I'm not a big fan of Famous Dave's. I didn't like the service and the food just didn't do it for me. Everything we ordered was edible, but nothing was memorable. Just okay food at usual chain restaurant prices.
(1)
Bobbie R.
My family have been to Dave's many times and we are are nearly always pleased with the food and the service. I enjoy the atmosphere and the ribs are superb
(4)
Latise B.
Wow, mixed reviews on this place. Suprising... I really like the barbecue sauce at Famous Daves. The other nice thing, in my opinion, is the portion sizes. For usual chain prices, the portion sizes are pretty big. I can easily get 2 meals for my $15. Dinner time in Columbia = expect to wait 45 mins for a table. Famous Dave's is more like 30 mins, and sometimes less then 15 minutes. A few times we've gone during the dinner rush and had no wait. The sweet tea is never sweet, so stick to soda. Order an extra corn muffin, substitute babyback ribs for the standard st louis style ribs (for a few bucks extra), and grab some paper towels and dig in. Its no substitute for going to a good rib joint, but for a good quantity of food and variety of menu choices, try out Famous Dave's. Instead of waiting over an hour for a peppery steak from Longhorn, come over to famous dave's and get your BBQ on.
(3)
francine s.
I LOVE their BBQ Chicken Salad.
(5)
Mimi J.
I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal or a bad experience here. The food is consistently good.
(4)
Su K.
BBQ can be a hot button topic. Everyone has their own opinion of what is best, and the conversation usually involves, "Well, I'm from Kansas/Texas/Carolina/Memphis/etc..." Well guess what Dorothy? You're not in Kansas anymore. That's right Dubya, you left your village in Texas 8 years ago. You're in DC now, so don't tell me about this amazing place in the middle-of-nowhere America b/c I can't find direct flights there. The problem with arguing about BBQ is that BBQ at it's core is inconsistent, and that's the beauty of it. Being a wannabe Barbequeista, I have my own smoker, never use gas, and no one, outside of college boys w/ T1 in their dorms, spends more time on Saturdays tending to their wood. As such, I've read quite a bit of literature on how to Q and most every publication will tell you that YMMV based on things like wind, ambient temperature, temperature of the meat, cut/quality of meat, type of wood used, the temperature maintained during cooking time, etc... which leads me to conclude that BBQing is more an art than a science. And like art, everyone will have their own opinion, e.g., I tend to think abstract art was done by some dude who forgot to take his pills while others will view it as genius. So while I can't tell you what the best BBQ is since your opinion will likely differ, I can tell you that BBQ is relatively cheap. Say for example, pork butt (which is actually the shoulder...so what do you call the butt?), which retails for well under $2/lb, which makes an 8lb butt, which can easily feed several people, less than $16. Pork ribs can be bought by consumers for less than $10/rack, and even cheaper if you buy them by in bulk. Consequently, much like at the mechanic, you're mostly paying for labor rather than the parts, so for me, the cost of the BBQ makes a big difference. If you're smoking it manually, I'm willing to pay you the money to do so, but if you're simply throwing it in the Smokerizer 8000 and setting it and forgetting it, I'm not paying you $20 for a slab of ribs that cost you less than $10. "But how can you tell," you ask. Well, look at the restaurant - if there's smoke emanating from the building, you're on the right track. Even better if you notice a hole in the ozone layer above the store. This is the main reason why I enjoy Famous Dave's. It's not the best but it satisfies my BBQ cravings, which happens much more frequently than your woman's PMS and is likely much more furious, and it's cheap! For $35 you can get the 1/2 Feast, which serves 2-3 and comes with ribs, 1/2 a chicken, your choice of brisket/pork (I recommend the brisket), cornbread, corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, and fries. I've tried on multiple occasions to finish this beast w/ one other person and have had a 66% success rate. The trick seems to be to bring someone who is under 150 lbs. The All American Feast ($57) is twice the portion and easily feeds 4. If you can stomach it--literally--try the Kahlua brownie sundae ($6) - warm, soft brownie, topped w/ nuts, hot fudge, ice and whipped cream. In addition to price, sauces are a major factor in determining good BBQ. Great BBQ can definitely stand on its own, but an excellent sauce can elevate the work of even the greatest smoke masters. Dave's provides 5 sauces, all conveniently at your table. I like to use copious amounts of sauce, so it definitely helps to have easy access - kinda like that flap on the front of boxers. My favorite's are Devil's Spit and Texas Pit. Note: they do have Georgia Mustard, but nothing that is predominantly vinegar-based for those that require a Carolina type sauce. Location - in the same shopping center as Target, Don Pablo's, and near Red Robin and Longhorn. This place gets packed pretty much every night between 7:30 and 9, so unless you arrive early, be prepared to wait. I prefer the layout of the Laurel location. Service - is generally friendly and competent, but once again, I prefer the Laurel location. They don't take reservations, but if you have a large party, for a birthday for example, you can ask about reserving a portion of the restaurant a week or so in advance. Not fantastic BBQ by any means, but it's close, cost-effective, has great sauces, and I never leave there hungry. I don't know about the piggy that went to the market or stayed home, but this piggy is going to Famous Dave's.
(3)
Molly T.
Food comes out quick. I love their Georgia Pork BBQ and all the sauces they have to go with it. Green beans are spicey and yummy, and I love their corn bread- I usually hate corn bread. Not too bad for a chain, but they need some happyhour specials and I'll like it more.
(3)
Tiffany F.
Unfortunately, every time I have eaten here I had felt sick later in the day. The food is ok, but nothing to write home about.
(1)
Olivia J.
Great, fast and friendly service. Nice clean enviroment and the BBQ is good for your chain restaurant. The ribs were nice and juicy and the chopped pork was tasty too! They also have a nice variety of BBQ sauces from sweet to spicy.
(3)
B. J.
Only passable. If ayou re really hungry and need a carne fix, go in. They give you allot of food, but the BB ribs were burnt (must have put on grill with sauce too long), the taste was too sweet and they were too chewy. The brisket is average - good smoky taste, but not tender. An appetizer of fried onions was a greasy, not flavoraful mess. Side dishes of corn and string beans had zero taste. Must say though, that the beans were good (only reason, besides Sierra on tap, that I did not give it a zero). Red, Hot and Blue - you have nothing to worry about. Only question is, why was there a wait to get seated. Sad.
(1)
Ty J.
Famous Daves used to be my favorite spot for sit down BBQ. Well I'm pretty sure I won't be back. The service was great but that didn't make up for the super tough possibly made yesterday ribs. I was so disappointed with the ribs, they tasted fine but no one likes to struggle just to take a bite! What happened to tender, juicy ribs where the meat practically falls off the bone? I gave up after the second one because I was tired of fighting to take a bite. The grilled chicken was probably the highlight and the brisket was alright, it at least wasn't tough. Oh and what happened to the cornbread muffins?? Now it's just regular old cornbread slices lol. Eh I will pass from now on no need to return any time soon.
(2)
Teresa S.
I ate here while passing through on my way to NC during labor day weekend. The place was packed for a Thursday evening. I sat at the bar and there was a big after work crowd. I ordered a half size of baby back ribs, garlic mash potatoes and green beans with a piece of cornbread . All of it was delicious and finger looking good. The staff were friendly and cool and looked like they took care of their regular customers. I have yet to be disappointed with any, food from Famous Daves.
(5)
Aisha K.
I like this place a lot. Great service, great food, and the greatest BBQ sauce EVER!!!
(5)
kevin k.
too sweet for me. jst did not enjoy the food. once was enough for me. bad chow!!
(2)
Na H.
We came here for Happy Hour and it was decent. We arrived around 3:45pm as the Happy Hour begins at 3 until 7 pm and we were the second guests at the bar area. We ordered a Miller Lite draft ($2), the rail tequila with cranberry juice ($3), the margarita with a float of brandy on top ($5), barbeque nachos with Texas beef brisket ($4), burnt Texas brisket ends ($9) with onion strings and a Texas beef brisket platter with 2 sides, macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potaotes ($15), to go for someone. The margarita was good, not too stingy with the tequila and the float of brandy on top was perfect. The rail tequila with cranberry juice was ok, but l would not order it again. The barbeque nachos were great. Tender pieces of smoked texas brisket, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, their own Wilbur beans, sliced fresh jalapeno, shredded lettuce and barbeque sauce layered over fresh nachos was a site and taste to behold. The burnt ends were a bit tough, but the onion strings, breaded in a light batter and deep fried, made up for their shortcomings. The bartender on duty was great and attentive. All in all, a wonderful happy hour that l look forward to coming to again.
(4)
Ma-e M.
The first time I went to a Famous Dave's was in Philadelphia and the seconds, a long time ago. I did not really like too much BBQ meat so I kept on passing it by for 7 years separation. But when they came out with BBQ turkey which for me a little different, I grabbed a bite to try the lunch turkey BBQ sandwich. The buns were perfectly soft and toasty. The other entree was an order of fried catfish fingers and beef brisket. Going back to Famous, made me re-think that sometimes, something can rekindle the past visits.
(3)
Artranda H.
Came here for lunch yesterday after having a rough night. We wanted fast service so we decided to sit in the bar. Normally when I come on my lunch break we don't get the best service, but yesterday Lucie was OUTSTANDING. For it being a slow day in the bar or maybe I think they had just opened up but she had so much personality. She provided excellent service and was checking on us, didn't ignore us at all! When we come back I want her as our server! Also the food was hot and delicious! Thanks Lucie!
(5)
Ray R.
Stopped in here for a business lunch. Exterior: the exterior is clean and presentable. It had a large parking lot with plenty of empty spaces. Interior: there were several different sections I noticed. To the right of the door, there was a bar area (where we were seated), to the left were several different dining areas with a lot of different sized tables. Everything appeared to be separated enough to keep the noise levels down. It had a kind of down home feel to it as I've seen with most Famous Dave's. Staff: well, the waitress was not overly friendly, but also not rude. She was there and did her job. Food: after having eaten at other Famous Dave's, this one was pretty blah. I'm used to putting my own sauces on whatever I order, but everything came pre-sauced. The portions were fine since it was lunch. I should know better than to ever order corn on the cob, because it's never cooked right in a restaurant. It was all mushy instead of nice and crispy. Overall, if you're hungry and don't want anything else, then stop. Otherwise, continue on to a different restaurant (I later discovered there was a much better BBQ place very close by).
Zipped over to Famous Dave's in Columbia, MD after a business appointment, and thought it better to grab a bite to eat than sit in ridiculous traffic. Being a Minnesotan, and loving generic suburbia restaurants (think Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Applebee's, etc.) more than any person should, I was strongly drawn to Famous Dave's. And, let's be honest here, Famous Dave's didn't disappoint. I was on the early side on a Thursday evening arriving around 5:45 p.m. I grab a stool at the bar and was served by a really nice, polite bartender named Jule (sp?). She was attentive but not in an annoying way. I got a large sized Sam Adams and a bbq salad with pulled chicken on it. The dressing was some sort of honey mustard. I thought about asking for the dressing on the side, but got lazy and went with it. I should've gotten it on the side. It tasted pretty good, but the salad was too heavily dressed. The chicken was tasty and delicious. And, it came with a corn bread muffin. I cleaned my plate, save the muffin. I love Famous Dave's and I'm not going to be ashamed about it any longer! Maybe I'll have my birthday dinner there . . . . .
(4)
Elisha M.
Now that I live in Raleigh, I am wary about going to big chain BBQ restaurants. Once you've had the best, nothing is good enough. I am easy to please, especially when it comes to food, I am easy going, but the food and service at Famous Dave's did not sit well. The single redeeming factor about our meal at Famous Dave's was that there was no wait time to get a table. The table we were seated at was too big for our party so we had to shout at each other over the chorus of screaming babies that populated the dining room, just to have a conversation. I ordered a peach sangria when we sat down, but it did not arrive until halfway through the meal. The chop BBQ salad I ordered was edible, but the meat was flavorless and the sauces were watery. The cornbread muffin was good though. I guess if you are in the mood for this, carry out is a better option. Next time I am home in Columbia, I will steer (haha) clear of this restaurant.
