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Famous Dave's BBQ Informative - Famous Dave's - The Applebee's of BBQ
CHERRYHILL, NEW JERSEY -- My other half and I like to support local and privately owned restaurants but at 7pm on a recent Friday night, we found ourselves ravenous and in no mood to wait an hour to be seated at our favorite hot spot. Friends of ours had been raving about Famous Daves and being no stranger to BBQ, we decided it was well past time we give them a shot.
On this particular Friday, the parking lot was filled to the brim but we didn’t wait more than five minutes to be seated. The staff, albeit young, was friendly and very professional. Normally at chain restaurants I get the feeling that my server was either just hired or is about to freak out and quit in a blaze of glory. It’s obvious that this establishment trains their waiters and waitresses before they throw them on the floor. They also sport Famous Dave’s T-shirts with witty slogans on the back that are good for a light hearted chuckle. The establishment’s décor was very rustic, consisting of moose heads and pictures of old fishing trips, and provided something to gaze at other than the sports game that was on TV.
As I stated, our server was exceptional and the food arrived very quickly, most likely because the menu consists of a few basic items served in multiple combinations. Our meals were hot and aside from the cookie cutter appearance that I associate with chains, was quite tasty. The compilation of BBQ sauces that graced our table were some of the best we’ve tried and we’ve spent some time seeking out the Holy Grail of sauces. Almost every meal comes with two sides in addition to a freakishly perfect ear of corn, an equally freakish but oh-so-good cornbread muffin and some wet naps.
We have since returned to Famous Dave’s a handful of times and always leave pleased despite being uncomfortably full. Five minutes is still the longest that we’ve waited to be seated, the staff has always been courteous and the food is always what we expect.
My verdict is, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic with a smoker full of cherrywood in your backyard, you’re not going to be smitten with what Famous Dave’s has to offer. It’s good food, not great BBQ. Armed with a menu full of proteins and carbs that are served in plastic containers on paper plates, this isn’t the restaurant for tree hugging vegans so I recommend dropping your family’s hippy off at Saladworks before stopping in. However, if you live above the Mason Dixon line, it’s a nice introduction to things you probably don’t see very often such as brisket or fried catfish. I do believe that the atmosphere, menu and prices make this a perfect place to bring the kids. Every table is equipped with its own roll of paper towels and there is a special “Trashcan Lid Meal” that is served on an actual trashcan lid, is reasonably priced, and provides a portion of everything your family could want. One thing is for certain, after eating a Famous Dave’s platter, you won’t be asking for a desert menu.
On this particular Friday, the parking lot was filled to the brim but we didn’t wait more than five minutes to be seated. The staff, albeit young, was friendly and very professional. Normally at chain restaurants I get the feeling that my server was either just hired or is about to freak out and quit in a blaze of glory. It’s obvious that this establishment trains their waiters and waitresses before they throw them on the floor. They also sport Famous Dave’s T-shirts with witty slogans on the back that are good for a light hearted chuckle. The establishment’s décor was very rustic, consisting of moose heads and pictures of old fishing trips, and provided something to gaze at other than the sports game that was on TV.
As I stated, our server was exceptional and the food arrived very quickly, most likely because the menu consists of a few basic items served in multiple combinations. Our meals were hot and aside from the cookie cutter appearance that I associate with chains, was quite tasty. The compilation of BBQ sauces that graced our table were some of the best we’ve tried and we’ve spent some time seeking out the Holy Grail of sauces. Almost every meal comes with two sides in addition to a freakishly perfect ear of corn, an equally freakish but oh-so-good cornbread muffin and some wet naps.
We have since returned to Famous Dave’s a handful of times and always leave pleased despite being uncomfortably full. Five minutes is still the longest that we’ve waited to be seated, the staff has always been courteous and the food is always what we expect.
My verdict is, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic with a smoker full of cherrywood in your backyard, you’re not going to be smitten with what Famous Dave’s has to offer. It’s good food, not great BBQ. Armed with a menu full of proteins and carbs that are served in plastic containers on paper plates, this isn’t the restaurant for tree hugging vegans so I recommend dropping your family’s hippy off at Saladworks before stopping in. However, if you live above the Mason Dixon line, it’s a nice introduction to things you probably don’t see very often such as brisket or fried catfish. I do believe that the atmosphere, menu and prices make this a perfect place to bring the kids. Every table is equipped with its own roll of paper towels and there is a special “Trashcan Lid Meal” that is served on an actual trashcan lid, is reasonably priced, and provides a portion of everything your family could want. One thing is for certain, after eating a Famous Dave’s platter, you won’t be asking for a desert menu.
Comments:
Posted by MissMarple on 2009-11-06:
Nice review.
Posted by redmx3racer on 2009-11-06:
I avoid chains as much as possible myself. I worked at Uno and Ruby Tuesday long enough to realize it's all the same stuff.
I do-however, like Famous Daves. Not bad at all. Could have a few "spicier" items to choose from.
I do-however, like Famous Daves. Not bad at all. Could have a few "spicier" items to choose from.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-11-06:
Famous Daves opened up here, and didn't last two years. They just never gained critical mass. I think they might have made it, but about a year ago there was a big splash in th epaper when they arrested the hostess, who had a portable scanner in her pocket, and was swiping everyone's credit card and selling the numbers. I don't think they ever recovered from that.
Posted by Wally86 on 2009-11-06:
I always use cash not credit. Cause thats the way I roll.
Posted by littleyaya on 2009-11-06:
We have Famous Dave's here in AZ. The food is really good and the prices aren't too bad either
Posted by zzrokk on 2009-11-06:
They are out here as well. Not bad save for the brisket. They overcook it.
Posted by goduke on 2009-11-06:
I live in Rhode Island. I'd be glad to have bad bbq.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-11-06:
Well Goduke, if you drive up 95, right over the state line there is a Memphis Roadhouse. They're not half bad. Further up in Stoughton, there is a Smokey Bones which I actually like a lot. A bit further in Braintree is Tennessee Barbeque, and they are really good. Of course, all this is relative to what you'd get in the deep south.
Posted by redmx3racer on 2009-11-06:
To each their own-but I always found Smokey Bones to be kinda bland and gross. That's probably why the one in my area closed along with most of the rest of the chain.
I also live in New England-and a good BBQ place is hard to find. Next time in am in the MA area Ken maybe I'll try one of your other suggestions.
I also live in New England-and a good BBQ place is hard to find. Next time in am in the MA area Ken maybe I'll try one of your other suggestions.
Posted by KenPopcorn on 2009-11-06:
Call me, I'll buy you a beer and we'll do brisket
Posted by goduke on 2009-11-06:
mmmm. brisket (without the words "corned beef" in front).
Posted by CrystalSword on 2009-11-08:
Yaya....have you tried Tom's BBQ? They are outstanding and they cater as well. If anyone is in Escondido, CA, there is a place called The Wrangler BBQ Pit, its a hole in the wall BBQ place in a strip mall (don't remember the street it is on though its one of the major ones in town) and they have the best, bar none, BBQ sandwiches, they've been there since I can remember, going back to the early 1970's, same place, same people running it...and the meat slicer remembered me from 20 years before when I visited in 1992.
I hope they are still there...great place and great people!
Service had always been wonderful there and prices are reasonable.
I hope they are still there...great place and great people!
Service had always been wonderful there and prices are reasonable.
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