Craving BBQ? Montana's BBQ & Bar in Nanaimo delivers big on smoky, juicy comfort food! From their fall-off-the-bone pork back ribs to the loaded smoked brisket potato skins, this place has everything for a delicious, laid-back meal. We also tried the BBQ chicken fajitas, four-cheese spinach dip, and the Austin cheesesteak sandwich--so good! Plus, they've got daily deals and a happy hour that makes it even better. Perfect for catching the game and unwinding with friends. It's easily a top 3 spot for me! Fun fact: they know you will be a messy eater so they put a paper sheet as the table cloth as soon as you sit down. Service 5/5 Food 5/5 Portions 5/5 Ambiance 5/5 Parking 5/5 read more

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Two for lunch and we have been looking forward to see what BBQ was like this far from Montana. We order the BBQ Lunch Trio consisting of a the chicken club wrap, pot roast soup and salad. A very nice combination for the palette and price. All fresh ingredients and unique presentation. A BBQ Brisket Burger with a salad side. The sandwich was overbearing with meat. A fresh burger topped with BBQ beef brisket, cheese and crispy onions with a nice chipotle sauce. Was looking forward to a BBQ 1/2 chicken but appears beef is the headliner. The restaurant decor nicely in touch with the western flair, and washrooms were for messy face eaters. Great service by the staff. read more

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Service is always great. Foods good for a bbq place. The issue is cleaning. I think the last time we were there they finally dusted the place. But for two years everything was covered in an inch of dust above head height. Like an inch... bathrooms are literally disgusting. My wife and daughter won't even use the women's. And the final straw and last time we will ever go there. Mice running across the floor back and forth. Yuck. read more

We went on Wednesday To Montana for all u could eat ribs. They were adequate, but nothing special. The frys were dry and the coleslaw was bland. I won't be rushing back anytime soon. My brother's steak was burnt and not edible. They did replace it, but left the rest of his food and it came alone. They didn't charge him for the meal and the staff was very kind. But, as I said, we won't be going back anytime soon.. read more

Went on Mother's Day ...service was great ;food was great and the restaurant was very busy !

We had a great dinner and the food was great. I was disappointed because we were Subject to a right wing news network right in front of us and we had to consume it in Canada. It was so distasteful, I will never go back. Newsmax in my face while I am eating causes anxiety to many Canadians. Even though Montanas states it is Canadian owned I will chose a Canadian restaurant in the future that does not make you watch American propaganda during the meal. Very distasteful!! read more

I went there today after work. I worked a long day and I was starving. I called ahead to see if there was a lineup and I was told there would be a 10 minute wait OK fine I was in the parking lot so I walked inNo lineup. I thought I would be seated right away as half the restaurant was empty. But I was alone and apparently that is a big deal. They kept trying to sit me at a bar table one of the tall ones which I hate, I said no then they wanted to put me out on the patio. I don't know if they were ashamed of me or something and once again I said no I have been outside all day. Then the conference between them continued. While I was standing there. I felt very unwelcome. I mean, what's the big deal the tables are open just give me a table. Then the conference continued. After about three minutes of this I just said you know what Chinese is good and they said oh OK and I walked out. What are the chances? I'm going back anytime soon. Apparently they don't want my money And there is a very good Chinese buffet right beside them. This is the problem with having children running your restaurant. Absolutely shitty service. It seems to be typical than Nanaimo that the service is poor. You seem to be an inconvenience. OK, I'll eat at home. read more

Great service What a great steak...perfect as ordered Meal delicious Come regularly for a steak treat Very busy (Spring break????) Ahhhh....until next time read more

The food was excellent, my kids and I enjoyed it very much, the service was very polite and attentive, the food was served in a timely manner, and the environment was very characteristic. read more

I went to Montanas recently we sat at a booth that was ripped with stuffing sticking out. The service was very slow and when i finally got our order, it was not what I was expecting, just warm with sloppy ingredients inside taco which ran out all over plate when picked up to eat. This restaurant has gone down the hill and I won't be returning! I have tried other Montana Restaurants and they were good but not the Nanaimo location. read more

Dropped in on a Saturday afternoon for lunch, was greeted immediately and seated us, the decor is nice a felt comfortable, i ordered a bud and being a meat eater i ordered the Canadian Burger EH! without the Bbq sauce as i like to taste the burger not just Bbq sauce. The burger and fries were good and fresh as you can tell the difference belive me. The price is average for a place like this and would definitely be back again, maybe the ribs next time. :+D read more

Montana's BBQ & Bar - Canadian Burger EH! - Steakhouses Near Me - Nanaimo, British Columbia

Always have had quick service for me. Steaks and ribs are their specialty and they are cooked to perfection. Park right outside the door.