(1)
Tara B.
Used to be my favorite barbecue joint, especially for Happy Hour, but they changed their menu. Service is okay. I am concerned about the long-term for this location because it's never crowded. Rib tips are usually on point, but last time they were overcooked. I heard Mission Barbecue might be better down the street!
(3)
James U.
What has happened to Famous Dave's? 10 years ago it was wonderful and their Georgia Pulled Pork Sandwich was delicious! This place has gone down fast over the past few years. I stopped in for dinner last week just to see if it had improved any. The pulled pork sandwich tasted old. No other way to say it! I'll venture to say the pork may have been cooked days before and frozen, then microwaved. Come on Dave! Get your mojo back or surrender to equally awful Mission BBQ which seems to be sending Columbia locals who claim they know good BBQ info fits of orgasmic delight. Hint: I never order ribs at any of these places! They should be done on your backyard grille as nobody in Columbia really knows what properly prepared ribs are. You'd have to drive to Memphis or St. Louis to get honest ribs! That is all.....
(1)
Thomas J.
Stop by for take out. Very pleasant staff. Ordered food. The menu was not updated with the new dishes. I sat down at the bar to wait. I explained I had ordered my food but he ask if I want to drink I sad diet soda and he delivery it. No charge thanks. About fifteen minutes the food was waiting for me. My son got it I was gone. Everything was present and very delicious. This is one of my usual places to eat but not to frequently. One final thing I stopped getting emails from famous Dave's so I don't know what up with them
(3)
Sharon W.
Last week we had a fun and tasty lunch at Famous Dave's in Laurel. Our server there assured us Laurel's Famous Dave was better than Columbia's. We had an errand in Columbia today so decided to check it out. We should have listened to our friendly Laurel server. The bun on my pulled chicken sandwich was stale. The fries were okay, but not as crispy as I would have liked. Our waitress was okay. She plopped my husband's meal down in front of him announcing it was a Cajun chicken sandwich. After a little checking--no it was our friend's hamburger. who had husband's chicken sandwich. Oh well. Wouldn't go back, too many other places in that area to try.
(2)
Michael Z.
I used to come here all the time for lunch take out. They recently they change their policy to refuse allowing you to order two of the same kinds of meat for their lunch 2-meat combo. With such an asinine policy in place there's absolutely no reason to ever come here again when the more customer friendly Mission BBQ is right down the street for cheaper.
(1)
Aaron P.
Brisket was old and dry. The fries had to have been under a heating lamp for at least two hours before they were put on my plate. Corn was good. Maybe it was my timing, 4 in the afternoon, but it wasn't good food.
(2)
Sarah M.
Stopped in for lunch and was completely ignored by the wait staff for ten minutes. Left before I could try anything. Terrible first impression.
(1)
Thomas D.
I decided to give this place one more chance today. Let me give my history with Famous Dave's in Columbia. I always purchase the family feast for around $55.00. On several occasions they have given me old, dry, nasty ribs. So now when I come into this establishment I ask for the manager and explain my previous experience I had with their restaurant and I simply ask, may I please have fresh, succulent, and great food, exactly what I paid to have. So on my very next visit I decided not to ask for the manager and I trusted that I would get incredible ribs, chicken, & brisket. Guess what, the ribs were dry, old, and very forgettable. So today I went in and purchase a family feast for around $65.00, and the food was absolutely dreadful. The ribs were tasteless, the brisket was dry and nasty, the chicken was uneventful. You know when you eat and you get that nasty, stuck feeling in your throat, that's what I just got for eaten this food today. On top of that I just barfed up the food. Normally when I purchase the family feast at least some of the food is tasty. But today nothing was good except the beans. I will not return to this establishment. They do not take pride and love in cooking their food.
(1)
Clara S.
I love Famous Dave's so much. Their food is delicious, the chiefs are very talented. The hosts are very nice. The restaurant is clean and great. I've been pleased with the food everytime. I really recommend going here with your family.
(5)
Shawn M.
Being from Texas, I love good bar-b que and while nothing is as good as freshly grilled yourself, the convenience of having someplace to go and not have to do it yourself is always good. This happens to be my wife's favorite place to eat, so I have seen a lot of it in the last 4 years we have been living in Maryland. Now, some of their stuff is better than others. For instance, their 'chicken tenders' could be better. They are generally overly crunchy and dry on the outside whenever I happen to get them, which is a change from what they used to be like. It makes me think that perhaps what we're getting is basic chicken nuggets from a bag somewhere and not freshly made from scratch. I get that sometimes time is limited, but I am more than willing to wait an extra 10 - 15 minutes for fresh rather than something in a bag. Hell, I can do that myself and not leave my house or dress up more than my underwear for that kind of food. Now, if they want to try some decent tenders, then go to Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and try the Snowbird Tenders. Those kick some serious ass! Good stuff they have: Brisket Burgers. I love brisket and I love burgers, so to have a burger made from brisket is just awesome. They also make a halfway decent pulled pork, collar greeds, corn break muffins, etc. and I love their double winger appetizer (I have been craving buffalo wings a lot). Also, nothing beat their sauces. I don't even generally use sauce on my BBQ, but the Devil's Spit and Wilbur's Revenge variety are awesomely hot and smokey which satisfies my Texan appetite to punish myself with overly hot food. The bad: Servers have been real absent minded as of late and slow to respond to new customers being sat down. We waited a good 30 minutes last Friday before we got a waiter to finally give us drinks and take out orders and that's never good. It means you don't have enough servers or they're not being trained properly in customer service techniques.
(3)
Vannessa S.
Hubby and I were in Columbia and I had never been to Famous Dave's. I was craving barbecue. We went there. Not impressed. Our server was VERY nice, but the food came up short. I ordered the brisket. When it arrived, half of the pieces were 100% fat...no meat! Totally gross. Their sauces were forgettable. My husband ordered the fried cod only to be told 20 minutes after we placed out order that they were out. OK. He ordered the catfish bites instead. When they finally made their way our, they were actually pretty good. Who'd think the fish would be better than the barbecue at a barbecue joint? Not me! Not impressed at all with the BBQ, but glad to have gotten the experience. At least now I know that Mission BBQ in Glen Burnie still reigns supreme!
(2)
Ann P.
This place has great service, a well trained staff is very important to me. Plus, they serve BBQ. I recommend their pineapple buffalo wings! They also cater!
(3)
Philip D.
Burnt tips wound up blackened fat. Soup was mediocre. Sausage and catfish were tasty. Service was prompt.
(2)
Sam M.
Decided to try this place after eating at one in Arizona for the first time, and having a great experience. This Famous Daves is like a totally different restaurant. I ordered the brisket (the same thing I had in AZ that was amazing) and ribs. The brisket tasted closer to a hot dog than beef brisket and the ribs were super greasy and chewy. All of it was cold when it came out. I won't be back.
(1)
Lakeia S.
I love Famous Dave's. I've been to this location on several occasions. Birthdays, on dates and family night. Never have I been disappointed.
(4)
Jordan K.
My family and I met up with our bro here and I must say this was a wonderful experience all around. We went on a Tuesday evening around 530 and it was not busy. Our server was friendly and explained all the sauces upon arrival. He took the time to go over the menu with us. Service was A+ and our drinks were never half empty. We ended up ordering the smorgasbord called the AMERICAN FEAST! God Bless America!! It came with a full slab of St. Louis-Style Spareribs, a whole Country-Roasted Chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas Beef Brisket or Georgia Chopped Pork (we chose the brisket), Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, six pieces of Fresh Sweet Corn and four Corn Bread Muffins (our server gave us 2 more since we had a party of six). Everything was delicious! Brisket and chicken were moist, just the way I like it. Portion size was great as we had leftovers!
(4)
Yaka H.
A chain restaurant place which delivers consistent product. SX and I are rib people. We just like ribs. We only get the ribs here and always naked (aka: dry rub only). The offer their sauces on the table, so it's a nice way to sample all of their sauces and find which one tickles your fancy with your ribs. I personally like the Georgia Mustard, Texas Pit, and the Sweet and Sour one. I agree with Yella that the Devil's Spit isn't as spicy as they make it seem to be, so I don't even bother with it. What's even better, is that Famous Dave's also does rib tips! That fatty part of the rib with those itty-bitty, cartilage bones... they are a wonderful part of the rib. We never miss out of those either. They come already pre-sauced, but that's fine. We've found the brisket here to be tough and dry. So I would recommend not ordering that. Everything else seems to be okay/not bad. The corn cob here is always a over steamed, but I still eat it with squirting relish (warning if you ever sit next to me, you may get squirted with corn juice). The corn bread here come as individual muffins and aren't too bad (just a tad dry though). While this isn't the best BBQ in the world, it's not bad, considering that the surrounding area is a bit lacking in the BBQ offerings.
(3)
Mary M.
Typical chain restaurant. I always feel a little bit disgusting leaving because of the unhealthiness of the food, but I would expect nothing less of a BBQ joint. The fries are great, portions are huge and great selection of BBQ sauces. I'd stick with a local place but if you like chains this one will meet your expectations.
(2)
Donna Y.
Full rack of ribs shared with two people... Comes with corn bread and your choice of two sides... I recommend the jalapeño Mac and cheese!!
(2)
Eric W.
When I lived in DC I got my BBQ at Old Glory. When I lived in Drexel Hill, PA I got it at Pig Daddy's. So now that I live near Columbia, I had some trepidations about trying a chain restaurant for BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised. While the service was a bit on the slow side, the food was good. I had one of the meat platters and everything I tried was tasty. Nothing was dry like I tend to find at chain BBQ places. Most impressive was the selection of sauces. In the many places I've lived most BBQ joints have two types of sauce: a sweet and a hot. Having different bases for the sauces is always good. The service was a bit spotty though. I was a bit amazed about how dismissive our waitress was. It was almost as if she would rather sit and chat then bring us our bill. It was also pretty early, so I don't see how she could have been tired. Who knows? If you need BBQ, Famous Dave's is perfectly serviceable.
(3)
Dean T.
I have been going here for a few years. Today I ate there and had the pleasure of dining with a couple of cockroaches. When we brought this up to the server she was very apologetic and mentioned it to the manager. The manager never came out to talk to us. We were even able to show the cockroach to another employee. All that other employee did was take away the cup where the cockroach was walking on.
(1)
Danny C.
What was I thinking?! Why did I come here?! Oh yeah.... My brother and sister wanted to come here. We're all foodies. We love food, especially ethnic foods. We also love BBQ. Now there aren't many BBQ joints around the area that we know of, and all of the places we've been to around here aren't that great. I'm aware of Famous Daves and it being a chain restaurant. But I heard Famous Daves won 1st place in some type of BBQ event in Tennessee? Or Kansas? Either way they won for having the best BBQ. My mind was telling me "Dont go!" But my stomach was telling me "Eat now!" And we were right in front of Famous Daves.... So I gave in. We went inside and the setting was pretty nice. Lots of stuff to look at and read. We ordered the famous award winning full rack of ribs, Texas Beef Brisket, and the Country Roasted Chicken. I knew it..... The Award Winning Ribs weren't Award Winning. Unless that BBQ event was full of beginners! Ribs weren't that bad, but they weren't Winning quality. Sauce was good, but the ribs itself were too chewy. The brisket was dry, tough, and too salty. The chicken aside from it being dry in some parts, was actually flavorful. Chicken was the best thing we had there. Im not saying the place was terrifying, or the worst BBQ we've had. But the place wasn't even close to being Great. I had much better...
(2)
Mitch R.
