10/23/09

What a nightmare

by Kitchenmom

Four of us waited an hour and fifteen minutes for our entrees, despite getting our appetizers quickly. As we were in a hurry, we had ordered all three courses at once. Turns out our waitress spaced out and didn't turn in our entree or dessert order. When this was discovered, the assistant managers, instead of getting something, anything, to our table, lied to us about when the food would be on the table and, rather than bringing things as they were ready, as we requested, brought everything at once... as we were leaving. We were Ted's regulars, but this is the second time this has happened. We will not go back.

• Pros: Good food
• Cons: Dreadful service

09/15/09

Maybe it was me...?

by E Hal

Granted, I was alone traveling on business. My wife encouraged me to find Ted's and give the Bison burgers a try. The table was offered quickly, unfortunately, it was at the intersection of three isles. I asked if they could find something else and they did no problem.

The waiter came eventually but it was well more than five but less than ten minutes after I sat.

I ordered a Bison Burger and asked for medium rare. The server cautioned against and suggested medium. Seems they leaned to the rare side or at least that was the implication.

This was a Tuesday evening. Not jammed, not empty. The wait for the food seemed somewhat long, the server even came by at one point to say my order was next up, whatever that meant.

Five minutes later someone delivered the burger. At this point the sparkling water I ordered was pretty much gone and I was thinking of another. I bit into the burger and to my surprise found grey, through and through. So, I stopped eating thinking the server would pop by in a minute, concur that the burger was used and abused and offer another attempt. The long and the short... after ten minutes of fiddling, and eating the sliced tomato side I ordered (instead of the fries I wanted), which was by the way the same tomato slices as the slice that came with the burger - thin and mealy and nothing like you might imagine a sliced tomato side to be. Anyway, by this time, the burger was not only still grey but was rapidly getting cold. Still no waiter.

Yes I could have hailed down one of the other seemingly more attentive (to other patrons with 4 and 6 people at the table) servers and ask them to find my AWOL server. But I didn't. Instead, I lathered on the catsup, finished all but a bite of the burger (for evidence). When he finally arrived, the first thing he asked is if I wanted more water. Too late. I pointed at the burger bit and said, is that really medium? At this point I was more annoyed at the waiter than the kitchen.

He said he was sorry and would be right back. Literally, another 5 minutes went by before he approached again and at that point said he was sorry and did I want anything else. I said yes, the check.

Again, perhaps it was me. Or perhaps dining alone at Ted's is not something one should do and expect anything other than mediocre at best. I'm pretty sure though that I've not yet really tasted Bison burgers.

Sorry, Ted, that's just how it was.

• Pros: Seated Quickly
• Cons: Pretty much everything else

11/26/08

Good but not extraordinary

by mccorma

We've been to the new Ted's Montana Grill at Avenue Forsyth shopping center three times now. Overall it is good, but nothing to rave about. I've also dined at the Ted's at the Forum on Peachtree Parkway. For the Forsyth location, expect a long wait unless you arrive by 6pm even on a weeknight, as the place is not that big plus proximity to AMC theaters next door and their patrons.

The way to go at Ted's is the bison burger which is served with homecut fries. I have also had the bison potroast, which is good but the portions are skimpy. On one visit I had a bison steak, also good but on the small side and pricey. My primary complaint with Ted's is that it seems like that consistently the service has been spotty and slow, and the food always lukewarm (other than the burgers). When we visited last night, it took forever for salads to come out, then another long wait for the entrees which again were lukewarm. Maybe our server was overwhelmed but I would expect better service. It is a unique place and worth visiting, just don't set the bar too high.

• Pros: Emphasis on bison beef is unique
• Cons: Spotty/slow service, lukewarm food, long waits