Came here for supper May 21 with a friend. We both ordered 10oz hand cut steak. I specifically asked if the "crispy" onions were gluten-free, and was assured by the waitress they had no coating. She came back in a minute to tell me they were coated with flour, and she would have them left off my meal. Guess what? My meal arrives with onions all over it. I told the person who delivered it that this was supposed to have onions left off, so she told me she was taking it back to have them "make a new one". I hear the waitress telling the delivery person "I left them a note". Guess what? You have to tell them after you've already placed the order!! No apologies, nothing. Anyway, about 90 seconds later, my meal appears and I'm told "this is a new steak". Wow, these people must be magicians if they can whip up a new steak that fast. I knew it was the same steak they just took back because it was now lukewarm, definitely not right off the grill. I told the waitress and asked how they had it ready so quick, and she replied "oh! there was another steak on it's way out, so I was able to get that one". I'm expected to believe her story that the exact same meal, sides, gluten-free and medium rare steak was magically there just when I needed one, LOL!! Haha! (the restaurant was not busy). This type of behaviour by Nanaimo Montana's staff is unacceptable. What if someone has an anaphylactic - type allergy to specific foods? They're just going to shake the offending ingredient off and serve it back to you! read more

All around good food, especially when smothered in apple butter BBQ sauce! We had apple butter wings, Caesar salad, deep fried pickles, and spinach dip. Recommend you stop in here for lunch or dinner. read more

Montana's BBQ & Bar - Steakhouses Near Me - Nanaimo, British Columbia

We have come to Montana's on a regular basis. It's close to home and food was pretty good. We are noticing a decline in both service and quality of the food. I used to love the burgers and was a staple for me. I just had the brisket burger and it was not anything spectacular. Last time had a firecracker burger and it was less then I expected. As far as the service we didn't have cutlery when we sat down. Our food was dropped off and everyone left. I had gotten up to ask a waitress where the cutlery is she directed me to the other door leading to the kitchen as if I were actually going to get it. She then stopped me and informed me that she would get it. No one at our table found the food great. There are a lot of people here so they are doing something well. As for us we may need to find a new place for our Friday night dinner. read more

My wife and I used to like eating here a few years ago. On a previous visit we went to Montana's for lunch. My hamburger tasted like old meat that had been in the fridge for about 2 weeks. I told our server about it and she was of course sorry (not her fault at all of course) and I was asked if I wanted something else. I explained I didn't have time to wait for something else as I had to start work soon, but thanks anyway. The manager came out about 2 minutes later and apologized all over the place. He said we wouldn't have to pay for our lunch at all and then gave us a coupon for a free dinner for anything on the menu. We returned a week or so later and had an excellent dinner and the food was great. We went back a few nights ago for the first time since 2011 as we had been living out of the province. The service was good, but the quality of the food was not very good at all. My steak was completely under seasoned and basically had no taste whatsoever. I had asked for gravy with my fries (which of course is extra) and basically got an over sized thimble of weak flavoured watery gravy. My wife got some kind of chicken penne dish and the pasta was overdone and only had two chunks of totally flavourless chicken. It actually tasted like the cook had just boiled some chicken breast and mixed it in the pasta with some low quality, store bought, pre-made spaghetti sauce. I asked to see the manager before we left but was told he was not in at the moment. It's doubtful we'll go back to Montana's after the last experience. read more

Not at all impressed! Took over an hour to get our food and three tables were seated after us and orders were taken before ours! I had to go to the front to get the hostess to get the waitress to take our order. Took over 20 mins to get a beer! This type of service would not fly in Vancouver or Victoria! Don't come hungry!! read more

