CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- You don’t have to be a cowboy to eat like one.

George McKerrow, who founded Longhorn Steakhouse, and media mogul Ted Turner founded Ted’s Montana Grill as a bit of a throwback. 

“What we really try to do is cook real food for real people,” McKerrow said.  

The restaurant, styled after a 19th century saloon, is bringing bison back to the dinner plate as a way to bring bison back to the plains.

“So it sounds a little odd, but basically the best way to make [bison] sustainable and have a healthy, productive heard, [was bringing] the great American bison to the table,” McKerrow said. 

You won’t see a microwave, a frozen patty, or even pre-cut fries in the kitchen. Even as a national chain, Ted’s tries to operate locally with farm-to-table dishes. 

Fries are made to order, cut straight from the spud.

“It was literally a potato nine minutes before it went on your plate,” McKerrow said. “We cook to order just like you do when you are home.”

But, you’re probably not cooking a bison burger at home. Much less the bison steaks, crab cakes, and salmon filets on the menu.

“Bring a unique interesting product to the table so that our consumers and our patrons can have something that they really can’t get anyplace else,” McKerrow said. 

Making for a true feast from the frontier. Here's what's on the menu.

Address:

7404 Waverly Walk Ave #1-3, Charlotte, NC 28277

Hours: 

Sun-Thu, 11am-10pm 

Fri-Sat, 11am-11pm