Heard that the food was good here so came here for a post workout meal. We walked in at 2:30 and ordered the family feast plus the burnt ends appetizer and nachos. We received the appetizers after a staggering 30 min wait. The other tables around us received their food first. Its fair to say being the only asians eating here they might be racist. Because it does not take 45 minutes to make nachos. The family feast eventually came out after an hour and fifteen. The food itself is mediocre and the service is just god awful. The waitresses need better training they came at 35 min intervals asking if we wanted refills without the slight hint at when the food was coming out. My advice is if you have 2-3hrs to spare and enjoy playing the guessing game of when your food is gonna come out go ahead. Otherwise go to hardtimes or somewhere else.
(1)
Ebony C.
I love BBQ food. And so glad that I went here. A friend of mine & I order the feast for two. It was so much food we couldn't eat all of it. My four year old was there with us and she had a great time getting her fingers messy from the ribs. The place is loud. So its great for groups to come. You can watch the game or the News while dining. The ribs are meaty and well glazed in BBQ sauce. Service was great too. I gave it four stars because its not local to me :-( but its worth the trip.
(4)
Steven D.
Famous Dave's BBQ food is amazing. I highly recommend ordering any of the Feasts and extra corn bread.
(4)
M W.
I went here two weeks ago with my wife and 4 tear old after making a run to Lowes. Now I had been working on my house all day. I wasn't dressed in the finest attire, but I was eating at a barbecue chain. We got there at about 5 pm. There was a 20 min wait and no place to sit down. I was tired and decided to sit myself and daughter at the bar. There was no one else at the bar at the time. I basically used it as a place to plant my tired butt while we waited. I ordered a beer, my wife and daughter ordered coke. Before we were served we were asked to move from the bar because our kid wasn't allowed to sit there. We were td we could sit at the table behind the bar. We were sat about ten minutes later and promptly chased down by the bar manager because she couldn't add our bar tab onto our dining tab. (Like we were expected to know this ahead of time) The food was below average. Being asked to move from the otherwise unoccupied bar stool was total bs . Like we were going to sit there for an hour getting drunk with our daughter next to us. Come on be real. And being chased down like I was going to dine and dash was not ideal. We felt like we were treated like crap by the staff. And to top it off our shitty food was like 50 bucks. The staff is rude and takes patronage for granted. Don't waste your time or money. The location is convenient but don't let that fool you. There are plenty of other places to eat that appreciate and value your business.
(2)
Michael F.
I can sum up my experience with a Movie, The Hunger games because I was still hungry after leaving. I was sooo disappointed in this place. In my eternal search for great BBQ I decided to give Famous Dave's a shot after having the day off last Friday and picking up some things in the area. Daves has a pleasant enough bar/dining area, I opted for the bar. My server was very friendly. I was the only patron at the time, it was about 6pm. I started with the Southside Rib Tips(8.99) served over fries. The ribs and dry rub looked fantastic, but looks can be deceiving. These ribs were the toughest most stiff bone riddled pieces of meat I've ever tried to eat. It took some upmph to pull these jokers apart, and I'm not a small guy. Once I did manage to get a piece in my mouth it tasted...just not good. My entree came out like 45 seconds after these Mcribs were served. I went with what every good BBQ joint is judged by, the Brisket. The Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich to be exact. ok maybe just a bad day for ribs, the brisket will come through I'm sure. There will be no heroes in this story. The brisket looked ..processed..? Very homogeneous texture and look to the beef and not fresh looking, swimming in too much sauce, all small pieces too. And the sauce wasn't helping either, it was just bland with a bit of tang.I did eat most of it because I was damn hungry at this point. It all looked great, but that's as far as it got. The mac n cheese was ok, would have been better if it was hot. And the fries were ok. I've had friends say they loved Famous Dave's. Perhaps they had a bad day. I'm not inclined to find out. BBQ and chains don't go well together. Two thumbs down for Famous Dave's.
(2)
Jeff M.
If I want a pit beef sandwich then I head over to Canopy. But, when I want BBQ then there is only one place around that hits it on all cylinders. For Memorial Day we ordered up the All American BBQ Feast to go - brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, slaw, corn muffins, corn on the cob and fries. It comfortably fed a family of four, though we probably could have gotten away with more ribs - but only because we didn't have any leftovers. We don't love everything on the menu as I'm not crazy about the bread they use for the sandwich items, but I don't go there for a sandwich. And, some visits are better than others, but for the most part it is pretty consistent. My littlest does prefer the Corner Stable for ribs, but I think she's nuts. Besides, she's not old enough for a Yelp account yet. Favorite Sauce - Devil's Spit...and I use it at home whenever possible.
(5)
Scott M.
One word.....GROSS
(1)
Nathan R.
Great BBQ, nice atmosphere. A little pricey and the lunch portions could be a bit bigger. A-OKAY
(3)
Michael J.
Wow. Just wow. Radically overpriced for the portion size and quality, food came out cold, waiter dropped by maybe twice in an hour and a half (good thing we were trying to keep to an hour lunch! :P). I don't expect much from BBQ on the east coast, but this joint manages to undershoot an already very low bar by a country mile. I'm trying really hard to think of positives to the whole experience and the best I can come up with was that the tea was mediocre.
(1)
Christine P.
I went for Sunday lunch and was seated right away. The hostesses were little confused as to where to seat us but it's ok, they are only like 16, they are excused. This is first time my being at this chain and I liked the variety of sauces they had. We had the Feast for Two with brisket (you have choice between brisket and pork) that came with spareribs, chicken, brisket (omg, so tender), coleslaw (no good), baked beans (ok), corn-on-the-cob and fries for $35. Overall not too bad experience and I'd go back when I am craving for meat. Not too bad price for the amount we got.
(3)
Tiffani N.
If I'm craving some down home BBQ but don't want to hop on a flight to Memphis (hee hee), I head on over to Famous Dave's. Yeah it's kitschy and it's a chain but the food here is GOOD. So it doesn't matter one bit. I go all out and get a Barbeque Combo and choose either the wings with ribs, or the country-roasted chicken and ribs. I like all things spicy, so the best part of it all is getting to slather on the Devil's Spit and Rich & Sassy sauces. Man, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all! And the sides are yummy, too. I really like the Mac & Cheese with the green peppers mixed in and the baked beans have a nice kick to them. The corn muffins are delish and they'll bring you extras if you ask.
(4)
Rene R.
In general I'm a fan. Tonight we went and it snowed last night. You could tell as soon as you pulled into the parking lot. There was no sign of the lot having been plowed and we were basically sliding into the restaurant. Which is why they get 3 stars instead of 4! Obviously it wasn't packed and we got seated quickly. Our server was Dave and he was really good. I love dipping fries in the different sauces so we ordered fries as an appetizer. They came out fresh and hot and delicious! Our food came out pretty quickly. I had the two meat combo with the sausage and chicken wings. First time having the wings and they were really good! The My sides were the Wilburs Beans and Mashed potatoes! I love mashed potatoes and they were great. Not as hot as I expected but tasty and the beans were good. And I love their cornbread! Our server was pretty good checking on us a few times and getting making sure our glasses didn't get to low! Last things, no matter where we go I try to make it a point to visit the bathroom even if I don't have to go - and I'd give it a 2.5. They do need to have someone come in hourly and check the trash but there was plenty of toilet paper and the floors were clean. Anyways, we'll be back.
(3)
Tony P.
I had a yearning for bbq and this was close by work. I've been to this establishment about 8 times in the last year. Each time I come, I keep hoping that the briskets would be juicy and soft. Alas, such is not to be. Dry and chewy would be my closest approximation. The St Louis ribs on the other hand are quite succulent and tasty. The Devil's Spit sauce has a good kick to it. I also like the baked beans with chunks of bacon in it. Bacon with anything is just better.. period. The corn on the cob tastes like it's been sitting a little too long in a watery solution. The potato salad was redeeming even if it wasn't anything standout. And the corn bread was a bit dry though it has a slight sweetness. Overall, the lunch platter gives a bit of everything and is filling without putting you in a food coma. The service was a bit lackadaisical. Not the most expedient place if you're on a tight lunch schedule.
(3)
TJ S.
OH, why oh why did you change your menu???? You used to have some of the best shrimp appetizers around. You used to have really good fries that you brought o the table as "tasters" for newbies to your restaurant. They would dip all of your sauces and see which ones they wanted. Now they are served chips. You used to have several others delicious items on your menu, but now they have all disappeared. And why are your floors so messy and slippery? The food is good, but you used to be great.
(3)
Justin L.
This is not good barbeque. This best thing I had was some mac and cheese, not the meat. BBQ is about the meat and this missed the mark. The only flavor I got from my brisket was sauce.
(1)
Tim H.
I like going here and getting the two meat special. I usually get the ribs and the brisket. The ribs are great and the brisket is awesome. Not bad for a chain restaurant and the prices if you get the specials are not bad at all. If you are a true BBQ fan, give this place a try and see how you think it stacks up to your favorite BBQ place.
(3)
Ed Q.
My family and I went in on a Friday evening around 6. There was no wait for seating. Our server was extremely friendly. When he found out that it was our first time at Famous Dave's he took the time to explain the different available sauces (around 6 or so) and any questions that we had about the menu. The food tasted exceptional -- what you'd expect from an award winning BBQ chef. At first I was a bit disappointed by the portion sizes, feeling like we had paid too much for the amount that was served. By the time I finished eating, It occurred to me that the portion sizes seemed small because of the large basket/platter that your food comes out on. I was completely stuffed. I had the Sweet Georgia Pork entree which comes with a mini corn on the cob and cornbread (by default) and two side choices. The corn was very slightly overcooked. On the other hand, everything else was outstanding. The moist pork just melts with each bite. I also had the baked beans which were, by far, the best I've ever had. I would have given this place 5 stars, except there were a few logistical snaffus, including baked beans that didn't come until the end of the meal and that the server brought the wrong check at first. What completely sealed the deal for me was at the end of our meal, the server asked my wife and I which sauce we liked best and brought us a free bottle of each sauce to take home. I can't wait to go back and try something else!
(4)
Kyle M.
All in all, really good bbq. Considering it's a national chain: Amazing BBQ. Spend the extra few dollars on the baby backs, it's worth it, they are really the star of the menu. The brisket is generally very flavorful, but never very tender. The rib tips are usually a bit dried out. Everything else is adequate. I like the variety of sauces, and the sides are all good. If you like the corn muffins, get the corn fritters as a starter. Same base, but with a bit of jalapeno and corn to give them a little something extra.
(4)
DA K.
Like everyone said for a chain this spot is consistent and delivers, Have some of the best BBQ I ever tasted and i love the Ribs and Chicken here, The sides are hit and miss, Really do not care for the baked beans, But the fries, coleslaw and cornbread is good. Service is good. The BBQ Sauces are very good and tasty, You cannot go wrong with this place, Also there are not to many BBQ places in MD. So you have to take what you can get. :) Stay Tuned!
(3)
Peter H.
Michael F. had it right. The wings are so dry and the ribs need an axe to separate them. Fatty brisket. The place was empty and now I understand why. Shame on you Famous Dave. Sysco chain food.
(2)
Nathaniel C.
Consistent good, but not great, bar-b-que. Ribs are definitely their strength, brisket less so.
(4)
Maria M.
Well we went with a group of 17 people.. including 3 kids and a baby... sooo the service isn't going to be that great as expected. Our waitress was really nice though. And she did the best she could. So props for her. Everything actually went pretty well. Our party was split up, so I didn't see what was happening at the bigger table. But our booth turned out ok. We had the three kids with us and the waitress was very patient with them. We didn't get menus... we had to ask the table next to us for their menus because I guess the waitress forgot. But that was the only bad thing I could really say about the service. She filled our drinks and she was didn't freak out with our orders. I got the turkey burger and fries. The fries were pretty good. They're the thick kind of fries, but it was seasoned pretty well. Not too salty, but not bland neither. The turkey burger was ok. A little on the dry side, but it wasn't horrible. I also ordered sweet tea which was pretty good. All in all, it was an ok experience. It's always hard to judge when you come with a big group, but I had a pretty good time and the food was ok. I've had their bbq before and it was pretty good. So yeah. Not awesome, but not horrible. A-OK
(3)
Linn G.
