What has happened to Famous Dave's?

All the Famous Dave's in my area are all closed. That is surprising since they were a very popular eating place to go to. Have they closed up anywhere else or just here in central Illinois?

Famous Dave's appears to be alive and well in northern Virginia. They have a restaurant off I-95 in Woodbridge, VA, near Potomac Mills Mall, and it is always busy.

LJM

That's a VERY interesting question, because "Famous Dave's" just happened to send me an Email TODAY that was essentially a rather lengthy "opinion poll" about some "new dishes" that they would like to introduce in their restaurants.

I responded to their poll, but I suspect that my "response" will not be exactly what they want to hear.

When we visit our apartment in Columbia, Maryland (dictated by my wife's particular corporate assignment) we have visited "Famous Daves".

Their food is mediocre AT BEST . . . their service is acceptable, depending upon which server is on duty (some are okay, some are TERRIBLE) . . . their prices are, well, they're overpriced . . . their "background music" is LOUD and OBNOXIOUS.

I think that "Dave" has blown his 15 minutes of fame, his chance to capitalize upon a seemingly "good idea".

I suspect that we will see a LOT MORE closings of "Famous Daves" . . . at least if they are depending upon MY return business, that is.

I live within a mile of the Famous Dave's in Columbia, and I agree that it is NOT very good. Granted, this area is not known for barbeque, but Famous Dave's was all sizzle and no steak. As a result, we almost never go. Wish there was a GOOD barbeque place in the same spot -- I'd be there all the time!!

I think what happened to the 'stores' mentioned in the first post is the loss of a Franchise or the backing for it.

The Dave's stands in Louisville are doing quite well, especially considering that they have some 'real' BBQ in the area for competition. The two locations here are both in new highly developed "Yuppie-Ville" areas where trendy this and that seem to be the order of the day. They both have various chain-restaurants all around them and seem to be a mecca for the call-in and take-out business as well as the sit-down meal service.

One note... Damon's, another chain Rib place in the same league as Tony Roma's had locations within a quarter mile of the two Famous Dave's locations, and BOTH Damon's folded shortly after the Famous Daves opened. Perhaps the Dave's marketing scheme is better organized than Damon's was??

quote:

Originally posted by BunglingBill

That's a VERY interesting question, because "Famous Dave's" just happened to send me an Email TODAY that was essentially a rather lengthy "opinion poll" about some "new dishes" that they would like to introduce in their restaurants.

New menu items? I've never been to a Famous Dave's, but let me guess. Are they thinking outside of the box? Maybe a chicken caesar salad? A pasta entree or two with chicken or shrimp and veggies? Flatbread sandwiches?

Or do they have those already?

Asphalt,
I got the survey question too. The possible additions were closer to the original theme. Smoked Pork chopped w/ gravy (Dinner), Smoked Turkey in sandwich and salad form, and the BBQ with Shrimp for a rather corrupted version of Surf and Turf(trough?). Plus a couple of bonus dessert thoughts.

The Smoked Pork sounded like a Pulled Pork dinner with gravy and veggies instead of BBQ Sauce and FF.

There's a couple of Famous Dave's here in Richmond; both of them do a thriving business. I get it when I'm too lazy to drive to Buz & Ned's.

quote:

Originally posted by NoreeneMc

All the Famous Dave's in my area are all closed. That is surprising since they were a very popular eating place to go to. Have they closed up anywhere else or just here in central Illinois?

I see that you are from the Peoria area, yes, both the Famous Dave's in Peoria have closed. The one at Grand Prairie Mall has become a Bar Louie, a chain I'm not familiar with and when you go to their website they have a tab for franchise information but none for their menu. The first Famous Dave's in Peoria was on the east side of the Illinois River in a marina, it was a cool setting but apparently they closed "for remodeling" due to mold issues. It is now a banquet facility. Interesting because both were very popular and seemed to always be busy.

quote:

Originally posted by MandalayVA

There's a couple of Famous Dave's here in Richmond; both of them do a thriving business. I get it when I'm too lazy to drive to Buz & Ned's.

