Buck's T-4 Lodge

We were lucky to find Buck’s. The space is beautiful, the service was excellent, and the food was outstanding. It felt like good value, especially compared with other places in Big Sky. There was live music when we visited, and the husband and wife duo were really great. Highly recommended.

The steak and trout were both A plus, and I’d argue the food is some of the best quality in Big Sky. Diana, the German waitress, and Jimmy deserve special thanks. Buck’s has a wonderful atmosphere and a lot of history, and it brings back a place that needed rehabilitation. It’s just reopened, and I think it’s going to take off soon. We’ll be regulars when we're in town.

We waited about 20 minutes after the meal for our check, then I finally got up and went to the bar. Earlier, we'd waited more than 20 minutes for two basic drinks, a canned beer and a Shirley Temple, and I poured our own water after four staff members walked by without greeting us. We had made a reservation a month ahead for my birthday and confirmed it by text, but the hostesses or manager still had no table ready when we arrived. Service was extremely slow from the start. The food was okay, not great, and my filet came without the advertised six sauces, salt, or pepper. It used to feel like Buck’s knew its guests: the owner greeted us, the manager stopped by, and they knew us by name. This time, even with a reservation, they didn't know our name. Don’t ruin Buck’s. The restaurant is a disgrace to the wonderful staff who built its reputation. Lone Mountain Land Co, you have a reputation to uphold.

We had a comical meal, though I hope this was a fluke because I live in the community and want this historic Big Sky restaurant to succeed. It took 15 minutes for water to arrive, then we tried a Manhattan and dirty martini that were both disappointing. The fondue came cold, and its base wasn't lit. Ben took over 15 minutes to notice it wasn't warm, and around then the food runner filled our water for the first time. Thankfully, the filets were great, as were the carrots, though the mashed potatoes amounted to two tablespoons. We had plenty of laughs about the service. Three stars feels generous.