I like Famous Dave's but I had a very unforgettable experience here. First off the waiter Kyle was great and was very accommodating. I ordered the new Bali Hawaiian chicken and rib combo which was pretty decent. I had high hopes for a delicious flavorful semi authentic sauce but wasn't too wowed by it. I honestly prefer the sweet and savvy (if Im pronouncing the sauce name correctly). I ordered fries and broccoli for sides and the broccoli was a tad too salty for my liking. The fries looked a bit pitiful and were not as hot as they should have been. The ribs were pretty good and the chicken thighs were do-able. The kicker to my nite was misplacing my favorite trendy cardigan in my booth and how it miraculously disappeared....I was told by the manager that there are apparent thieves working there because cell phones were lost in recent weeks and never turned in. Beware and do not leave anything of value or attachment behind because 9 times out of ten you WONT get it back!! Will def be staying with my usual local Famous Dave's from here on out!!
(3)
Timmortal D.
I would love to have reviewed the food, but they never even took my drink order. I had enough time to figure out exactly what I wanted to eat and drink, stare into space, read Twitter, and look up 3 more restaurants in the area, one of which I am writing this review in.
(1)
Andrew M.
A cockroach crawled across the table last time we went. Never going back!
(1)
DivZ G.
I have never tasted better wings than the ones in this place..they are absolutely irresistible. It has the best BBQ..the variety of sauces can may overwhelm you but you need to try all of them..I have tried Buffalo Wild Wings but, i would prefer Famous Daves anyday..Also, if you are a person who loves spicy..you can test your spice limits at this place with the texas red hot sauce..:))..overall..Writing this review..i might go to Famous Dave today..:)
(5)
K S.
We are here often, good service, consistent food.
(4)
Anna S.
First time I ever ate at one of these I was traveling for business. Well priced, good food. Very consistent from each location, so if you like consistent these are great places to stop.
(3)
Adam T.
I'm a big BBQ fan and this place is just OK. It's what you would expect from a chain restaurant. Not amazing, but solid.
(3)
Korin S.
Went for dinner last night and had a great experience. The food was fast and tasted great. We sat outside with only one other couple at another table and the servers didn't forget about us. We'll be back!
(4)
Tara B.
Used to be my favorite barbecue joint, especially for Happy Hour, but they changed their menu. Service is okay. I am concerned about the long-term for this location because it's never crowded. Rib tips are usually on point, but last time they were overcooked. I heard Mission Barbecue might be better down the street!
(3)
James U.
What has happened to Famous Dave's? 10 years ago it was wonderful and their Georgia Pulled Pork Sandwich was delicious! This place has gone down fast over the past few years. I stopped in for dinner last week just to see if it had improved any. The pulled pork sandwich tasted old. No other way to say it! I'll venture to say the pork may have been cooked days before and frozen, then microwaved. Come on Dave! Get your mojo back or surrender to equally awful Mission BBQ which seems to be sending Columbia locals who claim they know good BBQ info fits of orgasmic delight. Hint: I never order ribs at any of these places! They should be done on your backyard grille as nobody in Columbia really knows what properly prepared ribs are. You'd have to drive to Memphis or St. Louis to get honest ribs! That is all.....
(1)
Na H.
We came here for Happy Hour and it was decent. We arrived around 3:45pm as the Happy Hour begins at 3 until 7 pm and we were the second guests at the bar area. We ordered a Miller Lite draft ($2), the rail tequila with cranberry juice ($3), the margarita with a float of brandy on top ($5), barbeque nachos with Texas beef brisket ($4), burnt Texas brisket ends ($9) with onion strings and a Texas beef brisket platter with 2 sides, macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potaotes ($15), to go for someone. The margarita was good, not too stingy with the tequila and the float of brandy on top was perfect. The rail tequila with cranberry juice was ok, but l would not order it again. The barbeque nachos were great. Tender pieces of smoked texas brisket, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, their own Wilbur beans, sliced fresh jalapeno, shredded lettuce and barbeque sauce layered over fresh nachos was a site and taste to behold. The burnt ends were a bit tough, but the onion strings, breaded in a light batter and deep fried, made up for their shortcomings. The bartender on duty was great and attentive. All in all, a wonderful happy hour that l look forward to coming to again.
(4)
Ma-e M.
The first time I went to a Famous Dave's was in Philadelphia and the seconds, a long time ago. I did not really like too much BBQ meat so I kept on passing it by for 7 years separation. But when they came out with BBQ turkey which for me a little different, I grabbed a bite to try the lunch turkey BBQ sandwich. The buns were perfectly soft and toasty. The other entree was an order of fried catfish fingers and beef brisket. Going back to Famous, made me re-think that sometimes, something can rekindle the past visits.
(3)
Artranda H.
Came here for lunch yesterday after having a rough night. We wanted fast service so we decided to sit in the bar. Normally when I come on my lunch break we don't get the best service, but yesterday Lucie was OUTSTANDING. For it being a slow day in the bar or maybe I think they had just opened up but she had so much personality. She provided excellent service and was checking on us, didn't ignore us at all! When we come back I want her as our server! Also the food was hot and delicious! Thanks Lucie!
(5)
Ray R.
Stopped in here for a business lunch. Exterior: the exterior is clean and presentable. It had a large parking lot with plenty of empty spaces. Interior: there were several different sections I noticed. To the right of the door, there was a bar area (where we were seated), to the left were several different dining areas with a lot of different sized tables. Everything appeared to be separated enough to keep the noise levels down. It had a kind of down home feel to it as I've seen with most Famous Dave's. Staff: well, the waitress was not overly friendly, but also not rude. She was there and did her job. Food: after having eaten at other Famous Dave's, this one was pretty blah. I'm used to putting my own sauces on whatever I order, but everything came pre-sauced. The portions were fine since it was lunch. I should know better than to ever order corn on the cob, because it's never cooked right in a restaurant. It was all mushy instead of nice and crispy. Overall, if you're hungry and don't want anything else, then stop. Otherwise, continue on to a different restaurant (I later discovered there was a much better BBQ place very close by).
(3)
Ty J.
Famous Daves used to be my favorite spot for sit down BBQ. Well I'm pretty sure I won't be back. The service was great but that didn't make up for the super tough possibly made yesterday ribs. I was so disappointed with the ribs, they tasted fine but no one likes to struggle just to take a bite! What happened to tender, juicy ribs where the meat practically falls off the bone? I gave up after the second one because I was tired of fighting to take a bite. The grilled chicken was probably the highlight and the brisket was alright, it at least wasn't tough. Oh and what happened to the cornbread muffins?? Now it's just regular old cornbread slices lol. Eh I will pass from now on no need to return any time soon.
(2)
Thomas J.
Stop by for take out. Very pleasant staff. Ordered food. The menu was not updated with the new dishes. I sat down at the bar to wait. I explained I had ordered my food but he ask if I want to drink I sad diet soda and he delivery it. No charge thanks. About fifteen minutes the food was waiting for me. My son got it I was gone. Everything was present and very delicious. This is one of my usual places to eat but not to frequently. One final thing I stopped getting emails from famous Dave's so I don't know what up with them
(3)
Sharon W.
Last week we had a fun and tasty lunch at Famous Dave's in Laurel. Our server there assured us Laurel's Famous Dave was better than Columbia's. We had an errand in Columbia today so decided to check it out. We should have listened to our friendly Laurel server. The bun on my pulled chicken sandwich was stale. The fries were okay, but not as crispy as I would have liked. Our waitress was okay. She plopped my husband's meal down in front of him announcing it was a Cajun chicken sandwich. After a little checking--no it was our friend's hamburger. who had husband's chicken sandwich. Oh well. Wouldn't go back, too many other places in that area to try.
(2)
Ebony C.
I love BBQ food. And so glad that I went here. A friend of mine & I order the feast for two. It was so much food we couldn't eat all of it. My four year old was there with us and she had a great time getting her fingers messy from the ribs. The place is loud. So its great for groups to come. You can watch the game or the News while dining. The ribs are meaty and well glazed in BBQ sauce. Service was great too. I gave it four stars because its not local to me :-( but its worth the trip.
(4)
Steven D.
Famous Dave's BBQ food is amazing. I highly recommend ordering any of the Feasts and extra corn bread.
(4)
Thomas D.
I decided to give this place one more chance today. Let me give my history with Famous Dave's in Columbia. I always purchase the family feast for around $55.00. On several occasions they have given me old, dry, nasty ribs. So now when I come into this establishment I ask for the manager and explain my previous experience I had with their restaurant and I simply ask, may I please have fresh, succulent, and great food, exactly what I paid to have. So on my very next visit I decided not to ask for the manager and I trusted that I would get incredible ribs, chicken, & brisket. Guess what, the ribs were dry, old, and very forgettable. So today I went in and purchase a family feast for around $65.00, and the food was absolutely dreadful. The ribs were tasteless, the brisket was dry and nasty, the chicken was uneventful. You know when you eat and you get that nasty, stuck feeling in your throat, that's what I just got for eaten this food today. On top of that I just barfed up the food. Normally when I purchase the family feast at least some of the food is tasty. But today nothing was good except the beans. I will not return to this establishment. They do not take pride and love in cooking their food.
(1)
Clara S.
I love Famous Dave's so much. Their food is delicious, the chiefs are very talented. The hosts are very nice. The restaurant is clean and great. I've been pleased with the food everytime. I really recommend going here with your family.
(5)
Shawn M.
Being from Texas, I love good bar-b que and while nothing is as good as freshly grilled yourself, the convenience of having someplace to go and not have to do it yourself is always good. This happens to be my wife's favorite place to eat, so I have seen a lot of it in the last 4 years we have been living in Maryland. Now, some of their stuff is better than others. For instance, their 'chicken tenders' could be better. They are generally overly crunchy and dry on the outside whenever I happen to get them, which is a change from what they used to be like. It makes me think that perhaps what we're getting is basic chicken nuggets from a bag somewhere and not freshly made from scratch. I get that sometimes time is limited, but I am more than willing to wait an extra 10 - 15 minutes for fresh rather than something in a bag. Hell, I can do that myself and not leave my house or dress up more than my underwear for that kind of food. Now, if they want to try some decent tenders, then go to Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and try the Snowbird Tenders. Those kick some serious ass! Good stuff they have: Brisket Burgers. I love brisket and I love burgers, so to have a burger made from brisket is just awesome. They also make a halfway decent pulled pork, collar greeds, corn break muffins, etc. and I love their double winger appetizer (I have been craving buffalo wings a lot). Also, nothing beat their sauces. I don't even generally use sauce on my BBQ, but the Devil's Spit and Wilbur's Revenge variety are awesomely hot and smokey which satisfies my Texan appetite to punish myself with overly hot food. The bad: Servers have been real absent minded as of late and slow to respond to new customers being sat down. We waited a good 30 minutes last Friday before we got a waiter to finally give us drinks and take out orders and that's never good. It means you don't have enough servers or they're not being trained properly in customer service techniques.
(3)
Vannessa S.
Hubby and I were in Columbia and I had never been to Famous Dave's. I was craving barbecue. We went there. Not impressed. Our server was VERY nice, but the food came up short. I ordered the brisket. When it arrived, half of the pieces were 100% fat...no meat! Totally gross. Their sauces were forgettable. My husband ordered the fried cod only to be told 20 minutes after we placed out order that they were out. OK. He ordered the catfish bites instead. When they finally made their way our, they were actually pretty good. Who'd think the fish would be better than the barbecue at a barbecue joint? Not me! Not impressed at all with the BBQ, but glad to have gotten the experience. At least now I know that Mission BBQ in Glen Burnie still reigns supreme!
