Buck's T-4 Lodging & Dining
Categories: Event Planning & Services Hotels Hotels & Travel Hotels Restaurants Steakhouses Hotels, Steakhouses [Edit]
US Hwy 191Big Sky, MT 59716
(406) 995-4111
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
24 reviews for Buck's T-4 Lodging & Dining
Review Highlights
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"The bison tenderloin, new zealand red deer, and the trout I..." In 3 reviews -
"Me: "I'll have the Wild Game Platter." In 3 reviews -
"...course I had the bison tenderloin, medium rare, which was..." In 3 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Roy K.
Alpharetta, GA
4/15/2012
a few people told us this IS the place to go if you only have a few nights to spend in Big Sky...and we are glad we did.
Please do yourself a favor and get the cookie skillet for dessert as well.
Red Deer for dinner - def a good call. A great cut of meat and if you like a Filet this is a good alternative.
Bison Meatloaf - a fan but they put a kind of chile on it that we weren't fans of so heads up there (perhaps ask for on the side).
ColdSmoke Scotch Ale on draft - boom! -
Review from Lee D.
New York, NY
3/29/2012
Stopped in after three days of skiing at Big Sky - i was hungry and thirsty. Good thing since this place really accomodated our party of 8, and kept the wine, beer and meat coming.
Started with:
Pheasant Quesadilla
Boneless Buffalo wings
Wedge Salad
Then went to:
1. Bison Tenderloin (their specialty)
2. Filet Mognon
3. NY Strip Au Poive
Finished with:
Skillet cookie with ice cream
By far one ofthe best meals I had in Montana. I highly recommend this place and the waitress could not have been nicer.
Having read some earlier posts: this is not a NYC steak house, the dining room is a little old fashioned, but don't let the neon sign in the front window fool you; the service and food is amazing and well worth it. -
Review from Danilo B.
Northern, VA
3/2/2012
Every single person we asked about a place to get great steaks and local game recommended this place. After eating there, we know why.
I had the bison tenderloin and let me tell you...I have never had a more tender and well prepared piece of meat in my life. And that comes from someone who has no problem dumping big bucks on the top steak houses in/around Washington, DC/MD/VA and every other place I've ever visited.
The appetizers, bread and sides were amazing as well. The only thing I would have done differently is the mac and cheese side, but that's only because I'm not a huge fan of guyere cheese.
The biggest hit for me was the dessert. I am a huge fan of bread pudding...their bread pudding is to die for! I had very little room for dessert, but it was so good that I finished it. My wife and friends joked that I should lick the plate (I almost did).
The service was excellent as well. The waiter was very attentive yet, not in your face all the time. He was very knowledgeable when it came to the menu. And he was professional yet, friendly at the same time (not one of those dry personalities you often get with top notch service).
The atmosphere is cool too. They had a formal dining room area as well as a less formal, wear-what-you-want bar and hang out area. They are separate so you don't see or hear what's going on in the other area. Makes for peaceful meals in the dining room area and let-loose-without-offending-anyone dinners in the bar area - everyone is welcome and happy.
The only thing I regret is coming here our last night in Big Sky. Had we known about this place earlier, we probably would have eaten here several more times. On the other hand, I would have probably had 5 more of those bread puddings and not been able to fit in my snow pants.
A must-stop-by-here place if you're in Big Sky or anywhere close to the area (worth the drive from Bozeman). -
Review from Matthew U.
Idaho Falls, ID
11/27/2011
If you like bacon, you'll love Bucks' breakfast!
If you like hot tubs, they have two massive hot tubs.
If you love skiing Big Sky, stay here!
If you hate the cold, well then why are you in Montana?!? -
Review from Hugh A.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
9/13/2011
Buck's T-4 is a minefield. Some choices are great, others leave you feeling like you should have eaten at McDonalds.
The beer and wine selection is top-notch. The price-fixe on the night we were there offered excellent value. The deer was delicious.
The trout entree and the chocolate-chip cookie dessert were average and overpriced for what was served.
The pheasant was a mistake - I'd rather have eaten Chicken McNuggets. It took a steak knife to cut it. $34 buys a lot of McNuggets. How any restaurant can present itself with the quality Buck's aspires to and then serve something so horrible is beyond me. It's OK to have a dish that's average, but the chef must have been seriously impaired when he came up with this one. Dry, tough, and expensive fried chicken. -
Review from Kristina F.