For a few weeks, and or months, I've wanted to do this. I try going to Montana's BBQ & Bar at the Nanaimo location every few weeks. I've been living in Comox, and when the weather is sunny, and warm, it's best to drive there. I like to keep going back because the service, and food is excellent. I've got to know some of the staff members, who are friendly, and nice. There have been some changes to the staff members including due to Coronavirus, but the person, who I've wanted to serve me is one lady named "Ashley" because she is great. I usually order to eat the 7 oz. Sirloin steak, or Regular Back ribs, and they are well done. As long as the food, and service stays outstanding, I'll continue to keep going to that location. read more

Great food, great staff. I had the smoked Mac and cheese, hubby had the ribs. Both were excellent. Our favorite is the deep fried pickles and the mini doughnuts. read more

Too bad... it was a fav place. Tonight I had to ask twice for my soup ( which was my meal ) and I got it in time to go. My husband could see our waitress was talking to him about maybe waiving the 6.99. Big NO...having said all this our waitress was great. But so sad that this is probably our last dinner here read more

Very disappointing visit. They ran out of ribs and very uncooperative with substitutions. Not my fault you ran out if food good customer service would be provide alternatives and don't tell customers you can't sub beef for pork. When you run out of something provide alternatives and don't charge extra it's your mistake read more

Montana's has been my favourite place to go for a burger since my family moved here about 7 years ago. Back then if order "The great Canadian burger" which was full of savoury maple smoked bacon, and Canadian cheddar cheese. It's what I looked up to. After the years went on I believe they remained the burger (to what I can't recall) but, the bun changed from a crisp yet fluffy bun to a hard to bite through bun. With a single piece of the bacon that gets mocked on TV for being "Canadian Bacon" So the next time I decided to get a Fire Cracker burger, and it was good, but I wanted more from it. Service at this place is great, everybody is always nice, even though the service is slower, it's because every time I go, the place is packed full. read more

We went on a Tuesday which is when kids eat free. It was pretty busy but our food came out fairly quickly and was all good. The beef potato skins were great and the fire burger is always good. read more

Great! (For a montana's) we had a gorgeous server named Andrew that my wife fell in love with... He was great at his job and the food was good! read more

A bunch of 18 year olds taking care of this place. Don't bother they absolutely do not have their stuff together at this restaurant. Service and experience is wayyy below and montanas I've ever been. read more

I had the best meal here!!! Absolutely amazing. Best service, waitress was wonderful and nice. I would go back any day of the week, absolutely no complaints read more

Enjoyed a visit to Montana's last night. Service was fast and friendly. I had a Chipotle burger, and it was superb. Awesome spicy flavor and juicy beef. I had a Caesar side, and it was quite nice, too. A bit pricey for my budget @$13.95, but I'll certainly do it again. read more

45 minute wait for our food...3 orders so over cooked they were all but inedible. Biggest faux-pas by far tho was when we asked for more water, the waitress removed our three glasses and returned with the same used glasses and gave them back to the wrong people (my husband had lip gloss on his straw that had either belonged previously to me or my girlfriend). Problem is my girlfriend is anaphylactically allergic to seafood and mushrooms. And the waitress knew this before playing Russian roulette with our used drinking cups. She was fine but this could have been a true medical emergency. Save your money and your time and go elsewhere. read more

Going to Montana's is always a pleasure. They have polite staff and excellent food. Montana's in Nanaimo keeps the quality for sure! read more

It's your typical Montanas. It's like McDonald's in that you know there won't be any surprises... Many young young staffers.. Inexperience may come into play I you order a mixed cocktail.. But apart from that it's same old Montanas read more

I went with 2 friends and we all ordered the chicken strips,..supposedly lightly breaded. The breading was so thick they were really hard and the almost non-existent chicken inside was very dry. They were poor quality like cheap frozen ones. I asked for salt free fries ...they were salted. Then there were just 2 sticks of raw carrot and raw celery on the plate. It looked very unappetising and overpriced for such poor food. We won't be back!! read more