Zipped over to Famous Dave's in Columbia, MD after a business appointment, and thought it better to grab a bite to eat than sit in ridiculous traffic. Being a Minnesotan, and loving generic suburbia restaurants (think Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Applebee's, etc.) more than any person should, I was strongly drawn to Famous Dave's. And, let's be honest here, Famous Dave's didn't disappoint. I was on the early side on a Thursday evening arriving around 5:45 p.m. I grab a stool at the bar and was served by a really nice, polite bartender named Jule (sp?). She was attentive but not in an annoying way. I got a large sized Sam Adams and a bbq salad with pulled chicken on it. The dressing was some sort of honey mustard. I thought about asking for the dressing on the side, but got lazy and went with it. I should've gotten it on the side. It tasted pretty good, but the salad was too heavily dressed. The chicken was tasty and delicious. And, it came with a corn bread muffin. I cleaned my plate, save the muffin. I love Famous Dave's and I'm not going to be ashamed about it any longer! Maybe I'll have my birthday dinner there . . . . .
(4)
Elisha M.
Now that I live in Raleigh, I am wary about going to big chain BBQ restaurants. Once you've had the best, nothing is good enough. I am easy to please, especially when it comes to food, I am easy going, but the food and service at Famous Dave's did not sit well. The single redeeming factor about our meal at Famous Dave's was that there was no wait time to get a table. The table we were seated at was too big for our party so we had to shout at each other over the chorus of screaming babies that populated the dining room, just to have a conversation. I ordered a peach sangria when we sat down, but it did not arrive until halfway through the meal. The chop BBQ salad I ordered was edible, but the meat was flavorless and the sauces were watery. The cornbread muffin was good though. I guess if you are in the mood for this, carry out is a better option. Next time I am home in Columbia, I will steer (haha) clear of this restaurant.
(1)
Tony P.
I had a yearning for bbq and this was close by work. I've been to this establishment about 8 times in the last year. Each time I come, I keep hoping that the briskets would be juicy and soft. Alas, such is not to be. Dry and chewy would be my closest approximation. The St Louis ribs on the other hand are quite succulent and tasty. The Devil's Spit sauce has a good kick to it. I also like the baked beans with chunks of bacon in it. Bacon with anything is just better.. period. The corn on the cob tastes like it's been sitting a little too long in a watery solution. The potato salad was redeeming even if it wasn't anything standout. And the corn bread was a bit dry though it has a slight sweetness. Overall, the lunch platter gives a bit of everything and is filling without putting you in a food coma. The service was a bit lackadaisical. Not the most expedient place if you're on a tight lunch schedule.
(3)
TJ S.
OH, why oh why did you change your menu???? You used to have some of the best shrimp appetizers around. You used to have really good fries that you brought o the table as "tasters" for newbies to your restaurant. They would dip all of your sauces and see which ones they wanted. Now they are served chips. You used to have several others delicious items on your menu, but now they have all disappeared. And why are your floors so messy and slippery? The food is good, but you used to be great.
(3)
Justin L.
This is not good barbeque. This best thing I had was some mac and cheese, not the meat. BBQ is about the meat and this missed the mark. The only flavor I got from my brisket was sauce.
(1)
Tim H.
I like going here and getting the two meat special. I usually get the ribs and the brisket. The ribs are great and the brisket is awesome. Not bad for a chain restaurant and the prices if you get the specials are not bad at all. If you are a true BBQ fan, give this place a try and see how you think it stacks up to your favorite BBQ place.
(3)
Christine P.
I went for Sunday lunch and was seated right away. The hostesses were little confused as to where to seat us but it's ok, they are only like 16, they are excused. This is first time my being at this chain and I liked the variety of sauces they had. We had the Feast for Two with brisket (you have choice between brisket and pork) that came with spareribs, chicken, brisket (omg, so tender), coleslaw (no good), baked beans (ok), corn-on-the-cob and fries for $35. Overall not too bad experience and I'd go back when I am craving for meat. Not too bad price for the amount we got.
(3)
Anna S.
First time I ever ate at one of these I was traveling for business. Well priced, good food. Very consistent from each location, so if you like consistent these are great places to stop.
(3)
Adam T.
I'm a big BBQ fan and this place is just OK. It's what you would expect from a chain restaurant. Not amazing, but solid.
(3)
Michael Z.
I used to come here all the time for lunch take out. They recently they change their policy to refuse allowing you to order two of the same kinds of meat for their lunch 2-meat combo. With such an asinine policy in place there's absolutely no reason to ever come here again when the more customer friendly Mission BBQ is right down the street for cheaper.
(1)
Jordan K.
My family and I met up with our bro here and I must say this was a wonderful experience all around. We went on a Tuesday evening around 530 and it was not busy. Our server was friendly and explained all the sauces upon arrival. He took the time to go over the menu with us. Service was A+ and our drinks were never half empty. We ended up ordering the smorgasbord called the AMERICAN FEAST! God Bless America!! It came with a full slab of St. Louis-Style Spareribs, a whole Country-Roasted Chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas Beef Brisket or Georgia Chopped Pork (we chose the brisket), Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, six pieces of Fresh Sweet Corn and four Corn Bread Muffins (our server gave us 2 more since we had a party of six). Everything was delicious! Brisket and chicken were moist, just the way I like it. Portion size was great as we had leftovers!
(4)
Danny C.
What was I thinking?! Why did I come here?! Oh yeah.... My brother and sister wanted to come here. We're all foodies. We love food, especially ethnic foods. We also love BBQ. Now there aren't many BBQ joints around the area that we know of, and all of the places we've been to around here aren't that great. I'm aware of Famous Daves and it being a chain restaurant. But I heard Famous Daves won 1st place in some type of BBQ event in Tennessee? Or Kansas? Either way they won for having the best BBQ. My mind was telling me "Dont go!" But my stomach was telling me "Eat now!" And we were right in front of Famous Daves.... So I gave in. We went inside and the setting was pretty nice. Lots of stuff to look at and read. We ordered the famous award winning full rack of ribs, Texas Beef Brisket, and the Country Roasted Chicken. I knew it..... The Award Winning Ribs weren't Award Winning. Unless that BBQ event was full of beginners! Ribs weren't that bad, but they weren't Winning quality. Sauce was good, but the ribs itself were too chewy. The brisket was dry, tough, and too salty. The chicken aside from it being dry in some parts, was actually flavorful. Chicken was the best thing we had there. Im not saying the place was terrifying, or the worst BBQ we've had. But the place wasn't even close to being Great. I had much better...
(2)
Mitch R.
Heard that the food was good here so came here for a post workout meal. We walked in at 2:30 and ordered the family feast plus the burnt ends appetizer and nachos. We received the appetizers after a staggering 30 min wait. The other tables around us received their food first. Its fair to say being the only asians eating here they might be racist. Because it does not take 45 minutes to make nachos. The family feast eventually came out after an hour and fifteen. The food itself is mediocre and the service is just god awful. The waitresses need better training they came at 35 min intervals asking if we wanted refills without the slight hint at when the food was coming out. My advice is if you have 2-3hrs to spare and enjoy playing the guessing game of when your food is gonna come out go ahead. Otherwise go to hardtimes or somewhere else.
(1)
Dean T.
I have been going here for a few years. Today I ate there and had the pleasure of dining with a couple of cockroaches. When we brought this up to the server she was very apologetic and mentioned it to the manager. The manager never came out to talk to us. We were even able to show the cockroach to another employee. All that other employee did was take away the cup where the cockroach was walking on.
(1)
M W.
I went here two weeks ago with my wife and 4 tear old after making a run to Lowes. Now I had been working on my house all day. I wasn't dressed in the finest attire, but I was eating at a barbecue chain. We got there at about 5 pm. There was a 20 min wait and no place to sit down. I was tired and decided to sit myself and daughter at the bar. There was no one else at the bar at the time. I basically used it as a place to plant my tired butt while we waited. I ordered a beer, my wife and daughter ordered coke. Before we were served we were asked to move from the bar because our kid wasn't allowed to sit there. We were td we could sit at the table behind the bar. We were sat about ten minutes later and promptly chased down by the bar manager because she couldn't add our bar tab onto our dining tab. (Like we were expected to know this ahead of time) The food was below average. Being asked to move from the otherwise unoccupied bar stool was total bs . Like we were going to sit there for an hour getting drunk with our daughter next to us. Come on be real. And being chased down like I was going to dine and dash was not ideal. We felt like we were treated like crap by the staff. And to top it off our shitty food was like 50 bucks. The staff is rude and takes patronage for granted. Don't waste your time or money. The location is convenient but don't let that fool you. There are plenty of other places to eat that appreciate and value your business.
(2)
Michael F.
I can sum up my experience with a Movie, The Hunger games because I was still hungry after leaving. I was sooo disappointed in this place. In my eternal search for great BBQ I decided to give Famous Dave's a shot after having the day off last Friday and picking up some things in the area. Daves has a pleasant enough bar/dining area, I opted for the bar. My server was very friendly. I was the only patron at the time, it was about 6pm. I started with the Southside Rib Tips(8.99) served over fries. The ribs and dry rub looked fantastic, but looks can be deceiving. These ribs were the toughest most stiff bone riddled pieces of meat I've ever tried to eat. It took some upmph to pull these jokers apart, and I'm not a small guy. Once I did manage to get a piece in my mouth it tasted...just not good. My entree came out like 45 seconds after these Mcribs were served. I went with what every good BBQ joint is judged by, the Brisket. The Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich to be exact. ok maybe just a bad day for ribs, the brisket will come through I'm sure. There will be no heroes in this story. The brisket looked ..processed..? Very homogeneous texture and look to the beef and not fresh looking, swimming in too much sauce, all small pieces too. And the sauce wasn't helping either, it was just bland with a bit of tang.I did eat most of it because I was damn hungry at this point. It all looked great, but that's as far as it got. The mac n cheese was ok, would have been better if it was hot. And the fries were ok. I've had friends say they loved Famous Dave's. Perhaps they had a bad day. I'm not inclined to find out. BBQ and chains don't go well together. Two thumbs down for Famous Dave's.
(2)
Teresa S.
I ate here while passing through on my way to NC during labor day weekend. The place was packed for a Thursday evening. I sat at the bar and there was a big after work crowd. I ordered a half size of baby back ribs, garlic mash potatoes and green beans with a piece of cornbread . All of it was delicious and finger looking good. The staff were friendly and cool and looked like they took care of their regular customers. I have yet to be disappointed with any, food from Famous Daves.
(5)
Jeff M.
If I want a pit beef sandwich then I head over to Canopy. But, when I want BBQ then there is only one place around that hits it on all cylinders. For Memorial Day we ordered up the All American BBQ Feast to go - brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, slaw, corn muffins, corn on the cob and fries. It comfortably fed a family of four, though we probably could have gotten away with more ribs - but only because we didn't have any leftovers. We don't love everything on the menu as I'm not crazy about the bread they use for the sandwich items, but I don't go there for a sandwich. And, some visits are better than others, but for the most part it is pretty consistent. My littlest does prefer the Corner Stable for ribs, but I think she's nuts. Besides, she's not old enough for a Yelp account yet. Favorite Sauce - Devil's Spit...and I use it at home whenever possible.
(5)
Scott M.
One word.....GROSS
(1)
Nathan R.
Great BBQ, nice atmosphere. A little pricey and the lunch portions could be a bit bigger. A-OKAY
(3)
Michael J.
Wow. Just wow. Radically overpriced for the portion size and quality, food came out cold, waiter dropped by maybe twice in an hour and a half (good thing we were trying to keep to an hour lunch! :P). I don't expect much from BBQ on the east coast, but this joint manages to undershoot an already very low bar by a country mile. I'm trying really hard to think of positives to the whole experience and the best I can come up with was that the tea was mediocre.
(1)
Tiffani N.
