Menu Strategies

Bison promoters like entrepreneur and rancher Ted Turner and restaurant executive George McKerrow Jr., co-founders of the 44-unit casual dining chain, Ted’s Montana Grill, are putting bison in the spotlight. Out to show that bison is a premium protein that tastes great, Ted’s menus specialties such as bison nachos, chili, burgers, short ribs and meatloaf.

Offering a mix of innovative global cooking and traditional American fare is essential for Jennifer Cleveland and Eric Heath, co-owners of Cleveland-Heath, a creative comfort-food restaurant in Edwardsville, Ill. “We have old-school diners who love meat and potatoes and large entrées and other people who follow the food movement and go for small plates,” says Heath. “We really want to please them both.”