry and the squash was really over cooked. The dinner (w/o the 2 beers) was only $22 - can't beat that price! Next time though I think we'll order different sides with the entree. Also, the lighting was a little too low and I found the mirrors that they have at each booth a little odd (why not just turn up the lights a bit?!) Other than those 2 things (and the side dishes that came with the yummy meatloaf), I was really happy with the place. It was different, the bison actually tasted different than beef, and our service was fantastic. The guy was really attentive and didn't do the "disappearing act" that some reviewers have noted. Also, the beer they have on tap is good even if there is not a wide selection available. I had their house ale and it hit the spot. I also liked the fact that their straws are biodegradable/ earth friendly as are their table clothes and their to-go boxes. With so much waste these days, it was a nice change of pace from the norm. Lastly, the next day my boyfriend got a call from the restaurant. Apparently we left the cc there. Our waiter gave the card to the manager and they immediately worked on finding out how to contact him through the Amex Corp. Card number (that's how they got his #). What a sigh of relief that they not only found it, but took the extra time to track us down- now that's customer service for you.
(3)Daniel R.
Being from Hawaii this was someplace I probably would not find myself eating. I ate the bison and surprisingly it was very delicious. It was very savory and tender, I haven't had bison so I thought it'd taste a bit gamey or so but it didn't. One thing that I liked about here was that I left full, which is always a good ting.
(4)Tom C.
Always great service, friendly waiters/waitresses, fun food and atmosphere. Not highbrow, but I'm ok with that. I give 5 stars for always being solid in its category.
(5)Allison M.
Wow, I had a really great burger here. I ordered the Canyon Creek, which had "cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, fresh jalapeños, blackberry jam and a fried egg* "over-easy" and was so amazing. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)Joe I.
This has been the fifth or sixth time my wife and I have eaten here, as we live just down the street. Everytime we've come here, I have had no complaints and the food and service have been very good. But this time, we had such a great experience, I just felt compelled to write a review. It was all mainly due to our server, Chip. What a delightful person he is! My recommendation is to ask to be seated in Chip's section if you go in. He's just a great conversationalist, but very intuitive and knows when and when not to visit your table. He had some great recommendations on menu and bar items. All in all, it was one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long time. We had the bison nachos to start. It was just the right amount for two, and the chili they put on there is really good. It has a nice, slightly mild/sweet flavor that I really like. I had the bison meatloaf, and it came with a wonderful squash casserole and mashed potatos. My wife had the Big Sky grilled salad with freshly made honey-mustard dressing that was the best I've ever had. I had a Stella Artois and my wife had a Yuengling--both soooo good and cold. We were stuffed when we walked out.
(5)Mary S.
The waitress added herself a 20% tip amount without our consent. We'd almost add new tips because we thought those prices are only for food. We noticed only after she swiped and left us no way to find her again. This is a horrible and disgusting act to cheat. Any restaurant that encourages its waitresses to cheat on their customers should close and lose all its money.
(1)Kirk V.
One of the best burgers I have every had. They have quite a few different burgers on their menu and everyone in my dinner group loved the one they ordered. They have steaks on their menu, but the large selection of burgers seem to be their specialty. Very fancy interior but reasonable prices.
(5)Ryan T.
Food was decent but the service was horrid. Only a handful of customers, there were twice as many servers and yet somehow, no one could get any service. Maybe it was because they were too busy dancing by the bar.
(3)Valarie G.
Great food and good prices. The burgers were great and huge portions. I wasn't impressed with the service (took 15 minutes before we saw the waiter) and there were lots of screaming children (so there goes the atmosphere). Great for groups but not much more.
(3)Olive O.
I like this place for a casual dinner get-together. The food is good, the ambiance reasonable, and the service (usually, but not always) very good. The prices are also very good. I have a family member who loves this place, so we've frequented this place over the last couple of years. I like this place! I'll be going back.
(4)Rachel B.
The steaks and burgers are of course fantastic. The onion rings are huge (never ordered them though). The chopped salad is also perfect for a lunch splurge or light dinner.
(3)David L.
Pretty good bison burger. Service was mediocre. Will go again if I am ever in the area.
(3)Alisa M.
I give Ted's 4.5 stars. Ted's is always great for a bison burger or when you have a hankering for a home cooked meal. My recommendations are either a bison burger (excellent, they dont pack their burgers like most places, the meat is kept lose so it can breathe while it cooks - i think this makes it yummy and moist!), bar none sliders (excellent as well), or the beer can chicken which is what I had tonight. Phenomenal. I usually do not like chicken breast but this chicken is super moist. It comes with two sides pretty much of your choice since you can substitute the original offering. Atmosphere is quiet, quaint, homey. However you'd like to describe it. Looks like a saloon with dark woods and brown paper on the tables. Everything I've had here has been good. You can't really go wrong in my opinion. Food is always fresh. They have interesting straws, it's eco friendly either made out of straws or paper, i'm not sure. There is a kids menu as well. I think it's a great place for kids. Prices are not bad at all. Very reasonable. Go to Ted's! It's great!
(4)Will D.
I ate at Ted's Montana Grill in a group of 4. We all ordered bison, but prepared 4 different ways, all of which we enjoyed very much (5 stars). There was about a 20 minute wait for a table when we visited. Service was very friendly, but not always available (it seemed as though they were understaffed: 3 stars). Our server seemed aware that he wasn't at our table frequently enough (for drink refilling, etc.) and did try to make it up to us with a free desert to go (which was delicious). Since this experience, some of our original party have eaten at another Ted's location and had an excellent experience.
(4)Michael A.
My favorite bison burger anywhere
(5)K S.
The best thing about this place is probably that the wait is never as long as the hostess tells you it will be. I only come here for business lunches where I'm not paying. Yeah, you can get bison...but I'm not down with $12 (BEFORE tax and tip) burgers at a chain restaurant. And the fries aren't even that good. They have sweet tea and environmentally-friendly cardboard straws, that's a plus, but instead of a bread basket or other beer snack you get pickles. I hate pickles, but YMMV. Bottom line: does Ted Turner need any more of your money?
(2)Chris M.
I went there for the first time with some coworkers for lunch. I had never eaten bison before, so I gave it a try.... SO good. The prices are decent, and the food was well worth it. The service was good. Despite the place being packed during the lunch hour, we sat down (without reservations) in about 15 minutes I'll be back!
(4)Ian L.
When it comes to burgers, its hard to beat Ted's bison. The bison meat is more flavorful and more healthy then beef. They have a wide range of ways to top the burger, my favorite is the New Mexico. I always get medium rare and have found the burger to be cooked correctly. Their service is good and the wait staff is very attentive.
(4)P J.
Do yourself a favor and eat an Amazing bison burger.
(4)Pete D.
I was in the area for business about a year ago and stumbled upon this place. Ate here and came back the next day for the same one item. I was in the area again for business recently and clearly remembered that one item, came back again, bison burger. I'm a sucker for burgers and obviously, ground beef is your number one choice. But each time I come here, I just have to get the ground bison meat (I'll give in one of these days and get the cow). But anyway, I'm here for quick lunch, so I snatch up a vacant spot at the bar. Right away, the bartender scoops you a small bowl of their pickled cucumbers, good stuff here (ask for a refill if you devour them). They have a handful of burgers as far as the type of toppings you want, as well as cheeses. You'll probably be overwhelmed of which one to try. This time around, I had "name" (I can't recall) but it had swiss, guacamole and a green pepper chile. I asked for all this on the side, except for the cheese. The burger came out just as I ordered, medium and it was great. Full of flavor, tender, dripping juices which flowed off of the bun and also soaked into the bun. The taste of bison has a slight gamey taste to it, but it's nothing like lamb or goat. It's different, a stronger "beef" scent. Bison is lean, but their burgers are done well, as I've mentioned. Served with fresh cut potatoes, literally, because behind the bar, there's someone cutting them and frying them fresh. I ordered a side caesar salad too, nothing spectacular here, but not disappointing either. Service at the bar is good. There are usually two team members running around and taking care of you. For lunch time though, it gets pretty crowded, so go before the 12:00 PM rush or after the rush. I got there about 1:00 PM and the crowd was dying out, both the bar and restaurant area. The price for the bison burger meal starts at $11, depending what toppings you get. Lastly, I recommend this place for the bison burger. I honestly cannot rate anything else because I haven't had it. A solid 3-star and I will always make room and time if I'm in the area.
(3)Sonny B.
Hungry? Bison curious? In Crystal City and looking for a great burger? One word. Teds I go here at least twice a month for lunch, have had most of the burgers on the menu, and love the Green & Hot Bison burger. The best times to go are either at 11:00AM or 1:30PM. The service can still be slow during these times, but is much improved. Definitely a 45-minute lunch. Definitely not as cheap as McDonald's or as great value as Ray's Hell Burger, but the best bet in Crystal City for a decent burger. Fun Fact: The Bison/Buffalo head in the dining room is real!
(4)Judy C.
Bumped Ted's down to 3 stars. The food is just as good as before, but it's just too pricey. $16 for a burger and fries is a bit too much, even if it is bison...
(3)Mikkela T.
Looks like a steak house. Feels like a gentleman's club. But there is no cigar smoke and the only salty talk was me commenting on my hamburger, the buffalo sliders, the onion rings, and even the asparagus! But I like that they have cardboard straws (eco-friendly), they substitute any side at no extra cost, they have lots of booths, and they have a lunch menu for $13. But, too salty!
(3)Frank H.
Stream of consciousness Review - Good burger - bison sort of gimmicky but nothing special to me. - I went during lunch - the crowd is lively and a bit crowded. - My waiter was a little short with us; apparently asking for mustard is a sin. - $12 for a burger seemed like a lot. - Fries were good; kaiser bun reminded me of Wendy's. - I like Ray's HB.
(3)Marc B.
We discovered Ted's Montana Grill in Suburban Denver and decided to find one in the DC burbs (as usual the better restaurants are in NoVa).. The bison burgers and bison ribs (Saturday night only) are superb (if you like bison). Portion sizes are decent and the service was attentive and friend. I feel odd recommending and giving five stars to a restaurant owned by Ted Turner, since I am the "reddest" of all Republicans. Bottom line, if you like meat go to this restaurant!
(5)DeAngelo V.
Everything at this place is excellent! Bison Burger's are amazing. The Sunday Turkey dinner is exceptional as well. Parking in and around there can be a pain.
(5)Dee M.
Ted's is great because of its prime location. There really aren't many other choices besides Ruby Tuesdays. The food was just okay. I tried the bison burger for the first time and it's definitely not my cup of tea. The service was good, but there are better choices in nearby Oldtown Alexandria.
(2)Brittany G.
Bison! More places should serve bison. Healthy and yummy and good times. Ted's does a solid burger, good free pickles and yeasty rolls, and I've always had great service. I'd give them more stars if they improved their drinks -- they have a pretty respectable wine list, but both times I've gotten wine there have been problems (corked bottles in one and chunks of cork the other, bad form). I have also been thoroughly underwhelmed by their bartenders, who mix weak drinks poorly. I'd stay away from the alcohol here, but it's a great place for a burger.
(3)John O.
All of my stars are for the bison meals and service. I love the bison burgers and chili, and the service is usually very good. I hate that they pour weak ass mixed drinks, and how much said drinks cost.
(4)Mich S.
Great for lunch and Happy Hour! Highly recommend the Cranberry Glazed Roasted Chicken.
(5)Kyle U.
One of the best burgers I have ever tasted! Although a few dollars more expensive than the original burger, make sure you get your burger made with Bison - amazing. Good unique selection of burgers (mine had an egg, bacon, and a blackberry jam sauce that was to die for). All of my friends got different burgers and we loved them all. Price is a bit steep at $18 for a bison burger (hence the 4 stars), but if you're looking for a high quality burger and a great establishment... go no further.
(4)Craig H.
Fun. Great burgers!
(4)Len P.
Take the 5 star rating with a small grain of salt, as Ted's is a chain... but this is certainly the best Ted's location I've eaten at and Ted's is probably my favorite chain restaurant. Why is this? Well, to start this Ted's is a place that's flanked by Ruth's Chris, Morton's and McCormicks, all of which I've eaten at several times, and somehow manages to come out on top on both quality of food and price. The sliders are incredible, the bison chili is suburb and the burgers are everything you could hope for. Most Ted's rate a 3-4 star rating but this location consistently outperforms on every dish I've ordered. The Fish & Chips is almost as good as Old Ebbitt's even.
(5)Lauren M.
Outstanding. Ted you really know how to cook a burger. I love meat!!
(5)Ryan C.
The burgers are far better than good especially if you go the bison route. The drink pricing is not the best but that is to be expected as the food is the focus here. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this establishment for a fun but casual night out with friends or your lady.
(4)Jive T.
The buffalo burgers are my favorite with a good old fashioned milk shake. The cocktails are well made and strong. The outdoor dining is fun and pleasant and CLEAN! The best part is the interior decor--the bathrooms have a 1930's/1940's theme. It is conveniently located near the metro and the Crystal City walk/park area.
(5)Stephanie P.
What do you do when you've been up since before dawn and spent your whole day flying across the country? Why, you stagger off the plane, grab your bag, and head straight for the nearest patty of sizzling buffalo meat, that's what! Or at least that's how I got my first taste of Ted's Montana Grill. I wasn't sure if my friend was joking when she told me the place was owned by Ted Turner, who also provided the meat from his ranches, but apparently she was telling the truth. All I know is that stretching out my legs and sucking down a cherry lemonade was sweet, sweet post-flight relief. I went with the classic cheeseburger, but there are lots of different variations on the buffalo burger theme, from the S.O.B. (Swiss cheese, grilled onions & bacon) to the disgusting-sounding Kitchen Sink (grilled ham, mushrooms, onions, fried egg, bacon & choice of cheese). My friend had the bison meatloaf, which she proclaimed to be just right, especially the garlic mashed potatoes. The service was fine, and our waiter was excessively friendly, although he had this unbelievable Italian accent that I could barely understand (and also suspected might be a joke). We couldn't even finish our dinners and therefore couldn't even consider dessert, but I do wish I had stopped at the gift shop on the way out and gotten one of the $2 buffalo keychains, which really were awfully cute. tedsmontanagrill.com/sto… I really like buffalo meat, although I prefer it in fajita form - not that there's anything wrong with Ted's burgers, I'm just not a huge fan of hamburgers in general. But for a jet-lagged stomach that had been surviving on soda and roasted peanuts all day, a huge slab of meat was exactly what the doctor ordered. I suspect it would also be excellent hangover food, although, naturally, I wouldn't know anything about that myself...
(3)George P.
This place has great food. The atmosphere is fun, the staff is friendly and there's parking on the street.
(3)Peter T.
Found the place using the app while we were staying nearby. Easy walk from lots of hotels. Fun and large menu with something for everyone, even my somewhat picky kids. We all had good meals and drinks. Service was friendly and prompt. Comfortable table and seating. Prices weren't cheap, just on the edge of high for a family meal, but fair for a vacation.
(5)John G.
Thanks to a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver, we had a great dinner here. While it is a atmosphere where you would think to order the steaks, this place is all about the burgers. We ordered four burgers and a side do fries and rings. The girls also split a milkshake. The burgers can be made with beef or bison. Pay the extra dollar and get the bison. It is sweeter and more tender. Only four stars because it is pricey for a burger and our waitress was slow on refilling our waters each time but the food was 5 star!
(4)Paul H.
I moved here about 2 months ago and I can easily say this is the best burger I've had. A lot of the other reviews said the service was bad but my personal experience was great. It was my friend and I and we both got different burgers and loved them both. The onion rings were the best I've ever had and I recommend them as an appetizer. I will definitely be returning. It is about 20$ for an appetizer and burger so it's by no means cheap but it is worth it.
(4)Ison Z.
Loved the bison ribeye! Service was excellent. Would come back anytime.
(5)Trisha H.
I have eaten here twice, and both have been great experiences. They bring you cucumbers instead of bread, which I like because I love cucumbers. The first time I decided to be adventurous and I went with their bison burger that has jalapenos and blackberry jam, and it was DELICIOUS! The second time I went with three other friends and it was still awesome. Everyone enjoyed their burger, and was happy with the ambiance and service. If you are craving a delicious burger, definitely check this place out.
(4)Katie H.
Glad we decided to check this place out. Our waiter (Chip) was super friendly and helpful with touring through the menu! He recommended the Avalon bison burger with housemade onion rings and it was on point. My sister got the bison rib-eye and loved it as well. For dessert we shared the apple crisp and it was delish! Overall it was a good experience I'd definitely come back!
(5)Danielle L.
VERY DISAPPOINTED! I had heard great things and was excited to try this for the first time- I even brought out of town vistors with me. NOT WORTH IT. Service was terrible! Our server barely spoke to us, ignored our table for LONG periods of time (we had to flag him down to ask questions about menu, order our meals, ask for referrals, AND to ask for check!!), plus he would just disappear for long periods of time. He had zero personality and mumbled when he was at our table. Strike one against the restaurant. We ordered the bison nachos and they ended up being the best thing of the night. Tortilla chips with ground seasoned bison, sourcream, cheese, and some halepenos. I ordered the smoked cedar plank salmon which came with mashed potatos, and green beans. Green beans were ice cold and had to be sent back- when the hot ones arrived I seasoned with salt and pepper and they ended up being best part of my meal...however, I can do that at home and dont need to be paying $17! The salmon lacked flavor and was luke warm- it was only salvagabe by being eaten with the horse radish sauce they provided. Mashed pot also lacked flavor and were luke warm. If this were like a $12 dinner I would have been more ok with having such a lackluster meal but not for $17. My group also ordered the bison pot roast, bison meatloaf, and a beef ribeye. All were "okay" lacking flavor and freshness. Not worth the money. Won't be back.
(2)Mandy M.
great food, great staff! We went to Ted's for dinner tonight and had a great meal- Caesar salad and bison steak. Adrian was our server and he was awesome. Super professional and took good care of us, constantly checking to make sure we were doing fine. Highly recommend the restaurant and esp if you can sit in Adrian's section!
(5)Esther H.
One of my absolute favorite places in DC. I ordered the strip bison steak, which was amazing and cooked perfectly, but, more than that, I was surprised by how great everything was. Even the Caesar dressing is spicy and fresh and wonderful! VERY happy, and not just because of the wonderful Muscato!
(5)Wanting M.
Good stop to go if you are craving burgers (which I was when I went). Good selection of burgers and I've never actually seen bison served anywhere else yet so that was interesting to try. My server was very attentive and I did like the atmosphere of the restaurant-- very casual yet polished. The burgers are generally $13 for beef and $16 for bison, so slightly pricey for what I would consider paying for burgers. But I would definitely go back again on days when those burger cravings hit!
(4)Jennifer D.
Huge fan off bison who will have to find it elsewhere. Service was super slow, waiter forgot to place wine order, waiter didn't bring ketchup or butter despite the fact that we had French fries, rolls, and potatoes, silverware was noticeably dirty. Food was decent but definitely didn't make up for the service issues. Paid $50 for lunch for two, not worth it.
(2)Blair L.
We waited 10 minutes after being seated and were never waited on. No less than 4 members of the wait staff walked by as we obviously looked for some assistance in hopes that one would stop by, but they all avoided our gaze. As we left, we informed the hostess of what happened and not even an apology was murmured as we walked out the door. We were so looking forward to some bison steaks too... So disappointed.
(1)Lamia A.
Best burgers!!! I'm not a meat lover but I LOVE their fork and knife burger mmmm. Good atmosphere and overall service. Food is the best!!
(5)Discerning T.
Everyone in our party of six raved about their food - excellent! Service was good. After reading some other reviews, I wondered if it was because our Saturday lunch is slow. Good service, excellent food - burgers, salads, fresh-brewed tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade - fantastic!
(4)Branden G.
Absolutely a must in my opinion. I've been here for years and can't believe I am only discovering Ted's, the burgers are incredible and I highly recommend the bison. Service was great, too!
(5)Shell S.
Overpriced burgers. The food was ok, not great. Service was ok. Wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)Amie P.
This place was awful. Sweetest waitress, adorable and I felt bad for her because our food was so bad. I ordered the bison sliders, grilled asparagus and sweet potato. The sliders were dry and over cooked, they were screaming for fresher bread, lettuce and tomato. The asparagus wasn't grilled at all, it was steamed. We also didn't Ike the paper drinking straws....weird. Won't go back...what a shame.
(1)Nils S.
Excellent service, but the food was not my style (bison burger). A bit overpriced, but I assume that was due to the rarity of the product. I will not return, only because bison was not worth the price I paid.
(3)Bob B.
Started with a 5 minute wait at the hostess stand with no acknowledgement from anyone. Hostess finally came over said how many, grabbed the menus and walked away. We followed only because we thought that was the thing to do. She threw the menus on the table, said here and walked away. That's when my patience went out the window. I asked her to come back and asked if she was having a bad day and she answered "yes, as a matter of fact I am." Wow! I then gave her my speech about no matter how bad her day is she should never take it out on the customer because at the end of the day, it's the customers who keep your doors open. She gave me a dirtly look and at that point I asked to see the manager. He did apologize but you could tell that he wasn't going to do anything about it. We continued to get dirty looks all night from the hostess and I understood why she was upset; she was doing all of the table bussing. The service was painfully slow and our server lacked a shred of personality. The food was decent but as a resident of Crystal City, I wouldn't go back with this type of service. I had a similar miserable experience at Kora the night before and I'm getting tired of bad service being the norm. Had dinner at Bar Louie on Thursday and it was great. Food was okay, what we expected, but the server was lively, helfpul and made our experience.
(2)Ken E.
Why this place was SRO last night is beyond me. The only pro is its ideal location in Crystal City. The cons include service personnel more suitable for a fast food restaurant, lousy, tasteless food and a sub par wine/beer menu. If you like the food, go to Applebees, eat the blue plate special and save yourself time and lots of $$. You deserve better.
(1)Amanda E.
Food was great! Had the Bison Filet and it just melted in my mouth. Service was even better. Alex was fantastic! Definitely will go back.
(5)Bryan B.
Very good food, outstanding Buffalo ribeye... Service needs a little work to see a five star
(4)Tatyana M.
The first and we think the last time here. a) at 4pm the hostess having 90% of the tables vacant placed us at the very unappealing boot facing women restroom door and service station right behind it. b) ordered wedge salad, chicken and Delmonico bison entrees. Salad was OK, Chicken was mediocre but still eatable, Bison was raw instead of medium rare and so salty that after 2 bites we stooped eating it. c) Service was kind of "nice", but didn't care even to take back dirty dishes till the very end of the dining. d) For that quality of experience the value is very poor. No return for us.
(1)Cat W.
The food is good - love the onion rings, the Big Sky Grilled Salad, and the strawberry lemonade. Service is always good, but can be a little slow every now and then when it's really busy. Take out service is great. They pack the food really well, keeping things separate so nothing gets soggy.
(4)Ken C.
Bison Burgers with Kitchen Sink option. Knock you out and fill you up : ) Free parking is another good deal after 4pm.... So, you can't beat that at VA area. Plus not far from Pentagon city which you can head over there for bars. If not, then take the metro or drive to GT is not that far away...
(3)Alan L.
We held an office luncheon at Ted Montana Grill today with 20 people in attendance. As to be expected the food was excellent! Everyone in the group ordered something different, from bison burgers to bison meatloaf to bison steak. In each case, the meal was prepared with care and flair. Not a single bad experience in the entire group. My bison meatloaf was delicious, and I especially loved the tangy sauce on top. Substitutions to the order? Not a problem, every change was made with ease and a smile. Our waitress, Veronika, took extremely good care of us--refilling drinks before we asked, bringing the food out quickly, and best of all delivering individual checks to each diner without us having to even ask. My only disappointment is that in such a good restaurant, they seem woefully ill-prepared for a large group in an area where such groups visit regularly. Our group was seated at 3 separate tables of 6-7 diners, and when it came time for achievement acknowledgement and gift giving, there was no easy way to arrange the group. Speakers had to shout to be heard, which I'm sure was as annoying to other patrons as it was to us. Would love to see them develop some table arrangements for larger groups in te rear of the restaurant to facilitate these types of luncheons! But beyond that, you can't go wrong for your meal or price!
(3)Adam R.
Ted's is awesome! Try the bison, it's half the fat, and tastes good too. Please remember to substitue the fries for onion rings....you wont be disappointed unless you are trying to lose weight, then you will be very disappointed....but why are you eating a Ted's if you're trying to lose weight, HUH?
(4)Kim S.
went with some friends who simply LOVE this place and I understand why. we crept in at 11pm on the dot (closing time) and they still served us w/o rushing us out - how cool is that? they even put our ColdStone IceCream in the freezer for us (coldstone is next door). this was my first time trying bison and it was marvelous, simply marvelous - the onion rings rings were huge and the fries were five guyish but good. I was only able to eat 1/2 of my burger but it was lovely (bacon & fried onions). my 17 y/o enjoyed his bison burger as well. Looking forward to going back.
