300015 Tue Mar 22 11:37:51 -0800 2005 12 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1665178 http://www.famousdaves.com/index.cfm One is opening in Saugus, north of Boston, and I was curious about this chain. Thanks, Dax Tue Mar 22 11:37:51 -0800 2005 0 Dax 1 1665180 I think it's 'okay' at best, but I live in Virginia and have real BBQ available. It's what you would expect from a chain specializing in BBQ. Tue Mar 22 11:52:09 -0800 2005 1665178 0 Janet 1 1665188 It's not que and Dave is only semi-famous. As far as chains go I'd rather go to it than any other sit down chain. If you're looking for a lunch with no better options around, the rib tip appetizer comes with fries and is your best bet. For dinner, or lunch I guess, they have a couple of big ol' platters that sit in the center of the table filled with chicken and pork and sides that everyone can eat from. I'm from the Mpls area where this started, and from the newspaper articles about him he seemed like a decent guy who has a certain passion for food. As I recall he was raised in Chicago, which while a great food town is not que country. Tue Mar 22 13:28:20 -0800 2005 1665178 0 muD 1 1665194 I went there for my birthday with eight other people and everyone loved it. My brother and I both got ribs and while we are not BBQ or rib experts, we know and love good food, and we both thought they were the best ribs we ever had. Tue Mar 22 13:54:32 -0800 2005 1665178 0 Matt 1 1665197 The last time that I ate there a few months back, dinner was $10-12 pp. Considering that only $12 is at risk, I would give it a try. A couple of us McHenry Co., IL (Chicago area) ordered BBQ from both a local independent and Famous Dave's and thought that FD was better. The independent was recommended but we found the brisket to be better at FD. The side dishes are pretty good. I like the rib tips. The hot wings did not do much for me. And they have pretty good sauces to go along with it. Pass on the pulled pork. Tue Mar 22 14:13:20 -0800 2005 1665178 0 jlawrence01 1 1665201 re: Famous Dave's The wild rice soup is pretty good. IMHO, the best thing on the menu, though it's not Elgin-style, is their smoked hot link sausage with the house barbecue sauce. Other than that, the nicest thing I can say is that their "barbecue" is better than nothing. Tue Mar 22 14:38:32 -0800 2005 1665178 0 SBCochran 1 1665218 Pass on the catfish, it was horrible. Ribs...okay. Tue Mar 22 19:57:43 -0800 2005 1665178 0 Babs 1 1665222 I'd say it's good stuff as long as you don't live in a serious barbecue town. You'll be better off going to a local joint. If not... it's decent, I liked it more than El Paso BBQ Company, but not quite as much as the ribs at Texas Roadhouse (which fall clean off the bone if you give them so much as a wayward glance... I'm not kidding, I have seen it happen right under my nose). I'd say the thing to get is one of their family platter meals, where everything comes out on an upturned garbage can lid. Service is on the smarmy side, but otherwise OK. Tue Mar 22 22:12:15 -0800 2005 1665178 0 JK Grence (the Cosmic Jester) 1 1665236 It seems to me that barbeque chain is an oxymoron. No? Wed Mar 23 09:13:25 -0800 2005 1665178 0 the food guy 2 1665248 Only too true.. I have yet to meet two pitmasters who agree on absolutely everything. OTOH I have gotten good Q from both locataions of the Dino BBQ up in western NY... and yet, the product varied a bit from visit to visit even at those two locations. I have yet to try the NYC location.. granted I do not know if 2 or 3 joints qualify as a "chain" In my years on the BBQ list, I heard it all on what made good Q. Heat, methods, slow vs fast, direct vs indirect. I know what works for me when I do Q, and that is good enough for me. From what I have heard Famous Dave's isnt too bad... at least a cut above Tony Roma's (not that this is saying much...) Wed Mar 23 12:46:25 -0800 2005 1665236 0 PenskeFan 1 1665569 can't speak for the whole nation - but I had a dinner at FD's in St. Paul about 5 or 6 months ago and I was truly pleasantly surprised as to how good it was. I won't say they beat out Redbones or Blue Ribbon -- but they were quite good. Thu Mar 31 17:32:12 -0800 2005 1665178 0 Wilson 1 1665894 I lived in Tucson for awhile, & visited the one they opened there. Was not impressed at all - very average. As far as chains go (and that is just about all you'll find in Tucson - thank GOD I'm back in the Boston area...) my sweetie and I preferred Tony Roma's, but, alas, the closest one is in N.Y. Haven't tried Uncle Pete's yet, and haven't been to Redbones for a few yrs (before my move to Tucson), but after nearly 3 yrs of chain restaurants, I can't get enough of all the great, independent restaurants we have here. Thu Apr 07 07:25:13 -0700 2005 1665178 0 threedogs 1 1672856 Had dinner there on Father's Day...pretty uninspired. Wed Aug 17 17:13:34 -0700 2005 1665178 0 illeagle