Ha! I should say "If you are too tired to drive to B&N's you are too tired to eat BBQ!"
But instead I'll ask - have you been to Extra Billy's? v.v.g.
We should have a Richmond meet up and do a BBQ/roadfood crawl.
Cathy

quote:

Originally posted by joanie41

I live within a mile of the Famous Dave's in Columbia, and I agree that it is NOT very good. Granted, this area is not known for barbeque, but Famous Dave's was all sizzle and no steak. As a result, we almost never go. Wish there was a GOOD barbeque place in the same spot -- I'd be there all the time!!

Joanie, as a seasoned old codger who was born and raised in Texas, who spends much of his time living in Tennessee, and whose favorite state in the WHOLE country to visit is North Carolina, I've eaten a mess or two of GOOD barbecue.

Because I'm spoiled, maybe I was a bit tough on Dave (as in "Famous") .

You're correct, (Columbia) Maryland is NOT known for good barbecue, although it certainly excels in some other culinary categories (blue crab dishes, for example) .

Too tough on Famous Dave's???

Naaaah, I guess not, after reflecting upon the REAL BBQ joints I have frequented, but I do apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings.

My 17 year old nephew just got back from his first "road trip" to the Minneapolis with his friends. They stopped at Perkins for breakfest and ate at Famous Daves in The Mall of America......Is there some sort of support group for failed uncles?

Edge,
If he made it back without a 22 yr old Nigerian Beauty for a bride, who promises to deposit $22 million (U S) into her new Uncle's checking account as soon as he gives her the access numbers, No chemical dependencies, and without joining some 'far-out' religious group who practice the sacrificing of zoo animals for the benefit of the anit-vegan political movement, consider yourself luck. There are worse things in the world than mediocre BBQ and 'Pre-Fab Breakfasts'.

Get him a job at Circuit City. That'll teach him a thing or two!!

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

My 17 year old nephew just got back from his first "road trip" to the Minneapolis with his friends. They stopped at Perkins for breakfest and ate at Famous Daves in The Mall of America......Is there some sort of support group for failed uncles?

Perkins is OK for breakfast but while at the Mall of American, he should have stopped at the Twin Cities Grill for some of their famous walleye

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

Paul you turned me on to the twin cities grill, thanks, I like the vinager fries too. Circuit City...you guys are killing me.

Edge,
I don't know if you saw the comments on MikeS's thread in the Misc forum about being PO'd because of a change in his long-term working conditions?? Check it out for the Circuit City Saga, if you haven't already.
AL

Famous Daves Sucks! Ate there once in Chandler AZ, Wnn't be back.

quote:

Originally posted by Theedge

My 17 year old nephew just got back from his first "road trip" to the Minneapolis with his friends. They stopped at Perkins for breakfest and ate at Famous Daves in The Mall of America......Is there some sort of support group for failed uncles?

that is too funny !! Sounds like MY 17 year old nephew...
You did NOTHING wrong!! (LOL)

Actually, I cringed while on road trips from NJ to central PA, and another to Ohio with my sister and my niece and nephews.......

I cringe because every time we go past an Applebee's or Friendly's my niece starts yelling "FRIENDLY'S", come on, let's go to Friendly's! I want to go to Friendly's !

I like trying different places, or at the very least , a regional chain that does not have any locations in NJ. But Friendly's, come on?!? There's one a mile from my house; I could have it anytime I wanted. (except I rarely want it)
Plus I'm not personally crazy about Friendly's or Applebee's.

But the kids usually win out.... you know how it is.......my sis and the hubby try to keep the kids happy...

Famous Dave's is on par with Red, White and Blue, both sub-par to real Q.

MikeS.

There's a difference between "tired" and "lazy."