(4)Gayle G.
This place loses a star just for being part of Ted Turner's "empire." No, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. A few months ago, my father in law came into town for a conference and was staying at the Marriott Crystal City so we needed to come up with a place for the three of us to go to dinner. Hubby is all about Buffalo meat, and we had already been to the other restaurants on this strip, so Ted's it was. I ordered the tenderloin strip of bison and hubby got the rib eye. I think my father in law ordered a bison burger. The service was slow, and our waiter disappeared for chunks of time without any warning. The steaks were less than impressive, but the squash casserole that I got with mine was really good. Other than that, if I go back..it will just be for drinks. For the price of the meal Jaleo or Bebo does much better.
(3)Jackie M.
Ahhh....another awkward group luncheon with co-workers. This time it was because someone from our team was leaving. Ted's was a new venue for the work-group lunch, so at the very least, props to my co-worker for mixing it up and suggesting somewhere-not-where-we-always-go. Why awkward you might ask? Well, because I'm the youngest person in my group by about 20 years and I'm also the only girl (almost). The table conversation consists of talk about cardiologists, high blood pressure, adult children (ie: kids who are my age), and then jokes about how I'm young and don't have to worry about these things ... yet. Too many lunches like this and it makes you want to run screaming from the restaurant and sprint to Georgetown so you can dive head first into the first college infested bar you come across. If I had a collar, I would pop it like it was 2004 and not think twice, just please, no more talk of bad knees, heart medication, or collecting social security next year. But I digress, I'm here to talk about Ted's ... First of all, I'm sure our waiter cringed in fear and loathing as we sat down and answered 'yes' to his question of separate checks. Sorry. Secondly, props to him for never letting me see the bottom of my Diet Coke glass and remembering a fresh lemon every time. Although, he spoke so softly that I thought about offering him a tin can on a string so we could communicate across the table, but I didn't have one in my purse that day so I was left to say, 'What?' and 'Pardon?' After he asked me various questions about my order. I ordered a cup of Ted's signature bison chili, and the salad (it is a Cobb salad with your choice of salmon, shrimp, bison, or beef) with grilled salmon and basil vinaigrette dressing, which actually came out creamier than I would have liked. I was disappointed that Ted's did not offer a simple balsamic vinaigrette for those of us who are trying to avoid conversations about clogged arteries and cardiologists, but oh well. All that aside, the dressing was tasty and the salmon was cooked just enough to not be over or under done. The salad itself consisted of lettuce, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, and avocado (although mine came devoid of avocado, which made me sad). Unfortunately, my cup of chili was forgotten. However, it was not forgotten when I received my separate check. I didn't want to make a big stink during the meal when I realized that my chili would never appear in front of me, because managing a table of 15 people was enough work for one soft spoken man who seemed easily flustered. But, not one to pay for food I didn't eat, I had the waiter take it off the bill before I handed over any cash. When he came back with my corrected bill, he also handed me a chocolate chip cookie as a consolation for the mistake. Hooray! I felt like a little kid getting a lollipop after a haircut. That cookie was damn good. I also want to point out that I love the pickles here. They set them out on your table when you sit down and they remind me of pickles I used to eat when I was a kid, growing up in New York City - not overly vinegary, slightly salty, and crisp. The portions of food are large and you get good value for your dollar. The drink straws are made from recycled paper, which seems a bit odd, but it works. You worry that it might disintegrate in your mouth like those trick birthday candles that can't be blown out, but it doesn't. It performs its straw duty to an appropriate level of satisfaction.
(4)Paul W.
At one point, this place may have offered the area's best burger. It was the only reason I'd go at least. Enter Five Guys, Hellburger, and Burger Joint. For me this place has become standby in case there's absolutely nowhere else to go in Ballston.
(2)Peta B.
I'd say "A-OK" describes it well, it's got solid food and the ambiance is really quite nice. You are seated in booths that have three wooden walls (love the privacy and intimacy this provides) and your food is served on a leather table cloth. The ceiling features lovely beveling and detail and the Montana-Rocky Mountain theme is tastefully done. The food is quite good, my husband was satisfied with his bison pot roast, the mashed potatoes were flavor-packed and vegetarians should be able to find something on the menu, at least I didn't have trouble. I would recommend this for a solid meal if you're in the Crystal City-Pentagon area.
(3)Jenna M.
No good. The restaurant was empty and we still had to wait for them to clean a table. The bartender walked us around, saw that there were no tables, brought us back to the front and made us wait while they cleaned a table. We sat down and no one came to our table for more than 10 minutes. I ordered a Corona and when I asked for a lime the waitress went to the bar (directly next to our booth) picked the lime up with her hands and HANDED it to me! No napkin or anything!! GROSS. Then we asked her how the Peppercorn burger was and she said "the cheese on it is like really stinky so I don't know." And then we asked her what their special "Z-Sauce was." She replied, "It's like mayonnaise and something else, I don't know." WHAT?! She didn't even say, "let me go ask" or anything. Then she forgot to bring our sodas.... the food was edible but no better than a typical American chain restaurant... The service was absolutely terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Sean D.
Bison ribeye was excellent! Paired with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Wait staff was attentive and extremely courteous. I'd eat here again.
(4)Chris C.
Food - The Burgers are pretty good, but a tad pricey, and they have some other finger foods which are pretty good. Service - Good service everytime i've gone, even at the bar. Restaurant - Very fancy for a burger joint and in a nice location (crystal drive and 23rd street)
(4)A. F.
I haven't found bison burgers since my trip to Yellowstone several years ago, so I was happy to find it here. It was pretty good. Bison is good because its leaner than beef. I really liked it here. I also like that this restaurant is a "go green" restaurant - everything from biodegradable straws to powdered soap (which I guess is better for the environment) in the restrooms. Your standard American fare here but with bison burgers and it is oh so good :)
(3)Rachel W.
Ok, first, let's get over this .... it's a chain. Like Panera Bread, it's a chain I know and love without going down the shame spiral. Look, I went in here a half hour before closing, ordered a buffalo blue burger and a bourbon. Instead of being annoying the server commended me on my choice and carried on a coversation regarding the choice of Ted Turner's artwork in restaurants. That's customer service people. As for the food...the bison burgers are awesome and never dry. It's just consistently meaty goodness.
(4)s g.
Horrible service! We stopped in tonight in hopes of having a casual dinner out with our 2.5 year old and our 1 year old. A server sat my wife and I at a booth with our children without saying a word to us and walked off without offering highchairs or booster seats. When our server finally came over, with me still standing at the table holding my 1 year old son, my wife asked about both. She said we couldn't have a high chair at a booth as servers had to walk by to serve food to other tables, of which there literally were none around us. (There were only two other tables of customers, and one was across the room and one wouldn't need to walk by our table to serve them, and the other was also across the room and behind our table and again, a server would not have had to walk by our table to serve them). I would have completely understood had the restaurant been busy, but it wasn't so a high chair at the booth wouldn't have been a safety issue today. We didn't mind moving though so we happily agreed to go sit at a table in the middle of the restaurant, however when my wife asked if they had booster seats for our 2.5 year old, she said we couldn't have a booster seat at a table, only in a booth! So, we literally couldn't eat at any of the tables in their restaurant with our family, unless one of us wanted to sit at the booth with our daughter in a booster, and the other one of us wanted to sit at the table with our son in a highchair. She offered to go ask a manager if she could give us a high chair at the booth, but at this point we'd already had enough and left. This restaurant really isn't kid friendly, so I wouldn't waste my time going there if you have little ones.
(1)Rebecca J.
I give Ted's two stars - one for the food, one for the service. Honestly, I would give the service nearly four stars, but I don't want that to sway the overall rating. I was perplexed by the free appetizer of pickled cucumbers. While not terrible, it was clear they were experiencing an identity crisis - "am I pickle or am I a cucumber." I think a better idea would be to fry pickle slices and serve them with a complimentary cream sauce/dip. I don't expect to eat healthy at a steakhouse, so don't confuse me with cucumbers as an appetizer. Then comes the ceasar salads. All heart, no leaf. Thankfully, the server was intuitive enough to gather we didn't enjoy them and comped them from our ticket. Additionally, she offered us free dessert. I'll get to the dessert in a minute. Here comes the beef, or was it bison? I'm not sure. I ordered a medium "Avalon" beef burger, which came out well done and gamey tasting. You be the judge. The fries were somewhat redeeming of the mediocre entree. My bf's pot roast looked like a picture of pot roast but not actual edible pot roast as indicated by the gelatin gravy hiding the pulled beef. And now for the free dessert. They were out of chocolate chip cookies (perhaps they're the only good thing on the menu), so we got the fudge brownie. Let's just say, Little Debbie's are a more reliable source for a sugar craving. I'm not discounting the good experiences other reviewers supposedly had, but our trip was less than impressive. Our server, Nina, did take really good care of us, which is why the taste in our mouths is not so bitter. However, we won't be back.
(2)K B.
Great yeast rolls. Fish was tasty too. The grilled asparagus was soggy; that was really disappointing.
(3)Philip C.
Great ambience and friendly staff. I enjoyed the bison meatloaf and the dirty martini. Excellent wedge Cobb salad with crispy fresh iceberg lettuce.
(4)Lyd K.
Buffalo meatloaf is awesome. Nice setting + good service. Go for it!
(4)Kelly K.
July 2008-I was asked why I would order a fish sandwich at a meat place like this. Well, I had two badly cooked beef meals prior to this vist at the Sterling location of Ted's Montana Grill. The last time my steak was practically swimming in a sea of butter...gross! When I tried this other location in Crystal City someone at the bar was eating the fish sandwich...so I figured I would try it...and now I know that they are bad at cooking the fish sandwich too. Hey, I wasn't expecting it to be great...but I did expect it better than a fish fillet at a fast food restaurant...and it was not!
(2)Becky F.
I suppose I should have tried the Bison Burger or Something made out of Buffalo.... Perhaps that is why I did not find this place to be particularly memorable. It seemed to me to have pretty average food, prices, etc... Nothing stands out, but if you are looking for something simple while staying in the area, not a bad option.
(2)Peter T.
A more upscale chain restaurant with a western plains theme. You know the drill. Cowboy kitsch on the walls and lots of meat on the menu. Good burgers. Mediocre side dishes.
(3)Scott J.
Great bison steak! I ate here this weekend since its close walking distance to the hotel and Ruth Chris was closed. Service was good and food tasty at less cost than Mortons or Ruths Chris. Quality is above Outback and just less than the expensive places. I liked the bison steak as its healthier than beef and unique taste.
(3)Aaron E.
Do it. I loved the bison burgers, onion rings, and beer. You likely will be stuffed after eating here. The apple crisp dessert portion is also massive; enough to feed four. Not a fancy place, but it has a nice ambiance (nicer than Outback and Fudruckers). Also, checkout the biodegradable corn based straws. Nice environmentally friendly touch.
(3)Mickey A.
Sliders rocked with roasted asparagus, great service.
(4)Rachel T.
Bison burgers are the best. I have found no one ...yet who can compare to Ted's. Maybe it's the burger oat bun combo, maybe its the fact that whether the burger is naked, or covered in avocado or with plane old ketchup it's great every time. There are often waits, service is good but slow so this is the grade for the burger not the whole experience or even the whole menu-since the burger is why I come I never stray from that page of the menu. They keep your drinks full but don't get addicted to the lemonade in the summer since the refills are not free. Some reviewers say to get the bison medium rare-I would go well done it really tastes great. Their cookies are pretty good and so are starter salads and fries that come with the burger.
(5)Wallace V.
Good service. Really friendly. Burgers are pretty standards, meat was a little dry(I had the bison). Buddy had the bison meatloaf and said it was awesome. Just a side note you can add vanilla or cherry flavoring to your coke if you want. Hard to find places that still do that.
(4)Nicole F.
Just noticed that nobody commented on the chicken sandwich, which is what I had when I went. It was not good (overcooked & dry). Plus, it was overpriced. The restaurant was packed at lunch and I didn't understand what all the hub-bub was about. Can't remember what my husband ordered but he said it was unremarkable and we both agreed there are lots better choices in the area - especially with the mediocre service and long wait at lunch.
(2)Jamie M.
This place is fairly average unless you're just craving some bison meat. I've tried their eggless Caesar salad and burgers and they're both just okay. Their burgers are really crumbly (probably means they're better quality) so be prepared for a mess. I usually end up eating mine with a fork. The bartenders and servers are all really friendly - this is the only place where we've had them initiate conversation with us.
(3)Evan T.
I had never heard if this chain but it really hit the spot. God bless Ted Turner and his bison filet! If bison steak is actually leaner and tastes as delicious as it did then I see no reason to continue raising cattle.
(4)Terry S.
The food at this chain never ceases to amaze. I'm particularly fond of the ribeye (either beef or bison!) and the bacon cheeseburger. Great stuff!
(5)Nuj M.
I go for dinner, happy hour, dessert! Their sangria is so delicious, bartenders are friendly, food is always good, and I love the cucumbers they give you.
(5)Rachel S.
Since I am from Montana, I get asked if I have been to Ted's Montana Grill all the time. I finally decided to try it out while my parents were visiting and staying in Crystal City. Not while it matters, but I really wish Ted could have kept the name "Montana" out of his restaurant. There is nothing Montana about this place at all. Anyways, the food was fine, but not anything I would ever crave again. I have had better steaks elsewhere. It was incredibly obvious that the food had been sitting out under a heat lamp for several minutes, which really disgusts me. The onion rings were bland. The garlic mashed potatoes were good, but again I wish they had been piping hot! My rib eye steak was tasty, and they seem to follow cooking specifications well. My steak was a perfect medium rare, but again, luke warm. Our server was pleasant, but as others have mentioned, I had to struggle to understand her heavy accent. I hate making an issue about someones accent, but it was very difficult to order from our server. Plus, for some reason the dining room is incredibly LOUD. I could barely hear my mother across the table, so my server was impossible to hear over the din! The prices were reasonable, but I think that there are better places to spend your money. Unless you are really into bison, this place can be avoided.
(2)Lisa R.
very good eatery with wonderful meats, definitely not for the vegetarian! lol I didn't get the chance to try the bison meat (i wanted to get it, but it was too expensive to justify at the time), but i still ate a yummy steak there and loved loved loved the desert. WOW, YUM!!! I don't remember the name, the strawberry ice cream hot biscuit so yum yum! I like the idea of the paper straws for the environmental stuff, but they tasted simply bizarre, it tasted like a paper straw. not something i'd prefer. we got stuck at a table, i really wish there were more booths! i'm not a huge fan of sitting at a table in the middle of a large room. place is dark, pretty relaxed, not pretentious at all, and good for a dinner date. I'll have to check out the place for lunch! salad was great, as was the tomato :-)
(4)Kathleen M.
I'm from Atlanta, so I'm sure that indirectly I owe Ted Turner my life or something. He did a hell of a job with the Braves, so I've got to love him for that. Know what else I love him for? His support of sustainable agriculture! Woo! For those who don't know, bison is an incredibly environmentally friendly piece of meat. Bison, unlike domesticated cows, are natural species along the Great Plains and do not cause the kind of destruction that cows have done. For one pound of beef you need to feed it 20 pounds of grain (hence why American agriculture has become a monoculture system, completely lacking of any biological diversity), whereas a bison can live on the natural grasses that grow in the areas. Also, bison are raised free-range, which we all know is a happy thing. Even if you don't give a rats ass about the environment, bison is the better choice because it is much leaner than beef. Ok, now that I've gotten my love for bison out of the way, on to the review of the restaurant itself. I used to live in Crystal City and my roommate and I would come here often for some good, juicy burgers. I don't think it's any pricier than other nice burger joints and I appreciate the fresh, diverse ingredients. I've always had great service. One night, my roommate and I were disgustingly starving and our waiter was great about bringing out the food really quickly and refilling our drinks as soon as they ran out. I've never had anything but burgers and salads here. Skip the fries and get the creamed spinach! It's to diiiiiiie for.
(4)Chris R.
Best bison burgers ever. Great place for lunch and a beer.
(4)Brent M.
This is a tough review to write. The food was pretty damn good when I went here. I had a buffalo burger with mushrooms, cheese, barbeque sauce, etc. The quantity and quality of the food I thought was pretty good, and they had a decent wine selection. The atmosphere is nice, and it's in a busy section of Arlington within walking distance of a bunch of places. The negatives were pretty strong. Because of the location and time of day, I had to park a bit far away in the parking garage of the mall next door. That was a pain in the neck. The big loss of points here was in the service. I was discussing this with my friends, and I understand that unemployment in this part of Virginia is very low right now, but seriously, at least hire a waiter who can speak English. In addition to having trouble communicating, he was not very attentive and was unable to answer any questions we had about the menu or food. This really detracted from my experience. I don't know if I would go back here - there are too many other options in the area that just seem like better picks.
(3)Ken G.
The meal started off great with the cucumbers in place of bread. I ordered the COB Bison burger and it was pretty good. I got the onion rings on the advice of previous yelp review, however of the entire meal I would skip the onion rings. Not a winner
(4)Rebecca O.
I wasn't sure what to expect, being born and raised in ND, I feel like me and Montana have something in common. Buffalo. So anyway, I felt at home, but still to 'chicken' to eat the bison, never been a big fan of it. We got cows in ND and Montana too, so I'll eat beef. That said, the burgers were juicy and delicious! My husband had some kinda chicken which was also delicious and the kids were given wiki-sticks to play with, which kept them busy for 1 1/2 days, thank you very much :)
(4)Kim G.
I walked in thinking it was gonna be a great place, because of it's location and the leather booths and all the old men with ties. But then I saw the red and white checkered napkins and thought to myself "huh? something's off." Had to go with a bison burger, but nothin looked that appetizing on the menu so I made one up: avocado and mushroom...yum. Ordered a cherry lemonade and the refills kept coming, even before I was done with my drink, so I felt pressured to pawn it off to someone else or wet my pants later in the day. I chose the former. It was too pricey. Especially for me when I can do with a burger that's 10 bucks cheaper (IN-N-OUT hells yes)!
(3)Dave S.
This place is great. The baked potato soup is one of my favorite items on the menu. Service is always good.
(4)Will Y.
Walking by Ted's I always assumed it was a rather upscale place. I was surprised to discover that its very reasonably priced. I went for a quick dinner and almost picked the $16 three course option but decided that I simply had to have a bison burger. I chose one with swiss cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce and I can say that it was an excellent decision. I feel like this would be a great lunch spot for people who work in Crystal City.
(4)Gigi A.
Best onion rings ever made. I'm actually writing this because I'm craving some, unfortunately the nearest Ted's is 2 hours away from here. Really great burgers, great chilled out place. Haven't tried the bison, but the beef was great.
(4)Joe S.
Nothing crazy about the interior of the place, but the Bison burger was out of this world. I got the guacamole burger and was blown away. It was grilled to perfection. I am not a huge fan of chains, but this was really nice.
(4)Jalyn H.
Am I committing blasphemy with this review? Ted's is a place that is raved about over and over again, and repeatedly fails to live up to the lofty expectations. Each time I go (I believe I've been there around 6 times, in Atlanta and in DC), I am faced with the same issues. Granted you get an ample amount of food, but it is way overpriced for what you get. Afterwards you feel so full that you can't eat for the rest of the day (maybe that's a personal problem). The service is consistently awful. Maybe it's a Ted's company policy that the server must be one or more of the following: tortoise slow, forgetful, or just plain unable to comprehend the difficult process of taking orders and computing checks. And this happens every single time! Another common occurrence is undercooked food. No matter if I order the bison burger or just a chicken salad, the meat is partially raw. Hello? Lose the heat lamps, people! Not that I wouldn't recommend the bison burger. More times than not it is really tasty, and a lot messy. The salads are passable and the aforementioned burgers are a safe bet. The pickle appetizers are a nice touch and the onion rings are also yummy. But don't eat too many otherwise you'll hate yourself later. Kudos to Ted's for keeping a clean establishment. Also a gold star for the powdered soap in the restroom. Ah, takes me back to 2nd grade.....
(2)Bill H.
Two words: food poisoning. My wife and I have been there several times, and really enjoyed it, but the last time we went I got food poisoning from the bison burger. I threw up for three days straight, and nearly a week later my stomach still can't handle a full meal. It may have been a one time error, but I will certainly not be taking that chance again.
(1)TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Had a beef burger. It was supposed to be medium well. It was well. The meat was not held together. It kept the spaghetti shape of the processor. I ate a quarter of my burger. Onion rings to salty. Drinks 10 each. Really good lemonade. But Lemonade is not worth $66 (cost of nasty dinner for two). Please close this place so something better may come
(1)Jon J.
This restaurant is tasty enough that on two separate business trips to the area, I've eaten at it twice in the same week. The steak, whether you get bison or beef, is excellent - always well cooked and a very flavorful cut. The burgers, however, are out of this world. They've got a wide variety of them on the menu and will make one with just about anything that you can imagine (case in point, the "Kitchen Sink", which has ham, egg, bacon, onions, and mushrooms - all on top of a burger). They also have a good selection of side dishes and a staff of friendly servers. There is a Ted's near my office back home, but I never go there because it is more of a business-trip place for me. I can't see myself coming here more often than a few times a year, as the mostly American classics menu would get a little boring. But those few times I'm here - I love it!
(4)Kadian F.
The prices are great. The buffalo meatloaf is pretty good and the buffalo burger is great and less guilty than a beef burger.
(4)James B.
The first time I came here I was a bit nervous about trying buffalo. To my surprise, it is delicious! This Ted's has wonderful service and the food is always great. Be sure to make reservations though because it can get very busy, especially during tourist seasons. Since my first time going, I tried buffalo burgers, steaks, meatloaf and pot roast which are all scrumptious! They have a very good selection of burgers, both beef and buffalo, that are unique to Ted's.
(5)Jon L.
This is bar none the best value - er "bang-for-the-buck" dining experience I have had in some time. The service was wonderful, as was my Bison Burger with fries. Loved the bottled Cokes! Bartender was also my server - friendly, made you felt welcomed. I had table service here before and the waitress was outstanding. I am as picky as they come. To those who abhor chains, this one may just change your mind!
(5)Hilary J. A.
The burgers here are delicious!!! Mouth watering if you will--the bison anyways... there's a ton of different types that they make--the overall menu is decent for selection with large servings. The inside area is okay with large comfortable booths, but they have a nice patio area as well. The service was great and the drinks were just as good--they actually have some of their own cocktails that seem qutie tasty.
(4)Sam Y.
This Ted's is nice with good food. It was slow getting our food, but our waitress was on point. The basic bison burger I ordered was good, but I was little disappointed with the squash casserole (I think that's what it was called). I was expected a healthier option than the fries, but the casserole was mostly bread with a few pieces of squash.
(4)Mark B.
You almost have to feel guilty eating a bison steak with that big ol bison head staring down at. I couldn't help but continually glance up at his sad sad eyes as I devoured what could have been one of its family. I left wondering if I will be haunted by the souls of the bison that were slaughtered to tantalize our taste buds. After eating the bison Rib-eye, i still honestly have to say I am still a beef man. My server was efficient and friendly, the bison steak was cooked correctly, mashed spuds were good as always, however the usually top notch squash casserole left a little to be desired today. It was very clear that I was served the lasts of the pan as it was dried out and crunchy and still maintained the rounded shape of the corner of a serving pan. Overall I enjoyed my lunch and service was good, I will return but will order the beef so to avoid the judging glares of that freakin bison above me.
(3)choad x.
Best Bison Burger in the area. A little bit of a walk from the Metro but best place for lunch around here.
(4)Dan F.
Ever since I moved into Crystal City, I saw this "Ted's Montana Grill" and wondered how expensive it was, because I really wanted to try it out. Eventually my roommate and I got up the nerve and went down to try it out. Even though the place looks relatively classy from the outside (and it is), you'll see people go in dressed nicely and casually alike. Now, I had never tried bison before, but the bison burgers were quite a treat! The prices weren't too bad. A bit pricey for a burger (~$11), but for the atmosphere and quality, I couldn't complain. In addition, the service is great!
(4)CYNTHIA C.
I wouldn't categorize Ted's Montana Grill as a great steakhouse. It's just average. What would be more fitting is to call this place an upscale burger joint. I ordered salmon one time and it was good. I like the food as I have never been disappointed but I have never been wowed. It's not too pricey and the service has always been good. However, the wait for food has always been slow. You need more than an hour to eat lunch here. The wait was so bad one time, my meal was comp'ed by the manager.
(3)Steve P.
I had met a friend nearby for a drink, and was walking back toward my hotel when I saw Ted's. Hadn't heard of it before, and poked my head in to check it out. It's a dark-paneled, high-ceilinged room with a lot of hard surfaces, so quite loud. You have a choice of booths, freestanding tables, and a bar area that extends down in front of the kitchen prep area. I ended up ordering the George's Cadillac bison burger, cooked medium, on the recommendation of the other poster. The burger was flavorful and juicy. I ate it as a knife-and-fork meal without the top bun as the bison is a little looser than a beef burger. That, plus a Blue Moon bottle, was $16.67 plus tip. I don't know how this compares to other burger choices in the area, didn't think it was outrageously expensive.