Houston, TX
3/4/2012
Had the red deer loin and it was so delicious, I slowly savored every morsel. Bucks has a casual atmosphere with attentive and friendly service. So glad we made the drive down the mountain.
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Review from N H.
Wahiawa, HI
2/29/2012
Went to Big Sky for a snowboard trip and was told by locals that Bucks was the place to go to eat game. Free dinner shuttle came to pick us up at our lodge with reservations. Appetizers where a good start to a great meal - shared the Bucks Sampler and the Cheese Platter. Had the Red Deer with Truffle Risotto entree' and it was very good. Tender and tasty. You have to have the skillet cookie for desert to top off your meal - no sharing! If I am ever back in Big Sky.. I will definitely pay visit to Bucks for dinner.
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Review from Ian W.
Big Sky, MT
3/9/2012
Dining:
Their reputation led my friends and I to believe this would be top notch food. I had the burger (which is by far the most affordable item on the menu) but was highly disappointed. Medium on the inside yet burned on the outside and very very dry. I hope this is not a sign of what their premium dishes are like (such as wild game). The staff however was very friendly.
Lodging:
The rooms were good, not great. Would not advise unless getting a great price. -
Review from Ashley F.
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
We got a great deal here on Priceline, but if I would have had to pay for this room at the full price I would have been pretty upset. For what we paid, it was okay. Thankfully the beautiful surroundings make up for what the hotel lacks in amenities, room size and overall cleanliness.
There is a free hot breakfast, which proves that you get what you pay for.
Also, $5 to send a fax? Really? -
Review from Shelley B.
Los Altos, CA
4/10/2011
Fantastic wild-game restaurant with Montana lodge-atmosphere. The bison tenderloin, new zealand red deer, and the trout I can personally recommend as delicious. The wide varieties of meats are always cooked to perfection, and to order.
Generous wine pours and creative cocktails. The desserts are Montana-sized and often feature seasonal local delicacies like huckleberries. The skillet chocolate-chip cookie highly recommended, and you won't want to share it (but, you could).
Expect your bill to also be Montana-sized, but the experience of eating here is very worth it. -
Review from Mike L.
New York, NY
5/21/2011
Excellent. Just excellent.
So my friends and I were in town for a weekend to conquer Big Sky. We Googled top eats in the area and Buck's came up ranked number on a few reviews. 4 stars yadda yadda, whatever 7 people posted comments and three are probably the owners.
Made a reservation with minimal expectations. Emails didnt get response, definitely recommend calling for speediest service.
Let me just say...that the food and service are just awesome.
Our server was Jeannett (no E). Together, we shared Buck's Sampler and the Antelope Empanadas. Our entrees were the Red Deer, Duck Two Ways, Veal Chop (special) and 12 oz Ribeye.
The dishes are plated well and aren't slathered in sauces so you can really get the flavor of the game meats. I was a little unsure about going with a "plain" steak when there were game meats were available, but my ribeye was prepared just right and tasted great.
We also had the skillet choco-chip cookie. I'm not a big dessert guy, but it was definitely tasty. My friends absolutely indulged.
If you're up at Big Sky, hit them up. You'd pay nearly the same to dine at the mountain but the food just wouldn't be as good. -
Review from Michelle C.
Portland, OR
2/23/2011 2 photos
I've been going to Big Sky for over 10 years and the choices of good restaurants are sort of slim, but I always make time for Bucks. There are two dinning options the Bar (with good bar food) or the dining room - a more upscale experience. Go for a truly "Montana" experience, the menu is chalk full of great "wild game" choices like Antelope, Duck, Bison and Venison as well as Beef and Fish (trout of course!). The décor is fun "cowboy like interior" with hard wood floors and lots of mounted (dead) animals - yes a real meat eaters haven. Our sever was very nice too (and appeared to have worked there a long time, all locals are there for the skiing & other outdoor activities).
We had several dishes this last visit and everyone loved it. I started with the house salad - fresh mixed greens topped with Goat cheese rolled in lavender. Then I had the Bison tenderloin served "au poivre" (a yummy pepper cognac sauce), served with smooth garlic mashed potatoes and a side of roasted butternut squash. The Bison was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious. One of my friends had the Beef Tenderloin (also beautifully grilled), on a bed of mashed potatoes and a side of thinly cut onion rings. We also got 2 sides of perfectly cooked French fries. Oh yeah, and a very good ($32) bottle of Malbec to wash it down. A Yummy meal all around. I can't wait to go back next year. -
Review from Maxx L.