If I'm craving some down home BBQ but don't want to hop on a flight to Memphis (hee hee), I head on over to Famous Dave's. Yeah it's kitschy and it's a chain but the food here is GOOD. So it doesn't matter one bit. I go all out and get a Barbeque Combo and choose either the wings with ribs, or the country-roasted chicken and ribs. I like all things spicy, so the best part of it all is getting to slather on the Devil's Spit and Rich & Sassy sauces. Man, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all! And the sides are yummy, too. I really like the Mac & Cheese with the green peppers mixed in and the baked beans have a nice kick to them. The corn muffins are delish and they'll bring you extras if you ask.
(4)
Rene R.
In general I'm a fan. Tonight we went and it snowed last night. You could tell as soon as you pulled into the parking lot. There was no sign of the lot having been plowed and we were basically sliding into the restaurant. Which is why they get 3 stars instead of 4! Obviously it wasn't packed and we got seated quickly. Our server was Dave and he was really good. I love dipping fries in the different sauces so we ordered fries as an appetizer. They came out fresh and hot and delicious! Our food came out pretty quickly. I had the two meat combo with the sausage and chicken wings. First time having the wings and they were really good! The My sides were the Wilburs Beans and Mashed potatoes! I love mashed potatoes and they were great. Not as hot as I expected but tasty and the beans were good. And I love their cornbread! Our server was pretty good checking on us a few times and getting making sure our glasses didn't get to low! Last things, no matter where we go I try to make it a point to visit the bathroom even if I don't have to go - and I'd give it a 2.5. They do need to have someone come in hourly and check the trash but there was plenty of toilet paper and the floors were clean. Anyways, we'll be back.
(3)
Ed Q.
My family and I went in on a Friday evening around 6. There was no wait for seating. Our server was extremely friendly. When he found out that it was our first time at Famous Dave's he took the time to explain the different available sauces (around 6 or so) and any questions that we had about the menu. The food tasted exceptional -- what you'd expect from an award winning BBQ chef. At first I was a bit disappointed by the portion sizes, feeling like we had paid too much for the amount that was served. By the time I finished eating, It occurred to me that the portion sizes seemed small because of the large basket/platter that your food comes out on. I was completely stuffed. I had the Sweet Georgia Pork entree which comes with a mini corn on the cob and cornbread (by default) and two side choices. The corn was very slightly overcooked. On the other hand, everything else was outstanding. The moist pork just melts with each bite. I also had the baked beans which were, by far, the best I've ever had. I would have given this place 5 stars, except there were a few logistical snaffus, including baked beans that didn't come until the end of the meal and that the server brought the wrong check at first. What completely sealed the deal for me was at the end of our meal, the server asked my wife and I which sauce we liked best and brought us a free bottle of each sauce to take home. I can't wait to go back and try something else!
(4)
Kyle M.
All in all, really good bbq. Considering it's a national chain: Amazing BBQ. Spend the extra few dollars on the baby backs, it's worth it, they are really the star of the menu. The brisket is generally very flavorful, but never very tender. The rib tips are usually a bit dried out. Everything else is adequate. I like the variety of sauces, and the sides are all good. If you like the corn muffins, get the corn fritters as a starter. Same base, but with a bit of jalapeno and corn to give them a little something extra.
(4)
DA K.
Like everyone said for a chain this spot is consistent and delivers, Have some of the best BBQ I ever tasted and i love the Ribs and Chicken here, The sides are hit and miss, Really do not care for the baked beans, But the fries, coleslaw and cornbread is good. Service is good. The BBQ Sauces are very good and tasty, You cannot go wrong with this place, Also there are not to many BBQ places in MD. So you have to take what you can get. :) Stay Tuned!
(3)
Peter H.
Michael F. had it right. The wings are so dry and the ribs need an axe to separate them. Fatty brisket. The place was empty and now I understand why. Shame on you Famous Dave. Sysco chain food.
(2)
Nathaniel C.
Consistent good, but not great, bar-b-que. Ribs are definitely their strength, brisket less so.
(4)
Maria M.
Well we went with a group of 17 people.. including 3 kids and a baby... sooo the service isn't going to be that great as expected. Our waitress was really nice though. And she did the best she could. So props for her. Everything actually went pretty well. Our party was split up, so I didn't see what was happening at the bigger table. But our booth turned out ok. We had the three kids with us and the waitress was very patient with them. We didn't get menus... we had to ask the table next to us for their menus because I guess the waitress forgot. But that was the only bad thing I could really say about the service. She filled our drinks and she was didn't freak out with our orders. I got the turkey burger and fries. The fries were pretty good. They're the thick kind of fries, but it was seasoned pretty well. Not too salty, but not bland neither. The turkey burger was ok. A little on the dry side, but it wasn't horrible. I also ordered sweet tea which was pretty good. All in all, it was an ok experience. It's always hard to judge when you come with a big group, but I had a pretty good time and the food was ok. I've had their bbq before and it was pretty good. So yeah. Not awesome, but not horrible. A-OK
(3)
Linn G.
I like Famous Dave's but I had a very unforgettable experience here. First off the waiter Kyle was great and was very accommodating. I ordered the new Bali Hawaiian chicken and rib combo which was pretty decent. I had high hopes for a delicious flavorful semi authentic sauce but wasn't too wowed by it. I honestly prefer the sweet and savvy (if Im pronouncing the sauce name correctly). I ordered fries and broccoli for sides and the broccoli was a tad too salty for my liking. The fries looked a bit pitiful and were not as hot as they should have been. The ribs were pretty good and the chicken thighs were do-able. The kicker to my nite was misplacing my favorite trendy cardigan in my booth and how it miraculously disappeared....I was told by the manager that there are apparent thieves working there because cell phones were lost in recent weeks and never turned in. Beware and do not leave anything of value or attachment behind because 9 times out of ten you WONT get it back!! Will def be staying with my usual local Famous Dave's from here on out!!
(3)
Timmortal D.
I would love to have reviewed the food, but they never even took my drink order. I had enough time to figure out exactly what I wanted to eat and drink, stare into space, read Twitter, and look up 3 more restaurants in the area, one of which I am writing this review in.
(1)
Andrew M.
A cockroach crawled across the table last time we went. Never going back!
(1)
DivZ G.
I have never tasted better wings than the ones in this place..they are absolutely irresistible. It has the best BBQ..the variety of sauces can may overwhelm you but you need to try all of them..I have tried Buffalo Wild Wings but, i would prefer Famous Daves anyday..Also, if you are a person who loves spicy..you can test your spice limits at this place with the texas red hot sauce..:))..overall..Writing this review..i might go to Famous Dave today..:)
(5)
K S.
We are here often, good service, consistent food.
(4)
Korin S.
Went for dinner last night and had a great experience. The food was fast and tasted great. We sat outside with only one other couple at another table and the servers didn't forget about us. We'll be back!
(4)
B. J.
Only passable. If ayou re really hungry and need a carne fix, go in. They give you allot of food, but the BB ribs were burnt (must have put on grill with sauce too long), the taste was too sweet and they were too chewy. The brisket is average - good smoky taste, but not tender. An appetizer of fried onions was a greasy, not flavoraful mess. Side dishes of corn and string beans had zero taste. Must say though, that the beans were good (only reason, besides Sierra on tap, that I did not give it a zero). Red, Hot and Blue - you have nothing to worry about. Only question is, why was there a wait to get seated. Sad.
(1)
Jody Z.
I'm not a big fan of Famous Dave's. I didn't like the service and the food just didn't do it for me. Everything we ordered was edible, but nothing was memorable. Just okay food at usual chain restaurant prices.
(1)
Bobbie R.
My family have been to Dave's many times and we are are nearly always pleased with the food and the service. I enjoy the atmosphere and the ribs are superb
(4)
Latise B.
Wow, mixed reviews on this place. Suprising... I really like the barbecue sauce at Famous Daves. The other nice thing, in my opinion, is the portion sizes. For usual chain prices, the portion sizes are pretty big. I can easily get 2 meals for my $15. Dinner time in Columbia = expect to wait 45 mins for a table. Famous Dave's is more like 30 mins, and sometimes less then 15 minutes. A few times we've gone during the dinner rush and had no wait. The sweet tea is never sweet, so stick to soda. Order an extra corn muffin, substitute babyback ribs for the standard st louis style ribs (for a few bucks extra), and grab some paper towels and dig in. Its no substitute for going to a good rib joint, but for a good quantity of food and variety of menu choices, try out Famous Dave's. Instead of waiting over an hour for a peppery steak from Longhorn, come over to famous dave's and get your BBQ on.
(3)
francine s.
I LOVE their BBQ Chicken Salad.
(5)
Mimi J.
I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal or a bad experience here. The food is consistently good.
(4)
Su K.
BBQ can be a hot button topic. Everyone has their own opinion of what is best, and the conversation usually involves, "Well, I'm from Kansas/Texas/Carolina/Memphis/etc..." Well guess what Dorothy? You're not in Kansas anymore. That's right Dubya, you left your village in Texas 8 years ago. You're in DC now, so don't tell me about this amazing place in the middle-of-nowhere America b/c I can't find direct flights there. The problem with arguing about BBQ is that BBQ at it's core is inconsistent, and that's the beauty of it. Being a wannabe Barbequeista, I have my own smoker, never use gas, and no one, outside of college boys w/ T1 in their dorms, spends more time on Saturdays tending to their wood. As such, I've read quite a bit of literature on how to Q and most every publication will tell you that YMMV based on things like wind, ambient temperature, temperature of the meat, cut/quality of meat, type of wood used, the temperature maintained during cooking time, etc... which leads me to conclude that BBQing is more an art than a science. And like art, everyone will have their own opinion, e.g., I tend to think abstract art was done by some dude who forgot to take his pills while others will view it as genius. So while I can't tell you what the best BBQ is since your opinion will likely differ, I can tell you that BBQ is relatively cheap. Say for example, pork butt (which is actually the shoulder...so what do you call the butt?), which retails for well under $2/lb, which makes an 8lb butt, which can easily feed several people, less than $16. Pork ribs can be bought by consumers for less than $10/rack, and even cheaper if you buy them by in bulk. Consequently, much like at the mechanic, you're mostly paying for labor rather than the parts, so for me, the cost of the BBQ makes a big difference. If you're smoking it manually, I'm willing to pay you the money to do so, but if you're simply throwing it in the Smokerizer 8000 and setting it and forgetting it, I'm not paying you $20 for a slab of ribs that cost you less than $10. "But how can you tell," you ask. Well, look at the restaurant - if there's smoke emanating from the building, you're on the right track. Even better if you notice a hole in the ozone layer above the store. This is the main reason why I enjoy Famous Dave's. It's not the best but it satisfies my BBQ cravings, which happens much more frequently than your woman's PMS and is likely much more furious, and it's cheap! For $35 you can get the 1/2 Feast, which serves 2-3 and comes with ribs, 1/2 a chicken, your choice of brisket/pork (I recommend the brisket), cornbread, corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, and fries. I've tried on multiple occasions to finish this beast w/ one other person and have had a 66% success rate. The trick seems to be to bring someone who is under 150 lbs. The All American Feast ($57) is twice the portion and easily feeds 4. If you can stomach it--literally--try the Kahlua brownie sundae ($6) - warm, soft brownie, topped w/ nuts, hot fudge, ice and whipped cream. In addition to price, sauces are a major factor in determining good BBQ. Great BBQ can definitely stand on its own, but an excellent sauce can elevate the work of even the greatest smoke masters. Dave's provides 5 sauces, all conveniently at your table. I like to use copious amounts of sauce, so it definitely helps to have easy access - kinda like that flap on the front of boxers. My favorite's are Devil's Spit and Texas Pit. Note: they do have Georgia Mustard, but nothing that is predominantly vinegar-based for those that require a Carolina type sauce. Location - in the same shopping center as Target, Don Pablo's, and near Red Robin and Longhorn. This place gets packed pretty much every night between 7:30 and 9, so unless you arrive early, be prepared to wait. I prefer the layout of the Laurel location. Service - is generally friendly and competent, but once again, I prefer the Laurel location. They don't take reservations, but if you have a large party, for a birthday for example, you can ask about reserving a portion of the restaurant a week or so in advance. Not fantastic BBQ by any means, but it's close, cost-effective, has great sauces, and I never leave there hungry. I don't know about the piggy that went to the market or stayed home, but this piggy is going to Famous Dave's.