(4)Jeff E.
Ted's has a nice atmosphere and is in a good location in Crystal City. I live and work close by, so I eat here often. They have very good bison burgers, and bison steaks and bison nachos!. (Try the green and hot bison burger) They are known for their bison. The meat loaf is good, as is the beer can chicken. Get the Sweet Potato at night, it is tasty but not offered during the day. They also have onion rings and several salad options. The service is sometimes excellent, and sometime slow depending on which server you get, and how busy they are. They stay very busy at lunch and most weekday nights, so there can be a wait. Overall, I would recommend Ted's as a good go to resurant in Crystal City!
(3)Chris E.
It is a little too pricey. But for an "Outback" style alternative this a great place. I got great service. Plus this is the only place I know that specializes in Bison.
(4)David B.
Came here right after landing at Reagan Airport after a long day of work and traveling. Onion Rings are wonderful! The onions are thick, the batter is crispy, and not greasy. I had to try a bison burger and I have to say, it was very good. Had I not known it was bison, I would have sworn it was beef, very flavorful and juicy. The fries are fresh cut and very tasty as well. Burgers are in the $12 range with fries. I will certainly be back next time I am in Crystal City.
(5)PC W.
I like this place and the concept that all the food is flown in fresh daily and nothing is refrigerated, blah blah blah. I also like bison. I've had the bison meatloaf, slow-roasted pork, bison pot roast and bison steak and it's all been good. Prices are reasonable. Garlic mash potatoes are yummay.
(3)Nathan K.
I haven't been to this actual location of Ted's but I had a great experience at Teds my first time & a mediocre visit my second. The onion rings they served as appetizer were AWESOME--the ones I got with my meal the second time were borderline cold. I asked politely and the waitress rectified the issue, but if you eat at Teds, just be prepared to send some part of your meal back if its not up to par. Also, they play music thats pre-1950 for old-timey ambiance. If you haven't visited, I would give it a visit.(3.8-4.1)
(4)ChuVan E.
Had a late night dinner here once. I had the bison burger with bacon and cheese with a baked potato. I finished about 1/2 of my burger b/c the portions are generous and greasy (mostly b/c of the bacon). It was my first time having bison and I enjoyed it. Service was slow. Our waiter was pleasant.
(3)Steve N.
We came in around 10 pm on a Friday night and had to wait for at least 1 minute before we were greeted by a waiter and then immediately taken to a table. Both of us ordered the bison ribeye steak (1st time ever that we have eaten bison or buffalo), which was properly cooked at medium temperature but was very chewy (similar to eating a sirloin steak). The sides (garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms & onions) were pretty good. The strawberry shortcake was pretty big and made to share. It had a crunchy-on-the-outside biscuit (instead of a soft cake), very good HD vanilla ice cream, and strawberries. I give this dessert a thumbs-up. Since our waitress provided us with very good service and the food was good (except for the chewyness of the steaks), we'll definitely come back to try the bison burger (which we hope will not be as chewy) and onion rings.
(3)Craig M.
Great food, mediocre service.
(3)Catalina R.
This review is for service only: A friend and I had dinner at Ted's and ordered the trout and No. 11. The No. 11 was asked to be cooked medium, however, the end result was much closer to well-done. Our server, Theo, was extremely accomodating and apologetic. Theo promptly removed the item from the bill and took the opportunity to present us with a very nice dessert on the house. The manager also came by the table and took the opportunity to express his apologies. We really appreciated how the restaurant managed this error. They went above and beyond!
(4)Amanda M.
Besides the long wait for our food which is understandable being they were busy, and all the burgers were made to order, I enjoyed this place. Everything from the paper straws to the eco friendly hand soap in the bathrooms. They also offered each burger as beef or bison, and you got to choose your side. They also give a bowl or homemade pickles for the table. These weren't the pickles you find on grocery store shelves, but the kind that are actually my favorite. My sister and fiancé didn't like them. Prices are also very resonable. I asked for my burger medium-rare and it came out medium-well but I still found it edible. Service was friendly.
(4)Ralph C.
First time here. Decor was nicer than I expected...could be a little upscale but still casual and kid friendly. They serve marinated cucumbers instead of bread...but ask for bread, it's great. My son had a bison burger with egg and huckleberry jam...he loved it. My wife had the crabcakes...she never had crabcakes with so much crab at a restaurant. I had the bison steak. I am picky and the steak was awesome. Lean, tender and didn't need any sauce. Definitely would recommend and go back again. Server waa very nice.
(5)Curtis H.
I usually avoid chain restaurants in favor of trying the independent places which are more innovative with their menus. But tried this place a few nights ago because I initially was in the mood for steak and it was close to the hotel. Once in I sat at the bar (single diners usually find themselves relegated to the bar). Was glad I decided to take the bar seat because the bartender turned out to be an excellent waitress as well. She recommended the special, a bone-in bison ribeye, which I ordered medium rare with a side of salt and pepper onion rings (enormous and tasty) and sliced ripe tomatoes. The steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. They have a nice little selection of wines by the glass to wash it all down with. Atmosphere is casual and the service as noted above was excellent.
(4)Dan S.
Given that I've been to one of these in other cities, I kinda knew what to expect. But that doesn't make the meal less enjoyable. Good service, great chili, good salad, and a strong drink make for an enjoyable time. We got to sit outside on a recent weeknight. Gorgeous. It can be a little loud at times (but quieted down quite quickly at some point) outside, but the few tables that were there made the meal more enjoyable. Unfortunately, the tables didn't seem to fit the chairs -- trying to fit 4 people meant two of us were near the corners. The salad was big and I couldn't finish it but the meat with it was great too. Overall, it's a definite winner in Crystal City -- even if it is a chain restaurant.
(4)E D.
A great place to have lunch or dinner. Food and service is what you have come to expect from Ted's. They keep pouring ice tea, then charge you $2.99 for each glass; after spending $17.00 on a burger.....not cool.
(3)Bill P.
Very nice restaurant, courteous service and very attentive. The selection of meals were also very good. Loved the buffalo mounted on the wall, I felt like I was out west in Montana. PS- there is a Cold Stone Creamery next door. I would definitely go there again.
(4)Claire A.
My husband and I came here at around 9 pm on a Friday. We got the chips as an appetizer and they were fine but boring. I had a bison burger and I don't know if I'm not a fan of bison or what but it was on of the most bland burgers I've ever had. My husband had the ribs and they were room temperature and the sauce was cold to the point of having congealed on top. Our waitress didn't check till we were almost done, and when he expressed his dissatisfaction she took his plate away and offered to bring something else. He elected for the meatloaf and it was probably worse, again, room temp and congealed sauce. The sides (mashed potatoes, some squash thing) were fine with the exception of the onion rings, which were really thick and practically green. At this point we were just sick of being there. There was no discount or comp despite his repeated expressed disappointment. We live and I work in the area, and there are a ton of places I would rather spend my money on- we won't be back!
(2)Josh G.
Ted's Montana Grill had good food and nice decor, but nothing was special or unique to their restaurant. The food was most definitely good, but nothing that stood out. And, for the price I don't think it was a good deal. However, our waiter, named Alex, did a very well job in serving us and was very friendly and attentive. Overall, Ted's Montana Grill is a good/decent restaurant!
(3)Mike R.
There is nothing wrong with the food here....but the service was underwhelming. I mean I had to ask for a drink. Ask for a menu. Ask to order. Ask for water....basically anything I wanted...I had to ask for it. One caveat...I was sitting at the bar. However, it wasn't crowded or very busy.
(2)Keith N.
This place does not even deserve a star!!! I ordered a roasted chicken and they brought out a prime rib meal. The manager comes out and states that they are out of chicken. So I order the salmon entree and it takes another 20 minutes!! The rest of my party is done eating so I took my meal to go. Unbelievable! The server was not very pleasant and made me feel like it was my fault! By the way the other 4 people in my party heard me order chicken! I don't know if I will ever return back to this restaurant! Final note, the manager comp'd my meal and I threw the meal in the trash!
(1)Terry H.
You would think when half the menu is burgers, they'd know how to make them. One burger came out wrong bread. The other came out burned when ordered medium. Got one burgers bread fixed, but burned burger came back with fries missing. Then meat patty falling apart. Neither burger had any flavor. To quote my wife, "worst burger I've ever had in my life." Too bad. We came here couple years ago and was good.
(1)Damaris V.
Had dinner here tonight with party of 7 (incl. 3 kids). Ordered a kids' well-done steak for my son and it came out BURNT! Luckily my husband doesn't mind the charcoal taste so he gave my son his salmon and he ate the steak. I ordered the Ted's Filet, medium with a sweet potato and broccoli. The steak was also overly well done, dry and incredibly tough. The broccoli and sweet potato were both practically raw. I didn't eat any of it. My friends' steaks were also overcooked and rubbery. Their broccoli was also undercooked. Steaks aside, my husband and son really enjoyed the salmon and garlic mashed potatoes and my daughter enjoyed her mac-n-cheese. However, for a restaurant whose entire identity is based upon steak, we were severely disappointed. I gave 3 stars though because our server, Dr. Nora, was a total Rockstar! She absolutely made the less than mediocre food bearable with her awesome sense of humor and attentiveness to our table and my out-of-town friends.
(3)Beth C.
This steakhouse was within walking distance of my convention hotel. At 5pm on a Friday, it was still quiet--the crowds come later. Our service was top notch throughout the whole meal. My son, who is autistic and a very picky eater, loved their homemade potato chips. I had the balsamic blue steak. It really hit the spot. They didn't skimp on steak, and it was cooked perfectly to medium the way I requested. The variety of toppings combined for great texture. I drank a big sky lemonade, and it was quite tasty. My husband had a bison steak. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare. Now, he found that the bison wasn't quite to his preference since it was leaner than his usual beef, but he still liked it and thought the cut was very good. This is the sort of place that we'd visit more often if we were locals.
(4)S K.
I was so impressed! We had a 34 person reunion dinner to plan, and chose Ted's Montana Grill on the recommendation of someone who had previously had a good experience there with a large group. Thank goodness for the recommendation, because our experience was fantastic. The service was outstanding. Patient, attentive, and enthusiastic despite the chaos that such a large group brings. They also accommodated us by providing individual checks, which is such a stress-reliever when coordinating a large group gathering. And on top of being a fabulous experience in terms of logistics, the food was delicious :) We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)John W.
Wow, had my first Bison Burger. You have to try the Blue Creek Burger. Great service and atmosphere.
(5)Taylor L.
They have great food amazing atmosphere and the people are very nice. My husband and I were in no rush one day going to eat and we sat down and we were only waiting for about seven minutes which isn't a big deal to us when we could see they were busy. The manager came out and brought chips because we were waiting for seven minutes to get our drink order in. The waitress felt so bad about it even though my husband and I didn't think it was a big deal. We kept telling her it was fine but she was so nice and prompted when it came to food and drinks. We love Teds and it is one of our usual places to go if we want to eat out because we always know it's going to be great.
(5)C B.
Great place for a date night. Haven't had anything here that I didn't like. Can't go wrong with the bison; always tender and tasty. Onion rings are unique with w tempura-like breading; taste good. Enjoyed the bison ribeye and the bison burgers. Kale salad was phenomenal. Apple pecan crisp is big enough for two or more and tasty. Waitress was kind to point out that it was big enough to share. Good service and easy ambiance. Parking garage next door. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Nicole M.
The service is always great and the food is always perfectly cooked and fresh. Something for everyone on the menu. They make great salads with tender chicken and they also do a fabulous job with steaks. The sides that come with the steaks are paired well. Generous portions so you won't leave hungry.
(5)Drew T.
Twisted shakes are really good! I'm not a big bison or beef consumer but the chicken is good. The potato soup is great here too. It's only offered on certain days though.
(4)Emann B.
Popped in for lunch with my big bro and took two seats at the bar. The affable bartender was a real treat, almost as much as the thick and chunky cup of chowder I started with. I had the farmhouse salad which was chock full of bacon, chicken, kale, and other veggie delights, nicely dressed with a tangy citrus dressing. It was huge and I took half of it home and finished it off 24 hours later for lunch. Still crisp and delicious after a night in the fridge. Now that's a good salad!
(4)Kristopher H.
Very good experience. Ahmed our server was exceptional would eat at again. Burgers were great
(5)Angela I.
Delish!!! I had the bison meatloaf and my friend had a burger! Well-seasoned and both amazing!
(5)Bridget R.
My husband and I had a great time visiting this restaurant while on a business trip. Unlike some other posters mentioned, we had no problem with service. In fact our waitress was very sweet, helpful in appetizer reccomendation. Our waitress even brought us a new basket of fries, when we felt like ours were a bit undercooked. Burgers were tasty, ans unique. The guacamole burger I had was spicy, just like I wanted! Overall worth checking out!
(4)Peter W.
So I ordered the prime rib and I couldn't cut or chew it without a struggle. I was doubting my choice so much I asked and the bartender and he says that's supposed to be a tough cut. I guess I forgot or maybe I need to lift weights or something. I turned it back in and upgraded to a filet. Much better and tender, next time I'll know. Kudos to the bartender for being patient.
(4)Erin B.
New year's eve dinner and we unfortunately added another BS experience to 2014. We decided to eat here because everyone else was closed and we needed to eat some food before our planned heavy drinking for the night. The dinner was so bad that my friend offered to hack into Yelp in order for me to leave a no star rating. It was five of us and three of us ordered the same burger, the Red Rock. The Red Rock had Z sauce, cilantro, jalapeno, pepper jack cheese and fried onions. They brought out some burgers with jelly on it, that's it. When we asked the servers about the burgers they said they were right and asked us if we were sure we remembered what we ordered. Heffa, I think I would know what I ordered. The burgers took forever to come to the table and when we sent them back it took another forever. Finally they came back and they were cooked to DEFF... like super well done. Luckily they comped all of the burgers so we only paid for drinks and one meal. They gave my husband a free apple pie crisp because his burger was F-ed up again and they gave us cookies that tasted like ass. Just don't come here.
(1)Joshua W.
This place was outstanding in every way a restaurant can be. Service, food and value for yout $$$
(5)Jay J.
This really should be a great place. Atmosphere is good and could be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, food quality must be a second thought. Ordered the chili as a starter. Although served lukewarm, it was spicy and pretty good. But just as I started my third spoon full, my entre was dropped on the table. By the time I got to the "meatloaf classic" the gravy was congealed and meatloaf cold. It was served with fair mash potatoes and half cook squash casserole. Oh...and a cold stale roll. So disappointing. I had such hope!
(2)Trisha H.
I have eaten here twice, and both have been great experiences. They bring you cucumbers instead of bread, which I like because I love cucumbers. The first time I decided to be adventurous and I went with their bison burger that has jalapenos and blackberry jam, and it was DELICIOUS! The second time I went with three other friends and it was still awesome. Everyone enjoyed their burger, and was happy with the ambiance and service. If you are craving a delicious burger, definitely check this place out.
(4)Katie H.
Glad we decided to check this place out. Our waiter (Chip) was super friendly and helpful with touring through the menu! He recommended the Avalon bison burger with housemade onion rings and it was on point. My sister got the bison rib-eye and loved it as well. For dessert we shared the apple crisp and it was delish! Overall it was a good experience I'd definitely come back!
(5)MJ C.
I ventured to this restaurant for the purpose of enjoying a great burger. Everyone knows that there are hundreds of burger joints in and around the district and for some reason I chose to go to Ted's. From beginning to end it was a disappointing experience. The complementary pickled cucumbers were clearly old by texture and taste. I ordered a "hand torn" side salad which was full of brown cut marks, showing it was clearly old and not hand torn. As an appetizer we ordered the sliders which were a disgrace. At least, a restaurant should make a dish presentable, but for some reason they believed that putting the meat half on the bun and serving a torn in half bun was acceptable. For my main corse I ordered the peppercorn burger cooked medium. The burger was cooked welldone and was served with a chewy stale bun and unmelted cheese. Really?!! Non melted cheese on a cheese burger??? With numerous choices for burgers in the area, why chose a joint that cannot even serve the basics on a plate in a semi-presentatble fashion. the server was great, the kitchen was slow, the atmosphere was nice, the food was very poor. 2 stars and nothing more. I am disappointed because I really wanted to like this place. Will I give them another chance...... still up in the air.
(2)Gerald V.
Ted's is a favorite of mine. Casual atmosphere, booth seating. They have a good menu selection of big salads, sandwiches and meals. Everything I have ever tried was good. Fish, chicken, beef and bison. They have a house wine that is very good as well. There is something for everyone on the menu. The nachos were not that great, :(. Service is usually above average. The place can get crowded sometimes. So where r you want a burger salad or steak you will find something. Worth a visit.
(3)Stacy L.
I'll be honest. I have heard a lot of hype about this place and I found it to be nothing special. We were seated right away on a Saturday night which was great but then we had to wait for our server. I think the server was what ruined it for me. Lulu. First she came to our table chomping away on gum. That shouldn't be allowed at a nicer restaurant, even if it is a burger joint. Then, we could never find her. She had a big table and was clearly overwhelmed by it. We asked her to describe some things on the menu since this was our first time here and she couldn't really explain anything or give us suggestions. We had to ask her several times to bring us pickles for the table. Also had to ask for ketchup several times. The ketchup should have been given to us before the burgers came out. I never had bison meat before but decided to go ahead and get it. I had the mushroom swiss burger. It was ok. Definitely not worth $15! My bun was completely soggy. I kept wanting to ask my waitress for another bun but she didn't come to the table once after we got our food, except to finally bring us our bill. The onion rings were very good though. Not sure I will be back here any time soon.
(2)Patrycja S.
One of our favorite place in Crystal City to go and eat a burger! Great every time, not a big fan of their french fries, but love the shakes... Can't stay away from pickles. Im highly recommending this place...
(4)Jason S.
Had a steak craving and regretfully selected Ted's over the premium steakhouse and service standard across street. From the moment I arrived here, I couldn't seem to get a handle on what exactly was going on. The service and staff appeared inexperienced. I sat at the bar next to some dirty plates and silver that were not cleared for at least 10-15 minutes. A garden salad and some undercooked rolls arrived eventually. After my overcooked beef filet finally arrived, in a starved stupor I finished my baked potato (they nailed this !) and politely asked for a manager. When offered to recook another filet, i declined. Ted? tsk tsk tsk. Next time I'll clean up a bit more and scoot across the street to the steakhouse that rhymes with tooths fist! ;-)
(2)Angela W.
The food was ok they were not ready for your group although we had reservations. The waitress screwed up your tickets so bad that it took over an hour to get them straightened out. Do not recommend for larger group. There was a larger group after ours and they screwed up their checks too. Waitress served us water that was warm and asked if it was ok without ice. That is what we are drinking. Ugg
(2)Chris S.
I stood around for a while waiting to be seated although there were very few other customers at 5pm on a snow day. However, once the hostess finally sat me my server was great--friendly, cheerful, and frequently checking to see of I needed anything. Decor is quasi western with checkered table cloths. Borax soap and a vintage paper towel roller in the men's room. Not much of a wine by the glass selection and stingy pours. The carrots and broccoli sides were good. Wedge salad was okay. The buffalo NY strip steak was okay. Nothing wrong with it but to my taste it wasn't nearly as good as prime beef. It's probably better in a burger vs a steak. The apple crisp dessert was huge and very good.
(3)Chris R.
During our last visit here about two months ago the service was significantly better. The waitress came and was constantly checking on us. The new manager also came by at the end of the meal to make sure we were satisfied with our food and dining experience. I will continue to update my review of Teds but it seems to be trending in the right direction.
(4)Blair L.
We waited 10 minutes after being seated and were never waited on. No less than 4 members of the wait staff walked by as we obviously looked for some assistance in hopes that one would stop by, but they all avoided our gaze. As we left, we informed the hostess of what happened and not even an apology was murmured as we walked out the door. We were so looking forward to some bison steaks too... So disappointed.
(1)Lamia A.
Best burgers!!! I'm not a meat lover but I LOVE their fork and knife burger mmmm. Good atmosphere and overall service. Food is the best!!
(5)Discerning T.
Everyone in our party of six raved about their food - excellent! Service was good. After reading some other reviews, I wondered if it was because our Saturday lunch is slow. Good service, excellent food - burgers, salads, fresh-brewed tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade - fantastic!
(4)Pegah Y.
Ted's Montana Grill has some solid burgers, albeit a bit on the pricey side (about $15 on average!). My friend and I visited right after work a couple weeks ago and the place was PACKED around 6:00pm! I suppose it makes sense, since a lot of people work in the Crystal City area. We both decided to order burgers. You have the choice of bison or beef burger. Since I'd tried bison burger a couple years and found it a bit too gamey, I decided to stick with the beef burger. I ordered the "Peppercorn" (I'd never had a peppercorn burger before!), which was seasoned and seared with peppercorns, Gruyère cheese, herb Dijon mustard and baby arugula. It was very delicious. And the thin fries that came with it were excellent as well. We also got drinks - girly margaritas. I enjoyed my strawberry margarita on the rocks, with sugar (instead of salt) on the rim of my glass. The service was decent and the restaurant has a classier (but not too upscale) feel to it. They seem to be very environmentally-friendly and we got these interesting paper compost straws. I appreciated that they are trying to go green (much respect for that), but you have to use at least a couple straws during your meal, since they seem to disintegrate in water after a while. I'd definitely visit again.
(4)Roberto N.
I love this place- primarily, the food- GREAT. The Bison is magnificent. And, the decor--- kind of a 50's gentleman's club kind of vibe. Love it too! Why not 5 stars? You gotta wait forever to get in here, and it takes away from the overall experience.
(4)Louis D.
Went to one of the regular dinner places that my co-workers and I enjoy. Several of us ordered the bison filet, which is always excellent. One person had the bison pot roast and really liked it, and another ordered the knife and fork chili cheese. My filet was a little more rare than I usually prefer, but still very good, and everyone was pleased with the side orders. A bit pricy, but when on per-diem it is just a matter of having a cheap lunch, and then splurging on dinner. In the past I've had the bison rib-eye, and a burger once. The burger was the only dinner that had a bit of a gamy taste. All the rest are like the finest beef, but with very little fat. Come early for dinner, otherwise there could be a long wait. Oh, there is a bison head that on the wall that will be watching you eat his cousins. Might be unnerving for some people.
(4)Brianna D.
My husband and I were in town for vacation and Ted's was around the corner from our hotel. Man did we luck out. The food was absolutely amazing, the service was spectacular. It was so good we came back twice during our 5 day stay to enjoy it again. Buffalo burger was delicious and everything was cooked to perfection. If you want great American food Ted's is the place to go.
(5)Ison Z.
Loved the bison ribeye! Service was excellent. Would come back anytime.
(5)Danielle L.
VERY DISAPPOINTED! I had heard great things and was excited to try this for the first time- I even brought out of town vistors with me. NOT WORTH IT. Service was terrible! Our server barely spoke to us, ignored our table for LONG periods of time (we had to flag him down to ask questions about menu, order our meals, ask for referrals, AND to ask for check!!), plus he would just disappear for long periods of time. He had zero personality and mumbled when he was at our table. Strike one against the restaurant. We ordered the bison nachos and they ended up being the best thing of the night. Tortilla chips with ground seasoned bison, sourcream, cheese, and some halepenos. I ordered the smoked cedar plank salmon which came with mashed potatos, and green beans. Green beans were ice cold and had to be sent back- when the hot ones arrived I seasoned with salt and pepper and they ended up being best part of my meal...however, I can do that at home and dont need to be paying $17! The salmon lacked flavor and was luke warm- it was only salvagabe by being eaten with the horse radish sauce they provided. Mashed pot also lacked flavor and were luke warm. If this were like a $12 dinner I would have been more ok with having such a lackluster meal but not for $17. My group also ordered the bison pot roast, bison meatloaf, and a beef ribeye. All were "okay" lacking flavor and freshness. Not worth the money. Won't be back.
(2)Mandy M.
great food, great staff! We went to Ted's for dinner tonight and had a great meal- Caesar salad and bison steak. Adrian was our server and he was awesome. Super professional and took good care of us, constantly checking to make sure we were doing fine. Highly recommend the restaurant and esp if you can sit in Adrian's section!
(5)Esther H.
One of my absolute favorite places in DC. I ordered the strip bison steak, which was amazing and cooked perfectly, but, more than that, I was surprised by how great everything was. Even the Caesar dressing is spicy and fresh and wonderful! VERY happy, and not just because of the wonderful Muscato!
(5)Wanting M.
Good stop to go if you are craving burgers (which I was when I went). Good selection of burgers and I've never actually seen bison served anywhere else yet so that was interesting to try. My server was very attentive and I did like the atmosphere of the restaurant-- very casual yet polished. The burgers are generally $13 for beef and $16 for bison, so slightly pricey for what I would consider paying for burgers. But I would definitely go back again on days when those burger cravings hit!
