You can get a burger just about anywhere, but Ted’s Montana Grill, one of the new restaurants that have taken a home in Beechwood, doesn’t just serve a typical burger: It serves bison.
As a local Athenian and student at the University of Georgia, I recently visited the restaurant to celebrate my father’s new job and was pleasantly surprised to find a rather unconventional restaurant in the Beechwood area.
I have witnessed the ups-and-downs of the Beechwood development, from the opening of The Fresh Market, the closing of the Beechwood Cinemas and its revamping into a commercial center and community area for holiday festivals, markets and other events. It is safe to say that Ted’s Montana Grill is an added gem to the crown of Athens dining.
The restaurant, serving classic American cuisine, offers what you might expect:salads, burgers, poultry, steaks and more. Though, even if those dining were for the most part dressed casually, the western-chic interior of the restaurant has an added illusion of upscale-dining.
I ordered the “1977 America’s Cup,” a bison burger with American cheese, bacon, grilled onion, mushrooms and a fried egg on top. I was pleasantly surprised that when the dish came out, there was a small toothpick in the center with an American flag.
I had asked for the meat to be medium-rare, and I found the bison burger to be much softer than regular beef. The bacon was thick and crispy, and contrasted the sweet sauce on the lightly toasted bun. The meat has a slightly sweeter taste than beef, and doesn’t leave you feeling too heavy. With the addition of the onions, there was a contrast of savory with a hint of sweet.
In addition, the fries were reminiscent of boardwalk fries — an added crisp on the outside, but soft in the center.
I found Ted’s Montana Grill to be a great place to celebrate with my family and I would recommend it to anyone looking for an excellent, unconventional American burger and a pleasant dining experience.
Dining and Cooking