(3)
Molly T.
Food comes out quick. I love their Georgia Pork BBQ and all the sauces they have to go with it. Green beans are spicey and yummy, and I love their corn bread- I usually hate corn bread. Not too bad for a chain, but they need some happyhour specials and I'll like it more.
(3)
Tiffany F.
Unfortunately, every time I have eaten here I had felt sick later in the day. The food is ok, but nothing to write home about.
(1)
Olivia J.
Great, fast and friendly service. Nice clean enviroment and the BBQ is good for your chain restaurant. The ribs were nice and juicy and the chopped pork was tasty too! They also have a nice variety of BBQ sauces from sweet to spicy.
(3)
Aisha K.
I like this place a lot. Great service, great food, and the greatest BBQ sauce EVER!!!
(5)
kevin k.
too sweet for me. jst did not enjoy the food. once was enough for me. bad chow!!
(2)
Aaron P.
Brisket was old and dry. The fries had to have been under a heating lamp for at least two hours before they were put on my plate. Corn was good. Maybe it was my timing, 4 in the afternoon, but it wasn't good food.
(2)
Sarah M.
Stopped in for lunch and was completely ignored by the wait staff for ten minutes. Left before I could try anything. Terrible first impression.
(1)
Sam M.
Decided to try this place after eating at one in Arizona for the first time, and having a great experience. This Famous Daves is like a totally different restaurant. I ordered the brisket (the same thing I had in AZ that was amazing) and ribs. The brisket tasted closer to a hot dog than beef brisket and the ribs were super greasy and chewy. All of it was cold when it came out. I won't be back.
(1)
Lakeia S.
I love Famous Dave's. I've been to this location on several occasions. Birthdays, on dates and family night. Never have I been disappointed.
(4)
Ann P.
This place has great service, a well trained staff is very important to me. Plus, they serve BBQ. I recommend their pineapple buffalo wings! They also cater!
(3)
Philip D.
Burnt tips wound up blackened fat. Soup was mediocre. Sausage and catfish were tasty. Service was prompt.
(2)
Yaka H.
A chain restaurant place which delivers consistent product. SX and I are rib people. We just like ribs. We only get the ribs here and always naked (aka: dry rub only). The offer their sauces on the table, so it's a nice way to sample all of their sauces and find which one tickles your fancy with your ribs. I personally like the Georgia Mustard, Texas Pit, and the Sweet and Sour one. I agree with Yella that the Devil's Spit isn't as spicy as they make it seem to be, so I don't even bother with it. What's even better, is that Famous Dave's also does rib tips! That fatty part of the rib with those itty-bitty, cartilage bones... they are a wonderful part of the rib. We never miss out of those either. They come already pre-sauced, but that's fine. We've found the brisket here to be tough and dry. So I would recommend not ordering that. Everything else seems to be okay/not bad. The corn cob here is always a over steamed, but I still eat it with squirting relish (warning if you ever sit next to me, you may get squirted with corn juice). The corn bread here come as individual muffins and aren't too bad (just a tad dry though). While this isn't the best BBQ in the world, it's not bad, considering that the surrounding area is a bit lacking in the BBQ offerings.
(3)
Mary M.
Typical chain restaurant. I always feel a little bit disgusting leaving because of the unhealthiness of the food, but I would expect nothing less of a BBQ joint. The fries are great, portions are huge and great selection of BBQ sauces. I'd stick with a local place but if you like chains this one will meet your expectations.
(2)
Donna Y.
Full rack of ribs shared with two people... Comes with corn bread and your choice of two sides... I recommend the jalapeño Mac and cheese!!
(2)
Eric W.
When I lived in DC I got my BBQ at Old Glory. When I lived in Drexel Hill, PA I got it at Pig Daddy's. So now that I live near Columbia, I had some trepidations about trying a chain restaurant for BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised. While the service was a bit on the slow side, the food was good. I had one of the meat platters and everything I tried was tasty. Nothing was dry like I tend to find at chain BBQ places. Most impressive was the selection of sauces. In the many places I've lived most BBQ joints have two types of sauce: a sweet and a hot. Having different bases for the sauces is always good. The service was a bit spotty though. I was a bit amazed about how dismissive our waitress was. It was almost as if she would rather sit and chat then bring us our bill. It was also pretty early, so I don't see how she could have been tired. Who knows? If you need BBQ, Famous Dave's is perfectly serviceable.
(3)
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Address :6201 Columbia Crossing Dr
Columbia, MD, 21045
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Jody Z.
I'm not a big fan of Famous Dave's. I didn't like the service and the food just didn't do it for me. Everything we ordered was edible, but nothing was memorable. Just okay food at usual chain restaurant prices.
(1)Bobbie R.
My family have been to Dave's many times and we are are nearly always pleased with the food and the service. I enjoy the atmosphere and the ribs are superb
(4)Latise B.
Wow, mixed reviews on this place. Suprising... I really like the barbecue sauce at Famous Daves. The other nice thing, in my opinion, is the portion sizes. For usual chain prices, the portion sizes are pretty big. I can easily get 2 meals for my $15. Dinner time in Columbia = expect to wait 45 mins for a table. Famous Dave's is more like 30 mins, and sometimes less then 15 minutes. A few times we've gone during the dinner rush and had no wait. The sweet tea is never sweet, so stick to soda. Order an extra corn muffin, substitute babyback ribs for the standard st louis style ribs (for a few bucks extra), and grab some paper towels and dig in. Its no substitute for going to a good rib joint, but for a good quantity of food and variety of menu choices, try out Famous Dave's. Instead of waiting over an hour for a peppery steak from Longhorn, come over to famous dave's and get your BBQ on.
(3)francine s.
I LOVE their BBQ Chicken Salad.
(5)Mimi J.
I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal or a bad experience here. The food is consistently good.
(4)Su K.
BBQ can be a hot button topic. Everyone has their own opinion of what is best, and the conversation usually involves, "Well, I'm from Kansas/Texas/Carolina/Memphis/etc..." Well guess what Dorothy? You're not in Kansas anymore. That's right Dubya, you left your village in Texas 8 years ago. You're in DC now, so don't tell me about this amazing place in the middle-of-nowhere America b/c I can't find direct flights there. The problem with arguing about BBQ is that BBQ at it's core is inconsistent, and that's the beauty of it. Being a wannabe Barbequeista, I have my own smoker, never use gas, and no one, outside of college boys w/ T1 in their dorms, spends more time on Saturdays tending to their wood. As such, I've read quite a bit of literature on how to Q and most every publication will tell you that YMMV based on things like wind, ambient temperature, temperature of the meat, cut/quality of meat, type of wood used, the temperature maintained during cooking time, etc... which leads me to conclude that BBQing is more an art than a science. And like art, everyone will have their own opinion, e.g., I tend to think abstract art was done by some dude who forgot to take his pills while others will view it as genius. So while I can't tell you what the best BBQ is since your opinion will likely differ, I can tell you that BBQ is relatively cheap. Say for example, pork butt (which is actually the shoulder...so what do you call the butt?), which retails for well under $2/lb, which makes an 8lb butt, which can easily feed several people, less than $16. Pork ribs can be bought by consumers for less than $10/rack, and even cheaper if you buy them by in bulk. Consequently, much like at the mechanic, you're mostly paying for labor rather than the parts, so for me, the cost of the BBQ makes a big difference. If you're smoking it manually, I'm willing to pay you the money to do so, but if you're simply throwing it in the Smokerizer 8000 and setting it and forgetting it, I'm not paying you $20 for a slab of ribs that cost you less than $10. "But how can you tell," you ask. Well, look at the restaurant - if there's smoke emanating from the building, you're on the right track. Even better if you notice a hole in the ozone layer above the store. This is the main reason why I enjoy Famous Dave's. It's not the best but it satisfies my BBQ cravings, which happens much more frequently than your woman's PMS and is likely much more furious, and it's cheap! For $35 you can get the 1/2 Feast, which serves 2-3 and comes with ribs, 1/2 a chicken, your choice of brisket/pork (I recommend the brisket), cornbread, corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, and fries. I've tried on multiple occasions to finish this beast w/ one other person and have had a 66% success rate. The trick seems to be to bring someone who is under 150 lbs. The All American Feast ($57) is twice the portion and easily feeds 4. If you can stomach it--literally--try the Kahlua brownie sundae ($6) - warm, soft brownie, topped w/ nuts, hot fudge, ice and whipped cream. In addition to price, sauces are a major factor in determining good BBQ. Great BBQ can definitely stand on its own, but an excellent sauce can elevate the work of even the greatest smoke masters. Dave's provides 5 sauces, all conveniently at your table. I like to use copious amounts of sauce, so it definitely helps to have easy access - kinda like that flap on the front of boxers. My favorite's are Devil's Spit and Texas Pit. Note: they do have Georgia Mustard, but nothing that is predominantly vinegar-based for those that require a Carolina type sauce. Location - in the same shopping center as Target, Don Pablo's, and near Red Robin and Longhorn. This place gets packed pretty much every night between 7:30 and 9, so unless you arrive early, be prepared to wait. I prefer the layout of the Laurel location. Service - is generally friendly and competent, but once again, I prefer the Laurel location. They don't take reservations, but if you have a large party, for a birthday for example, you can ask about reserving a portion of the restaurant a week or so in advance. Not fantastic BBQ by any means, but it's close, cost-effective, has great sauces, and I never leave there hungry. I don't know about the piggy that went to the market or stayed home, but this piggy is going to Famous Dave's.
(3)Molly T.
Food comes out quick. I love their Georgia Pork BBQ and all the sauces they have to go with it. Green beans are spicey and yummy, and I love their corn bread- I usually hate corn bread. Not too bad for a chain, but they need some happyhour specials and I'll like it more.
(3)Tiffany F.
Unfortunately, every time I have eaten here I had felt sick later in the day. The food is ok, but nothing to write home about.
(1)Olivia J.
Great, fast and friendly service. Nice clean enviroment and the BBQ is good for your chain restaurant. The ribs were nice and juicy and the chopped pork was tasty too! They also have a nice variety of BBQ sauces from sweet to spicy.
(3)B. J.
Only passable. If ayou re really hungry and need a carne fix, go in. They give you allot of food, but the BB ribs were burnt (must have put on grill with sauce too long), the taste was too sweet and they were too chewy. The brisket is average - good smoky taste, but not tender. An appetizer of fried onions was a greasy, not flavoraful mess. Side dishes of corn and string beans had zero taste. Must say though, that the beans were good (only reason, besides Sierra on tap, that I did not give it a zero). Red, Hot and Blue - you have nothing to worry about. Only question is, why was there a wait to get seated. Sad.
(1)Ty J.
Famous Daves used to be my favorite spot for sit down BBQ. Well I'm pretty sure I won't be back. The service was great but that didn't make up for the super tough possibly made yesterday ribs. I was so disappointed with the ribs, they tasted fine but no one likes to struggle just to take a bite! What happened to tender, juicy ribs where the meat practically falls off the bone? I gave up after the second one because I was tired of fighting to take a bite. The grilled chicken was probably the highlight and the brisket was alright, it at least wasn't tough. Oh and what happened to the cornbread muffins?? Now it's just regular old cornbread slices lol. Eh I will pass from now on no need to return any time soon.
(2)Teresa S.