(4)Jennifer D.
Huge fan off bison who will have to find it elsewhere. Service was super slow, waiter forgot to place wine order, waiter didn't bring ketchup or butter despite the fact that we had French fries, rolls, and potatoes, silverware was noticeably dirty. Food was decent but definitely didn't make up for the service issues. Paid $50 for lunch for two, not worth it.
(2)Branden G.
Absolutely a must in my opinion. I've been here for years and can't believe I am only discovering Ted's, the burgers are incredible and I highly recommend the bison. Service was great, too!
(5)Shell S.
Overpriced burgers. The food was ok, not great. Service was ok. Wouldn't waste my money going back here.
(2)Bob B.
Started with a 5 minute wait at the hostess stand with no acknowledgement from anyone. Hostess finally came over said how many, grabbed the menus and walked away. We followed only because we thought that was the thing to do. She threw the menus on the table, said here and walked away. That's when my patience went out the window. I asked her to come back and asked if she was having a bad day and she answered "yes, as a matter of fact I am." Wow! I then gave her my speech about no matter how bad her day is she should never take it out on the customer because at the end of the day, it's the customers who keep your doors open. She gave me a dirtly look and at that point I asked to see the manager. He did apologize but you could tell that he wasn't going to do anything about it. We continued to get dirty looks all night from the hostess and I understood why she was upset; she was doing all of the table bussing. The service was painfully slow and our server lacked a shred of personality. The food was decent but as a resident of Crystal City, I wouldn't go back with this type of service. I had a similar miserable experience at Kora the night before and I'm getting tired of bad service being the norm. Had dinner at Bar Louie on Thursday and it was great. Food was okay, what we expected, but the server was lively, helfpul and made our experience.
(2)Ken E.
Why this place was SRO last night is beyond me. The only pro is its ideal location in Crystal City. The cons include service personnel more suitable for a fast food restaurant, lousy, tasteless food and a sub par wine/beer menu. If you like the food, go to Applebees, eat the blue plate special and save yourself time and lots of $$. You deserve better.
(1)Amanda E.
Food was great! Had the Bison Filet and it just melted in my mouth. Service was even better. Alex was fantastic! Definitely will go back.
(5)Bryan B.
Very good food, outstanding Buffalo ribeye... Service needs a little work to see a five star
(4)Tatyana M.
The first and we think the last time here. a) at 4pm the hostess having 90% of the tables vacant placed us at the very unappealing boot facing women restroom door and service station right behind it. b) ordered wedge salad, chicken and Delmonico bison entrees. Salad was OK, Chicken was mediocre but still eatable, Bison was raw instead of medium rare and so salty that after 2 bites we stooped eating it. c) Service was kind of "nice", but didn't care even to take back dirty dishes till the very end of the dining. d) For that quality of experience the value is very poor. No return for us.
(1)Anita K.
Decided to satisfy my steak craving during a late night at work. Ted's is right next door so it was the obvious choice. I arrived a few minutes early and sat at the bar. The bartender was pleasant enough and immediately went to check on my food. My food comes out about 5 minutes later. I check the bag and then have to ask for utensils. She looks and tells me she does not see any. Someone goes to the back to look and still no luck. The manager comes to look and then just walks off. The bartender has to yell to ask if she found any. The bartender looks at me, shrugs her shoulders, says a very nonchalant "sorry', and then walks off. Um, yeah I did order a steak. Back at work, I managed to find a utensil package at the back of a drawer - semi-crisis averted. I start in on my steak and the taste is amazing. After 2 bites, I notice that my medium steak has turned into medium rare. Ok, I've had it before so I continue. I had to stop when medium rare turned into rare. Then other side of the steak was medium well and well done! I'm not even sure how that happens. Such inconsistency in an otherwise flavorful steak. First impressions are everything to me and Ted's definitely missed the mark.
(2)Jesse C.
I've been to this location 4 locations now. All 4 times were for lunch. If you are going to go during lunch, go early. The place seems to get packed fast. I have tired both the bison burgers as well as their beef burgers. I've also had the bison meatloaf. To be honest, they just taste like regular burgers. I personally like the beef burgers better, I think it's more flavorful and juicer then the bison. I know bison is leaner, but if that's what you like go for it =) The bison meatloaf was decent, but then again nothing special. If I go back again for lunch, I'll just stick with the beef burgers. Every time I've been here, the service was good. The wait staff has always been friendly, and the wait isn't too long. Considering how packed the place is during lunch. I think they do a good job of it. Our drinks are always full, and they are always happy to bring out more pickles. I'm a fan of pickles. These pickles are descent. The could use a little more brining, but that o.k. Still good. Overall, it's a descent place to eat. Nothing fancy, just ordinary food. Prices are a little high, but isn't everything these days?
(3)Jeff K.
I tried the green and hot burger at this Montana grill and I got the bison. I couldn't tell the difference between beef or bison. The burger was good. The Green (avacado) and the hot (jalapeno chilis) made this burger even better. As for sides, I didn't opt for the fries, I chose a baked potato and a side of steamed brocholi. The potato may have been sitting a round a while but the brocholi was cooked right. It wasn't dark green and evenly cooked. It was a decent eveningi for my first time there. Would I go back, yes.
(3)Robert W.
I was disappointed in my "buffalo meat loaf". Perhaps I just don't care for buffalo. Overall excellent service. Prices were reasonable, In spite of all of this I probably won't ask to return and won't eat here again on my own. Very popular restaurant.
(3)Adam B.
I went to Ted's about a year ago before I moved to Virginia. I remembered having a decent experience so I decided to take my girlfriend there for Valentine's Day (2014). After we were sat, we waited around 10 minutes before we asked the hostess where our server was. When we were finally waited on, our server gave a half-hearted apology and seemed annoyed. My girlfriend and I agreed that she probably wasn't the server who covered the area we were sat. She took our complete order all at once. Throughout our entire meal she only came by once and that was when she asked if I needed another beer as she walked by to another table. She didn't seem to care about our table... As for the food. We were going to order the crab cake for a starter until we were informed that the $13 appetizer included only one crab cake about the size of a coaster. Unless the crab is fresh from the Bering Sea and I'm in Anchorage, Vancouver, or Seattle, $13 for one crab cake is absolutely ridiculous. We decided on the grilled shrimp and while it was tasty, that too, was a little pricy ($10 for 5 shrimp). I ordered a medium bison bacon burger. It was slightly over-cooked but tasted okay. My steamed broccoli needed another couple minutes of steam, as it was a little too hard to be served unless as part of a salad. Not to mention bland. The presentation of my plate was awful. It was the just the burger and two extremely small florets of broccoli. I mean if there was more broccoli it might have looked better... My girlfriend ordered the salmon, which was really good. Her yam was also pretty tasty. Her green beans looked ok but I didn't try them. Her dish was better prepared and better presented than mine by far. I have to add this last point. I ordered a Blue Moon and my girlfriend a martini. The glassware was filthy. There were water spots and crusted food on both glasses. Once again, horrible presentation. I'll probably try Ted's again but not anytime soon.
(2)Heather M.
I'm only giving it one star since I cannot give zero stars. I went with a friend for an after-dinner drink, and was not impressed. The bar looked rundown, and rather dirty. The bar counter looked like it had seem better days, and the area smelled like old, wet towels. The worst part was the service. We waited for five minutes before the one bartender brought drink menus. We waited some more and he didn't come back. We put on our coats and left. I will not go back to Ted's anytime soon.
(1)Edward Tj G.
This is another example of good food hanging out with bad service. The short and pretty, my Red Bison Burger was fantastic though it took forever to order and then my waitress disappeared. The service is one of the worst locations I have ever been to and the manager's response was, "it is Sunday, what do you want?" Maybe to tell me that if I didn't want to wait an hour for my dinner to go elsewhere. This place isn't cheap and for that reason alone you should not go here since the service is nonexistent.
(2)Carol D.
We've eaten at other Ted's before, and are always happy. This was our first time at this location, and we met up with out of town work colleagues. The food was very good - we had the ribeye, burgers, salmon, and pot roast. We had bison chili nachos and onion rings as appetziers. The service was OUTSTANDING! Our server, Alex, was very professional, super friendly, extremely efficient - absolutely charming. We will be back.
(4)Cat W.
The food is good - love the onion rings, the Big Sky Grilled Salad, and the strawberry lemonade. Service is always good, but can be a little slow every now and then when it's really busy. Take out service is great. They pack the food really well, keeping things separate so nothing gets soggy.
(4)Renee S.
I don't know Ted but his restaurant er grill rather, is all hat and no cattle, really, all Ted and no Montana. The state of Yellowstone, Glaciers, and Mountains - where the cowboy is king and bears are more numerous than people (well maybe not, but Montana does have the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48). There is plenty of opportunity to reflect the original unbridled American spirit and grit in the food but regrettably Ted's Montana Grill fell far short of its states nickname "Big Sky Country", opting for an urbanized dumbed down chain like feel, very disjointed from any real unique identity. What do cowboys drink? Certainly not Lemon Drops, fruity margaritas, or Mountain Breezes - so why make a mediocre signature drink menu centered around them? I opted for a simple off the menu Gin and Tonic. No sticky, fruity, frothy drink for this (cow)girl! I really wanted the bison, burger or steak ($29 for the filet) but I was fearful my expectations would let me down, opting instead for the safer, more wallet friendly $18 barbeque beef short ribs. The ribs were saucy and tender, falling right off the huge bone although the accompanying sides of green beans and mashed potatoes were a little bland and unimaginative. While TMG claimed to be full Montana they fell short choosing to tie in Montana only with cliché and kitschy naming of the uninspired dishes and drinks. What if they'd muddled real huckleberries into a whisky instead of using a syrup and tequila as they did in the sugary sweet Huckleberry Margarita? What if they'd focused on the great Montana produce, or featured (and used) many of the abundant grains, beef or bison (besides as a steak.)? Then this review would be a star of another color and another number I imagine.
(2)Joe A.
Visited Teds on a Monday night around 8pm. Had to wait 15 minutes or so for a table while 4 tables were open near the window at the front of the restaurant. 3 people in our party. We asked about the empty tables and were told that those are saved for parties of 5 or 6. Seems to me that you might want to sit the people who are in your restaurant, rather than wait for the possiblility of larger parties potentially coming in, but what do I know. So, we had a drink near the bar while we waited. Service was good. Food was ok. I had the Bison pot roast with the grilled shrimp appetizer. Shrimp were delicious and the flat bread it was served on with butter and garlic was the best part of the meal. The pot roast portion was small. I substituted the mashed for the corn caserole, big mistake there, but live and learn. The other two had burgers and they were happy with their selections.
(3)Mark D.
Great burger, mixed drink and desert but the wait was a little long even though it was an hour after the lunch rush. Price a little high but comparative to the rest of Crystal City. Over all 3 1/2 to 4 Stars
(4)Keith O.
I had some friends from out of town who were here on business and I recommended we meet at Ted's Montana Grill in Crystal Drive, although I had never eaten there before. Huge mistake. Won't be back soon. And won't be encouraging anyone to go either. Food was decent but overpriced. I had the Swiss Mushroom bison burger. Moreover, service was one of the worse I had ever experienced. First server was very abrupt and impatient. We ended up with a group of 8 from the initial 10 I reserved. He insisted we were all going to fit around one round table comfortably. We were already seated around 2 tables joined together. I told him we were fine the way it was set up. He finally coalesed. After our food was served the server changed. She checked on us once. The next time she stopped by was to give us our bill. We waited for close to 15 min before she came back to take my credit card for payment, even after I signaled the greeter about it. When I stood up to go was when she came. The greeter was helping bus tables. I don't think they are staffed properly to be able to attend to diners better. And I have not seen a response from management to comments on this venue. So I suspect they really don't care and are getting enough business. Two stars only because food was decent and Bison was on the menu. That makes it peculiar and unique.
(2)WP L.
Good Food. Good Service. Comfortable/Cozy Atmosphere. Will come again!
(4)Sarah S.
We ate here with 3 adults and 4 kids and thought this place was great! Walked in at 7 pm, no reservations on Thursday night, and were seated right away. Kids menus had great choices, even salmon! Food was excellent! Price was very reasonable as well....we'd eat here again for sure!
(4)Diane S.
I had been to the Ted's in nyc near rockafeller but was not impressed. I just had a snack here at the bar, after class getting invited by a friend. I got the 50/50 side of fries and onion rings and let me just share and tell you that the onion rings are huge!! Super good too :) The fries are okay. Only $3.50 for a full plate. My friend got the bison burger which was huge!! He said he prefers beef though. Its $2 more to get the bison. We also got lemonades which my friend said were to die for, but I've had better at like theme parks. They say the lemonade is fresh squeezed. Unlimited free refills is a plus! It was a little too sweet for me but I liked the crushed ice they put.
(4)Rachel E.
I got terrible food poisoning from their Trout. Not fun at all. It's too bad... I loved their baked sweet potato.
(2)Ju L.
Pros: Bison meat is an option, which I highly recommend over beef. Nice aura. Cons: Extremely inefficient waitstaff and cooks. It shouldn't take 45 minutes to seat customers during down time. We shouldn't need to hunt the waiter down anytime we needed something. Also, it shouldn't take 30 minutes to cook an order during said down time.
(3)Sean T.
Food was great, staff was great and the bison was amazing.
(5)Tee F.
Went here Saturday night to eat. Nice atmosphere. Hubby and I had bison for the first time and really liked it over beef. So we were seated and had to wait a few min before our waitress came to the table. She brought out that pickled cucumber which I didn't like. Hubs had no problem with it because he dive right in and finished it. We placed our order and it didn't take too long before we got it. Food was good, except I hated that my bread was dry and cold. I which they had heated the bread since the meat just finish and it was warm. Who eats dry cold bread? Def not this girl. I literally tore that bread apart trying to find the soft part so I could eat. After we were through with our meal we want to catch a movie, we check the time the time and notice one starts at 10:15. We had 15 mins to spear and the theatre was literally a mile away. Unfortunately that didn't happen bc we couldn't find our waitress to pay. We sat there the whole 15 mins and I decided to use the bathroom hoping that when I return hubs was ready to go. I walk towards the back of the restaurant and to my surprise I found out waitress seating down enjoying her meal. Really :/ I'm trying to leave and u stuffing ur face. She was surprise to see me so by the time I went back hubs already paid and we were finally able to leave. Bottom line is the food was good but the service sucks
(3)Nelson H.
Based off of the reviews about the Bison burger, I couldn't resist. I ordered it medium with bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce. It was a pretty good burger and like the other reviewer mentioned, you are able to customize any side which is convenient because after awhile you just get tired of having fries, so I ordered a sweet potato instead. My girlfriend had gotten a regular burger and she enjoyed it as well.
(3)Jenny S.
We were walking around the AMC Hoffman Theater trying to find a place to eat for dinner before our movie started and stumbled upon Ted's Montana Grill. You could guess exactly what the décor and cuisine is with just the restaurant's name. It is your typical grilling-meat mid-west joint. I'm not much of a burger type of girl, but will eat one when I'm starving, which at this point, I was. The boyfriend and I were so hungry that we couldn't wait the 15 minutes for our burgers to come out, that we had to order an appetizer to keep our stomachs quiet for the time being. We ordered the Homemade Chips and Dips and it was as if they just poured open a jar of UTZ's sour cream and onion dip and served it to us. Next our burgers came out, and they were massive portions. I know most burger places will give you plenty of food, but this was basically one of the biggest burgers I've seen. I got the knife and fork chili cheese (Anything with chili cheese on the menu, almost 99.9% sure I'm going to order it). I decide to forgo the bison option for my burger since I can't tell the difference between bison and beef anyways and if it's covered in chili and cheese, there's no point in paying for the upgrade. Meh, my burger was okay, I've had better at Red Robin's chain restaurant. The chili lacked any sort of flavor and spice and the diced onions on top just completely overpowered everything else. The boyfriend got the Canyon Creek and he thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a cleaver mix of sweet and savory with the bacon, jalapenos and blackberry jam. Maybe because I'm not into burgers at all, but I wasn't impressed at all. The food was more bland than exciting. I'll pass the next time the boyfriend suggests a place to eat.
(2)Amie P.
This place was awful. Sweetest waitress, adorable and I felt bad for her because our food was so bad. I ordered the bison sliders, grilled asparagus and sweet potato. The sliders were dry and over cooked, they were screaming for fresher bread, lettuce and tomato. The asparagus wasn't grilled at all, it was steamed. We also didn't Ike the paper drinking straws....weird. Won't go back...what a shame.
(1)Nils S.
Excellent service, but the food was not my style (bison burger). A bit overpriced, but I assume that was due to the rarity of the product. I will not return, only because bison was not worth the price I paid.
(3)Jonathan M.
Few things in life hit the spot like a honey mustard soaked slab of fried chicken between two pieces of Ciabatta bread. God bless America all that deep fry within her! The food here is great. I'm not a huge Bison fan, I get the beef, or chicken. This inst a place to go when your on a diet, that much is true, but when one feels the need to widen the ol' belt, this be the place to do it. American Food is all about excess - Ted Turner knows this fact, and prays to his excess altar every night. Ted's is an interesting place. One one hand, I feel the uncontrollable urge to kill a buffalo and sear its meat over a wood stove under the Orion constellation - but on the other hand, I'd better use organic wood and recycle those ashes when I'm done. I'm all for a "Greener" experience at dinner. So much is just wasted these days.Ted's tackles this with a recycled interior. Straws, table cloth, coasters - its all recyclable. I guess this is how Ted counter acts his 1500 calorie Chicken sandwich. But it's a green chicken sandwich.......
(4)Kevin M.
Would give 0 stars but not an option. Never had a chance to try the food. Incompetent hostess told us we had a 30 minute wait when we checked in. Went back to check at 40 minutes and were told we were next. After 10 more minutes went back to check status and was told at least 30 more minutes. Told them they were incompetent and left.
(1)Kevin D.
Would like to review the food, but didn't get that far. Poor hostesses and chaos. Called it quits after an hour and a half of waiting with tons of empty tables. No luck.
(1)Thugnificent M.
I've been to two of these before and they're all pretty much the same. If you've never been been to a Ted's they're a lot like a McCormick and Schmidt or any other classier chain restaurant. The staple of this chain is the bison burger. If you've never had bison before its gameier than regular beef, but I had no problems with it. Tasted like a normal burger. They're supposed to be healthier than beef burgers but they're a bit more expensive. Bottom line if you happen to go here get bison. Hate it or love it you got to get it because its what people do here. I hate meeting or hooking up with scurvy girls, but every time I go to Bmore, Baltimore for you non-Marylanders, I gotta do it. When in Rome.
(3)Amanda K.
i'd like to start out with a applause to the waitress that i had. i wish i remembered her name. she was so polite, professional, and thorough. she used reflective listening regarding our orders and was just amazing. i really enjoyed the old school feel of this place. they had every detail down to the powdered soap in the bathroom! that was a real throw back to my elementary school days! i also loved the paper straws they had for the beverages. i've never see that before! i took two home for a mini souvenir. HEHE i ordered the avalon. it had Gruyere, blue cheese, argula, onion and a garlic aoli. with buffalo of course! it was okay. it was a bit dry and i ordered "medium" which i assumed would be pink in the center but it was cooked all the way through. got onion rings that were big and thick. came with a side of ranch. pretty good. i don't like when i bite into an onion ring and the whole onion doesn't come out and all you're left with is the crispy shell. not a problem here! cucumbers: complimentary and delish!! its not quite pickled like a jar of pickles but it is just refreshing. dessert: they have these really great cookies! they are really thin and yummy. i had the snickerdoodle. however they ran out of cookies. the double chocolate cookie is really heavy, it was like a meal in itself! overall the food was good but not amazing. my burger was a bit dry and was cooked welldone rather than the medium i requested.
(3)Tiger C.
After a tough morning, the answer is bison, straight up get your bison and recover afterwards. Got the bacon, egg, blackberry jam, bison burger here and it is a piece of art. Bison is cooked to a medium setting in this instance, and it is a real unique experience, superbly filling and tasty. The atmosphere and setting here during the power lunch period is great, lots of movers and shakers here, all of them thoroughly drained after going through the bison. Recommend this place, just think they should have a liability waiver signing that you may not be productive after consumption of bison.
(4)Donald P.
Not bad...not great. Wednesday lunch, this place is pretty full. Montana Burger (w/beef, not bison) and with onion rings, Included cheddar cheese, a thick slice of grilled ham, sauteed onions, and bbq sauce. The pices of meet were THICK. You definitely get you money's worth here in meat, but the bun is severely lacking. As you can see from my picture, the kaiser roll appears flat, and grossy inadequate to handle the inards. I would have definitely appreciated a thicker and firmer bread. The onion rings were thick and big, but some where also mangled and ugly. Taste was actually quite forgetable. Fresh Fish Sandwich w/ fries, and cole slaw My co-worker ordered this one, but he said he liked it...even after I warned him that another YELP reviewer didn't recommend it. For the money you pay, I almost postiive I won't be coming back here, but I wouldn't discourage others from going...I would just tell them not to expect too much.
(3)Andres M.
I can't remember ever going to a restaurant where waitress recommended ordering from a nearby restaurant because this restaurant didn't have something my son wanted. That is what happened hear. My 4 year old was so happy and he loved the food. This place has excellent service, is family friendly, and great food. Next time I am in virginia I will definitely return.
(5)Craig S.
I started with a cup of Bison chili and it was very good, they don't skimp on the amount of ground bison in this item and the red onions on top were fresh and crisp. Please, if you've never been here, don't get fish or a regular burger your first go-around, get a bison burger! I had the plain ole bison with Swiss. I don't want all the extra stuff, that takes away from the meat taste, just cheese, lettuce, onion and a little BBQ sauce. Cooked perfectly as ordered-medium. It was soooo good. Extremely juicy, so keep your napkin close, you're going to need it. Juicey as in - NOT GREASY AT ALL. That's one of the benefits of bison, much lower fat content than cow. Enjoy!
(5)Angela N.
Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant! Best part about Ted's? Customizable sides. Each entree has two suggested sides, but you can switch them out, no problem. I've had the salt and pepper trout here as well as the cranberry chicken. Both were delicious. My only complaint is that the chicken wasn't skinless, but I just removed it. Still flavorful and tasty. Also the portions are generous for the price: the half chicken meal is $15 and the trout (portion was almost the size of a dinner plate) was $16. I had the trout at the Ballston location and the chicken in Crystal City. Quality was great at both locations but the service was very slow at Ballston. Obviously, I am a fan of Ted's and will be back, perhaps to a third restaurant!
(4)Jim L.
Always a awesome work lunch. Get the Ted's chopped with a bison burger on top!
(5)Angie M.
We (the fam) enjoyed eating at Ted's. The burgers were amazing and big and messy. They were made of Bison, which made us feel bad for sitting under a bison head but......sorry Mr. Bison head, your burgers are delicious!
(4)Jocelyn R.
I recently moved to the East Coast and have been looking to find a place where I can be considered a "regular." Doesn't everyone want to walk in to somewhere where everyone knows your name? You definitely get good food for reasonable prices here. My friend and I started off with the bison nachos. We've never tried bison before and wanted to try it out on an appetizer before committing to a steak or burger. They were soooooooo goood. Like I could not stop eating them even though I knew I'd spoil my appetite for the main course. For someone who is 5'2 and 114 pounds, I don't really need to order both an appetizer and entree, one will do. At least I know this for next time. I ordered a mushroom burger and it was great too. This isn't your fast food patty. It's large and juicy and flavorful. I could not finish it and had to take it home. And the service was awesome. Our waiter was incredibly polite and gave us great suggestions. Will be going back there soon.
(5)Chris C.
Lots to choose from on the menu. Can't go wrong with a burger, steak or chicken if you have to. Portion sizes were right on and the price wasn't outrageous. Overall we really enjoyed eating here. We'll be back, and we'll bring family & friends.
(4)Jasen F.
4.5 stars - solid. Every location I've been to has stellar service and great food and this is my most frequent location. Even when dining on per diem, I feel like visiting Ted's is a treat. Perhaps I get nostalgic surrounded by all that wood, the tiled floors, the paper straws and the dry, powdered soap in the washrooms, but the food always delivers as well. I tend to always get the same thing - New Mexico Bison burger (there are no buffaloes in American - google it), medium-rare, with coleslaw. It's cooked perfectly in their fine kitchen and the first bite is nearly as tender, juicy, and wonderful as the first (usually minus the Anaheim pepper that got stolen a while back). I get coleslaw because I can't pass up the salt-n-pepper onion rings which feature thickly sliced onions battered up well and served with a side of horseradish sauce. My only complaint is the draft beer list - not very big and they tend to only feature one seasonal.
(4)Glenn C.
Good Onion Rings and Bison Burgers (any way you like it)! Service was very slow; that's why I am only giving it 3 stars.
(3)Mansoor M.
