Famous Dave’s

Have dined here a handful of times since we live in the neighborhood. Quality consistent and dining room usually full of customers. Taste is average to good and wait staff courteous and prompt. Prices are average to high depending on what you order. Nice family place if you’re in the mood for bbq. Would return.

As far as BBQ comes, I am no connoisseur. This is review is coming from the average twenty something palette.
When we came in on a Tuesday night before seeing a movie at Marcus, the place was buzzing. We split a brisket meal, in order to keep things lighter before the movie. I loved all the different BBQ sauces that was at arms length. The brisket was hot and moist. The mashed potatoes had good flavor. I liked the corn bread as well, and the waitress seeing that we were sharing, brought us an extra one.
Overall a fun place to eat if you are
Close by the movie theater or live near Addison and like BBQ. Not sure if I would go out of my way to
come eat here, as I don’t see a huge differentiating factor between this and other BBQ joints.

Not the greatest server ever, unless you’re the table full of cops who came in after us, who got muffins as soon as they sat down and all the attention she no longer had for us. Not so is. Server disappeared right away and we were starving; had to ask another to get her back. Food came quickly. Lunch special with St. Louis ribs was only two ribs and brisket was four or five small slices, for $ 9.79, so not as great a deal as it sounds but the food was good, as always. The server had asked if we wanted any additional sides but I said «We’ll see how we do,» yet she never asked if we needed anything else, dessert, etc, just dropped off the checks without a word. She took great care of the cops though!

I went here at opening on a Monday. No wait, no other customers. My waiter was attentive enough. My friend got a burger and I got the lunch two meat combo. I got the brisket and ribs. The lunch portion comes with a Texas piece of toast with the brisket on top and two ribs. You can pick one side with corn bread, and I got fries. The brisket is meaty with hits of black pepper. Delicious! The ribs were meaty. I love all the sauces at Famous Dave’s. I especially like Rich and Sassy, Georgia Mustard, and Sweet n’ Zesty. I usually alternate sauce between bites. I had to pay extra for some pickles on the side. I do love their hellfire pickle chips! Lots of BBQ places include a few pickles with their brisket, but whatever. I got a $ 5 special margarita. It was huge and strong. I enjoyed the food a lot. I didn’t like that the server told me that they weren’t allowed to box my food for me. Some people prefer that. Otherwise we would eat at home where we have to do it ourselves. I will go back though, I enjoy a period meat treat to myself.

I have eaten here before and it was good. This time the baby back ribs were tough and dry. I chalked it up to coming in at 9pm on a Wednesday night, but should have been much better

There aren’t a lot of Famous Dave’s around any more, so I picked up some ribs to go when nearby here as this is our favorite rib chain locally. I picked up a 12 bones slab and a loaded baked potato to go. Ribs were meaty and great as usual, but they failed to provide the corn bread side and I failed to notice!

Food was average at best, rib tips were dry and stringy. Waiter was a bright spot, he was friendly and attentive, however the disgruntled waitress bitching in the kitchen killed the atmosphere. Food used to be better, now it’s just average.

Cold, dry brisket
Place is very cold at lunch time.
Good server/​service
This chain is nowhere near where it used to be.
Too bad Dave hasn’t been involved for years

Wow. This was bad. Usually Famous Dave’s as a chain can be counted on but the carry-​out we got from here was really awful. My Texas Brisket was 90% fat and gristle, and all our baked potatoes were undercooked and cold. At least the cornbread tasted OK. Definitely not counting on this place again.

First, our server, Michelle (with the souther accent) gets 5 plus stars. She listened to us and knew we had to be in and out. I never received my food so fast, from any restaurant. Makes me want to lie about being in a hurry all the time now. I felt like my brisket portion was a little light. I actually had to double take. I’ve been here before and I know I’ve received larger portions. Overall, satisfied with my experience.

Ill keep this short. The atmosphere for BBQ couldnt get any better! Its PERFECT! The fodd is excellent. I tried almost everything. Nothing has disappointed me yet. Even the soups are great! The chili is fantastic! The drinks… they could be stronger but taste great. I know this joint isnt a tiki bar so I’ll let that one slide. The place isnt inexpensive but I feel that for the food and the ambiance its a good value. The service varies depending on who you get. Sometimes slow and sometimes overzealous.

