I am all for vegan, gluten-free or any other fad diets. However, I sometimes have an irresistible urge to gorge on some old-fashioned steak and mashed potatoes. Now, I have dined at fancy restaurants with premium imported cuts of meat and fancy menu items that will break the bank but sometimes you just need to find a place that is unassuming and less intimidating. A place where you can get your fix of meat without fancy labels and enjoy a good meal with your friends/family. With this mission, I decided to try out Montana's Etobicoke location after moving back in this area of the city. 

Right from the moment You enter the restaurant sets the right tone in conjunction with its theme - Wood cabin like decor replete with pictures of Montana's terrain, a fishing boat and a real vintage pick-up truck hoisted up as a display in the main dining area. The staff have a friendly demeanor and our server was especially attentive even though we went at a busy time. This was a refreshing experience since most chain restaurants fail at simple service related gestures like refilling water for customers or bringing out the food for the group together. We did not face any of these issues and the service we received was great.

We started off with the house seasoned chippers and oven baked antojitos both of which were delectable dishes to begin with in anticipation for the main course. The chippers were seasoned well and had a good flavor with the accompanying dip which cut the spices from the chips with a nice creaminess. The antojitos were a surprising dish which we finished in a matter of seconds. None of us could resist the melted cheese engulfing the jalapenos and veggies wrapped in a soft tortilla shell. 

For the main's we ordered the Smoky Bacon Mac and Cheese along with the Slow Roasted Beef Plate. Mac & Cheese is one of the quintessentially North American staple that has been experimented with in many forms. Deep fried mac & cheese, mac and cheese on a burger to any other bold combination which I'm sure you would have tried at some quaint restaurant, at home or at CNE. Montana's swing at Mac & Cheese although not bold and experimental in nature, does utilize the one ingredient that our culture has endowed a cult status to - the almighty Bacon. Boy do they do a good job at it. The dish incorporates bacon in a way that it enhances our familiar favorite food while giving it an edge with the smoky flavours of bacon. Although I would have love more bacon in the dish, I still think that the balance was pretty good and the taste left me wanting more. The mac and cheese was made well and had the right amount of bite and softness from the melty cheese. The beef plate was up next and it did live up to the expectations set by its predeccesor - the bacon mac and cheese. The menu says that the beef brisket is slow roasted for 12 hours. While I can't attest to this claim, I do confirm that the meat that comes on a fantastic stone plate is definitely tender and juicy. I chose the texas sauce with the brisket and it paired very well with the brisket to give a nice smoky and woody flavour to the meat. This dish was also accompanied by a serving of baked beans, mashed potatoes and cornbread which the restaurant could have been more generous with. Nonetheless, in terms of quality, they were great additions and were executed well on the plate. The cornbread especially was tender and flavorful and tasted heavenly when dipped in the texas sauce.
All in all, for the prices they charge, you can get a great meal here and have a good time reminiscing about that last camping/fishing trip while being serenaded by country songs in a wood cabin-esque setting while being served by a responsive staff. Its not the best meal money can buy, but it is definitely worth the money you pay.

The consistency of a chain and the usual good food of Montana's. Most famous for ribs, with AYCE on Wednesdays, the chicken is also good but a better steak can be had at a steakhouse. This location is a good as any other.