Ted's Montana Grill - Lakewood

OK, I admit it. Even though I call myself vegetarian, I know that the only true vegetarian diet is a vegan diet that allows no animal products at all. Explaining the intricacies of the vegetarian diet is a subject for another article, but, for now, let’s just consider what kinds of choices are available to diners once they choose to pursue the path of vegetarianism, but end up dining with friends in an establishment not geared toward veggies. I encounter this problem frequently, and it came up again at a dinner date with friends at Ted’s Montana Grill. For those who are unfamiliar with Ted’s, it is a perfect example of a non-vegetarian restaurant. In fact, it is one restaurant where a vegetarian will definitely feel out of place. Ted’s specializes in cuts of meat, particularly bison. Since almost all vegetarians will run into the problem of trying to find something non-meat to eat at a carnivore restaurant sometime, fortunately for them, restaurants like Ted’s are ready. At Ted’s, even though there are no entrees that do not contain meat, there is a nice variety of salad choices as well as a number of vegetarian sides from which to choose. Ted’s is one restaurant that understands that, even though the majority of Americans consume meat, there is a growing number who decline animal products but still dine out. Ted’s also understands that picking the meat out of a meat-oriented dish does not automatically qualify that dish as vegetarian. A menu that offers a variety of options for the non-carnivore as well as employing servers who understand about vegetarianism says a lot about a restaurant’s willingness to please its customer whether they are vegetarian or not. At Ted’s, one good option is their entrée that allows diners to build their own plates by making four selections from the side dish offerings. There are many good choices, but be careful to ask your servers which may contain bacon, animal fat or animal broth. Just because it is a vegetable dish does not mean that vegetables are the only ingredients. The same goes for soups. Many vegetable and minestrone soups use a chicken base for the broth. On this visit, my vegetarian date chose the four-side offering and selected asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms and a baked sweet potato. I chose the vine-ripened tomato and onion salad with a baked potato. Our dinner guests went carnivore with one choosing a beef hamburger and the other choosing the same made with bison. As a word of advice, do not choose the tomato and onion salad if you are on a first date for obvious reasons. I was expecting some lettuce in there, but as the menu says, it was just tomatoes and onions. They were nice center cuts of tomato, but surprisingly hard for a tomato that was vine-ripened. I also had a plain, (I call them “naked” , baked potato and it was perfect. Most steak houses have great baked potatoes since many diners enjoy them with their cuts. Additionally, all the vegetables were excellent, tasty and filling. It was a good meal. If you are out with friends who are looking to consume meat, Ted’s is a good compromise restaurant for all. They even allow diners to substitute a veggie-patty for the meat in any of their burgers. Ted’s is also eco-friendly using recycled paper, biodegradable cups, and almost no plastic. I respect that kind of social commitment. I rate Ted’s an “A” for social responsibility, good variety, and a consistent, predictable menu. It may be a little expensive, but it sure comes in handy when entertaining your carnivore friends. Ted’s Montana Grill 330 S. Teller Street, building 3m1 Lakewood, CO 80226 303-922-7770 Open 11 a.m. daily until 10 p.m., staying open one hour later on Fridays and Saturdays. [hidden link] (Also located at a number of other places around Denver. Check on line for locations.