I don't usually waste my time doing restaurant reviews but after last Friday night's fiasco at the Nanaimo Montana restaurant....well, first off our waitress was very polite and efficient and this review has nothing to do with her...it is all about the quality of the food, the amount of food you are served and the price for the meal...in this instance the house was definitely stacked against the diner...I ordered the "Shrimp and Chicken Breast combo with coleslaw and Spring vegetables"....sounds good, looked good in the menu photo...it was priced at $16.99....I'm not a big eater (anymore) but when the waitress set down the plate I was underwhelmed to say the least...any I was not the only one...my wife looked at the plate and said, "Are you kidding me?"...Right there I should have sent it back to the kitchen and with a message to the chef that this was not a kid's meal but a big person meal...what I got was two small wooden skewers each with three pathetic tiny prawns...a pale pounded chicken breast, totally tasteless save for a thin swipe of teriyaki sauce, totally undercooked and no doubt came out of the microwave, it certainly was not grilled...my "spring vegetables" consisted of one floret of broccoli, one floret of cauliflower, three small strips of carrot sliced off from one carrot, and three or four thin slices of red pepper...no seasoning, not grilled, again right out of the microwave...the coleslaw was in one of their "side dish" containers which would amount to two tablespoons worth... All in all the meal was a total loss and not worth $4.99 let alone $16.99...tasteless, and cheapskate portions...on my way out a fellow diner standing by the door was speaking to his wife...I heard him complain about the cost of a baked pasta dish at $17.99 served in a miniscule dish that was probably less than a cup of pasta....he said he was never coming back and I commented to him that I was of the same mind....I, nor my wife will never again set foot in this poor excuse for an eatery...it is a complete rip off cost wise and the food is poor... I can't believe this place is still open for business...don't waste your money or your time there! read more

Great food! Great Service! Clean Place to eat! I will be back for more meals in the future. I have visited the location 3 times now, each visit was excellent. These people understand the restaurant business and how to treat customers. read more

I've frequented this Montana's for years and lately it's gone downhill for sure. This more recent time I felt the line was crossed so they get a bad review here. When we got there we indicated we wanted to sit on the balcony, we were early and there were tons of open tables there. They told us to take our pick anywhere we wanted out there. We picked one and we were told, "except that one, it's reserved" so we chose another and we were told "sorry, that one as well" and those were the only 2 tables in the shade there. The rest of the tables were either in the sun or too small to eat at, and we ended up choosing the one in the sun. Terrible start, you don't tell someone to sit anywhere they want and then say you can't sit there. It then took a considerable amount of time for the waitress to come and get our drink order, and we could see there were like 5 waitresses waiting on tables outside. It was such a mess it was ridiculous. Top it off with the bombardment of wasps which I can't blame on Montana's but I can't help but think if we were sat at one of the original 2 tables we wanted if we would have had that problem. Either way we were not happy, and haven't been the last few times we have been. Someone really needs to tell them you can't take reservations in a sit anywhere you want zone... read more

on june/20/15 my wife and i along with friends were at the montanas in victoria/b.c. my wife and another friend had to send their ribs back for they were too dry. our friend got another meal of beef and it was cold and did not eat it at all. very disappointed, got a rebate but it was not a good experience like we usually have had in montanas. dan. b. read more

On a Saturday night I expect there to be delays. However, we sent my parents ahead to get a table so we weren't waiting with 2 small children for an hour for a table. We were told it would be 20 minutes. YAY! head over with the kids and arrive 25 minutes later expecting a table soon. Others were being seated so my mother asked if we had been missed. Hostess was very snotty and rude. 25 minutes later we were shown to a table. We waited for our 6 person table. Now I understand when there is a larger group we have to wait, and if a table isn't clearing they do not have control of that. However, when we are finally seated there are 4 empty tables. They could have easily been pushed together to get our party seated. Then we waited 20 minutes for the waitress to take our order. We ordered EVERYTHING at the same time. 2 kids meals, 4 adult meals. 40 minutes later 3 adult meals and 2 kids meals arrive. One child ordered the ribs - they were overcooked and tough. My husband ordered JUST garlic bread with cheese at first and then about 10 minutes later had added waffle fries with cheese. His cheese garlic bread was room temperature, as if it had been sitting under the warmer while we waited for the rest of the food. I had steak fajitas, which were good, but only 3 stuck together wraps were provided. When I asked for more I waited 15 minutes for those. Still waiting on the waffle fries. Finally 2.5 hours after we arrived the waffle fries arrived. Seriously horrible service, not great food, totally not going back again. We did not cause any of these delays. Thank goodness I have 2 well behaved children. Although, come to think of it, if I had little jerks we probably would have been served faster read more