It was one of those nights when you feel you gotta try something new.Looked up couple place in the neighborhood and decided to dine at TMG. Ordered a New Mexico burger , crab cakes , The food was pretty much average ,I guess people go to this place more just to have a sort of group dinner.The service started well but ended up in the waiter forgetting something i ordered.Well didn't really make a big deal of it.Nothing to tempt me to go back anyway.
(3)Chris S.
Nice little place along the Crystal Drive strip. Came here when Buffalo Wild Wings was too full. Burgers were pretty good, had the cheddar and fries, wife had bacon cheddar, and my father had the red rock. Everyone seemed pleased with it, although for three people it came out to be about 40. There was one TV and lucky me we got a seat not at the bar that could watch it. Service wasn't as on point as I would have liked it to be, only getting one, requested refill on my water. I was thirsty damnit!
(4)Randez H.
My daughter was in town and came to CC to meet me for lunch. Decided on Teds. It was both our 1st time to this restaurant. My daughter grew up loving vinaigrette and cucumbers which by coincidence was brought to our table to nibble on. I ordered the blue cheese steak salad and she ordered the chicken salad. Both were very well prepared and flavorful. Would given teds all 5s but the service was a little shaky. Extended wait to order and for check. Plus had to flag someone down to get silverware after food was served. So good food but could improve service.
(4)Valerie W.
This place is great! It had been a very long time since I had consumed red meat and I just wanted a burger. I was not let down! We ordered the Salt and Pepper Onion Rings as an appetizer, they were fabulous. For my entree, I had the Green and Hot Bison Burger. It was a perfect blend of spicy and savory. My friend wanted to keep it simple and had the Naked Burger, also in Bison. Overall, we had a great time, the food was exactly what we were craving, and the prices reasonable. We will definitely be going back again.
(4)Stefan A.
Remember Ponderosa ? Same thing but 30 years later... A-Z pure crap. Malbec, good. Delmonico steak, very, very average. Fries, terrible. Highlight of the meal was the cole slaw.
(2)Anjaly P.
Would I call myself a regular here? Yes. For a while I went sans cow in my diet, but I needed a burger fix often. Cravings, they work in mysterious ways I tell you. Ted's has always made me happy. One such visit was at the start of one of the blizzards of 2010 smowmageddon and the friendly bartender (Coach!) handed me a lovely long island iced tea to go with dessert. (ice cream in snow is perfectly acceptable to go along with their fresh baked cookies). The restaurant was completely empty except me and a friend and snow had barely fallen yet..We felt like we were queens because we had such stellar service. Which leads me to my recommendation of sitting at the bar. There are normally two bartenders there during peak times and they run a smooth ship. (There's always some bumps in the sea, but for the majority of the ride..its smoooth sailing.) If you're in a party of 3 or more, then definitely get a table. For entrees, I tend to pick a bison burger from their variety of options. (They are available in beef too.) Lots of combinations to add to the flavorful meat and theyre accommodating if you need to change something. If you haven't tried bison, I would best describe bison burgers as juicy and flavorful, the meat itself is a tiny bit on the sweeter side compared to the beef. If you simply want to try it, I would start with their appetizer sliders. Bite sized burgers on their homemade dinner rolls. There are often seasonal specials as well, my most recent was the peppercorn burger with gruyere and arugula on an onion bun. The kitchen sink covers almost all meat bases between bread or you can go simple with a basic cheese too. Cocktails are fresh and all handmade. No box lemonade here, they squeeeeeze them fresh. Currently, theres a huckleberry margarita on menu and its been my go to friend for a few months now. (simply because I love Moon River). I go here for food, a well made drink is a bonus. (Oh and for french fries lovers..they're good here. But do try the salt and pepper onion rings, get the side its a much smaller portion. The appetizer is HUGE)
(4)Joshua S.
Ted's was pretty good. It has a folksy, sort of "old west" feel to it, with a definite flare for the green and sustainable. Bison is the featured protein of choice, although there is plenty of beef available. I tried the Prime Rib, which was pretty good, but I didn't get as lean a piece as I would have liked. Buttered broccoli was a pretty good side, but the french fries were AMAZING. Cherry Lemonade to drink was quite refreshing and the cardboard straws were innovative. All in all, this is not on the same plane as Ruth's Chris or Morton's or even really Outback in my view, but it's a nice change-up to a somewhat vanilla market-space.
(3)Eric C.
NEVER EVER EAT AT THE BAR HERE! This was extremely disappointing.This is my worst experience at a restaurant EVER! It started out well. Gary greeted me and shook my hand. Very nice. Got the beer I wanted and ordered my meal. My Crab Cake appetizer came out in a timely manner and it was very tasty. That's when the experience went downhill fast. The other Bartender (female, don't remember her name took over). I waited about 20 minutes between my appetizer and my burger. During that time I had an empty beer for about 10 min and my water was empty as well. Finally she asked if I wanted more. I did and she did give me more. She finally got my food from the kitchen after I had to ask. The first thing the fries were cold. The next it had a wheat bun on it. I bit into it and it just doesn't taste right with a wheat bun. I asked her if this is how the burger now comes. She said, No and said she could get me a regular white bun. Gary joked and said, yes it tastes much different. So I moved my plate closer to the bartender thinking they would take plate and make sure the bun was changed. Instead, she comes over and plops down a white bun next to my plate. She tells me I have to change it. I ordered a bacon cheesburger with a fried egg. I put lettuce, tomato, ketchup and pickles and onions on my burger and I cut it in half. The burgers are big, it was cut, it was wet and juicy. I had no idea how to put a full bun on this and replace the old one. No help at all. I tried ripping the new bun in half, it came out odd. Then I proceeded to remove the old wheat bun. Everything on the burger halves fell over in a mess. I couldn't get the other buns on and it looked like a taco salad. She then finally said she would have someone try and put it back together. WOW! Talk about nuts. This was terrible. My hands were a mess, the plate was a mess and that's all I got. I said I am not eating this and asked to close out the tab. I said I would go somewhere else for dinner. She came back with tab and smugly said, I took the burger off your tab. WOW! I would hope so, since I didn't eat anything but one cold french fry and one bite of the burger on the wheat bun. She didn't really try to make it right, didn't talk to a manager or anything. So I closed out the bill and I left. This was a horrible experience and if this is what Ted's has become, I will never visit one again. I was appalled this is how you treat customers. I have never once been somewhere and they didn't try to make it right. This was horrible. Please don't go!
(1)Chris C.
Ted's Montana Grill is ok. The people were friendly and we didn't have to wait. The food on the other hand is ok. Nothing to brag about. The salad tasted like a salad in a bag. The bison burger was pretty good.Would I go back....maybe.
(3)Katie Y.
A $15 bison burger with cheese at lunch time should knock me off my feet with flavor. Ted's just didn't deliver. The burger, which I ordered "medium rare" came out just barely that and really lacked in flavor of any sort. The meat was as tender as it should be, either. It was all around a "meh" burger. If you're there for a business lunch, don't order an appetizer as well as an entree. For example, the onion rings are a laughable portion for one person - it takes a team to bring them down. Also, be prepared for a possible wait for lunchtime seating, and for the volume to be slightly up. Kudos to Ted's for their paper straws!
(2)Tiffie L.
All I can say is SLOW. Very slow. My family was in town for my graduation, but before the festivities began, we went out to lunch on a Friday. It was a bit late of a lunch, so I figured we could get a quick bite since there would not be a lunch rush. While we were seated quickly, our wait for lunch? Another 20 or 30 minutes. We mostly ordered salads and only ONE burger... so I am not exactly sure what took so long. Our waitress was cheerful... almost too cheerful. She never apologized for the wait, but just happily passed by our table multiple times to serve others.... it was just pure torture. At least the food was good! Or was it just due to our starving state of mind?
(3)Anne W.
I didn't think this place would be amazing... but it WAS!!! Never heard of this place before.. but I also never had bison before. The place was like a cowboy bar... but no reservations can be made. We got a table for all nine of us... we tried a whole spread of things. The most amazing was the Kansas Strip bison steak. Amazing and flavorful. I loved the squash casserole and green beans as well... the chili cheese fries was just okay.. as was the gumbo soup. Reasonably priced.. I loved the place!
(5)Jada G.
Now I love me some teds. But this particular location lacks customer service and knowledge. the waiter's did not know the menu, they were going to give me old cookies, instead of fresh-baked. they weren't attentive ad it took forever to get out food even though only 2 other diners were in the place. Me thinks not!
(2)Leah K.
I live right around the corner from this place and every time we dine here, the food is amazing. We've never had a complaint with the food. With that said, the service is slow. I don't recommend this place if you're looking to get in and out. The servers definitely take their time with everything. Each time we've dined, it's taken 10 minutes just for us to know who our server is and for he/she to take our drink order. My only complaint with this place but other than that, a great place to eat for quality food.
(4)Russell S.
Good restaurant - it's a chain, but don't be fooled, it's not Appleby's. Burgers are great - not greasy, and their signature dishes allow for Bison (much leaner than beef) at a slightly higher price. Service at this location was the least friendly of the three I've been to, but it was good and efficient and better than a lot of places. If you're hungry for a burger but want a leaner option, go for the Bison. Great way to ease a red meat itch with less weight.
(3)A A.
Great food , great service but BRING BACK THE CREAMED SPINACH. Was completely unique in a market that is dominated by the "same old same old"
(5)Corey L.
Stopped in just after opening for a business lunch. My colleague and I both had Bison burgers. Be warned: there are so many good-sounding options you'll struggle with what to pick. I finally settled on the New Mexico style: guacamole, grilled pepper, tomato jam, and pepper jack cheese. I thought it would be spicier; it was actually quite mild. The bison meat is the real star of the show. It is as amazing as advertised, juicy without being greasy. I ordered mine medium and my colleague ordered medium well; to my pleasant surprise, both were cooked accurately. But the real star of the show today was the cup of bison chili I ordered as an appetizer. Bison makes for a great chili meat, and they top it with crisp raw red onion and a few jalapeño slices. The raw onion was a great touch, adding kick to the dish without adding spiciness. Service was friendly and prompt, and the only reason I can't give Ted's a fifth star is the price: I paid $30 for lunch today, and as excellent as the meal was, it still just seems a little too steep.
(4)David K.
For a chain, I think this location of Ted's is quite impressive. As you may know, Ted's bit is to mix in bison where you are used to seeing beef. This is fine, and I understand bison is a bit healthier, but it really does just taste like lean beef. Which is fine, just be aware. The food here is great all around, and at reasonable prices. I've had the prime rib here served on weekends several times, and found it to be of similar quality to the prime ribs I've had at Morton's down the street. My fiance has enjoyed the tenderloin here as well, and it was perfectly prepared and seemed to be of high quality. For lunch, I've enjoyed the "Kitchen Sink" burger several times with bison. This burger has tons of toppings including a fried egg which is one of my weaknesses. Very delicious, very sloppy, very unhealthy, very gonna get ordered again soon. This location is large and open, the service is good in general. We did have one bad experience involving a waiter in training that was also a close talker. We were left alone for an hour waiting for our food. The manager offered to comp half of the check which was nice, but it was a bit of a pain to have dinner extended to over 2 hours. I highly recommend this Ted's. For some reason, I found it to be better than the Ballston location as well.
(4)Tiffany Y.
I stopped in Ted's Montana Grill once recently for dinner. The menu has a variety of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, classics such as turkey and fish, steaks, and desserts. I ordered the bison meatloaf and ended up leaving sort of a lot of it on my plate because it tasted just OK. My husband also thought that his food was just OK. The atmosphere and service were good, but given the just-OK taste of the food, I will not return.
(3)Arval F.
Great food! The waitstaff was a bit absent but was friendly and helpfull when they were around.
(3)Paige M.
Bison. Never had it before, had to try it, and it was gorgeous. Much like the famed ostrich burger, bison is more tender and flavorful than typical beef. The restaurant was packed for a late dinner, but my friends and I managed to grab a table for four. Our waitress, Veronika, was a blast. She was sweet and energetic, making sure we had everything we need. My friends each had Bison Sliders. I had a Chipotle Cobb salad, but replaced the chicken with Bison chunks. I'm glad the restaurant was able to customize orders, as I really wanted to sample the Bison, but was in no mood for a burger. Another interesting detail of Ted's is that it is a "green" restaurant. All of the tablecloths are paper and made from recycled materials. The straws are recycled too, and made out of cardboard, not plastic. The cardboard straw was weird to get used to at first, but it worked just as well as the plastic variety. If you're looking for a great place to eat near all the hotels in Crystal City, check out Ted's. It's definitely the best place we found to eat near where we were staying.
(4)J. W.
If you're in the mood for a good burger or a well cooked steak, you can't miss with Ted's. I'm giving it a 4 because the one time I got a bison burger, it was a bit on the dry side. I know that you'd expect that from a leaner meat like bison, but that's why I ordered medium rare. Everything else is great. Good service, clean dining area, and a friendly atmosphere.
(4)Warren J.
Great friendly service and the best burger I've had in a very long time. The Avalon burger isn't just good. It's grrrrrrrrrrreat!
(4)Sasha B.
To start off, the burgers are yummy. If you like bison meat, this is a great place to go- the bison patty is huge! Loved the avocado and grilled mushrooms on my burger, and there are lots of topping options. The fries are also amazing- skin on and crispy. On the downside, my bun was soggy and couldn't hold together my giant burger. Also, the burgers are not $16 burgers, I think they run a little expensive. One star off. The second star off is for the incredibly slow service. We thought they were out killing our buffalo for how long we waited for our burgers.
(3)Heather G.
Ended up at Ted's Montana last week after drinking wine all day in the deserted storefronts of the Crystal city shops-- the 1K winewalk...which wouldn't get 4 stars from me, but that is another review. I liked the Ted's in Crystal City better than the one in Ballston. In fact, I ate the crap out that Bison burger and woke up in the morning wanting more! It was so tender and juicy, cooked perfectly, and the toppings were just right (there are a LOT of topping options). The onion rings are super large and come with a great dipping sauce, love that you can get half fries and half rings with your burger!
(4)Cory R.
I went here for lunch with my boss and I had a great experience! I got the Balsamic Bleu Steak Salad and it was incredible. The pieces of steak in the salad were very tender and tasty, and the salad itself was very good. I didn't think I could be this impressed with a salad, but I was. I would definitely come back here. The staff was very friendly, too!
(4)Gerson R.
So, I just got back from one of the most wonderful burger meals I've ever had. Correction: the most wonderful burger meal I've ever had. My mouth is still salivating from the monstrous burger I had. This is the 3rd time I've been to this place in the last 2 months. Yep. That good. Going to Ted's Montana Grill, one is faced with the choice of having beef or bison for the burger or steak meat. GO WITH BISON!!! It's leaner, tastier, and just awesome! How many times are you really going to say you've eaten bison in your life?! Not many I bet. ABOUT THE MEAL: I had the biggest, baddest (in a good way) bison burger they had. It's name: The Kitchen Sink. This burger had it all. Cheddar cheese (Your choice of cheese), grilled ham, smoky bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms topped with a fried egg* "over-easy". The name is just like the burger...perfect. As soon as I bit into it, I knew then and there that this was pure euphoria. I think I may have actually had epiphanies and created new philosophies at the same time. This is how mind awakening this burger is. It touched my soul. That was the best burger I've ever had. Juicy to it's last bite. Flavor like no other. The egg was the cherry on the frosting on the cake. Yeah...that good. My fiance had the New Mexico. This came with roasted Anaheim pepper and handmade guacamole. I bit into it to try it. Very good combination of flavors. The peppers were cooked perfectly and combined with the meat so well. The guacamole was excellent as well. FOR DESSERT: My fiance, my best friend's dad, and myself all dug spoons into the Ted's Nutty Apple Crisp. This was comprised of apple pie filling, crust, pecans, all-round goodness, love, and topped with a hefty scoop of ice cream. Our server, Veronika, was so kind as to give us another scoop because our ice cream melted faster than we could eat it. This completely satisfied the craving I had for apple pie and ice cream. No joke, I seriously told my fiance to skip out on the fries so that we could order this mammoth dessert. Word of advice: don't order it unless you have at least 2 people to eat it. Conclusion: Excellent food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere and decor (we sat under a big bison head). Cool bathrooms. They even have the old-fashioned powder soap. I will definitely be going back. Papa bear. Out.
(5)Marolyn L.
We had a great waiter and the food was pretty good. I would go here again.
(3)Steven F.
Ted's has really good American food. I had been wanting to try this place for some time, and when I finally did, I was not disappointed. The portions were huge, and the burger was really good. The bison nachos are great and could easily be a meal on their own. You will like Ted's.
(4)Boon K.
I saw this place in Nashville and it's always packed so finally I decide to try this place because I was waiting for my luggage that was coming on another flight. I got a beef burger, it taste like straight iron.. or metal tasting. My Bf got the roasted chicken and it was ok. I should have try the bison but this place is like american version of outback but I like outback better.
(2)Miss E.
I remember eating here a few years ago and having a decent bison burger. So when a family friend was in town on business and staying in Crystal City, I suggested we eat here. Bad idea. At the risk of sounding like a broken record here on Yelp: I am SICK TO DEATH of paying $30 for a meal in the DC area, only to be served awful food by horrible waiters. Here's what I got for my money: 1.) A few disgusting slices of cucumber (WTF?). They serve it instead of bread. I actually spit it out. 2.) A tiny burnt bison steak, AFTER the waitress assured me it would come out warm/red in the middle. If she hadn't walked away for 15 minutes after she brought it out, I would have sent it back. The meat was tender and would have been AWESOME if it wasn't well done and the size of a chicken wing. PS - who the hell puts lemon butter on a steak? That should be illegal. 3). A tiny burnt baked potato. 4). A few stalks of asparagus. 5). A waiter who only stopped by our table a few times during our 1.5 hour meal. I want my money back. Seriously.
(1)Tony S.
Ordered Kansas City strip bison. Steak was flavorless and very, very tough with a gristle vein running through it so tough I could not chew it. Onion rings were also over cooked and tough. Not what I expected. Service was excellent.
(2)Michael M.
Let me first say that in my (brief) history of Yelping, I have yet to give out five stars. This place probably came the closest. Bison burgers are tough to find, which is truly unfortunate. Bison meat has far less fat than beef (and more iron), but is just as tasty (if not more so). Ted's offers a variety of burgers to choose from, and you can get any of them with beef or bison meat (or veggie, if you are lame like that). We also had nachos covered in bison chili as an appetizer. They were particularly delicious. Definitely some of the best nachos I have ever had. It was kind of a lot of food for two people, but would be great if you're in a group. We ate here at about 7:00 on a Saturday night. Although the restaurant was busy (just about every table was full), we did not have to wait and were seated immediately. Our waitress was outstanding. The service, the atmosphere, and the bison meat were all worthy of five stars. So, why give it only four stars? Well, the french fries were kind of mediocre. They weren't bad, just nothing to write home about. I've heard that the onion rings are great, and I'd imagine that you could substitute them in for the fries, but that option was never actually presented to us. Also, the draft list was a bit weak. If I recall correctly, the only brews they had on tap were Miller Light (or maybe it was Bud Light), Blue Moon, Yuengling, and a Sam seasonal. Not bad, but a few more options would have been nice. But all in all, I highly recommend Ted's if you are in the mood for a burger and some good old fashioned American food. Especially if you want a bison burger. And if you've never tried one, I highly recommend that you do. Like, now. Again, it is better for you than beef, and it tastes at least as good. What do you have to lose?
(4)Angel M.
Tried a bison burger. Not too bad....
(3)Josiah P.
Red Rock burger is tasty with pepper jack, jalapenos, house sauce, and onion straws. Get bison over beef -- healthier and better flavor. Onion rings are pretty incredible, with cracked pepper in the batter. Tend to be too greasy though. Left me with an upset stomach after eating the whole stack. (No, I don't have good self-restraint when it comes to onion rings.) I could do without the chairs -- they're wooden, feel a little rickety, and cheap feeling. Not a single comfortable thing about the chairs, unless your alternative is sitting on the floor and reaching the table top. I could go back, but probably not very likely. Food was also on the slow side getting to the table, so don't go if you're imminently hungry.
(3)Anonymous A.
Great service, good burger but way overpriced. If I'm paying $16 for a bison burger I expect more than a burger and fries (or substitute). If money is no object, this place is recommended, but otherwise you are paying way too much for what you get.
(2)Phil R.
Had dinner here tonight. For the price, I thought the food was good. The bison chili was very good. Service, on the other hand, was less than sterling. I felt that since we were only drinking water, refills were neglected. I'd go back, but I think they could have been more attentive.
(2)David H.
I end up in D.C. quite a bit and stay near Ted's, so I end up here sometimes for dinner. It's affordable, and everything about the experience is either good, or just above average. It's not the kind of place that I would go to back home, but when stuck next to the Pentagon for a few nights, it's better than going to Chili's, and doesn't stand out on the expense report like Ruth's Chris or Morton's.
(3)Karen G.
I can't praise the food here enough! We went on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. Wasn't crowded at all, but after being here I could imagine it being packed later on in the day. I had the Green and hot burger (I'm pretty sure that's the name), had it cooked well done... It was by far the best hamburger I've ever eaten! Had huge jalapenos on it and great guacamole. Excellent! Also, order the chips and dip for the appetizer! Better order two if you have more than two people at your table - Yes, they are that good! I don't remember what my daughter had (she can write her own review) but she said it was great! Suffice it to say, we'll definitely be going back!
(4)Paul G.
Really good dinner. Got there @7p and was told the wait was 25 min. Just got a round of drinks and the table was ready. Service was very good. I ordered the filet of bison. Not a speck of fat. Worth the visit!
(5)Brian R.
Bison pot roast and meatloaf are fantastic, as is pretty much everything else I've tried here. Save some $$ and get the meatloaf sandwich. I sub the onion rings for a side. Many burger choices for toppings and all are available in beef or bison. Like the paper straws and powdered soap in the restroom too - very focused on conservation.
(5)Steven B.
I am a sucker for good service. And lunch at Ted's Montana Grill this afternoon was nearly a five-star experience! I sat down and asked for a water and a menu, as I always do, and was immediately introduced to a delicacy I had never before experienced: "half-sour" pickles. These were more cucumber than "pickle," new to me, and addicting. I ended up finishing two entire dishes full of them. Seriously. I recently reviewed another establishment down the street from Ted's in Crystal City, Bailey's, and basically gripped about the lack of enthusiasm from the bartender. Complete opposite experience at Ted's this afternoon. The bartender was cool. The conversation was exactly what I want from my bar experience, light discussion from everything ranging from college to sports and, ultimately, to tattoos. My only disagreement with the conversation was the bartender's preference for Midwestern girls (Tampa girls for me!). But, really, I appreciate a welcoming experience when I dine out. This was one of those times where I felt as if I may have shorted the bartender when I left 20% on a $20 meal. He probably deserved more. At first, I was intimidated by the menu. The prices seemed steep and having no idea the quality, I was hesitant to go "all in." This is why, although I initially wanted to try that Bison Steak, I ended up opting for Bison Meatloaf as my entree, which, all told, was very well priced. First, though, I started with an iceberg wedge. Good stuff. Thick, chunky blue cheese dressing, icy cold lettuce, loads of bacon, fresh tomato, and even more blue cheese crumbles. Absolutely no complaints from me. The menu indicated that the meatloaf is served with mashed potatoes and squash casserole. I opted out of both and, instead, substituted broccoli and creamed spinach. The spinach was certainly a winner. The meatloaf was excellent. Perhaps the gravy was just a bit too sweet, but even then I provide a caveat. Caveat being: sugar is so nearly completely absent from my diet that I think mine may be a bit more perceptive to sweetness than others' palates. But, on a whole, the meal was delicious. And the portions were solid. I am rarely full and pride myself on my ability to eat but, for twenty bucks this afternoon, I left Ted's Montana Grill feeling nothing less than stuffed. Great service, complimentary "half sours" (a new favorite), and killer satisfying food. Now that I know what to expect, the next time I visit Ted's, I am going "all in," and getting that Bison Steak. And I fully expect then to push my review from four, to five stars!
(4)Brad Z.
I think I enjoyed my Bison burger here better than my last hellburger at Rays. It was juicy, tasty, and cooked medium perfectly. The topping were great too. It's a chain, but nice atmosphere and the perfect spot to when a hankering for a hamburger hits. The service was fast friendly and efficient too.
(5)Jason B.
Bison chili was awesome. Need the recipe!
(5)Marivic L.
I've been to Ted's a bunch of times, mostly because I used to work near this location and now work near the Alexandria one. Anywho, I visited this location again this past Saturday since I had to go to the airport. The upside is that Ted's has enough of a variety of things to keep most people happy. I've tried their salad with salmon cooked on a cedar plank. Yup, my attempt to be healthy, and it was good. I really just wanted one of their burgers which are big and juicy and even tastier than the salad could ever hope to be. I've had so many kinds there, I can't remember them all. My all time fave is still the swiss and mushroom. Though basic, it really is surprisingly scrumptious. Their fries are good and so are their onion rings, but the star here are their burgers. I've also tried the bison burgers but, honestly, I like the fat, flavor, and juiciness of the beef. If you want a solid burger, served in a welcoming atmosphere with waiters/waitresses who are attentive, Ted's a good place to go. Now, if I would only have enough room for dessert, I'd try those too. MMM, cookies.
