Several years ago Ted’s Montana Grill created a gluten-free menu. Some locations did fine with gluten-free service and some did not. We can not expect the gluten-free service at every location of a chain restaurant to be equal, though it would be nice if we could.
Location Finder: Find a Ted Montana Grill Location Near You
Ted’s Montana Grill was founded by media giant and environmentalist Ted Turner and acclaimed restaurateur George McKerrow Jr. The menu features classic American grill entrées including beef, bison, chicken, shrimp, and fish. The atmosphere is decidedly masculine, invoking thoughts of a rustic retreat in the middle of Montana.
Previous visits to the Ted’s near us (Atlanta area) have gone well, though it was annoying that there was no real gluten-free menu. The booklet that contained the safe gluten-free menu selections was often hard for the staff to find so I just printed the menu from Ted’s website and took it in to save time and aggravation for all.
During a recent visit to Ted’s, we found out that our location now has one bound gluten-free menu. You still have to cross-reference it with the regular menu for descriptions and prices, but to my delight, I saw French fries listed on the menu in “sides”. Some companies are actually not aware of the cross-contamination issues regarding fryers that cook gluten-containing foods. Therefore, I never order anything fried without confirming there is a dedicated fryer first – no matter what the menu says.
Sure enough – Ted’s Montana Grill has a dedicated fryer – at least at the Lawrenceville, GA location. Their fries are simply made from real potatoes and are excellent! Unfortunately, Ted’s corporate office could not confirm which locations have dedicated fryers at this time. They ask that people call their local Ted’s Montana Grill to inquire about the issue. They also warn customers who can’t eat gluten not to order French fries at Ted’s without confirming they have a dedicated fryer.
You can view the complete gluten-free menu here. You’re going to see French fries listed but please heed the request above to order safely. With or without fries, there should be something to satisfy everyone’s tastes at Ted’s. The only gluten-free menu limitations are the dessert options. Ted’s can certainly step up their game there. Even something as simple as chocolate mousse with fresh whipped cream (that everyone can enjoy) would be a nice addition.
So the food at Ted’s Montana Grill is made with real ingredients, is very tasty, and gluten-free options abound. That alone is worth giving the restaurant a try if there is one in your area. But there is a bigger picture going on at Ted’s. Their serious commitment to the environment led them to implement the following standards in all their restaurants:
- Each location is 99% plastic-free – they even use paper straws.
- To-go cups are made of cornstarch that bio-degrades in just 50 days.
- Menus are printed on 100% recycled paper.
- Take-out food goes in Bio-Plus Earth Containers, which are high-quality, bio-degradable containers that are microwavable.
- Low-wattage lighting is used at all locations.
- Regardless of the state laws where they operate, all Ted’s Montana Grill restaurants are non-smoking.
The first Ted’s opened in January 2002 in Columbus, Ohio, and has grown to over 50 restaurants in 19 states. If every location had dedicated fryers, they would do well to add more delectable gluten-free options in the future. Gluten-free onion ring anyone?
My absolute favorite item at Ted’s is the “Chicken Brick” entree. If you’ve been to a location near you, please tell us what you enjoy at Ted’s in the comment section below!
Note: It is possible that not all Ted’s Montana Grill locations already have the new menu, so please call ahead first if you plan to visit one in your local area to confirm the menu is available.
As always, when dining out gluten-free, do your due diligence and make sure the staff understands your needs. There are very few restaurants that are 100% gluten-free, so cross-contamination is always a risk. If you don’t feel comfortable with what you are hearing from the staff, perhaps it is best to dine elsewhere.
For information about other gluten-free restaurants menus, check out our gluten-free restaurants page.
Great post Tiffany!
Unfortunately, we don’t have a Ted’s Montana Grill in my state yet, but I am hoping to give them a try sometime when traveling. I’ve heard a lot of great things about them and your review only reinforces that I need to find a way to visit one!! 8)
Thanks for the info! I’ll have to check with my local Ted’s to see about a dedicated fryer – that is the ONLY place near us that has a gf menu AND is kid friendly! I love their bison burgers – now if we could only get them to get buns, and make the meatloaf gf….
I know! But the burgers there are so big I don’t even miss the bun…lol! I just heard that the Ted’s in Columbus OH has gluten-free fries so I hope all locations will eventually and I want a dessert besides ice cream too!
I’ve been to Ted’s Montana Grill in Littleton, CO, twice, about a year apart, as I don’t live nearby. The experience was excellent. Although there was no separate gluten-free menu, the wait-staff was very knowledgeable about the gluten-free options. Unfortunately I didn’t think to ask about the french fries. However, it turns out that I like bison burgers, even without the bun. Everyone else in my party could choose anything they wanted off the menu and everyone enjoyed their meal. I would recommend Ted’s Montana Grill without a second thought.
RB in CA
Ted’s in Decatur GA (on the square) has gluten-free fries and the staff there has been recently trained about the glutne-free menu, just like the store near us. So, it’s one Ted’s at a time but I’d rather them take things slow instead of making people sick. The newly trained stores all have ONE nice leather bound gluten-free menu. Of course, it’s hard to share when I take three gluten-free friends in with me – seems like a few more menus in certain stores are a good idea.
Having a “gluten-free menu” is deceiving if your kitchen staff doesn’t have a clue about cross contamination! I’m still trying to get over a glutening incident that happened to me there on Saturday – in Bozeman, MT. It was a side of broccoli. and it happened 2 times. The first time, I ate one piece and discovered bread crumbs in the bottom of the dish. The second time, my server reported that they had “changed” the water, just in case. I ate about 4 pieces and discovered an elbow macaroni in the bottom of the dish – what did they change the water to?? The PASTA boiler!! I was hoping I wouldn’t feel it, but I do and have for several days. I’ll be offering up my training/consulting services to Ted’s ASAP.
Jana – Sorry to hear about your bad experience with Ted’s. It seems that their locations either get it or they totally don’t. The location we visit has not once messed up my meal, but the Decatur location has messed up for several people that I know. In your case, that is simply ridiculous that they can’t safely prepare something as simple as broccoli for you. I hope you’ll consider contacting the home office of Ted’s in Atlanta. They need to know what stores need extra training about the gluten-free menu – no doubt!