Famous Dave's Barbeque

I've heard of this. I think it's a chain in the midwest. Does anyone know anything about it?

Better than nothing, but not by much.

This topic was dicussed ad nauseum here: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2227&SearchTerms=famous,dave

UHHHHHHHHH, pass on them if you can.


Dennis in Cary

Beings we’ve covered Infamous Dave’s I’ll change directions. I’ve been reticent in bringing this up, I wouldn’t want to “start anything”……..but why do so many Q places serve cheap buns? I’m sure it has something to with tradition, and taking poor cuts of meat and turning them into something good or some such nonsense. But why would I want to eat crappy bread? I prefer to eat things that taste good!

Any good 'Q joint worth it's weight will serve plain white bread. Personally, I am also partial to the garlic toast that some places serve with their Q.....but, white bread is the best.

The first time that I did pulled pork sandwiches at home, I thought I was going to go "upscale" so I served the pulled pork on wonderful crusty rolls.............what a mistake! You gotta have those cheap buns as they soak up all the juice and sauce. As far as I am concerned, the bread just holds the meat and sauce together so that it does not get too messy to eat.

IHAVE ATE AT A FAMOUS DAVES BBQ IN FLORENCE,KENTUCKY.n IT IS AWESOME. THEY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST RIBS IVE EVER ATE. THEY ARE ON TOP OF A BED OF FRIES. THEY GOT TV'S ALL AROUND THE PLACE. GOOD SERVICE ALSO. LOVE THE RIBS. U GUYS GOT TO EAT AT ONE. THE ONE IN FLORENCE,KENTUCKY IS OFF INTERSTATE 75 ON TURFWAY ROAD. WHOLE BUNCH OF RESTURANTS THERE.

I like Famous Dave's. I particularly like the sides (except the corn which is usually overcooked). I also like the consistency: in all the times I have eaten there, only about twice have I had tough ribs. I think the desserts are good too. Had the bread pudding with pecan sauce tonight as a matter of fact.

Famous Dave's orginally was only at BBQ Cookoff contests and only recently started openning stores. I belive they orginate in Minnesota. The resturants look like a old fishing cabin inside. They serve great food at a good price. We have one in both Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska. A great place to take the whole family.

I'll go for the garlic toast Stevekoe. Just keep those cheep buns away from me, I think it ruins the taste of the meat - and put the sauce on the side, never on the meat. Our local joint serves a very nice pork sandwhich on a good roll. Nothing real fancy, but a good solid piece of bread with some texture or "chew" if you know what I mean.

Do you guys use those buns for anything else? Burgers? Subs?

We have a couple of Famous Dave's in the Richmond area. I don't particularly care for them...just my personal preference. But I would not refuse to go there with others who had decided that's where they wanted to eat.

On the subject of bread and rolls, I think that Q is great when served as a platter with corn sticks or hush puppies, boiled little potatoes, slaw, brunswick stew, etc. and no buns or rolls...and any sauce on the side that you can add to your taste. If I want a pulled or chopped barbecue sandwich, the "cheap type" of bun is fine. A big chewey tough crusted roll is just not compatible with Q in my opinion.

Frank

While I understand the Hype about Chains, I must admit that the convenience of some make visiting them a good thing.
We have a Famous Dave's in Louisville. It is easy to get to, so when we want a quick lunch or dinner while in that part of town, we go now and then. I like my BBQ a bit chewy, as opposed to falling apart soft. The rib-tip dinner for $8 is a pretty good deal for me. Plenty of tips, 2 sides and the sweet tea I like make a pretty good chow-stop in my book.

Word has it that a Famous Dave's is opening in downtown Manchester,NH.
Chain-style BBQ places when moving into the Northeast seem to have to have TVs everywhere with a sports bar theme and/or a family restaurant attitude.
Damon's disappeared quickly from the Greater Boton area, but Smokey Bones is still alive in Nashua,NH.
I will be curious to see how this one works out-"Famous Dave" could be a car dealer as far as many are concerned in this area.
I did not even hear of this BBQ until I saw it on the Food Network "Best of" show.

Dearfolk,
As I alluded to on the previous "Famous Dave's" mention on another thread, if the place is so famous, then how come I hadn't heard of it until I drove by one on U. S. 78 in between Stone Mountain and Snellville? The place was reasonably busy, but right up the road, on top of the hill in downtown Snellville (such as it is!) is A. & J. Tasty Big BBQ, which is nothing in particular to squeal about, but at least is family-owned - and has its own particular brand of decor-funk.
Over on U. S. 29, there are several other places. The standout is Spiced Right BBQ on the west edge of Lilburn, katywampus from the Goodwill Industries store and directly across from Judy's Diner, a real, live diner which even features a real, live Judy!
There are two newer-to-me 'cue places on U. S. 29 through that neck of the woods, but since I always opt for Spiced Right, I've not tried them. When the car is running right again (whenever that is!), I'll begin making road trips, and will make it a point to stop in at every BBQ place I pass, one at a time (please!).
Until then, I am forced to pontificate at a distance. Famous Dave's may be "famous," but its famousity does little to impress me. I'd take local over regional or national anytime - and a woodburner over a non-woodburner double anytime.
Spiced Right BBQ, need I say, is a woodburner.
As If On 'Cue (Yeah, I Know - I've Used It Before), Ort. Carlton in Flavorful Athens, Georgia.

I thought Famous Daves was a little better than applebees. I also like applebees. But no body makes ribs like chicken king and smokey bones.

quote:

Originally posted by WaffleHouserules

I thought Famous Daves was a little better than applebees. I also like applebees. But no body makes ribs like chicken king and smokey bones.

