Range Road Diner

Good food, shabby ambiance

Don’t be put off by the unprepossessing Quonset hut, unpaved driveway with pretensions of becoming a parking lot, the rural discard dump in the orchard at the rear, an unfinished interior all of which greet you. The warmth of the welcome, the excellent service and generally very good food will quickly dispel any doubts about why this unique restaurant, in the proverbial “middle of nowhere”, has been a food draw for years. The menu (better organised on their website‎) is physically scattered on an unco-ordinated myriad of small, sponsored blackboards that cover one wall and the bar area and takes some time to read and digest lest one miss something. Not all of the exotic meats for which this restaurant is noted will be available on any one night (no kangaroo or crocodile yesterday) but there will enough to make your selection adventurous. In addition to this untraditional fare, there are lots of tried and true items from farm and field, lake and ocean. And, with a few mis-steps, it’s really good stuff! The appetizers, for once of proper appetizer size and not a “meal-for-six” as at some restaurants were the lesser in quality. While the mussels got a 7/10, the scallops were overcooked and stringy; the garlic bread was nice but the $13 alligator strips were just ok, rather undistinguished and the accompanying plum sauce was bottle-bland. Entrees were the strength however. The tasty and meaty double lamb shanks were heartily demolished, the seafood bake scrumptious but needed a little kick. The two of us who had the ostrich medallion raved about the tender, perfectly cooked, flavourful, substantial meat, the dark, pungent gravy and the unique stir-fry veggie mix. The crowning glory of my meal though, was a huge, decadently dynamic, full-on, loaded, double-baked potato…$4 extra and worth every cent. Desserts are locally made with a varied selection, the wine list bare bones but adequate (2 reds, 2 whites). A nice quaffy surprise awaits with the, unusual for this part of the world, rich, full-bodied Granville Island ale on tap, redolent of the glories of the west coast, Vancouver style. Overall, certainly not cheap and a drive from most anywhere (I’m an hour and a half away) but worth the dollars and the miles. And a return visit. Check the website for days and hours of operation.

TERRIBLE FOOD

I was looking forward to eating at Ted’s… as the menu looked very interesting and the place had great reviews. Our scooter club went for group ride leaving from Guelph to Meaford and made reservations for lunch at Ted’s… We made a reservation for lunch informing them we were bringing a large number of people (13). We waited for over an hour for our food to be served other patrons who came after our groups were served first. Most people ordered burgers and fries. The burgers were over, over cooked and the fries were cooked in very old oil. The website welcomes invites bikers and sledders. Well, our treatment says otherwise, I think they only want locals as customers. I will not be recommending this place to my biker and sledding friends. The food was beyond terrible. Many of the scooter club members agree. BTW the owner was cooking. This is a place that has seen better days and is definitely on a downward spiral to oblivion. WHAT A TERRIBLE MISTAKE TO EAT HERE. I will never go to this Restaurant again!!!

The best food ever!

We arrived and our table was ready. Our server was wonderfully funny and efficient at the same time. Food arrived beautifuuly presented and timely. I could not ask for more selection. I LOVE Ted's and will go again & again & again. Worth the drive and well worth the money! Thanks Ted!

The food was good, hot, and served in a timely manner. The "Poppers" weren't very good; deep fried too long so could only taste the coating. The wild game was tender and delicious and there was plenty of food on the plate (all good). The funny thing was when the first person in our party ordered pasta with their dinner the waitress told us it was overcooked. She was serious too, and aparently they weren't about to spend the 10 minutes and $2 to cook up some more for the evening. (Another customer had already been warned and orderred it, but didn't eat it because it WAS overcooked.) That was a bit strange. Overall a good experience.

Great place! The food is Awesome and unexpected variety based on the location. I did not drive up expecting to be able to get alligator or snow crab clusters. The atmosphere is an off the road truck stop, it's got so much character. The owner is a great guy and is passionate about his cooking. If you need to be babied with the edict of a high end server than take the Benz to El Bucos. If you love great food and a friendly, honest place, stop here.