Famous Dave's

[gmm]

A friend of mine mentioned she had dinner at Famous Dave's. I've never even heard of this place. Chowhound opinions?

[OneSonTwoCats]

If you order a salad to go along with your meal, eat the salad (huge fresh and filling) and doggie-bag the entree to give to someone you see on the side of the road. Because you won't want to eat it. And you won't miss a thing.

[blindowl]

In Delaware on business (Newark area), a Texan was raving about Famous Dave's. It was the worst BBQ brisket I've ever had.

[Tripper]

As usual...buy local is always better than a chain. My friends from Minneapolis swear this place used to be good. They opened locally and the same friends say it is terrible. When in doubt go local and avoid chains.

[LikestoEatout]

The original Famous Dave's was started in Hayward Wisconsin by Dave Anderson as a one store operation bbq shack. He later expanded to Minneapolis and then a few year later expanded the chain throughout the Midwest. It's now national and Dave is not actively involved. He is very involved in chartitable work with at risk youth and Native American eductational issues. He is an active member of the Choctaw/Chippewa tribe in Wisconsin. So whatever his Famous Dave's have turned out to be, it did start with one guy doing the cooking and not a corporate concept like many chains.

[alkapal]

i've been to one here in suburban d.c. (vienna, va), and it was so-so.

my sister and brother in law (picky eaters, cattlemen, and beef and bbq cognoscenti) and my nephew (a good hunter and all-round outdoorsman) LOVE the one in s. fort myers, florida.

so, i'm thinking the deliciousness is location-specific.

[mrbigshotno.1]

Pretty much matters on whose working in the back. No consistency at the one in my town. Front of the house not much better. The garbage can lid thing is stupid.

[MandalayVA]

It's okay, just don't come expecting Arthur Bryant's.

[Samalicious]

Oh, there are a few. Start here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/517666

[chileheadmike]

My wife loves it. I'm not even sure its barbecue. Worst ribs I ever ate. The fried catfish was pretty good.

How they manage to draw huge crowds in KC is beyond me.

[rubinow]

They closed up in KC, but are supposedly set to reopen.