You see, it's quotes like "nobody makes ribs like...smokey bones" that make some folks question what you have to say. If you mean nobody except the next Smokey Bones in the next town, then you just might be missing out. I understand, as you have said in another thread, that you don't live in an area heavily populated by strong regional cuisine, but surely you can see how there could be ribs better -- SOMEWHERE?

Face it -- Famous Dave's is to BBQ what McDonald's is to hamburgers. I am sure it will do in a pinch, but I cannot think of anyone who thinks the best hamburger they have ever had came from a Mickey D's. Surely no one in the last 45 years.

Steve

I like smokey bones. Nuthin wrong with them. Good smokey ribs. awesome fries. love the seasoning they put on them.

I never said that there was anything wrong with them, just that there is nothing special about them. Until I started reading the Roadfood books and this web site, I frequented chains like everyone else. I have seen the light and now limit my use to the exception rather than the rule.

Jump in and listen a little bit to what others have to say, instead of just waiting for your turn to speak (or, in this case, write).

quote:

Originally posted by stevekoe

I never said that there was anything wrong with them, just that there is nothing special about them. Until I started reading the Roadfood books and this web site, I frequented chains like everyone else. I have seen the light and now limit my use to the exception rather than the rule.

Jump in and listen a little bit to what others have to say, instead of just waiting for your turn to speak (or, in this case, write).

Words to live by for all of us, stevekoe!
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

Famous Dave's, I'm ashamed to say, originated out of Minnesota. They have convinced the American suburban masses, through great marketing, that this is the answer for BBQ. I agree that there is nothing wrong with them, like there is little wrong with the many other homgeneous chains dotting the country's landscape these days. I'm amazed one of the postings spoke so highly of Famous Dave's in Kentucky, where I'm sure there are far more authentic and better alternatives.

quote:

Originally posted by cedwin

Famous Dave's, I'm ashamed to say, originated out of Minnesota. They have convinced the American suburban masses, through great marketing, that this is the answer for BBQ. I agree that there is nothing wrong with them, like there is little wrong with the many other homgeneous chains dotting the country's landscape these days. I'm amazed one of the postings spoke so highly of Famous Dave's in Kentucky, where I'm sure there are far more authentic and better alternatives.

Except for the barbeque mutton mecca of Owensboro, haven't heard of too many other great Q joints in KY--at least not by comparison to NC, TN, GA, etc. If any of you Kentucky RF-ers reading this know of some really good Q recommendations (other than chains) elsewhere in KY please bring it on.
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

I know, I'm late to the party, but I can't restrain myself. I don't know when I have seen so much prejudice. A resteraunt is no good, if it is part of a chain? C'mon! It depends on the chain, but you don't know until you try it. I have eaten Q in some mom and pop joints that were really bad as well as some that were really good. The same holds true of chains. There are a number of chains that require fresh, top quality fixins. Others use pre-prepared concotions. Not to try them because it is a chain is folly. You could be missing one of the best meals you ever had.

I can tell you this, Daves uses the best. The franchises are supposed to meet that quality. Until a year ago, the store here was a company store. It went franchise last year. The quality has NOT diminished an iota. If you get a pulled pork sandwich which is fat and grissle, don't eat it, call the manager and have it be replaced. In the 6 years that Daves has been here, I have had 1 bad order of ribs (they were burned). I pointed it out to the manager, and he made it right. If you are dumb enough to eat a bad meal, shame on you.

Sundancer7, Daves smokes their meat from scratch, no pre-prepaired (is that a word?) and finish at the store.

We went to a Dave's in Appleton Wis. and it was a fun place. Being from Long Island, I'm no judge of BBQ; but where else will your food be served on a garbage can lid? ALERT to any one from Long Island, they getting ready to open a Dave's on rt 347 in Smithtown. I also see that the Smokey Bones site has a future site listed as Ronkonkoma. Now if we can just get BW3 to open a place here.

Don't trash Famous Dave's particulary if you have grandchildren. At least it is a great introduction for them to acquire a taste for barbecue. It is inexpensive and the waitresses seem to cater to the younger crowd as well as to the Grandparents with whom they may be dining. The decor, especially, gives the entire dining experience an ambience of camping out.

Q Fan and Cedwin,
I think I pointed out that Famous Dave's in Louisville is a handy spot for a quick stop for lunch or dinner. We don't drive 30-40(or more) miles each way for every meal we eat every day. There are some good BBQ places around town, Jucey's on 146 out past the Gene Snyder is real good stuff...but it is a 30 min ride each way from the airport area, and over an hour plus from home. If we are shopping in L-ville grabbing a quick lunch doesn't usually include an additional hour (plus gas) for a ride out to the place.
Owensboro is 90 miles S W of our home. I love going down there, but again, that becomes a destination...not part of a series of 'errand' stops on a days normal schedule.
For the same reason that some FF is acceptable to me...places like F D have a place in the scheme of things food-wise for us. It is not a replacement for all the roadfood places we have loved...but it is the answer to an alternative choice on a busy day, or an airport pick-up, or as mentioned in another post, a training exercise for grandkid on a trip to the Zoo with us. That extra hour of travel could be the part that makes the training go down the tubes.

Oh crikey. The horse is dead, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

yes, but do they smoke the horse before they serve it, and do they pre-sauce or does it come with sauce on the side?

quote:

Originally posted by TJ Jackson

yes, but do they smoke the horse before they serve it, and do the pre-sauce or does it co me with sauce on the side?

no, it wouldnt fit in the pipe----and sauce on the side except in France where its smothered.

Say what you want about Famous Dave's food but I admire Dave Anderson the man.


http://www.famousdaves.com/biograph.cfm