I have been to Extra Billy's (the one in Midlothian near Chesterfield Towne Center) a couple of times--the food was good but it seemed that every toddler in the Richmond metro area was in there screaming his/her head off. Maybe the other location is better.

And yes, a Richmond Q crawl sounds most excellent!

I think the BBQ growth trend in regions where BBQ is not indigenous has declined tremendously. Here in the northeast, there seems to be a lot less traffic in the marginal restaurants.

I'm guessing the novelty has worn off, and people are returning to what is more comfortable to them. Even if you don't believe in an economic contraction driven by falling home prices, everyday I see increased traffic in those restaurant which are familiar, and declining traffic in the newer concepts which are bringing non-traditional food to different regions. My feeling is that people still view going out as a treat, but are now less willing to risk their money on a cuisine or cooking style they may not enjoy.

Just the thoughts from a humble restraunteur/economist/investment banker...

Famous Dave's just closed up shop in Muskegon, MI, after about two years. It seemed to be doing OK, but who knows? Food was decent, especially the ribs. Service was generally excellent. Location desireable. - Rusty

Has the one in Champaign IL closed?
I walked out the last time I was there. I waited over and hour to be seated and when some bimbo came up and winked at the hostess and was seated before me that was it.

One just opened within the last year or two in Rochester, MI. Always seems to be busy. The one time I went, I didn't think the food was very good. Probably won't return

Any restaurant is dependant on its local management and the training they give their staff. I really like my local FD's rib tips but we do have better inner city BBQ stands. I don't always want to drive there so sometimes I go to my nearby FD.

We just had one open some miles east of me here in Colorado. We don't really have much good barbecue in a less than twenty mile radius, but after reading all the criticisms for the past few years, I'm wondering if it would be worth even an introductory visit.

Seriously, would you bother, just to see if maybe location, etc, might actually make a difference?

Katie,

To me the distance means a lot in the equation. The Famous Dave's near us is about 15 miles away. We use it now and then because places we consider "good" Que are at least 3 times further away. If we are choosing to go out for a BBQ dinner the exta miles are ok by me, butif--like last night-- I wanted some rib-tips and was teaching from 6-9pm...Dave's was close to the college,so I called the take-out number, and stopped by after class to get a couple of pounds to take home.

If we eat there I will usually order the appetizer sampler. 4 Buffalo wings, 4 rib bones,3 catfish fingers, 3 chicken tenders some onion rings, dipping sauces and toast. Makes for a full meal for me and really isn't bad.

Is it really Good BBQ? no. But frankly it is a step above Tony Roma's (won't go there anymore) and you can get the meat without sauce, then apply the sauce of choice from FD's selection of 6 types or flavors. That way you don't get 75%sauce and 25% meat. of the Chain type of restaurants like FD's and the Roadhouses it ranks in about the middle...but don't bother with FD's steaks or Prime Rib. Stick to the Pulled Pork, or ribs or rib tips (my choice).

I know there are certainly many folks on the forums that don't like FD's for a variety of reasons.

To be honest, living in San Diego where most of the BBQ is ridiculously awful with some hardly qualifying as BBQ, I would welcome even a mediocre FD's. The place voted best BBQ in town bakes, then grills their ribs instead of smoking, and that's consider the best BBQ...I think you see my point.

We stopped at a FD's south of San Francisco in December and at least the meat tasted like it was NEAR smoking coals...

Personally,I would rather drive the 15 miles to get my rib tips from Speed Queen Bbq in Milwaukee,than settle for Famous Daves which is only 5 miles away.The first time I ate at our local Daves, it was fine.But on repeated visits(on the insistence of family members who wanted that as their birthday dinner)I have found it to be sub par.Even their side dishes dont impress me.But,Daves obviously appeals to the masses as they are a particularly busy restaurant.

Well, because it is new, and there is a paucity of good bbq around here, I understand from friends that the place is just PACKED every night. I think we'll wait a little while, and then maybe go for lunch. That should give it a fair shot. Thanks for the opinions, guys.