Came in this last week during the work week for lunch with my mom and the twins. They sat us in the booth, but the car seats for the girls didn’t fit, so we had to angle them and squeeze in. I should have just asked to be re-​seated at a table, but I was too tired. I am always too tired. We both got chicken salads and sodas and these came with cornbread on the side. About $ 25 for lunch — reasonable — and there was a ton of salad, for sure.
Oh, and plus for the diaper changing station in the handicapped stall of the bathroom — I am shocked to find so many places without one, which means it is off to the hatchback/​trunk of my car for changing (and that won’t be an option once it is cold!)

I think what one should consider is this:
Famous Daves is a BBQ chain restaurant and the one in this review is located in a suburb of Chicago. This isn’t the south, this isn’t Texas. It is what it is. It is a Midwest located, decent quality chain restaurant, that serves meat, slathered in heartburn-​inducing bottled sauce and you know what? I like it.
When I want BBQ, I go here since Memphis, St. Louis, Florida and Texas are too far. Plus, the people are exceptional. I haven’t met an idiot yet. Lauren is an awesome bartender and treats her customers right. I am never disappointed when I pull up a chair and Lauren is working (Jennifer was great too but she left). Plus they have a good selection of draft beers which is a star in itself.
After a few visits, I started finding what I like and what I don’t (which isn’t much) and I am always happy I went, even if I do require a Pepcid later.

I’m from Memphis, so I know good BBQ when I eat it. And I did not eat it here.
On the plus side, service was good, food was plentiful, and prices were reasonable.
The burnt beef ends and St. Louis style ribs were tough, and the sauce was way too sweet and sticky. Catfish strips were mainly batter, with little fish or fish flavoring. Cornbread was soft and mushy, and the mashed potatoes were cold.
It is unlikely I will come here again, though I might give them a second chance if I was really hungry.

Famous Dave’s isn’t what it used to be. I remember 10 yrs ago when you would get a «tray» of food. So much u’d be stuffed leaving and likely still have enough for leftovers for the next day.
Came here today and experienced utter disappointment. Got the two meat combo (which has gone up in price) with tips & hot link, beans & fries. It came on a small rectangular plate; small amount of rib tips. The beans don’t taste as good as they used to and they changed the cornbread from a muffin to a slice, which is smaller.
So why 3 stars & not 1 or 2? This location still has good service. Our waitress was really nice. She got my order wrong at first but quickly fixed it. I can respect that. However, I don’t feel like I get the the value of what I pay for at FD anymore. Service alone may not be compelling enough for me to return.

I’ve apparently lived my life never experiencing this so-​called Dave whom is famous. It was recommended to me: «You love meat! You’ll love this!» and long story short, the same person said after my experience: «I’m sorry. They used to be better.»
I enjoyed the service when I went. Then again, I’m not writing this to judge the service. What I feel the need to explain is why am I wasting my money here? Sure, the BBQ selections are great. But wait, I actually had my party get up and grab jars of sauce off a bookshelf. Another apology from my companion: «They used to have their BBQ selection sitting on the table.» And maybe this was the server’s fault. Maybe she should have explained that there are other options available for taste. Whatever. I enjoyed the taste of my ribs’ default BBQ sauce.
What I didn’t enjoy? Tiny plates. $ 15+ meals on tiny plates. Ice cream scoop sizes of sides. But even worse, and this I feel is the most important part, ribs that don’t fall off the bone. When did this become acceptable? And it wasn’t just the half slab of ribs but it was also the brisket my companion ordered that I was so fortunate enough to sample: Their meat tasted like how cat food smells. Biting into any meat I tasted turned out to be dry. Is this really what consumers like to eat? Dry meat, greedily slathered in a decent sauce?
I’m sorry that I write this review on the location I went to. From what I assume, I don’t think this is just a location problem. It looks like this is a company problem. And I guess everyone’s okay with this dry meat. I guess with the many locations this chain has to offer, they don’t really need to try anymore now, do they?