(3)SC O.
Lunch after shopping and always been "meh" about Teds menu. Nice surprise! One of the best classic cheeseburgers ever, the pickles to start were fab and our bartender was great! Late lunch w/ high marks. Minus feeling like a tourist in my own city. People, take your lanyard badges off when strolling.
(4)Lindsey O.
Excellent burgers, excellent bison nachos. We visited on a Saturday night, received prompt service, with an expert server. She was fully knowledgeable about the menu & never let our drinks become empty. I absolutely will be returning.
(4)Josh B.
I had the caesar salad with salmon last night for dinner. What an amazing fish. As someone new to the area, I can't wait to go back.
(4)Scot W.
Their bison burgers are awesome; I like mine medium rare with either the cheddar, bacon and bbq sauce or with blue cheese (and maybe bacon). If you get yours medium rare, or even medium, it is very juicy and can be tough to keep together, but it is still delicious. Their fries are very good and the brined pickles they put out on the table are excellent. (I don't like regular pickles, but these are great). The service is always friendly and professional, they keep your drinks full and make you feel welcome without being overbearing. The atmosphere is casual, although it is regularly visited by military-industrial complex suit n' tie types. (Causing global destruction can work up quite an appetite) The rotating soups are usually pretty good and the buffalo chili is quite excellent. There is nothing on the appetizer menu that is mindblowing, but the salads are fresh and tasty. None of the desserts stand out except for the cookies; they keep it pretty simple. I once had a bison steak there and was quite impressed, but I typically stick to the burgers. If you have the misfortune of spending an evening in crystal city, this is not a bad place to go.
(4)Mindy M.
I would give this place 4 stars if it was not for the fact that it is a chain (I have issues with chain restaurants). With that said, we were seated immediately even though it was still technically dinner hour - not having a long wait was refreshing. We weren't expecting to be seated that quickly and even had to take our nearly full beers that we ordered from the bartender to our table. I got "George's Cadillac Bison burger" (bacon, cheese, BBQ sauce) medium and it was AMAZING. Very moist and flavorful - I would get it again in a heartbeat. The fries that came with my burger were hot (I hate cold or tepid fries) and I actually ate all of them which I rarely do. My boyfriend got the Bison meatloaf and that was good as well though I must note that the mashed potatoes were disappointing (and dry) and the "Aunt Fannie's" squash casserole was also a little too dry and the squash was really over cooked. The dinner (w/o the 2 beers) was only $22 - can't beat that price! Next time though I think we'll order different sides with the entree. Also, the lighting was a little too low and I found the mirrors that they have at each booth a little odd (why not just turn up the lights a bit?!) Other than those 2 things (and the side dishes that came with the yummy meatloaf), I was really happy with the place. It was different, the bison actually tasted different than beef, and our service was fantastic. The guy was really attentive and didn't do the "disappearing act" that some reviewers have noted. Also, the beer they have on tap is good even if there is not a wide selection available. I had their house ale and it hit the spot. I also liked the fact that their straws are biodegradable/ earth friendly as are their table clothes and their to-go boxes. With so much waste these days, it was a nice change of pace from the norm. Lastly, the next day my boyfriend got a call from the restaurant. Apparently we left the cc there. Our waiter gave the card to the manager and they immediately worked on finding out how to contact him through the Amex Corp. Card number (that's how they got his #). What a sigh of relief that they not only found it, but took the extra time to track us down- now that's customer service for you.
(3)Daniel R.
Being from Hawaii this was someplace I probably would not find myself eating. I ate the bison and surprisingly it was very delicious. It was very savory and tender, I haven't had bison so I thought it'd taste a bit gamey or so but it didn't. One thing that I liked about here was that I left full, which is always a good ting.
(4)Tom C.
Always great service, friendly waiters/waitresses, fun food and atmosphere. Not highbrow, but I'm ok with that. I give 5 stars for always being solid in its category.
(5)Allison M.
Wow, I had a really great burger here. I ordered the Canyon Creek, which had "cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, fresh jalapeños, blackberry jam and a fried egg* "over-easy" and was so amazing. I definitely recommend this place.
(5)Joe I.
This has been the fifth or sixth time my wife and I have eaten here, as we live just down the street. Everytime we've come here, I have had no complaints and the food and service have been very good. But this time, we had such a great experience, I just felt compelled to write a review. It was all mainly due to our server, Chip. What a delightful person he is! My recommendation is to ask to be seated in Chip's section if you go in. He's just a great conversationalist, but very intuitive and knows when and when not to visit your table. He had some great recommendations on menu and bar items. All in all, it was one of the most pleasant dining experiences I've had in a long time. We had the bison nachos to start. It was just the right amount for two, and the chili they put on there is really good. It has a nice, slightly mild/sweet flavor that I really like. I had the bison meatloaf, and it came with a wonderful squash casserole and mashed potatos. My wife had the Big Sky grilled salad with freshly made honey-mustard dressing that was the best I've ever had. I had a Stella Artois and my wife had a Yuengling--both soooo good and cold. We were stuffed when we walked out.
(5)Mary S.
The waitress added herself a 20% tip amount without our consent. We'd almost add new tips because we thought those prices are only for food. We noticed only after she swiped and left us no way to find her again. This is a horrible and disgusting act to cheat. Any restaurant that encourages its waitresses to cheat on their customers should close and lose all its money.
(1)Kirk V.
One of the best burgers I have every had. They have quite a few different burgers on their menu and everyone in my dinner group loved the one they ordered. They have steaks on their menu, but the large selection of burgers seem to be their specialty. Very fancy interior but reasonable prices.
(5)Ryan T.
Food was decent but the service was horrid. Only a handful of customers, there were twice as many servers and yet somehow, no one could get any service. Maybe it was because they were too busy dancing by the bar.
(3)Valarie G.
Great food and good prices. The burgers were great and huge portions. I wasn't impressed with the service (took 15 minutes before we saw the waiter) and there were lots of screaming children (so there goes the atmosphere). Great for groups but not much more.
(3)Olive O.
I like this place for a casual dinner get-together. The food is good, the ambiance reasonable, and the service (usually, but not always) very good. The prices are also very good. I have a family member who loves this place, so we've frequented this place over the last couple of years. I like this place! I'll be going back.
(4)Rachel B.
The steaks and burgers are of course fantastic. The onion rings are huge (never ordered them though). The chopped salad is also perfect for a lunch splurge or light dinner.
(3)David L.
Pretty good bison burger. Service was mediocre. Will go again if I am ever in the area.
(3)Alisa M.
I give Ted's 4.5 stars. Ted's is always great for a bison burger or when you have a hankering for a home cooked meal. My recommendations are either a bison burger (excellent, they dont pack their burgers like most places, the meat is kept lose so it can breathe while it cooks - i think this makes it yummy and moist!), bar none sliders (excellent as well), or the beer can chicken which is what I had tonight. Phenomenal. I usually do not like chicken breast but this chicken is super moist. It comes with two sides pretty much of your choice since you can substitute the original offering. Atmosphere is quiet, quaint, homey. However you'd like to describe it. Looks like a saloon with dark woods and brown paper on the tables. Everything I've had here has been good. You can't really go wrong in my opinion. Food is always fresh. They have interesting straws, it's eco friendly either made out of straws or paper, i'm not sure. There is a kids menu as well. I think it's a great place for kids. Prices are not bad at all. Very reasonable. Go to Ted's! It's great!
(4)Will D.
I ate at Ted's Montana Grill in a group of 4. We all ordered bison, but prepared 4 different ways, all of which we enjoyed very much (5 stars). There was about a 20 minute wait for a table when we visited. Service was very friendly, but not always available (it seemed as though they were understaffed: 3 stars). Our server seemed aware that he wasn't at our table frequently enough (for drink refilling, etc.) and did try to make it up to us with a free desert to go (which was delicious). Since this experience, some of our original party have eaten at another Ted's location and had an excellent experience.
(4)Michael A.
My favorite bison burger anywhere
(5)K S.
The best thing about this place is probably that the wait is never as long as the hostess tells you it will be. I only come here for business lunches where I'm not paying. Yeah, you can get bison...but I'm not down with $12 (BEFORE tax and tip) burgers at a chain restaurant. And the fries aren't even that good. They have sweet tea and environmentally-friendly cardboard straws, that's a plus, but instead of a bread basket or other beer snack you get pickles. I hate pickles, but YMMV. Bottom line: does Ted Turner need any more of your money?
(2)Chris M.
I went there for the first time with some coworkers for lunch. I had never eaten bison before, so I gave it a try.... SO good. The prices are decent, and the food was well worth it. The service was good. Despite the place being packed during the lunch hour, we sat down (without reservations) in about 15 minutes I'll be back!
(4)Ian L.
When it comes to burgers, its hard to beat Ted's bison. The bison meat is more flavorful and more healthy then beef. They have a wide range of ways to top the burger, my favorite is the New Mexico. I always get medium rare and have found the burger to be cooked correctly. Their service is good and the wait staff is very attentive.
(4)Pete D.
I was in the area for business about a year ago and stumbled upon this place. Ate here and came back the next day for the same one item. I was in the area again for business recently and clearly remembered that one item, came back again, bison burger. I'm a sucker for burgers and obviously, ground beef is your number one choice. But each time I come here, I just have to get the ground bison meat (I'll give in one of these days and get the cow). But anyway, I'm here for quick lunch, so I snatch up a vacant spot at the bar. Right away, the bartender scoops you a small bowl of their pickled cucumbers, good stuff here (ask for a refill if you devour them). They have a handful of burgers as far as the type of toppings you want, as well as cheeses. You'll probably be overwhelmed of which one to try. This time around, I had "name" (I can't recall) but it had swiss, guacamole and a green pepper chile. I asked for all this on the side, except for the cheese. The burger came out just as I ordered, medium and it was great. Full of flavor, tender, dripping juices which flowed off of the bun and also soaked into the bun. The taste of bison has a slight gamey taste to it, but it's nothing like lamb or goat. It's different, a stronger "beef" scent. Bison is lean, but their burgers are done well, as I've mentioned. Served with fresh cut potatoes, literally, because behind the bar, there's someone cutting them and frying them fresh. I ordered a side caesar salad too, nothing spectacular here, but not disappointing either. Service at the bar is good. There are usually two team members running around and taking care of you. For lunch time though, it gets pretty crowded, so go before the 12:00 PM rush or after the rush. I got there about 1:00 PM and the crowd was dying out, both the bar and restaurant area. The price for the bison burger meal starts at $11, depending what toppings you get. Lastly, I recommend this place for the bison burger. I honestly cannot rate anything else because I haven't had it. A solid 3-star and I will always make room and time if I'm in the area.
(3)Sonny B.
Hungry? Bison curious? In Crystal City and looking for a great burger? One word. Teds I go here at least twice a month for lunch, have had most of the burgers on the menu, and love the Green & Hot Bison burger. The best times to go are either at 11:00AM or 1:30PM. The service can still be slow during these times, but is much improved. Definitely a 45-minute lunch. Definitely not as cheap as McDonald's or as great value as Ray's Hell Burger, but the best bet in Crystal City for a decent burger. Fun Fact: The Bison/Buffalo head in the dining room is real!
(4)Judy C.
Bumped Ted's down to 3 stars. The food is just as good as before, but it's just too pricey. $16 for a burger and fries is a bit too much, even if it is bison...
(3)Mikkela T.
Looks like a steak house. Feels like a gentleman's club. But there is no cigar smoke and the only salty talk was me commenting on my hamburger, the buffalo sliders, the onion rings, and even the asparagus! But I like that they have cardboard straws (eco-friendly), they substitute any side at no extra cost, they have lots of booths, and they have a lunch menu for $13. But, too salty!
(3)Yelpowitz E.
The burguers are good but excessively large. I would suggest a more moderate portion for a few cents less. Service is good The place is nice but the huge bison looking at you while you eat a bison burguer it's ...interesting! You should try it out
(3)John B.
Fantastic! What else is there to say? I have eaten here twice and both times were amazing. I tried the filet the first time and it was flavorful and cooked well. The second time I had the Bison burger and it was cooked to perfection, juicy and very full of flavor. Saving the best for the last the French fries were the best I ever ate. Similar to in-and-out burger but better. I plan to be back many times!
(5)Heather G.
Stick with the burgers and you'll be okay here. The bison never disappoints. I particularly like the bison burger with blue cheese and mushrooms. The fries are top notch and the onion rings are really good too. My favorite beverage is the diet coke with cherry syrup in it. They serve ice just the way I like it. The paper straws are funky, though.
(3)Frank H.
Stream of consciousness Review - Good burger - bison sort of gimmicky but nothing special to me. - I went during lunch - the crowd is lively and a bit crowded. - My waiter was a little short with us; apparently asking for mustard is a sin. - $12 for a burger seemed like a lot. - Fries were good; kaiser bun reminded me of Wendy's. - I like Ray's HB.
(3)Marc B.
We discovered Ted's Montana Grill in Suburban Denver and decided to find one in the DC burbs (as usual the better restaurants are in NoVa).. The bison burgers and bison ribs (Saturday night only) are superb (if you like bison). Portion sizes are decent and the service was attentive and friend. I feel odd recommending and giving five stars to a restaurant owned by Ted Turner, since I am the "reddest" of all Republicans. Bottom line, if you like meat go to this restaurant!
(5)DeAngelo V.
Everything at this place is excellent! Bison Burger's are amazing. The Sunday Turkey dinner is exceptional as well. Parking in and around there can be a pain.
(5)Dee M.
Ted's is great because of its prime location. There really aren't many other choices besides Ruby Tuesdays. The food was just okay. I tried the bison burger for the first time and it's definitely not my cup of tea. The service was good, but there are better choices in nearby Oldtown Alexandria.
(2)Brittany G.
Bison! More places should serve bison. Healthy and yummy and good times. Ted's does a solid burger, good free pickles and yeasty rolls, and I've always had great service. I'd give them more stars if they improved their drinks -- they have a pretty respectable wine list, but both times I've gotten wine there have been problems (corked bottles in one and chunks of cork the other, bad form). I have also been thoroughly underwhelmed by their bartenders, who mix weak drinks poorly. I'd stay away from the alcohol here, but it's a great place for a burger.
(3)John O.
All of my stars are for the bison meals and service. I love the bison burgers and chili, and the service is usually very good. I hate that they pour weak ass mixed drinks, and how much said drinks cost.
(4)Mich S.
Great for lunch and Happy Hour! Highly recommend the Cranberry Glazed Roasted Chicken.
(5)Kyle U.
One of the best burgers I have ever tasted! Although a few dollars more expensive than the original burger, make sure you get your burger made with Bison - amazing. Good unique selection of burgers (mine had an egg, bacon, and a blackberry jam sauce that was to die for). All of my friends got different burgers and we loved them all. Price is a bit steep at $18 for a bison burger (hence the 4 stars), but if you're looking for a high quality burger and a great establishment... go no further.
(4)Craig H.
Fun. Great burgers!
(4)Len P.
Take the 5 star rating with a small grain of salt, as Ted's is a chain... but this is certainly the best Ted's location I've eaten at and Ted's is probably my favorite chain restaurant. Why is this? Well, to start this Ted's is a place that's flanked by Ruth's Chris, Morton's and McCormicks, all of which I've eaten at several times, and somehow manages to come out on top on both quality of food and price. The sliders are incredible, the bison chili is suburb and the burgers are everything you could hope for. Most Ted's rate a 3-4 star rating but this location consistently outperforms on every dish I've ordered. The Fish & Chips is almost as good as Old Ebbitt's even.
(5)Lauren M.
Outstanding. Ted you really know how to cook a burger. I love meat!!
(5)Ryan C.
The burgers are far better than good especially if you go the bison route. The drink pricing is not the best but that is to be expected as the food is the focus here. Staff are friendly and knowledgeable. I recommend this establishment for a fun but casual night out with friends or your lady.
(4)Jive T.
The buffalo burgers are my favorite with a good old fashioned milk shake. The cocktails are well made and strong. The outdoor dining is fun and pleasant and CLEAN! The best part is the interior decor--the bathrooms have a 1930's/1940's theme. It is conveniently located near the metro and the Crystal City walk/park area.
(5)Stephanie P.
What do you do when you've been up since before dawn and spent your whole day flying across the country? Why, you stagger off the plane, grab your bag, and head straight for the nearest patty of sizzling buffalo meat, that's what! Or at least that's how I got my first taste of Ted's Montana Grill. I wasn't sure if my friend was joking when she told me the place was owned by Ted Turner, who also provided the meat from his ranches, but apparently she was telling the truth. All I know is that stretching out my legs and sucking down a cherry lemonade was sweet, sweet post-flight relief. I went with the classic cheeseburger, but there are lots of different variations on the buffalo burger theme, from the S.O.B. (Swiss cheese, grilled onions & bacon) to the disgusting-sounding Kitchen Sink (grilled ham, mushrooms, onions, fried egg, bacon & choice of cheese). My friend had the bison meatloaf, which she proclaimed to be just right, especially the garlic mashed potatoes. The service was fine, and our waiter was excessively friendly, although he had this unbelievable Italian accent that I could barely understand (and also suspected might be a joke). We couldn't even finish our dinners and therefore couldn't even consider dessert, but I do wish I had stopped at the gift shop on the way out and gotten one of the $2 buffalo keychains, which really were awfully cute. tedsmontanagrill.com/sto… I really like buffalo meat, although I prefer it in fajita form - not that there's anything wrong with Ted's burgers, I'm just not a huge fan of hamburgers in general. But for a jet-lagged stomach that had been surviving on soda and roasted peanuts all day, a huge slab of meat was exactly what the doctor ordered. I suspect it would also be excellent hangover food, although, naturally, I wouldn't know anything about that myself...
(3)Ken C.
Bison Burgers with Kitchen Sink option. Knock you out and fill you up : ) Free parking is another good deal after 4pm.... So, you can't beat that at VA area. Plus not far from Pentagon city which you can head over there for bars. If not, then take the metro or drive to GT is not that far away...
(3)Alan L.
We held an office luncheon at Ted Montana Grill today with 20 people in attendance. As to be expected the food was excellent! Everyone in the group ordered something different, from bison burgers to bison meatloaf to bison steak. In each case, the meal was prepared with care and flair. Not a single bad experience in the entire group. My bison meatloaf was delicious, and I especially loved the tangy sauce on top. Substitutions to the order? Not a problem, every change was made with ease and a smile. Our waitress, Veronika, took extremely good care of us--refilling drinks before we asked, bringing the food out quickly, and best of all delivering individual checks to each diner without us having to even ask. My only disappointment is that in such a good restaurant, they seem woefully ill-prepared for a large group in an area where such groups visit regularly. Our group was seated at 3 separate tables of 6-7 diners, and when it came time for achievement acknowledgement and gift giving, there was no easy way to arrange the group. Speakers had to shout to be heard, which I'm sure was as annoying to other patrons as it was to us. Would love to see them develop some table arrangements for larger groups in te rear of the restaurant to facilitate these types of luncheons! But beyond that, you can't go wrong for your meal or price!
(3)Adam R.
Ted's is awesome! Try the bison, it's half the fat, and tastes good too. Please remember to substitue the fries for onion rings....you wont be disappointed unless you are trying to lose weight, then you will be very disappointed....but why are you eating a Ted's if you're trying to lose weight, HUH?
(4)Kim S.
went with some friends who simply LOVE this place and I understand why. we crept in at 11pm on the dot (closing time) and they still served us w/o rushing us out - how cool is that? they even put our ColdStone IceCream in the freezer for us (coldstone is next door). this was my first time trying bison and it was marvelous, simply marvelous - the onion rings rings were huge and the fries were five guyish but good. I was only able to eat 1/2 of my burger but it was lovely (bacon & fried onions). my 17 y/o enjoyed his bison burger as well. Looking forward to going back.
(4)Gayle G.
This place loses a star just for being part of Ted Turner's "empire." No, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. A few months ago, my father in law came into town for a conference and was staying at the Marriott Crystal City so we needed to come up with a place for the three of us to go to dinner. Hubby is all about Buffalo meat, and we had already been to the other restaurants on this strip, so Ted's it was. I ordered the tenderloin strip of bison and hubby got the rib eye. I think my father in law ordered a bison burger. The service was slow, and our waiter disappeared for chunks of time without any warning. The steaks were less than impressive, but the squash casserole that I got with mine was really good. Other than that, if I go back..it will just be for drinks. For the price of the meal Jaleo or Bebo does much better.
(3)Peta B.
I'd say "A-OK" describes it well, it's got solid food and the ambiance is really quite nice. You are seated in booths that have three wooden walls (love the privacy and intimacy this provides) and your food is served on a leather table cloth. The ceiling features lovely beveling and detail and the Montana-Rocky Mountain theme is tastefully done. The food is quite good, my husband was satisfied with his bison pot roast, the mashed potatoes were flavor-packed and vegetarians should be able to find something on the menu, at least I didn't have trouble. I would recommend this for a solid meal if you're in the Crystal City-Pentagon area.
(3)Jenna M.
No good. The restaurant was empty and we still had to wait for them to clean a table. The bartender walked us around, saw that there were no tables, brought us back to the front and made us wait while they cleaned a table. We sat down and no one came to our table for more than 10 minutes. I ordered a Corona and when I asked for a lime the waitress went to the bar (directly next to our booth) picked the lime up with her hands and HANDED it to me! No napkin or anything!! GROSS. Then we asked her how the Peppercorn burger was and she said "the cheese on it is like really stinky so I don't know." And then we asked her what their special "Z-Sauce was." She replied, "It's like mayonnaise and something else, I don't know." WHAT?! She didn't even say, "let me go ask" or anything. Then she forgot to bring our sodas.... the food was edible but no better than a typical American chain restaurant... The service was absolutely terrible. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)Jackie M.
Ahhh....another awkward group luncheon with co-workers. This time it was because someone from our team was leaving. Ted's was a new venue for the work-group lunch, so at the very least, props to my co-worker for mixing it up and suggesting somewhere-not-where-we-always-go. Why awkward you might ask? Well, because I'm the youngest person in my group by about 20 years and I'm also the only girl (almost). The table conversation consists of talk about cardiologists, high blood pressure, adult children (ie: kids who are my age), and then jokes about how I'm young and don't have to worry about these things ... yet. Too many lunches like this and it makes you want to run screaming from the restaurant and sprint to Georgetown so you can dive head first into the first college infested bar you come across. If I had a collar, I would pop it like it was 2004 and not think twice, just please, no more talk of bad knees, heart medication, or collecting social security next year. But I digress, I'm here to talk about Ted's ... First of all, I'm sure our waiter cringed in fear and loathing as we sat down and answered 'yes' to his question of separate checks. Sorry. Secondly, props to him for never letting me see the bottom of my Diet Coke glass and remembering a fresh lemon every time. Although, he spoke so softly that I thought about offering him a tin can on a string so we could communicate across the table, but I didn't have one in my purse that day so I was left to say, 'What?' and 'Pardon?' After he asked me various questions about my order. I ordered a cup of Ted's signature bison chili, and the salad (it is a Cobb salad with your choice of salmon, shrimp, bison, or beef) with grilled salmon and basil vinaigrette dressing, which actually came out creamier than I would have liked. I was disappointed that Ted's did not offer a simple balsamic vinaigrette for those of us who are trying to avoid conversations about clogged arteries and cardiologists, but oh well. All that aside, the dressing was tasty and the salmon was cooked just enough to not be over or under done. The salad itself consisted of lettuce, egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, and avocado (although mine came devoid of avocado, which made me sad). Unfortunately, my cup of chili was forgotten. However, it was not forgotten when I received my separate check. I didn't want to make a big stink during the meal when I realized that my chili would never appear in front of me, because managing a table of 15 people was enough work for one soft spoken man who seemed easily flustered. But, not one to pay for food I didn't eat, I had the waiter take it off the bill before I handed over any cash. When he came back with my corrected bill, he also handed me a chocolate chip cookie as a consolation for the mistake. Hooray! I felt like a little kid getting a lollipop after a haircut. That cookie was damn good. I also want to point out that I love the pickles here. They set them out on your table when you sit down and they remind me of pickles I used to eat when I was a kid, growing up in New York City - not overly vinegary, slightly salty, and crisp. The portions of food are large and you get good value for your dollar. The drink straws are made from recycled paper, which seems a bit odd, but it works. You worry that it might disintegrate in your mouth like those trick birthday candles that can't be blown out, but it doesn't. It performs its straw duty to an appropriate level of satisfaction.
(4)Paul W.
