Whenever I get hungry for a good barbeque dinner I think of Famous Dave's Barbeque. This restaurant has numerous location in the area I live – it's hard to not stumble onto one when I'm out roaming around. Over the last five years I have eaten at eight of the fifteen locations in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, and have been happy with my meals almost every time.

Food Selection
Main Dishes
Famous Dave's is most famous for barbeque ribs, barbeque chicken, and various meat entrees. The most prominent offering on the menu is St Louis Style spareribs doused in "Rich & Sassy" BBQ Sauce. These are served in 4, 6, or 12 bone sizes. I have had the ribs two or three times and was happy with the meat quantity and the way they were cooked.

Two of my other favorite dishes are the Barbeque Chicken and Chopped Georgia Pork meals. The meat is plentiful, juicy, and tasty – rarely gristly tough. Other entrees on the menu are roasted chicken, smoked ham, beef brisket, catfish, salmon, chicken wings, and rib tips. You can also order combinations of ribs and another meat or two meats (like chicken and brisket).

The meals are served in a platter format (except ribs, which can be a la carte), and include corn bread, corn on the cob, and a choice of two of the following: French fries, baked beans, potato salad, Cole slaw, or a hot apple treat. Baked Potatoes are available for an extra charge. I like the Cole slaw and French fries the best for the side dishes. Hey, if you are going to eat like a pig, might as well go all the way!

Some of the meals are also served as a sandwich, such as the brisket, barbeque chicken, and Georgia chopped pork. There is also a Cajun chicken, Hickory chicken, and hamburger sandwich election. The sandwiches come with the choice of one side dish only. Not surprisingly I have had the sandwiches too, and have been happy with the food.

If you are not a meat eater there is not much to choose from at Famous Dave's, except perhaps a Caesar salad, potatoes, and biscuits.

Sauces
Famous Dave's has several styles of barbeque sauce. Among these are the Rich & Sassy, Hot & Sassy, Texas Pit, Georgia Mustard, Devil's Spit, and Sweet & Zesty.
Some are better than others, but I like the Texas Pit on chicken dishes and the Hot & Sassy on pork. None is really bad, but the Rich & Sassy and Sweet & Zesty are too sweet for me. The sauces are sold in local grocery stores where I live and in a few other states in the Mid West.

Appetizers and salads
Famous Dave's has a small selection of appetizers that centers on a small taste of ribs, catfish, or BBQ wings. There are a few salad selection such as Caesar, BBQ Salad (it has pork, ham, or chicken) or Smoked Salmon Salad. A side salad can also be ordered (I've done it before) although it is not specifically mentioned on the menu.

The soups are pretty much limited to a Chili, or chicken wild rice. I don't recall having soup here but one of my friends likes the Chili. All are served in cup or bowl sizes.

Desserts
I have rarely eaten dessert at Famous Dave's (I'm too full!) except for Pecan pie once. It was very good – thick enough to stop your blood from running if the rest of the meal hasn't already. They also serve brownies, ice cream, and sundaes.

Beverages
All non-alcoholic beverages are served in large plastic glasses. Sodas cost about $1.75 and beers run $3-$5 apiece. There is a decent selection on domestic beers, but I don't recall if there are imported beers. I usually get ice water (these meals make me thirsty) and either a beer or soft drink.

Prices
In general, most of the platter meals at dinnertime are about $10 except the ribs, which cost $20 for a 12- bone platter and a few dollars less for the smaller rib portions. The sandwiches run about $7.50 each. Soups cost $3/cup and $5/bowl. The salads are about $8 and appetizers run about $7, which is a bit steep. Desserts are overpriced too at about $5 apiece. Prices at lunch are about 15% lower across the board, but there are fewer menu offerings.

Service
Service varies quite a bit at Famous Dave's. It has always been friendly, but is sometimes slow and a bit haphazard. It seems like the server is often unsure about who gets which dish or beverage. The whole atmosphere is rather informal though, so no big deal. At some locations you order in line, then they bring it out to you. In others it is a sit-down restaurant with a wait staff. I tend to like the places with a wait staff better.

Decor
Famous Dave's seem to have a couple different themes going. The most common is like an old fishing shack, with weathered boards and walls covered with fishing gear, old advertising signs, and dancing pigs. The other theme is like a hunting lodge, which has antlered-chandeliers, old-fashioned advertising signs, and hunting/fishing decor. The tables are heavy wood with a few booths. A few locations have outdoor seating or seating on a screened porch, which I really enjoy.

All locations have red and white tablecloths like you use for a picnic. Each table has a roll of paper towels on an old pipe and plenty of barbeque sauce. A few locations have a sink outside the restroom for quick wash ups.

One location, in Minneapolis, has a Chicago theme, with cityscape decor and replicas of the El Train. This location also has a stage and plays Blues music a few nights a week. They also have a Sunday buffet. Most locations have a small bar area too, with a TV tuned to sports events.

Take Out
Every location of Famous Dave's I have visited has a separate counter for take- outs. I have ordered take-outs a few times myself and they have a good system in place. The service is pretty quick (about 10 minute wait) and extra sauces, napkins, hand wipes, and plastic utensils are nearby.

The PIG Club
The PIG Club means Pretty Important Guests. You can sign up at the website and get coupons, gift offers, and promotional materials via e-mail. I have not signed up yet, but it is tempting.
http://www.famousdaves.com/pigclub.cfm

Evaluation
Overall I really like Famous Dave's Barbeque for informal barbeque-style meals, especially with a group gathering. The food is good (for this type of food) and not too expensive. The portions are large and the atmosphere informal. Sometimes the service is shaky, but is always friendly. I probably eat a Famous Dave's about once every other month, whenever I'm in the mood to pig-out.

© trailhound. 2005.

Recommended: Yes