The Bozeman Trail Steakhouse — Restaurant in Buffalo

Stopped here on our way to Billings. First of all, it is a nice place, a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff. Now, onto the food. My fiance and I both had the cheesy broccoli soup to start. It was ok, but seriously lacked seasoning and tasted more like it was from a can. We then both had the 8oz Bison Sirloin at $35 a piece. This is where it went downhill fast. Upon ordering, the server asked us if we wanted any seasoning on our steaks. She offered Cajun or Montreal seasoning. Well, as someone who eats steak often, I assumed these were just optional from the basic seasoning you would expect with a steak. We didn't want either, and we both said just as it comes from the grill. Well, hell, if both steaks didn't come plain as plain can get. No salt or pepper or basic seasoning of any sort. It was like biting into a hot piece of bloody flavored meat. The server/ menu should have stated that the steak is very much seasonless unless you choose the Montreal seasoning, which I found out after the fact was the basic salt pepper, etc, seasoning. Not impressed. Also, I have had Bison before, and to be honest, this tasted like a regular steak. Bison has a distinct flavor, and this didn't have it. The fries were probably the best part of the meal. My fiance refused the steak and went hungry, and I dumped half the salt and pepper shakers on my steak to try and get some flavor with minimal results. Now, I would try this place again as it has potential, but there should be more disclosure on how the steaks are prepared/ seasoned. Telling me after that you don't season the steaks at all and you keep it optional because too many people complain about the seasonings, it's a pretty poor excuse. Would recommend, but be sure to ASK IN DEPTH ABOUT THE SEASONINGS on...

Sunday night 7/30/23. Arrived around 19:00 and were seated in the patio, since we had a dog. It is always nice to have a dog friendly place to eat. We looked at the menu and were told there were no baked potatoes, the mashed potatoes were out of a bag, and the baked beans were house made.

I had an online picture from a steak they had prepared that was perfectly cooked (medium rare) and told them that was how I wanted my steak prepared. They didn’t know what kind of steak it was, however. The waitress told me that the rib eye was cut pretty thin, but the NY strip was thicker. I ordered the NY strip, medium rare to rare. No baked potato, so I had French fries and baked beans. The steak looked to be medium well, the fries were perfect, and the beans were delicious. I told the waitress that the steak was over cooked and she offered to re-do it, which I said was ok. The manager came out and told me the steak was medium rare, according to their standards. Since the steak had now rested a bit, it looked much better. I kept it and it was very good. They just need to let their steaks rest a bit before serving them, so that the juices can resettle. Something they should know.

The waitress checked with us once and never returned. She mentioned dessert when she visited, but we never got an opportunity to order it. The check was left on the table and I paid it online, since she never returned. We had to go inside to ask for boxes to take the left overs home. My friend had the meat loaf and it was excellent…again, no house made mashed potatoes.

Overall, the food was good (the steak issue was my fault) but the service was mediocre, at best. The waitress was very nice, but just...

Food is good. Service is ok. But, my service animal and I were treated like lepers.

The host wanted to seat me outside because of my service dog. After questioning and it was established that Maggie was a service dog, we were seated in the bar area on a bench, away from the main restaurant area.

My service dog is small and due to my ptsd she sits close to me on a bench and sits quietly on a chair under the table so she can nudge my hand when I'm shaking. Most folks don't know she is there.

The waitress insisted that Maggie wasn't allowed on the bench. I then asked to speak to the manager. Usually the manager doesnt mind as long as her head is below the table. It is truly her call. Maggie usually lays down with her muzzle on my thigh.

This woman said it was her rule and all dogs go on the floor and suggested that if my dog was really a trained service dog, then I knew it should be on the floor.

She was condescending and rude, in my opinion, but that's ok. Not everyone has the capacity to think outside of a strict boundary condition.

I shook from anxiety through the entire meal. I did my best to remain polite when the service staff kept speaking to me as if I were a child who was in trouble, "Oh you pitiful little thing" tone.

I paid my bill and left a generous tip despite the unaccommodating experience.

According to ADA rules, most dogs are trained to sit on the floor, but there are special circumstances depending on the health/psychiatric need of the person with a disability.

I felt anxious and upset by the treatment but this person's ignorance and lack of empathy was not worth a fight.

If you are a person with a service animal, avoid...