At one point, this place may have offered the area's best burger. It was the only reason I'd go at least. Enter Five Guys, Hellburger, and Burger Joint. For me this place has become standby in case there's absolutely nowhere else to go in Ballston.
(2)Sean D.
Bison ribeye was excellent! Paired with asparagus and garlic mashed potatoes. Wait staff was attentive and extremely courteous. I'd eat here again.
(4)Chris C.
Food - The Burgers are pretty good, but a tad pricey, and they have some other finger foods which are pretty good. Service - Good service everytime i've gone, even at the bar. Restaurant - Very fancy for a burger joint and in a nice location (crystal drive and 23rd street)
(4)s g.
Horrible service! We stopped in tonight in hopes of having a casual dinner out with our 2.5 year old and our 1 year old. A server sat my wife and I at a booth with our children without saying a word to us and walked off without offering highchairs or booster seats. When our server finally came over, with me still standing at the table holding my 1 year old son, my wife asked about both. She said we couldn't have a high chair at a booth as servers had to walk by to serve food to other tables, of which there literally were none around us. (There were only two other tables of customers, and one was across the room and one wouldn't need to walk by our table to serve them, and the other was also across the room and behind our table and again, a server would not have had to walk by our table to serve them). I would have completely understood had the restaurant been busy, but it wasn't so a high chair at the booth wouldn't have been a safety issue today. We didn't mind moving though so we happily agreed to go sit at a table in the middle of the restaurant, however when my wife asked if they had booster seats for our 2.5 year old, she said we couldn't have a booster seat at a table, only in a booth! So, we literally couldn't eat at any of the tables in their restaurant with our family, unless one of us wanted to sit at the booth with our daughter in a booster, and the other one of us wanted to sit at the table with our son in a highchair. She offered to go ask a manager if she could give us a high chair at the booth, but at this point we'd already had enough and left. This restaurant really isn't kid friendly, so I wouldn't waste my time going there if you have little ones.
(1)Kelly K.
July 2008-I was asked why I would order a fish sandwich at a meat place like this. Well, I had two badly cooked beef meals prior to this vist at the Sterling location of Ted's Montana Grill. The last time my steak was practically swimming in a sea of butter...gross! When I tried this other location in Crystal City someone at the bar was eating the fish sandwich...so I figured I would try it...and now I know that they are bad at cooking the fish sandwich too. Hey, I wasn't expecting it to be great...but I did expect it better than a fish fillet at a fast food restaurant...and it was not!
(2)Becky F.
I suppose I should have tried the Bison Burger or Something made out of Buffalo.... Perhaps that is why I did not find this place to be particularly memorable. It seemed to me to have pretty average food, prices, etc... Nothing stands out, but if you are looking for something simple while staying in the area, not a bad option.
(2)Peter T.
A more upscale chain restaurant with a western plains theme. You know the drill. Cowboy kitsch on the walls and lots of meat on the menu. Good burgers. Mediocre side dishes.
(3)Rebecca J.
I give Ted's two stars - one for the food, one for the service. Honestly, I would give the service nearly four stars, but I don't want that to sway the overall rating. I was perplexed by the free appetizer of pickled cucumbers. While not terrible, it was clear they were experiencing an identity crisis - "am I pickle or am I a cucumber." I think a better idea would be to fry pickle slices and serve them with a complimentary cream sauce/dip. I don't expect to eat healthy at a steakhouse, so don't confuse me with cucumbers as an appetizer. Then comes the ceasar salads. All heart, no leaf. Thankfully, the server was intuitive enough to gather we didn't enjoy them and comped them from our ticket. Additionally, she offered us free dessert. I'll get to the dessert in a minute. Here comes the beef, or was it bison? I'm not sure. I ordered a medium "Avalon" beef burger, which came out well done and gamey tasting. You be the judge. The fries were somewhat redeeming of the mediocre entree. My bf's pot roast looked like a picture of pot roast but not actual edible pot roast as indicated by the gelatin gravy hiding the pulled beef. And now for the free dessert. They were out of chocolate chip cookies (perhaps they're the only good thing on the menu), so we got the fudge brownie. Let's just say, Little Debbie's are a more reliable source for a sugar craving. I'm not discounting the good experiences other reviewers supposedly had, but our trip was less than impressive. Our server, Nina, did take really good care of us, which is why the taste in our mouths is not so bitter. However, we won't be back.
(2)K B.
Great yeast rolls. Fish was tasty too. The grilled asparagus was soggy; that was really disappointing.
(3)A. F.
I haven't found bison burgers since my trip to Yellowstone several years ago, so I was happy to find it here. It was pretty good. Bison is good because its leaner than beef. I really liked it here. I also like that this restaurant is a "go green" restaurant - everything from biodegradable straws to powdered soap (which I guess is better for the environment) in the restrooms. Your standard American fare here but with bison burgers and it is oh so good :)
(3)Rachel W.
Ok, first, let's get over this .... it's a chain. Like Panera Bread, it's a chain I know and love without going down the shame spiral. Look, I went in here a half hour before closing, ordered a buffalo blue burger and a bourbon. Instead of being annoying the server commended me on my choice and carried on a coversation regarding the choice of Ted Turner's artwork in restaurants. That's customer service people. As for the food...the bison burgers are awesome and never dry. It's just consistently meaty goodness.
(4)Philip C.
Great ambience and friendly staff. I enjoyed the bison meatloaf and the dirty martini. Excellent wedge Cobb salad with crispy fresh iceberg lettuce.
(4)Lyd K.
Buffalo meatloaf is awesome. Nice setting + good service. Go for it!
(4)Scott J.
Great bison steak! I ate here this weekend since its close walking distance to the hotel and Ruth Chris was closed. Service was good and food tasty at less cost than Mortons or Ruths Chris. Quality is above Outback and just less than the expensive places. I liked the bison steak as its healthier than beef and unique taste.
(3)Aaron E.
Do it. I loved the bison burgers, onion rings, and beer. You likely will be stuffed after eating here. The apple crisp dessert portion is also massive; enough to feed four. Not a fancy place, but it has a nice ambiance (nicer than Outback and Fudruckers). Also, checkout the biodegradable corn based straws. Nice environmentally friendly touch.
(3)Mickey A.
Sliders rocked with roasted asparagus, great service.
(4)Rachel T.
Bison burgers are the best. I have found no one ...yet who can compare to Ted's. Maybe it's the burger oat bun combo, maybe its the fact that whether the burger is naked, or covered in avocado or with plane old ketchup it's great every time. There are often waits, service is good but slow so this is the grade for the burger not the whole experience or even the whole menu-since the burger is why I come I never stray from that page of the menu. They keep your drinks full but don't get addicted to the lemonade in the summer since the refills are not free. Some reviewers say to get the bison medium rare-I would go well done it really tastes great. Their cookies are pretty good and so are starter salads and fries that come with the burger.
(5)P J.
Do yourself a favor and eat an Amazing bison burger.
(4)Wallace V.
Good service. Really friendly. Burgers are pretty standards, meat was a little dry(I had the bison). Buddy had the bison meatloaf and said it was awesome. Just a side note you can add vanilla or cherry flavoring to your coke if you want. Hard to find places that still do that.
(4)Nicole F.
Just noticed that nobody commented on the chicken sandwich, which is what I had when I went. It was not good (overcooked & dry). Plus, it was overpriced. The restaurant was packed at lunch and I didn't understand what all the hub-bub was about. Can't remember what my husband ordered but he said it was unremarkable and we both agreed there are lots better choices in the area - especially with the mediocre service and long wait at lunch.
(2)Jamie M.
This place is fairly average unless you're just craving some bison meat. I've tried their eggless Caesar salad and burgers and they're both just okay. Their burgers are really crumbly (probably means they're better quality) so be prepared for a mess. I usually end up eating mine with a fork. The bartenders and servers are all really friendly - this is the only place where we've had them initiate conversation with us.
(3)Evan T.
I had never heard if this chain but it really hit the spot. God bless Ted Turner and his bison filet! If bison steak is actually leaner and tastes as delicious as it did then I see no reason to continue raising cattle.
(4)Terry S.
The food at this chain never ceases to amaze. I'm particularly fond of the ribeye (either beef or bison!) and the bacon cheeseburger. Great stuff!
(5)Nuj M.
I go for dinner, happy hour, dessert! Their sangria is so delicious, bartenders are friendly, food is always good, and I love the cucumbers they give you.
(5)Rachel S.
Since I am from Montana, I get asked if I have been to Ted's Montana Grill all the time. I finally decided to try it out while my parents were visiting and staying in Crystal City. Not while it matters, but I really wish Ted could have kept the name "Montana" out of his restaurant. There is nothing Montana about this place at all. Anyways, the food was fine, but not anything I would ever crave again. I have had better steaks elsewhere. It was incredibly obvious that the food had been sitting out under a heat lamp for several minutes, which really disgusts me. The onion rings were bland. The garlic mashed potatoes were good, but again I wish they had been piping hot! My rib eye steak was tasty, and they seem to follow cooking specifications well. My steak was a perfect medium rare, but again, luke warm. Our server was pleasant, but as others have mentioned, I had to struggle to understand her heavy accent. I hate making an issue about someones accent, but it was very difficult to order from our server. Plus, for some reason the dining room is incredibly LOUD. I could barely hear my mother across the table, so my server was impossible to hear over the din! The prices were reasonable, but I think that there are better places to spend your money. Unless you are really into bison, this place can be avoided.
(2)Lisa R.
very good eatery with wonderful meats, definitely not for the vegetarian! lol I didn't get the chance to try the bison meat (i wanted to get it, but it was too expensive to justify at the time), but i still ate a yummy steak there and loved loved loved the desert. WOW, YUM!!! I don't remember the name, the strawberry ice cream hot biscuit so yum yum! I like the idea of the paper straws for the environmental stuff, but they tasted simply bizarre, it tasted like a paper straw. not something i'd prefer. we got stuck at a table, i really wish there were more booths! i'm not a huge fan of sitting at a table in the middle of a large room. place is dark, pretty relaxed, not pretentious at all, and good for a dinner date. I'll have to check out the place for lunch! salad was great, as was the tomato :-)
(4)Kathleen M.
I'm from Atlanta, so I'm sure that indirectly I owe Ted Turner my life or something. He did a hell of a job with the Braves, so I've got to love him for that. Know what else I love him for? His support of sustainable agriculture! Woo! For those who don't know, bison is an incredibly environmentally friendly piece of meat. Bison, unlike domesticated cows, are natural species along the Great Plains and do not cause the kind of destruction that cows have done. For one pound of beef you need to feed it 20 pounds of grain (hence why American agriculture has become a monoculture system, completely lacking of any biological diversity), whereas a bison can live on the natural grasses that grow in the areas. Also, bison are raised free-range, which we all know is a happy thing. Even if you don't give a rats ass about the environment, bison is the better choice because it is much leaner than beef. Ok, now that I've gotten my love for bison out of the way, on to the review of the restaurant itself. I used to live in Crystal City and my roommate and I would come here often for some good, juicy burgers. I don't think it's any pricier than other nice burger joints and I appreciate the fresh, diverse ingredients. I've always had great service. One night, my roommate and I were disgustingly starving and our waiter was great about bringing out the food really quickly and refilling our drinks as soon as they ran out. I've never had anything but burgers and salads here. Skip the fries and get the creamed spinach! It's to diiiiiiie for.
(4)Chris R.
Best bison burgers ever. Great place for lunch and a beer.
(4)Brent M.
This is a tough review to write. The food was pretty damn good when I went here. I had a buffalo burger with mushrooms, cheese, barbeque sauce, etc. The quantity and quality of the food I thought was pretty good, and they had a decent wine selection. The atmosphere is nice, and it's in a busy section of Arlington within walking distance of a bunch of places. The negatives were pretty strong. Because of the location and time of day, I had to park a bit far away in the parking garage of the mall next door. That was a pain in the neck. The big loss of points here was in the service. I was discussing this with my friends, and I understand that unemployment in this part of Virginia is very low right now, but seriously, at least hire a waiter who can speak English. In addition to having trouble communicating, he was not very attentive and was unable to answer any questions we had about the menu or food. This really detracted from my experience. I don't know if I would go back here - there are too many other options in the area that just seem like better picks.
(3)Ken G.
The meal started off great with the cucumbers in place of bread. I ordered the COB Bison burger and it was pretty good. I got the onion rings on the advice of previous yelp review, however of the entire meal I would skip the onion rings. Not a winner
(4)Rebecca O.
I wasn't sure what to expect, being born and raised in ND, I feel like me and Montana have something in common. Buffalo. So anyway, I felt at home, but still to 'chicken' to eat the bison, never been a big fan of it. We got cows in ND and Montana too, so I'll eat beef. That said, the burgers were juicy and delicious! My husband had some kinda chicken which was also delicious and the kids were given wiki-sticks to play with, which kept them busy for 1 1/2 days, thank you very much :)
(4)Kim G.
I walked in thinking it was gonna be a great place, because of it's location and the leather booths and all the old men with ties. But then I saw the red and white checkered napkins and thought to myself "huh? something's off." Had to go with a bison burger, but nothin looked that appetizing on the menu so I made one up: avocado and mushroom...yum. Ordered a cherry lemonade and the refills kept coming, even before I was done with my drink, so I felt pressured to pawn it off to someone else or wet my pants later in the day. I chose the former. It was too pricey. Especially for me when I can do with a burger that's 10 bucks cheaper (IN-N-OUT hells yes)!
(3)Dave S.
This place is great. The baked potato soup is one of my favorite items on the menu. Service is always good.
(4)Will Y.
Walking by Ted's I always assumed it was a rather upscale place. I was surprised to discover that its very reasonably priced. I went for a quick dinner and almost picked the $16 three course option but decided that I simply had to have a bison burger. I chose one with swiss cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce and I can say that it was an excellent decision. I feel like this would be a great lunch spot for people who work in Crystal City.
(4)Gigi A.
Best onion rings ever made. I'm actually writing this because I'm craving some, unfortunately the nearest Ted's is 2 hours away from here. Really great burgers, great chilled out place. Haven't tried the bison, but the beef was great.
(4)Joe S.
Nothing crazy about the interior of the place, but the Bison burger was out of this world. I got the guacamole burger and was blown away. It was grilled to perfection. I am not a huge fan of chains, but this was really nice.
(4)James B.
The first time I came here I was a bit nervous about trying buffalo. To my surprise, it is delicious! This Ted's has wonderful service and the food is always great. Be sure to make reservations though because it can get very busy, especially during tourist seasons. Since my first time going, I tried buffalo burgers, steaks, meatloaf and pot roast which are all scrumptious! They have a very good selection of burgers, both beef and buffalo, that are unique to Ted's.
(5)Jalyn H.
Am I committing blasphemy with this review? Ted's is a place that is raved about over and over again, and repeatedly fails to live up to the lofty expectations. Each time I go (I believe I've been there around 6 times, in Atlanta and in DC), I am faced with the same issues. Granted you get an ample amount of food, but it is way overpriced for what you get. Afterwards you feel so full that you can't eat for the rest of the day (maybe that's a personal problem). The service is consistently awful. Maybe it's a Ted's company policy that the server must be one or more of the following: tortoise slow, forgetful, or just plain unable to comprehend the difficult process of taking orders and computing checks. And this happens every single time! Another common occurrence is undercooked food. No matter if I order the bison burger or just a chicken salad, the meat is partially raw. Hello? Lose the heat lamps, people! Not that I wouldn't recommend the bison burger. More times than not it is really tasty, and a lot messy. The salads are passable and the aforementioned burgers are a safe bet. The pickle appetizers are a nice touch and the onion rings are also yummy. But don't eat too many otherwise you'll hate yourself later. Kudos to Ted's for keeping a clean establishment. Also a gold star for the powdered soap in the restroom. Ah, takes me back to 2nd grade.....
(2)Bill H.
Two words: food poisoning. My wife and I have been there several times, and really enjoyed it, but the last time we went I got food poisoning from the bison burger. I threw up for three days straight, and nearly a week later my stomach still can't handle a full meal. It may have been a one time error, but I will certainly not be taking that chance again.
(1)TheTruthTeller CheeseEater D.
Had a beef burger. It was supposed to be medium well. It was well. The meat was not held together. It kept the spaghetti shape of the processor. I ate a quarter of my burger. Onion rings to salty. Drinks 10 each. Really good lemonade. But Lemonade is not worth $66 (cost of nasty dinner for two). Please close this place so something better may come
(1)Jon J.
This restaurant is tasty enough that on two separate business trips to the area, I've eaten at it twice in the same week. The steak, whether you get bison or beef, is excellent - always well cooked and a very flavorful cut. The burgers, however, are out of this world. They've got a wide variety of them on the menu and will make one with just about anything that you can imagine (case in point, the "Kitchen Sink", which has ham, egg, bacon, onions, and mushrooms - all on top of a burger). They also have a good selection of side dishes and a staff of friendly servers. There is a Ted's near my office back home, but I never go there because it is more of a business-trip place for me. I can't see myself coming here more often than a few times a year, as the mostly American classics menu would get a little boring. But those few times I'm here - I love it!
(4)Kadian F.
The prices are great. The buffalo meatloaf is pretty good and the buffalo burger is great and less guilty than a beef burger.
(4)Jon L.
This is bar none the best value - er "bang-for-the-buck" dining experience I have had in some time. The service was wonderful, as was my Bison Burger with fries. Loved the bottled Cokes! Bartender was also my server - friendly, made you felt welcomed. I had table service here before and the waitress was outstanding. I am as picky as they come. To those who abhor chains, this one may just change your mind!
(5)Hilary J. A.
The burgers here are delicious!!! Mouth watering if you will--the bison anyways... there's a ton of different types that they make--the overall menu is decent for selection with large servings. The inside area is okay with large comfortable booths, but they have a nice patio area as well. The service was great and the drinks were just as good--they actually have some of their own cocktails that seem qutie tasty.
(4)Sam Y.
This Ted's is nice with good food. It was slow getting our food, but our waitress was on point. The basic bison burger I ordered was good, but I was little disappointed with the squash casserole (I think that's what it was called). I was expected a healthier option than the fries, but the casserole was mostly bread with a few pieces of squash.
(4)Mark B.
You almost have to feel guilty eating a bison steak with that big ol bison head staring down at. I couldn't help but continually glance up at his sad sad eyes as I devoured what could have been one of its family. I left wondering if I will be haunted by the souls of the bison that were slaughtered to tantalize our taste buds. After eating the bison Rib-eye, i still honestly have to say I am still a beef man. My server was efficient and friendly, the bison steak was cooked correctly, mashed spuds were good as always, however the usually top notch squash casserole left a little to be desired today. It was very clear that I was served the lasts of the pan as it was dried out and crunchy and still maintained the rounded shape of the corner of a serving pan. Overall I enjoyed my lunch and service was good, I will return but will order the beef so to avoid the judging glares of that freakin bison above me.
(3)choad x.
Best Bison Burger in the area. A little bit of a walk from the Metro but best place for lunch around here.
(4)Dan F.
Ever since I moved into Crystal City, I saw this "Ted's Montana Grill" and wondered how expensive it was, because I really wanted to try it out. Eventually my roommate and I got up the nerve and went down to try it out. Even though the place looks relatively classy from the outside (and it is), you'll see people go in dressed nicely and casually alike. Now, I had never tried bison before, but the bison burgers were quite a treat! The prices weren't too bad. A bit pricey for a burger (~$11), but for the atmosphere and quality, I couldn't complain. In addition, the service is great!
(4)CYNTHIA C.
I wouldn't categorize Ted's Montana Grill as a great steakhouse. It's just average. What would be more fitting is to call this place an upscale burger joint. I ordered salmon one time and it was good. I like the food as I have never been disappointed but I have never been wowed. It's not too pricey and the service has always been good. However, the wait for food has always been slow. You need more than an hour to eat lunch here. The wait was so bad one time, my meal was comp'ed by the manager.
(3)Steve P.
I had met a friend nearby for a drink, and was walking back toward my hotel when I saw Ted's. Hadn't heard of it before, and poked my head in to check it out. It's a dark-paneled, high-ceilinged room with a lot of hard surfaces, so quite loud. You have a choice of booths, freestanding tables, and a bar area that extends down in front of the kitchen prep area. I ended up ordering the George's Cadillac bison burger, cooked medium, on the recommendation of the other poster. The burger was flavorful and juicy. I ate it as a knife-and-fork meal without the top bun as the bison is a little looser than a beef burger. That, plus a Blue Moon bottle, was $16.67 plus tip. I don't know how this compares to other burger choices in the area, didn't think it was outrageously expensive.
(4)Jeff E.
Ted's has a nice atmosphere and is in a good location in Crystal City. I live and work close by, so I eat here often. They have very good bison burgers, and bison steaks and bison nachos!. (Try the green and hot bison burger) They are known for their bison. The meat loaf is good, as is the beer can chicken. Get the Sweet Potato at night, it is tasty but not offered during the day. They also have onion rings and several salad options. The service is sometimes excellent, and sometime slow depending on which server you get, and how busy they are. They stay very busy at lunch and most weekday nights, so there can be a wait. Overall, I would recommend Ted's as a good go to resurant in Crystal City!
(3)Chris E.
It is a little too pricey. But for an "Outback" style alternative this a great place. I got great service. Plus this is the only place I know that specializes in Bison.
(4)David B.
Came here right after landing at Reagan Airport after a long day of work and traveling. Onion Rings are wonderful! The onions are thick, the batter is crispy, and not greasy. I had to try a bison burger and I have to say, it was very good. Had I not known it was bison, I would have sworn it was beef, very flavorful and juicy. The fries are fresh cut and very tasty as well. Burgers are in the $12 range with fries. I will certainly be back next time I am in Crystal City.
(5)PC W.
I like this place and the concept that all the food is flown in fresh daily and nothing is refrigerated, blah blah blah. I also like bison. I've had the bison meatloaf, slow-roasted pork, bison pot roast and bison steak and it's all been good. Prices are reasonable. Garlic mash potatoes are yummay.
(3)Nathan K.
I haven't been to this actual location of Ted's but I had a great experience at Teds my first time & a mediocre visit my second. The onion rings they served as appetizer were AWESOME--the ones I got with my meal the second time were borderline cold. I asked politely and the waitress rectified the issue, but if you eat at Teds, just be prepared to send some part of your meal back if its not up to par. Also, they play music thats pre-1950 for old-timey ambiance. If you haven't visited, I would give it a visit.(3.8-4.1)
(4)ChuVan E.
Had a late night dinner here once. I had the bison burger with bacon and cheese with a baked potato. I finished about 1/2 of my burger b/c the portions are generous and greasy (mostly b/c of the bacon). It was my first time having bison and I enjoyed it. Service was slow. Our waiter was pleasant.
(3)Steve N.
We came in around 10 pm on a Friday night and had to wait for at least 1 minute before we were greeted by a waiter and then immediately taken to a table. Both of us ordered the bison ribeye steak (1st time ever that we have eaten bison or buffalo), which was properly cooked at medium temperature but was very chewy (similar to eating a sirloin steak). The sides (garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, and mushrooms & onions) were pretty good. The strawberry shortcake was pretty big and made to share. It had a crunchy-on-the-outside biscuit (instead of a soft cake), very good HD vanilla ice cream, and strawberries. I give this dessert a thumbs-up. Since our waitress provided us with very good service and the food was good (except for the chewyness of the steaks), we'll definitely come back to try the bison burger (which we hope will not be as chewy) and onion rings.
(3)Craig M.
Great food, mediocre service.
(3)Jared B.
Excellent service, good sized portions and decent food. A little over priced but, in my opinion, every thing in this area is priced high. Wouldn't hesitate to come back here.
(4)Cara W.
I work nearby so come here quite often. Service can be hit or miss, but in the last few months I think it has gotten much better. Ted's does tend to get a lot of big groups during lunch, so just pack your patience. The Balsamic Bleu Steak salad is one of my go tos and it's delicious. Of course the burgers are great. I always order the bison and have never been disappointed. Yes, sometimes the buns get soggy, yes sometimes you wait a while for a table and for your food, but if you have the time for a great meal try this place!
(4)Greg L.
I just paid $16 for a mediocre burger. There was absolutely nothing special about this place except for the prices.
(1)Gene E.
Bison Ribeye was AMAZING. Can't say much for anything else. The signature Pepper and Salt Onion Rings, were okay. The Asparagus was steamed and boring. The meat was worth every penny
(3)Shellie D.
I have been to Ted's a few times and I can honestly say that nothing has wowed me. If it wasn't for the convenient location, I would never suggest eating at Ted's. To me, the burgers here are mediocre. Nothing really stood out to me. It appears that they try to use good quality ingredients, and the waiter gave us the run down about the bison meat which is 'organic' and is raised on Ted's farm. Well, I tried the bison burger and I didn't like it, which just may be my personal preference. My mouth was waiting for the flavorful beefy taste and the bison did not deliver. It was grainy and crumbled easily. It wasn't enough fat in it, in my opinion. And didn't have that juiciness I like. Hence the term 'big fat juicy burger'. The onion rings were good,but they weren't anything special. And the fries where flimsy. I would come back here, but only due to convenience. As I said, the food isn't bad, but it isn't great either. Prices are reasonable, but you will be paying $3 more if you want bison instead of beef. The staff is always super friendly, attentive and helpful.