San Jose, CA
2/12/2007
Waitress: "And or you sir?"
Me: "I'll have the Wild Game Platter"
Waitress: "And how would you like your Elk/Antelope/Quail?"
Me: "However the chef does it best!"
And the Chef was obviously living up to his moniker - with a name like "Scott Peterson" I was hoping he'd be adept with a knife - as the meats came out; so too did my drooling fangs. Many moments of blissful silence ensued as the meal was consumed, but inside my head the sounds of a magnificent church organ boomed forth. A dozen animals (Dana L missed a couple!) were consumed as we gazed upon their brethren mounted on the walls of this log-cabin style restaurant. We shared the Bison, the Wild Boar, the various wild fowl (as a Pate appetizer) and some domesticated animals including the cow and various members of the porcine family. I would recommend the Dow's tawny port over the Sandeman's though, and be aware that bourbon here is served in a decidedly non-masculine ice-cream glass.
Humans were meant to dine this way. Kudos to Kim D. for pickin' up the tab. What a guy! -
Review from dana l.
San Francisco, CA
2/12/2007
Meat-astic! Of all the dishes between everyone in our party we counted at least ten different kinds of animals.
The leek and potato soup with scallop was an outstanding start. Yes, I licked the bowl... while the waiter stood next to me waiting patiently as I cleaned it out. Uh huh, I know, not dignified, but tasty!
For main course I had the bison tenderloin, medium rare, which was perfect. Thick, warm, juicy, lean and meaty. I was really digging the baked potato, too, but the asparagus was just steamed asparagus, nothing terribly special but fine. The bison was awesome, if you like a big hunk of red meat.
We all shared bites around the table so I got to sample quail, antelope, duck, beef, boar and god knows what else... I can't quite remember everything, though I came away with a very positive impression on everything.
The wine list is broad and deep... we had a couple of different very good bottles.
My only complaint is that the game room seems to close around 10pm, but they opened it up so we could play a few rounds of "House of the Dead II" post dinner.
An excellent time was had by all. -
Review from Jack W.
Pacifica, CA
8/5/2011
This is a 5-star hotel with a 3-star price. I love this venue and will come back. Jane and her team are the best. The restaurant is great. The breakfast is marvelous. This is a luxury resort in a wild and primitive place!
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Review from Jeff B.
Sandy, UT
8/28/2011
Just a really nice place, surprisingly nice, especially for the price. Rooms are large and tastefully decorated. Pools were fun. Breakfast, for a freebie, was stellar.
Thanks for a great stay, Buck's T-4! -
Review from tom s.
Melbourne Beach, FL
2/3/2012
Just wrote review on google so long they wouldn't take .... I'm sorry to write this wanted experience to be so right for me and my sons dads weekend , .. Never have written this before as small b-man and want to be supportive , .. But can't let this rip- off go.... Bucks is on life support and last leg ,.. Room worth 75-85 dollars I paid 115 on Expedia way too much!! ..,,. But the worst was dinner dried up piece of bison meatloaf o. Grilled cheese 13.50 ? Worth bout 5.95. could not even eat ,.. I'm from upstate ny and we have buffalo / bison ,... Steaks, burgers and I have never have seen such a ripoff in my life , where I come from high end burgers are 7.95 and bison filet or steak is 16.95-21.95 for tenderloin, My sons fried chicken was 20.00!!! Insane if never paid more than 9.95 - 12.95 for a four piece ,,!!! It seems as though they throw a ton of French fries on a plate and charge up the a&$ss and. People just say ok...... I think bucks is almost out And is making I the last money grab 40 for bison filet ?!! Give me a break in a wooden dining room. Very sad
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Review from Mathias B.
San Jose, CA
6/4/2011
Finished up a long day of driving from California with a stop at Buck's T-4 restaurant. Although we arrived right when the grill was scheduled to be shut down, they made an exception to keep it on to serve just my wife and me.
While we waited they allowed us to sample many of the Montana-brewed beers and the staff was more than welcoming on a cold December night.
My travels don't take me to Montana all that often but I'm definitely planning on stopping in to Buck's T-4 if I ever get the chance again. -
Review from Katrina L.
Santa Rosa, CA
2/15/2011
There should be a way to review Buck's separately for the lodge and for the dining.