Over the years, we have eaten at this Famous Dave’s location many times. For chain BBQ type food, it serves its purpose.
Most recently, while my husband was at the office on his birthday and I randomly had the day off (don’t ask… it makes no sense), I decided to bring in lunch for him and a couple of guys in the department. I stopped in and ordered at the carryout counter. There I met the nicest employee. I wish I remembered her name (this visit was Friday 11÷14÷14) because I really think she was the sweetest person I’ve ever met at Famous Dave’s. Anyhow, I was trying to decide on appetizers and she suggested catfish fingers. Well I had never had them before and before you knew it, I was tasting one with the dipping sauce. Great suggestion! I ordered them.
While I waited, I could see that the whole kitchen staff was busy. There’s no standing around here. That was nice to see. Our food was packed up nice and easy to carry and out the door I went. I did spend about $ 100 and they did offer to help me carry it out, but it was packed well and I was easily able to manage.
When I got to the office to share lunch, I found that everything stayed nice and hot on the drive over. There was plenty of food. Every detail was correct. It was a great experience and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again!

I’m fully aware that I can be a food snob but sometimes you’re willing to settle for below your standards. In my defense my rating isn’t exactly a firm 3 stars.
Years ago we had a Famous Dave’s 5 minutes away but they disappeared and this location 20 minutes south is the closed one. Most places within that radius only have 1 or 2 BBQ items and typically it’s for diversity rather than their signature dish. All it takes is a BBQ show on TV to get you craving brisket, burnt ends, and rib tips. Since driving an hour to the city for worthy BBQ at not-​so-​cheap prices isn’t always an option it makes sense to slum it occasionally.
A couple friends and I made it here and lucked out with outdoor seating away from the families and annoying kiddies. This place has definitely changed, the food isn’t as good as I remember. The burnt ends are new and since nowhere around offers them I was all over them. Not what you expect them to be, not that they were inedible. Our server was great and brought out a small order of their chips and I thought they were good with the sauce. No more drunken apples??? Lame. The entrée was a brisket and chopped pork combo, which was ok. The good thing about this place is you can squirt on one of their hot BBQ sauces and forget about the meat not being juicy or flavorful enough.
If I could command my family to bust out our grills and smokers for some excellent 8−12hr smoked Q whenever I want, then I would. For simplicity’s sake I’ll rely on Dave’s or another spot when in a pinch.

This is a simple review.
Look this isn’t Memphis’s … although I wish it was.
So Famous Dave’s is like the Chipote to Mexican food. the Panda to Chinese. get where I’m going with this?
Its BBQ– not 100% authentic but definitely good enough for me (Hence only 4 stars)! Now Chicago does have some great BBQ joints but Famous Dave’s is close to home and you always know what your going to get. It is also reasonably priced. Around $ 15 a combo meal (two meats and two sides).
This location particular has really fun friendly staff for the most part. I’ve never got a rude server. Its also in the same lot as the movie theater so its perfect to go buy your tickets and then go grab a bite to eat while waiting.
What I love most is the sauces. every table has its 6 Famous Dave sauces so its fun to try them all and mix them up to see what you like best!

We went here a couple of times. It’s pretty good. The service was great. He was very attentive and entertaining with the sauces that they served along with chips to taste with.
We ordered the All-​American Feast for dinner. Food come out hot and fresh and juicy. We’d come back for dinner.
The atmosphere was like you’re in the bayou, dark, wood, fishing and hunting items all displayed on the walls and ceiling.
For ordering out during lunch, I would have to try again as it was a bad experience. I ordered online and picked it up. Simple order a slab of baby back ribs dry rub, sauce on the side with broccoli and a slab of St. Louis Ribs. Apparently, their computer order didn’t match my online order. I got home with two full slab of baby back ribs sauced. I called to complain as my dad is borderline diabetic so that’s why I ordered the dry rub. BBQ sauce is too sweet for him and my dad is a regular here for dinner so he was disappointed that the ribs were dry and over cooked. He believed it must be ribs from the night before. I had to agree with him cause I only come here to eat dinner and not lunch.
Anyway, the manager apologized and offered a gift card so hopefully we will get it in the mail as promised.
This is my local BBQ joynt so I’ll be back… for dinner.