(2)Saen H.
This was a very bad experience. Myself and six of my friends came for dinner. The first thing that happened was that they gave our table away, and we had to wait another 20 minutes for the next one. When we finally sat down and ordered it took one hour and twenty minutes to get the food out (keep in mind it was 8:00 when we sat, not busy). When the food arrived four of the six were not the correct order. They then told me they were out of the dish I ordered. Wow, now it's one hour forty five minutes later. I ask for a salad (it was late and I did not want to wait long for another dish). That took another twenty five minutes. When it came out they made the wrong one. It would have been faster to go to Montana, hunt a buffalo, and cook it.
(1)Alex M.
I've been going here for ten years. Last night was the first time I left unsatisfied; the meat was dry, our server forgot several items including bringing my side of onion rings at the end of the meal as opposed to, you know, during it - just really poor service and for the first time, questionable food. Very surprising and disappointing.
(2)Roger D.
Conveniently located and large, this popular restaurant can be difficult to get into. On a recent Wednesday night there was a 45 minute wait to be seated at 7 PM, however, by 8:30 PM it was very easy to find a table. Last call was at 10 PM. I mostly recommend Ted's for the bison burgers, which have a creative option of toppings and very generous portions. Be warned the prices are quiet high for what is still just a burger. Ted's tends to be overly cute with the environmentally friendly theme. While they didn't bother me, my dinner companions complained that the recyclable paper straws fell apart in their drinks and left an after taste in their mouth. The borax soup in the toilet feels like washing with sand and doesn't foam up like regular soap.
(3)Mike B.
Delicious food, good and friendly staff the only thing that I want to hit them on is the pricing.
(4)Kevin F.
My first time at Ted's. My wife used to work there and suggested it as a good place for us to meet some friends for dinner. I had the Avalon burger and a baked sweet potato. The burger was juicy, tasty, and cooked properly. It has been a while since I had a burger with that much flavor going on. Though, $15 does seem a little steep, or maybe I'm just not used to DC-area prices yet. We were greeted and seated quickly even though most of the tables were taken. The fact they were so busy on a weekday evening must be a good sign. If you have children, you will be glad to know they have high chairs and a kid's menu. Lots of really good looking stuff on the menu. I will be back to this Ted's Montana Grill!
(4)David H.
Try a bison burger here and you won't be disappointed. I originally ordered the Chili Cheeseburger but was told it's not served anymore (though it's on the menu), I didn't get how they don't serve it when it's on the menu and they serve all the ingredients (burger, bun, chili, cheese). Not a huge deal and I had the bacon bbq cheese burger instead which was good as well. I also had the salt and pepper onion rings which had a good flavor, were, crispy, and weren't greasy which impressed me. I also had the Big Sky Lemonade which is a fresh made lemonade with bourbon and would order it again. They also give you free homemade pickles with your meal. Teds is a chain, but for a chain I'd recommend it. Send the tourists here also and let the locals enjoy Ray's in peace.
(4)P G.
I liked it for a variety of reasons. An expansive menu. The food was very good considering the price point, which is quite reasonable considering the area. My bison KC strip was perfectly prepared but tasted lean. No kidding, bison is lean so I expected it. I did like the sustainability aspect. It felt like there was very little waste there. A little crowded; the woman sitting at the table next to us bumped into ours when she sat down.
(4)Carol Y.
Loved this place - we had a booth which greatly cuts the noise - and the waiter was fabulous. We'd not had bison before and thought it was great. I was feeling stuffed from sitting in a conference all day so had the bison chopped salad and it was just what I wanted. The Kid had salmon and loved it. The Husband had a bison cut and loved it too. We'd eat at a Ted's again if we come across one.
(4)George P.
This place has great food. The atmosphere is fun, the staff is friendly and there's parking on the street.
(3)Peter T.
Found the place using the app while we were staying nearby. Easy walk from lots of hotels. Fun and large menu with something for everyone, even my somewhat picky kids. We all had good meals and drinks. Service was friendly and prompt. Comfortable table and seating. Prices weren't cheap, just on the edge of high for a family meal, but fair for a vacation.
(5)John G.
Thanks to a recommendation from our hotel shuttle driver, we had a great dinner here. While it is a atmosphere where you would think to order the steaks, this place is all about the burgers. We ordered four burgers and a side do fries and rings. The girls also split a milkshake. The burgers can be made with beef or bison. Pay the extra dollar and get the bison. It is sweeter and more tender. Only four stars because it is pricey for a burger and our waitress was slow on refilling our waters each time but the food was 5 star!
(4)Paul H.
I moved here about 2 months ago and I can easily say this is the best burger I've had. A lot of the other reviews said the service was bad but my personal experience was great. It was my friend and I and we both got different burgers and loved them both. The onion rings were the best I've ever had and I recommend them as an appetizer. I will definitely be returning. It is about 20$ for an appetizer and burger so it's by no means cheap but it is worth it.
(4)Don K.
Meatloaf is fantastic especially coupled with squash casserole! The prime rib is very good with a nice Malbec. Enjoyed the bison chili covered nachos. Atmosphere is relaxing and yet properly steakhouse semi formal. Service was excellent even if not by an obvious American. Worth the walk from the Hyatt.
(5)Kerri Y.
There is no shortage of food- you will go home stuffed!! While looking for a good burger at a recent stay in Crystal City, we found this restaurant through yelp. They have a huge burger menu- all with the option of beef or bison. Food was tasty and plentiful. Soo soo soo much food. Service was beyond fantastic. We received our food so quickly it was amazing! It was a weeknight and fairly busy but we received exceptional service. Great experience here. I was actually surprised to find out this was a chain restaurant, I may be seeking out a location close to home, after my experience here.
(4)Edward M.
Worst Ted's I've ever been to with my family. Server showed up at the table with her ~9 year old daughter who carried plates and touched our food. Completely unsanitary given that kids (including our own) are always wiping their nose and you can't keep up with sanitary food delivery conditions. Food order was completely wrong. Wrong dressing for salads, wrong soups , wrong temp for burger (burnt/well done versus medium). We thought to give this location another chance since we are local. Bad idea. Not coming again.
(1)Fredy R.
Fun, delicious an unique restaurant. We enjoyed a delicious dinner here with six teens. The Bison nachos are generously topped and while unusual they tasted great. I enjoyed the "fork and knife" which was a burger topped with chili and cheese-hence the name. Everyone enjoyed the meal. We didn't get dessert but it looked wonderful. All meat meals give the option of beef or bison.
(4)Mark H.
Burgers schmurgers. Yes they're good, but why waste your time on a freakin' burger when Ted's got BISON RIBEYE? THAT, my friends, kicks seriously delicious ASS!
(4)Mitchel B.
Tonight my wife and I had dinner at Ted's Montana Grill I had the bison bone in ribeye she had the bison ribeye. We had the salt and pepper onion rings she had spinach and the baked potato I had the kale salad and baked potato everything was delicious. For a beverage I had a strawberry milkshake and my wife had the mountain breeze she said it was fantastic. All in all it was a great experience our server was nice. We did have to ask for water a couple of times other than that it. I would highly recommend eating there as the food was well-prepared and as I said earlier delicious.
(5)Malika H.
Interesting restaurant. Happy my job took me out to eat at Ted's, otherwise I would never have tried the place out. On the outside you'd expect to walk in to something similar to TGI Fridays or Ruby Tuesdays but the restaurant actually has a very sophisticated layout. Nice for an intimate dinner or business meeting. Now on to the food. I ordered the Avalon Burger, and it was really good. I chose the bison meat instead of regular beef and it was SO thick. I appreciated the experience but I think next time I'd go with the beef just to be able to enjoy the taste of all the different components of the burger more. I particularly liked that they offered ciabatta rolls as an option for your bun. You can also get a wheat bun. Very health conscious menu and eco friendly (non-plastic straws). I'd say if you ever visit Ted's go for the burgers. They have a pretty extensive selection and they're all really good. There were 7 at my table, we all ordered burgers, and no one had any complaints. I'll for sure be back! :)
(4)Chris M.
My husband and I wanted a new experience while visiting from California. The service was outstanding! Veronika was very knowledgeable about the menu and gave us good recommendations. My husband had the bison filet which was excellent. I had Salt & Pepper trout with asparagus & a sweet potato- all delicious. I would recommend this restaurant again & again. Great atmosphere, great food. good for all ages. I was impressed they had salmon on the kids menu!!
(5)Billy E.
Ted's is a hard place to review for me. I like the food/service, that it has buffalo meat, and in fact it's my preferred place to get a burger in Crystal City. It's just no matter what I get, I have a hard time spending less than $18-20 for lunch (ordering just an entree). If I had half stars it would get a bump up for sure.
(3)Zachary G.
As we walked in we were immediately greeted with a smile!!! I ordered a Diet Coke with grenadine(my usual drink) and it was the best ratio I've ever had with that drink! I ordered the Swiss and Mushroom Chicken Sandwich and it was amazing!!! I then asked for some ranch for my fries and it literally was the best ranch I've eve tasted!! Grey service from the staff!! Overall a very enjoyable trip!!! I would definitely go back !!
(5)Steven V.
Loved this place. No complaints whatsoever. The chicken noodle soup was very authentic and tasty. Real shredded, tender meat and veggies, none of that weird fake soup thickener stuff. My salad was also very good with fresh veggies and a tasty honey mustard dressing. The bison burger was the real treat. Slightly sweeter yet leaner than regular beef. Big tomato and a great bun made it perfect. The menu had a lot of variety. We might go back before our vacation is up. Well done Ted!
(5)Todd U.
Food was great, but the service was not so great. Waiter seemed as though he did not know his menu. Priority of kids meal was asked for and all the food came out the same time. Kids sliders was a mess! The burger is placed on crumbling bread, will not return to this place again anytime soon. The service versus price? Yeah, not worth it.
(2)Steve L.
Great service. Friendly staff. Bison burger was pretty good. Bun was soggy from the onions but.
(3)Judith L.
Came here with my parents and a friend of theirs to take part in their bi-weekly burger and beers night. The location is convenient and when we met for dinner we did not need to pay for parking in the garage located to the left of the restaurant. Got a coke at the bar and it came in one of those weird little aluminum bottles. With a ton of crushed ice. So much that you need to get a straw to be able to actually drink anything. We were seated and brought the house made pickles (which are really slices of cucumber in some vinegar-y mix). Which were fine. Our waiter was very friendly and chatty, which if that wasn't your thing probably means that you wouldn't have enjoyed your time here. But people like to talk and that isn't something that especially bothers me since he didn't hover or overstay. Ordered a cheese burger (beef) and onion rings. The burger was fine, but nothing to write home about. The onion rings had a nice flavor (salt and pepper, I believe) but the coating was overly dry on the bigger ones. Overall, I'd give this place another shot or stop by with a group if they wanted to do lunch or dinner, but I this wouldn't be my first pick of places to dine in the area.
(3)Michael C.
Food was good, and so was the service. Only problem was that our children's Mac'n'cheese came out a bit cold. The problem was quickly and kindly rectified, though. Wife had bison pot roast and I had the bison ribeye; both were great.
(4)Lorrie L.
Had lunch here yesterday and it was good.I had a bison mushroom swiss burger and my hubby had a chili cheese burger. Every thing was good except the bison was kind of bland. Every where else I have ever had bison it had more flavor. Fries and tea were good. Service was very good. I loved the decor.
(4)Don C.
Love the flavor of Bison and this is my "go to" when I visit DC.
(4)Jeff R.
A far cry from Montana...just the name...the staff is friendly...let's try some Bison!
(3)Meagan K.
I went on a date to Ted's sometime in March. I really enjoyed myself there. Parking wasn't difficult to find at all, as there is a large parking garage next door that doesn't charge in the evenings. (Don't quote me on that...it didn't charge the evening I was there, though) The service is great! We were promptly seated and our food came quickly. The environment is a mix of grown and sexy and family fun. I know that sounds really weird, but it makes a lot of sense. Ambiance is on point. I also admired the fact that the restaurant is very environmentally friendly. Everything is recyclable...and the drinking straws are even made out of paper or something conducive to going green. I'd give Ted's Montana Grill five stars, but I just don't feel comfortable with the "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" that appears when I select the fifth star. The "Yay! I'm a fan." that appears when you select four stars is more like it. Mostly because although I had a nice time, I am certain that I wouldn't even suggest this place if someone asked me to pick a spot to eat.
(4)Elaine B.
Singletons? Lone lunchers? Steer clear because Ted's has instructed its staff to treat you differently from other patrons. One afternoon I had been working hard and had just finished a project. I wanted to celebrate by treating myself to lunch (it was 2:30 on a weekday and I hadn't eaten yet). When I asked for a table for one, the hostess replied, "Would you like a seat at the bar?" Was the place super crowded? No, at that time, the place was almost completely empty. I could see 5 other customers in the entire dining area - including the bar. n an era when customer service and brand is everything, Ted's management needs to understand the negative impact they are having. Because the next time I do have a party of 5-6 for lunch, guess where I'm not going. Their policy is short-sighted and extremely unappetizing. I am also posting this review for the benefit of anybody out there who is planning to eat alone and wants to avoid being treated as anything less than a valued customer. Ted's is not the only place that does this. I have seen a few do it, and I am leaving similar reviews for ALL of them until their policies change.
(1)David S.
The server was not interested in helping our table of six. The food was mediocre at best. They ask how you want your hamburger cooked and then bring them all well done. Why ask. Drinks sit at the bar when glasses are empty. My wife ordered mashed potatoes and was never offered butter or gravy or anything to with. They are supposed to offer pickles when you sit at the table. We were never offered. Had to ask because we noticed other tables got them. Then we got some when our food was delivered. Took forever to pay even after the server picked up our credit card. She continued to help several tables ...all she had to do was drop off our bill. Then on top of all of this on their receipt it has a "tell us how we did". I got to the website and it asks for a survey code. Nowhere on the receipt is a "survey code ". Without the survey code you can't send feedback. I guess they really don't want the honest feedback. Sad part is that I recommended this place to our group. Now I look like a bad persons for recommending a dud of a restaurant.
(1)Nick H.
Pot Roast with green beans and mashed potatoes. This was not the best food in the world and not the worst food either. Overall, the food is aok. Customer service is good and the people working here are very friendly. The restaurant does have a good vibe. A-OK.
(3)Richard M.
The Bison steak was amazing! The guy that decided to kill off the Buffaloes in the 1800's clearly never had a bison steak.
(4)Alan K.
I'm not sure I would recommend this place to anyone since I find their signature food/dish to be pretty bad, but I will probably return every now and then when I'm in the mood for grabbing a quick dinner a sit-down restaurant. Honestly, although I like the taste of bison, I don't think any of the burgers are any good here. They tend to be giant to the point of being impossible to eat, and pretty dried out, even when you order them medium or medium rare. Same thing with some of the sandwiches--I tried the Red Rock grilled chicken one tonight and it was extremely dry chicken with more dry bread on top. It had good flavor but was hard to eat because it was so dry. On top of everything, it's all kind of pricey. For a beer, a sandwich, and a side salad substitute for the fries, it was 20 bucks before tip. On the plus side, they have pretty good salads, and the bison chili is tasty as well. I haven't tried any of the other sandwiches or the classic dinner entrees, but I'm not wholly put off by my bad experiences, so I would be game for giving them a go. The decor is also pretty nice, with much more of an upscale feel than your standard chain restaurant.
(3)Anne C.
Authentic American Dining. I recommend the Bison Ribeye with their Merlot. Very well seasoned and tender. Also the Salt and Pepper Trout, a delicacy. This place had the best cheesecake Ive ever had. It was smoothe and creamy with raspberry sauce. Wow! Thats good American meal.
(4)Todd L.
Roscoe was our server. Awsome job and answered every question. Made sure we had everything we needed. Food was amazing sides were perfect. Price was very well matched withe food selection. Bathrooms very clean. The amount of people they were serving our food came out in a timely manner.
(5)Rob B.
Burgers are excellent. My co-worker swears by the meatloaf (he gets it EVERY time without fail). Fries are hit or miss. The pickles they give you when you sit down are good, and the free rolls are good enough that you should definitely ask for them!
(4)Bella B.
This restaurant was such a surprise , not only delicious food But so affordable !!!! Great steak and fish . Their bison merlot was the house red and superb with my Ribeye steak done perfectly and we had a great waitress !!!!
(5)Joshua M.
Went to Ted's Montana Grill on a Monday evening with four friends; I could not say I was a big fan. Bottom line is was the food was just not very good at all. I got the Bison Blue Creek Burger, and it was terrible. Maybe it was my own fault for getting Bison instead of regular beef (the bison just tasted like raw meat), but it went beyond that. The fries that came with the burger were in a clump and stuck together, as if they took them out of the package from the freezer, deep fried them, and they never separated from being frozen. So bottom line is the food wasn't exactly very fresh. Perhaps I got the wrong type of burger, but from what I had on my plate I was not impressed at all. Even though I wasn't a fan of the food, Ted's Montana Grill looked very nice, and the location seemed to be in a very happening place. The restaurant was located right next to a lot of other restaurants and seemed to be a busy area (people walking their dogs, etc).
(2)Char P.
First time, sat at the bar. Had a cup of Chili.. The atmosphere was nice. The bartender was great. I'll update when I have a full meal. Bison is good..
(3)Kristine B.
HORRIBLE service. I will never go back to this location or recommend it. The service was incredibly slow and 2 of our 4 entrees were incorrect. It took almost 20mins for new entrees to arrive. Never did a manager stop by to see how we were doing our apologize. Our waiter apologized once and we did not see him again til our new entrees were delivered. We were not asked if we wanted a drink or appetizer while we waited. We were shocked by this. We thought they might comp us a dessert for our wait - but this did not happen either. Clearly customer service, loyalty and recommendations are not a priority for this restaurant. Other restaurants in the area would have handled the situation differently - I have witnessed it. There is no reason to be treated this way when you can get a decent steak many other places and be treated much better. Visit: Saturday night at 8pm
(1)Sazha R.
Great food and good service. Manager greeted us and frequently came to check on us. I ordered the chicken cranberry dish. Mind you I do not like chicken but boy was it delish! I subbed the mashed potatoes for sweet potatoe and it was divine. Hubby ordered prime rib with au jus and horseradish. A little tough but still delicious! I would definitely recommend the Arnold Palmers, drank a zillion of them. Be weary of the biscuits, so delicious you don't know when to stop. I will be returning!
(5)George B.
Come here fairly often when I visit DC - lunch or dinner. This visit, got a table that was in very back next to kitchen and service center - very noisy! I have tried the entree cesar with chicken and with shrimp, tonight with salmon; proved to be my least favorite. Service was friendly but not very attentive. Overall, pretty average this evening.
(3)Old Z.
Its amazing how you think a place will be and it was. I thought there wpuld be more of a variety but there was major emphsis on burgers. Meh burgers. A place like this should have more stakes because if freaking montana grill. Steak is king. Staff was mismanaged and very inattentive. My waitress was wierd, wast of tome wast of good money.
(1)Charles H.
I love burgers so ordering a bison patty was an easy choice at Ted's Montana Grill. During my most recent visit (4/2/12) I ordered the Avalon Bison Burger. According to the menu its topped with melted Gruyère cheese, bleu cheese, bacon, caramelized onions, roasted garlic aioli and baby arugula, and served on a toasted onion bun. When delivered to my table I noticed the bun was not as toasted as I would have liked. Also, I believe the bacon is chopped up in tiny bits within the sauce compared to your typical burger with a slab of bacon. The Avalon bison burger was a nice change of pace from the norm; however, I could not use my hands to eat it as lower bun was too soggy. The grilled shrimp appetizer was mediocre at best with a decent amount of shrimp placed on some flat bread. The big sky grilled salad was huge! Enough for two people to share. I highly recommend requesting the bacon ranch dressing and grilled salmon as an addition to the salad. Our server (Nina) was attentive to our needs. She refilled our drinks automatically and brought extra plates per our request. I'll definitely stop by again but order a different bison burger.
(3)Darrell K.
I didn't realize until I opened their menu that they serve bison. Oh baby, I knew exactly what I was going to get, the Bison Ribeye. The ribeye is the best cut, better than a filet mignon, due to the nice amount of fat that gives meat its flavor and tenderness. I had bison ribeyes at other restaurants so I knew I was in for a treat. However, it tasted like a cow ribeye. Even though it was good, it wasn't the bison I had in other restaurants. They ensured me it was bison, but I think they made a mistake. Disappointing since this is a nice place, with a good menu and friendly staff.
(2)S. R.
The food isn't worth the price, even though I like bison. The service was slow also slow all around, from waters, to order to the bill. Example: Ten minutes after we ordered, our server told us that they were out of meatloaf. We would've appreciated knowing this right away - we started wondering if the other 3 entrees would sit under a heat lamp! Also, when the food did come, the extras (onion and avocado) we asked for were missing.
(2)Kerrie N.
Four stars because I frequent this place but have had a couple of hiccups. Here we go: PROs: Overall Ted's serves up some pretty tasty food. You'll definitely add their salt-n-pepper onion rings to your "top 3 best places for onion rings" list! We usually sit at the bar and the service is always on point. The burgers are INSANE at this place! If you've never had a bison burger...make your way to Ted's get one! They never disappoint. I've had the bacon cheeseburger and the blue creek cheeseburger..both perfectly cooked, fresh and juicy! Their fries are made fresh just to the right of the bar (when facing it). You can see them placing whole potatoes in their French fry making gadget. It's pretty cool. Last but not least...the salt-n-pepper trout. It's a must try in my book. Comes with corn and tomato salsa, asparagus and sliced tomatoes. CONs: On two separate occasions I've had some pretty salty food placed in front of me (the chicken gumbo soup) and on one occasion, soggy bread with the mini burgers. My husband gave the gumbo another shot when we went earlier in the week, that time it was perfect. Maybe it's hit or miss! Overall...I'm still a huge fan of Ted's. The good meals FAR outweigh the few hiccups I mentioned. Give them a try!
(4)Paul X.
During my recent trip to DC, there were plans made to go to Ted's Montana Grill. This was the restaurant I was most excited about going to during my 3 day stay in DC. I called ahead of time to see if we could make a reservation as it was Saturday night, but they said they make reservations for large groups. However, I think that is quite odd since 98% of the restaurant has tables set up specifically for four people or booths that fit four people. But moving on... The four of us managed to get a seat without a wait...I would've been disappointed to have to go somewhere with a shorter wait because all that was on my mind was a bison steak. And I wasn't disappointed...the bison ribeye was excellent!!! Really really REALLY damn good. The bison chili was also very good. That's why it's such a tragedy the rest of the experience was disappointing: - It was a too long a wait time for the beers and drinks to arrive at the table after we had ordered them, literally about 15 minutes. For a draft beer? - The hubby's mojito didn't taste anything at all like it should - it tasted more like watered down rum. All of us tried it, and all agreed it was pretty bad. It had to be returned. - I'm not one to return a meal because I'm pretty easy to please, but there's one exception; when a steak is ordered medium rare and it comes out much too well done (because meat is the best food group and it always should be experienced in the best way possible :). 2 out of the 4 entrees came out very well done as opposed to the medium rare order. The waiter came up with a "I gave them the right order". Well, buddy, we're not pointing fingers at anyone...no need to get defensive. Although we did eventually get a "Sorry" from him. - The waiter forgot silverware for two of us for desert even though he said he will be "bringing out for everyone". We ended up grabbing silverware off another table next to us after a few minutes. - Finally, due to business reasons, etc., we ended up getting four separate checks. The four of us paid with credit cards. The waiter returned four of our bills. None of the bills had a pen to sign our names or add a tip. WTF??? *We* ended up scrounging for a pen at the front desk because we couldn't spot him and we didn't want to have to wait another 15 minutes for a pen. Do you not want us to tip you, dude??? In fact, one of our party said they weren't leaving a tip. And frankly, I don't blame them. I was quite conflicted whether I should give the guy anything, either. The service really did suck. For a *steakhouse*??? C'mon! Usually I don't care too much about getting a free comp out of a restaurant (a free drink or a comped desert to end things on a better note), but in this case, I think it should've been attempted, and I would've included that in this review to at least show they at least made an effort. I think even a manager coming out to say something would've been nice. It's happened in other restaurants I've been in and for much better service in a more casual atmosphere. But that steak really was damn good...that's why it truly pains me to give these guys two stars...and that's kind of being generous.
(2)Sue K.
Steak was very good, but you have to ask for free bread. The small plates are on table, he took our order, came back gave is pickles (a little salty)took plates away, we then said "don't we get bread?" He paused And said "sure" like it was an after thought. When we got our meal we asked for additional bread, he nodded bit we never got any more. So all in all food is great service can use a little improvement
(2)