First the lodge: 1 star. Don't do it. It is not conveniently located to anything other than its own restaurant and pub. You have to shuttle everywhere and that only leaves once an hour. Spend a little extra money to stay at a ski in/ski out or at least at a lodge that is walking distance to a restaurant, bar, or grocery. The room was a big let down. No mountain lodge ambiance at all. The walls were mostly bare. The beds weren't super comfortable, but weren't the worst either. The hot tub was warm. Not hot. After a day of snowboarding I was so looking forward to a soak in the hot tub, but was disappointed. My #1 complaint however is the noise level. You can hear all activity from the hallway or even passers by outside. I barely slept the first night. Doors slamming. The only upside was the complementary breakfast. It was a nice start to our days. We will be in Big Sky again, but we won't be staying at Buck's T4.
Now the dining: On its own, I would have given it 4 stars. Delicious food and friendly service. Locally brewed beer is served which is a big plus in my book. We had the pheasant quesadillas and they were amazing. We would come back to this pub just for those quesadillas. Yummmm. Also tried the bison meatloaf grilled cheese which was also really delicious and perfect pub food. -
Review from Pam C.
Louisville, KY
5/29/2009
Prices per night were very fair for the area and the breakfast was good. My only complaint is the wifi didn't work in the building we were in. We would always have to go to the lobby to use the wifi which was inconvenient at times.
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Review from J T.
Savannah, GA
9/14/2009
This hotel was pretty good with a nice breakfast in the morning. We visited during the Labor Day weekend so the room price was probably higher than it should have been ($109 with tax). Some things didn't work in the room and the shower was a bit strange in terms of functionality. Overall, this hotel is worth a visit. We heard the restaurant is very good from other customers.
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Review from Becky N.
Olympia, WA
This place is very unexpected considering the area we were in. We took a free round trip shuttle from the summit at big sky to buck's which is about a 15-20 minute drive from the resort. Make sure you make reservations and request a shuttle if needed. The decor is very Montana-esque with it's log cabin feel and dead animals mounted on the walls. We were seated immediately and had freshly poured ice water waiting for us at the table. Our waiter quickly greeted us and recited the specials of the night. We started with the wedge salad. It was 1/4 of an entire head of lettuce topped with a mild, creamy blue cheese dressing sprinkled with crispy bacon and blue cheese crumbles. Our main courses quickly followed. Duck prepared two ways - 1) half of a roasted duck and 2) duck bacon. This was served on top of a fingerling potato and butternut squash hash and a huckleberry reduction that was more on the savory side than sweet. Then we had the red deer served with asparagus spears and Parmesan risotto. Finally for dessert, we had the huckleberry ice cream that had a ton of fresh whole huckleberries mixed in it, and the toffee pudding. This was my first time having huckleberry ice cream and now it's one of my favorite flavors! The toffee pudding was like bread pudding swimming in a mild toffee syrup topped with vanilla ice cream and homemade toffee brittle. The entire meal was phenomenal and was comparable to some of the best restaurants in the country that I've been lucky enough to have dined in. I thought the food was even better than the world renowned French laundry in Yountville, CA. The service is superb and I recommend anyone in the area to eat at Buck's T-4.
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Review from Luke R.
Los Altos, CA
4/10/2011
This review is for the restaurant as I know well is a separate entity from the lodge. I have eaten at Buck's T-4 over the last thirteen years and I have never once been disappointed. It's like a rustic hunter ran head first into a French culinary master. Every morsel at this exquisite restaurant is perfectly prepared with unique and high grade ingredients and every dish is prepared and presented with the perfect portion of personality. Speaking of personality, Buck's T-4 oozes it. It's funny to live in the Bay Area of California which has so many pretentious restaurants (building and decor) and merely "meh" or even bomb on the food. Buck's T-4 doesn't need a Picasso on the wall. It does not need transparent glass floors or brushed steel walls. The plain log cabin decor of Buck's makes the irony of the whole experience just that much more powerful. The food here just absolutely levels most things you will ever eat in the United States. Buck's T-4 is without a doubt one of my top five favorite restaurants of all time and I have even been known to mention it is my favorite restaurant I have ever dined in.
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Review from Dustin H.
Fresno, CA
8/3/2010
The service was terrible, the wine overpriced (and corkage not allowed), the salad took an hour to arrive, and the crusted fish was overpowering and overcooked. The only good thing I can say is the pheasant quesadilla was fantastic, but even that didn't make up for an otherwise all around horrible meal.
