Famous Dave's

quote:

Originally posted by MilwFoodlovers

I love his rib tips but I'm not as enamoured of every other item. Reading these posts one thing seemed clear; all locations do not seem to have the same standards. Get the right person placed in charge of a location and have them train and supervise the employees and you, the diner, should have a great experience.

Shame on you for loving his rib tips when we have Speed Queen so close to us. (just teasing you )

Famous Dave's is the only place I've ever gotten food poisoning so badly that I was out of work for 3 days, subsisting on white soda. I have been back only once and ordered a salad, as no one had to cook it.

quote:

Originally posted by frogger67

They're OK, but can't hold a candle to Red, Hot & Blue in my area (northern VA)

Except that the only Red, Hot and Blue in the Chicago area closed after 1 year, we still have FD

I have tried lots of BBQ and, chain or not, Famous Daves is a favorite of mine for brisket. The pulled pork does not impress me (not smoky enough) but for me the beef has a very good flavor that I have found lacking in many other places, and their sausage does too.

Finally got to FD's yesterday for the 1st time. Had the half-rack of St Louis style ribs. I would say they were serviceable+. Very meaty and generous sized. I wasn't crazy about their original "sassy" sauce, but would definitely go back for another fix to check out some of their other sauces and que choices. Wasn't overly impressed w/ the sides (had the beans, slaw and potato salad), but the potato salad was above average and to my liking. All in all, QFan felt he got his money's worth and a full tummy.

QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

QFan, which beans did you have? I prefer the Firecracker (green) over the Wilbur (baked). And while I don't eat at FD's more than a few times a year, if I get ribs I order them naked.

Brad

Brad, I think I had the Wilbur beans. I'll try the green ones next trip. Also like your suggestion to have the ribs "naked."
QFan
Bonita Springs, FL

Two Famous Dave's in Milwaukee-- one on the south side, one in White-Flight-Land. Botgh are pretty good. Enthusiastic crew, nice facilities, decent menu. I prefer the brisket and then have fun trying the half dozen BBQ sauces on the table.

quote:

Originally posted by gcw

There's a Famous Dave's in Sioux City, Iowa. We stop overnight there a couple of times a year and look forward to getting takeout after our 10-hour drive and heading back to the hotel. I've had better BBQ in Memphis and Texas, but where I live Tony Romas is the standard to meet for BBQ, so Famous Dave's is pretty good by comparison.

That's a great Famous Dave's location right near the new arena, full of hockey fans on game nights when the USHL is in town. The Famous Daves building in it's original days was an old cold storage for perishable rail cargo (hence it's location right next to a working rail line). It's also one of the biggest Famous Dave's restaurants in their entire chain.

The Famous Dave's here in the South Puget Sound area (Tacoma) are really good. I was skeptical at first of trying chain BBQ but was impressed by the quality of food. I'm kind of bummed that the experience back east has not been as positive. I will say that the service is inconsistent, ranging from friendly and efficient to indifferent.

My parents and I have visited Famous Daves in Woodbridge, VA at least once a month for almost 10 years, and the food is always great.  I totally *heart* the brisket, as does my father.  My mother is way into the pork, and my son loves the ribs.  However, the customer service there in the last 6 months has completely gone down the tubes:(

Went there last week, waited for 20 minutes, (they were not busy) and got NO service.  We spoke to the manager, he didn't even apologize.  Contacted the main office, no response whatsoever.  So I'm kind of thinking that will be my last Famous Dave's experience, unless the one in my new place in Washington is better.

I'm not a barbecue expert,but I know what I like,and our Famous Dave's in Brick is a family favorite. It is built like a log cabin and puts you in the mood upon entering. We always order the big family feast with brisket,ribs chicken,pulled pork muffins,beens,corn,slaw and fries...we leaved stuff and happy!!! The kids love using all 6 barbecue sauces. Devil's Spit is pretty good.
  Like many of these places,I'm sure quality varies from one franchise to another...but this one makes this family happy...and in New Jersey, great barbecue isn't plentiful. And when we're there it reminds me of so many rustic places I've eaten in out west.

 I love good BBQ, as most of you know! We have a Famous Dave's within 20 minutes ride, while other Louisville BBQ places are more than double the distance. As a result we are willing to drop down a notch in "excellence"  for the convenient access of the Famous Dave's. It is NOT bad BBQ, and we enjoy the 'premiums' that come at holiday time and birthdays (register on-line at their web-site for the birthday club stuff).
  Our menu choice at this point is the Rib-Tip dinner  or Appetizer Sampler for me and the BBQ Burger or BBQ Salad for Janet. As said above, The Brisket is pretty good as well, but it tends to be 'fall-apart' tender...and I like a litle 'chew' left in my Brisket!
  Another Bonus for the Clarksville, IN store...It has a Homemade Pie & Ice Cream store right behind it in the strip mall next to the Exit 5 of I-65 just north of Louisville!! 
AL

Al-The Mayor-Bowen


 I love good BBQ, as most of you know! We have a Famous Dave's within 20 minutes ride, while other Louisville BBQ places are more than double the distance. As a result we are willing to drop down a notch in "excellence"  for the convenient access of the Famous Dave's. It is NOT bad BBQ, and we enjoy the 'premiums' that come at holiday time and birthdays (register on-line at their web-site for the birthday club stuff).
Our menu choice at this point is the Rib-Tip dinner  or Appetizer Sampler for me and the BBQ Burger or BBQ Salad for Janet. As said above, The Brisket is pretty good as well, but it tends to be 'fall-apart' tender...and I like a litle 'chew' left in my Brisket!
Another Bonus for the Clarksville, IN store...It has a Homemade Pie & Ice Cream store right behind it in the strip mall next to the Exit 5 of I-65 just north of Louisville!! 
AL

 
Their rib tips are my favorite also.
 
Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Been to the Famous Dave's in the Wisconsin Dells and by my house in Palatine, IL  and haven't had a bad meal at either one, although service does get slow every once in a while. Actually, one of my favorites thing on the menu is the Catfish Fingers - very tasty.

Also, another place to try in the Chicago area for pulled pork and brisket is Smoque (on N. Pulaski, in Chicago)

Hmmmmm... strange, I just read his bio and there was no mention of what a BAD TIPPER he was in the late 80's!  before he was "famous" he was one of the regular suspects at the dive bar that I worked at on Lake st.  maybe that's why I have an aversion to his famous food..... waitresses sure can hold a grudge!!!!!  BIG SMILE!!!   Dawn

We've gone to the Famous Dave's in Bloomington/Normal quite a few times and it's always been good.   The first couple times the food was just incredible.   This last time ... eh.   So so.    It might have been my imagination ... but it seemed as though the menu had changed this last time.   The baked beans were hotter (spicier) ... I donno.  It just wasn't as tasty as it's been before.

My family loves the appetizer sampler ... although it's a shame because there's SO much food on it, there's really no need to order individual dinners!   LOL   Heaven knows, we end up taking boxes home each time.   :)

Glad to see so many roadfooders liking this franchise...I thought I'd be the only one...can't claim to be any kind of an expert on ribs, but I do know what I like....and I am a bit fussy.....we enjoy our Famous Dave's! ThirtyWhat...ours is as good as ever...maybe you're just used to the good food, and the surprise thrill of the first few times is wearing off.

ThirtyWhat
  I often order the Sampler instead of the usual entree. I may 'pack it' with a side order of Rib Tips ($2.99) if I want more pork. It does make a good dinner in itself.
 
Lee- There are some that are definitely on the very poor side of the list ! We tried one in Cincinnati and the service was really bad and the food was even worse...old and cold. So not all franchises meet the standard all the time.
AL

I've eaten at the Famous Dave's in Tinley Park IL a number of times, and I've found that the quality really varies from visit to visit. Some of my meals there have been great, and others not so much ( when Dave is good, he's very, very good; when he's not, he ain't! ) I do have to admit that Dave's Rich & Sassy sauce is one of my favorites; I always keep a bottle in the fridge.

FD's in DT KC is closing.

Famous Dave's opened her about 4-5 months ago.   What i've found is carryout is a total-rip off, tiny portions, undercooked food, and they sprinkle their 'seasoned salt" on everything which has a nasty taste/aftertaste.     I couldn't believe how expensive/bad it was.
 
Then the missus made me take her in after the newness crowd died down - and it was really amazing.   Huge portions, food even seemed cheaper, and the food tastes much better.   We've been several times since and inside is very good.   We've had carryout at work probably 12 times and everytime I've felt ripped off and food was horrible.
 
I think it's really hit or miss depending on your local franchise and the service.   I don't think the food is all that, but it can be fairly good for something different.  Especially in a fast food/chain restaurant world when you're sick of everything else.
 

I like the one here in Madison a lot. Most of the other ribs and such here are pretty sad and seem like they're geared towards something that kids will eat - no offfense. I'm a big man and my first trip there I saw 3 guys at 300 lbs plus and thought, "This must be my place.".

 We signed up for the "Birthday Club" on their website a couple of years ago , and make use of the freebie 'gift coupon' that arrives via email a week or so before our birthdays. Janet's was in yesterdays email and is good for a 'Sampler Appetizer" that is on the menu for @$14.00. Not a bad 'freebie' in my opinion. She has the whole month of February to use it.

   We don't go there a lot (@once a month), but it is located in a major shopping area for us and has a Homemade Pie Shoppe located within 100 feet of the FD's. That makes a nice stop when we hit the stores in the area.

Eaten at the Dave's in Davenport, IA twice while there on business, coming from KC thought I'd try it.

Fair I guess, sides were OK, my problem is that it tries to be all things, Texas brisket, carolina pulled pork, seemed like a dozen different sauces, had nothing of a signature dish they stood behind.

Dave's in downtown KC just closed last week, one in the suburbs is doing OK I guess, you'll never find me there, with the options we have here in KC I'm stunned they have lasted as long as they have.

Theedge


Two thumbs down in my experience, you couldn't pay me to eat there again.

i agree with the above statements!
 
it's average food...not the spectacular stuff i was expecting (as per what i'd been told about it). 

Beef&Fries, like you I'm rather surprised that Famous Dave's is doing reasonably well in the Kansas City area; actually "stunned" might be more accurate. Why in the world would anyone in KC go to Dave's for Q when there's Arthur Bryant's, Gates, LC's and a number of other "real" Q places in the metro area? I can understand going to Dave's if you live in an otherwise Q-less region, but KANSAS CITY??? Really sad.....