I ate here while passing through on my way to NC during labor day weekend. The place was packed for a Thursday evening. I sat at the bar and there was a big after work crowd. I ordered a half size of baby back ribs, garlic mash potatoes and green beans with a piece of cornbread . All of it was delicious and finger looking good. The staff were friendly and cool and looked like they took care of their regular customers. I have yet to be disappointed with any, food from Famous Daves.
(5)Aisha K.
I like this place a lot. Great service, great food, and the greatest BBQ sauce EVER!!!
(5)kevin k.
too sweet for me. jst did not enjoy the food. once was enough for me. bad chow!!
(2)Na H.
We came here for Happy Hour and it was decent. We arrived around 3:45pm as the Happy Hour begins at 3 until 7 pm and we were the second guests at the bar area. We ordered a Miller Lite draft ($2), the rail tequila with cranberry juice ($3), the margarita with a float of brandy on top ($5), barbeque nachos with Texas beef brisket ($4), burnt Texas brisket ends ($9) with onion strings and a Texas beef brisket platter with 2 sides, macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potaotes ($15), to go for someone. The margarita was good, not too stingy with the tequila and the float of brandy on top was perfect. The rail tequila with cranberry juice was ok, but l would not order it again. The barbeque nachos were great. Tender pieces of smoked texas brisket, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, their own Wilbur beans, sliced fresh jalapeno, shredded lettuce and barbeque sauce layered over fresh nachos was a site and taste to behold. The burnt ends were a bit tough, but the onion strings, breaded in a light batter and deep fried, made up for their shortcomings. The bartender on duty was great and attentive. All in all, a wonderful happy hour that l look forward to coming to again.
(4)Ma-e M.
The first time I went to a Famous Dave's was in Philadelphia and the seconds, a long time ago. I did not really like too much BBQ meat so I kept on passing it by for 7 years separation. But when they came out with BBQ turkey which for me a little different, I grabbed a bite to try the lunch turkey BBQ sandwich. The buns were perfectly soft and toasty. The other entree was an order of fried catfish fingers and beef brisket. Going back to Famous, made me re-think that sometimes, something can rekindle the past visits.
(3)Artranda H.
Came here for lunch yesterday after having a rough night. We wanted fast service so we decided to sit in the bar. Normally when I come on my lunch break we don't get the best service, but yesterday Lucie was OUTSTANDING. For it being a slow day in the bar or maybe I think they had just opened up but she had so much personality. She provided excellent service and was checking on us, didn't ignore us at all! When we come back I want her as our server! Also the food was hot and delicious! Thanks Lucie!
(5)Ray R.
Stopped in here for a business lunch. Exterior: the exterior is clean and presentable. It had a large parking lot with plenty of empty spaces. Interior: there were several different sections I noticed. To the right of the door, there was a bar area (where we were seated), to the left were several different dining areas with a lot of different sized tables. Everything appeared to be separated enough to keep the noise levels down. It had a kind of down home feel to it as I've seen with most Famous Dave's. Staff: well, the waitress was not overly friendly, but also not rude. She was there and did her job. Food: after having eaten at other Famous Dave's, this one was pretty blah. I'm used to putting my own sauces on whatever I order, but everything came pre-sauced. The portions were fine since it was lunch. I should know better than to ever order corn on the cob, because it's never cooked right in a restaurant. It was all mushy instead of nice and crispy. Overall, if you're hungry and don't want anything else, then stop. Otherwise, continue on to a different restaurant (I later discovered there was a much better BBQ place very close by).
(3)Meg B.
This place popped up on my radar during a search for new food. I had heard a mention of it here and there among my coworkers, so my husband and I decided to give it a try. The atmosphere is really fun: kind of a redneck looking, homey place. Paper towels on every table and a whole sugar packet holder full of wet naps, so you know you're going to be a mess. They have all their available BBQ sauces on each table, six in all with cute names and they range from mild to tangy to hot. I've been twice now. The first time, we ordered a half feast to go and it was quick and easy take out service. Huge platter of basically 3 entrées and a few sides plus some corn bread muffins. I think we had St. Louis style ribs, Georgia chopped pork and Texas brisket. For sides, we had Wilbur beans (baked beans), cole slaw, and macaroni & cheese with a nice jalapeño kick to them. The most recent visit, we dined in. Our waitress, Kelly, was super sweet and attentive. I had a half slab of baby back ribs with potato salad & Wilbur beans. My husband had Georgia chopped pork with macaroni & cheese and potato salad. Both of us enjoyed everything. I liked the baby back ribs better than the St. Louis style, but that's just a matter of a dry rub cooking method vs. wet sauced cooking method and a different cut of meat, nothing that was the restaurant's fault. Good all around. They have an email club called the PIG club, but the coupons are funny because 90% of the time they're "today only" type specials.
(4)Travis T.
Zipped over to Famous Dave's in Columbia, MD after a business appointment, and thought it better to grab a bite to eat than sit in ridiculous traffic. Being a Minnesotan, and loving generic suburbia restaurants (think Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Applebee's, etc.) more than any person should, I was strongly drawn to Famous Dave's. And, let's be honest here, Famous Dave's didn't disappoint. I was on the early side on a Thursday evening arriving around 5:45 p.m. I grab a stool at the bar and was served by a really nice, polite bartender named Jule (sp?). She was attentive but not in an annoying way. I got a large sized Sam Adams and a bbq salad with pulled chicken on it. The dressing was some sort of honey mustard. I thought about asking for the dressing on the side, but got lazy and went with it. I should've gotten it on the side. It tasted pretty good, but the salad was too heavily dressed. The chicken was tasty and delicious. And, it came with a corn bread muffin. I cleaned my plate, save the muffin. I love Famous Dave's and I'm not going to be ashamed about it any longer! Maybe I'll have my birthday dinner there . . . . .
(4)Elisha M.
Now that I live in Raleigh, I am wary about going to big chain BBQ restaurants. Once you've had the best, nothing is good enough. I am easy to please, especially when it comes to food, I am easy going, but the food and service at Famous Dave's did not sit well. The single redeeming factor about our meal at Famous Dave's was that there was no wait time to get a table. The table we were seated at was too big for our party so we had to shout at each other over the chorus of screaming babies that populated the dining room, just to have a conversation. I ordered a peach sangria when we sat down, but it did not arrive until halfway through the meal. The chop BBQ salad I ordered was edible, but the meat was flavorless and the sauces were watery. The cornbread muffin was good though. I guess if you are in the mood for this, carry out is a better option. Next time I am home in Columbia, I will steer (haha) clear of this restaurant.
(1)Tara B.
Used to be my favorite barbecue joint, especially for Happy Hour, but they changed their menu. Service is okay. I am concerned about the long-term for this location because it's never crowded. Rib tips are usually on point, but last time they were overcooked. I heard Mission Barbecue might be better down the street!
(3)James U.
What has happened to Famous Dave's? 10 years ago it was wonderful and their Georgia Pulled Pork Sandwich was delicious! This place has gone down fast over the past few years. I stopped in for dinner last week just to see if it had improved any. The pulled pork sandwich tasted old. No other way to say it! I'll venture to say the pork may have been cooked days before and frozen, then microwaved. Come on Dave! Get your mojo back or surrender to equally awful Mission BBQ which seems to be sending Columbia locals who claim they know good BBQ info fits of orgasmic delight. Hint: I never order ribs at any of these places! They should be done on your backyard grille as nobody in Columbia really knows what properly prepared ribs are. You'd have to drive to Memphis or St. Louis to get honest ribs! That is all.....
(1)Thomas J.
Stop by for take out. Very pleasant staff. Ordered food. The menu was not updated with the new dishes. I sat down at the bar to wait. I explained I had ordered my food but he ask if I want to drink I sad diet soda and he delivery it. No charge thanks. About fifteen minutes the food was waiting for me. My son got it I was gone. Everything was present and very delicious. This is one of my usual places to eat but not to frequently. One final thing I stopped getting emails from famous Dave's so I don't know what up with them
(3)Sharon W.
Last week we had a fun and tasty lunch at Famous Dave's in Laurel. Our server there assured us Laurel's Famous Dave was better than Columbia's. We had an errand in Columbia today so decided to check it out. We should have listened to our friendly Laurel server. The bun on my pulled chicken sandwich was stale. The fries were okay, but not as crispy as I would have liked. Our waitress was okay. She plopped my husband's meal down in front of him announcing it was a Cajun chicken sandwich. After a little checking--no it was our friend's hamburger. who had husband's chicken sandwich. Oh well. Wouldn't go back, too many other places in that area to try.
(2)Michael Z.
I used to come here all the time for lunch take out. They recently they change their policy to refuse allowing you to order two of the same kinds of meat for their lunch 2-meat combo. With such an asinine policy in place there's absolutely no reason to ever come here again when the more customer friendly Mission BBQ is right down the street for cheaper.
(1)Aaron P.
Brisket was old and dry. The fries had to have been under a heating lamp for at least two hours before they were put on my plate. Corn was good. Maybe it was my timing, 4 in the afternoon, but it wasn't good food.
(2)Sarah M.
Stopped in for lunch and was completely ignored by the wait staff for ten minutes. Left before I could try anything. Terrible first impression.
(1)Thomas D.
I decided to give this place one more chance today. Let me give my history with Famous Dave's in Columbia. I always purchase the family feast for around $55.00. On several occasions they have given me old, dry, nasty ribs. So now when I come into this establishment I ask for the manager and explain my previous experience I had with their restaurant and I simply ask, may I please have fresh, succulent, and great food, exactly what I paid to have. So on my very next visit I decided not to ask for the manager and I trusted that I would get incredible ribs, chicken, & brisket. Guess what, the ribs were dry, old, and very forgettable. So today I went in and purchase a family feast for around $65.00, and the food was absolutely dreadful. The ribs were tasteless, the brisket was dry and nasty, the chicken was uneventful. You know when you eat and you get that nasty, stuck feeling in your throat, that's what I just got for eaten this food today. On top of that I just barfed up the food. Normally when I purchase the family feast at least some of the food is tasty. But today nothing was good except the beans. I will not return to this establishment. They do not take pride and love in cooking their food.
(1)Clara S.
I love Famous Dave's so much. Their food is delicious, the chiefs are very talented. The hosts are very nice. The restaurant is clean and great. I've been pleased with the food everytime. I really recommend going here with your family.
(5)Shawn M.
Being from Texas, I love good bar-b que and while nothing is as good as freshly grilled yourself, the convenience of having someplace to go and not have to do it yourself is always good. This happens to be my wife's favorite place to eat, so I have seen a lot of it in the last 4 years we have been living in Maryland. Now, some of their stuff is better than others. For instance, their 'chicken tenders' could be better. They are generally overly crunchy and dry on the outside whenever I happen to get them, which is a change from what they used to be like. It makes me think that perhaps what we're getting is basic chicken nuggets from a bag somewhere and not freshly made from scratch. I get that sometimes time is limited, but I am more than willing to wait an extra 10 - 15 minutes for fresh rather than something in a bag. Hell, I can do that myself and not leave my house or dress up more than my underwear for that kind of food. Now, if they want to try some decent tenders, then go to Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and try the Snowbird Tenders. Those kick some serious ass! Good stuff they have: Brisket Burgers. I love brisket and I love burgers, so to have a burger made from brisket is just awesome. They also make a halfway decent pulled pork, collar greeds, corn break muffins, etc. and I love their double winger appetizer (I have been craving buffalo wings a lot). Also, nothing beat their sauces. I don't even generally use sauce on my BBQ, but the Devil's Spit and Wilbur's Revenge variety are awesomely hot and smokey which satisfies my Texan appetite to punish myself with overly hot food. The bad: Servers have been real absent minded as of late and slow to respond to new customers being sat down. We waited a good 30 minutes last Friday before we got a waiter to finally give us drinks and take out orders and that's never good. It means you don't have enough servers or they're not being trained properly in customer service techniques.
(3)Vannessa S.
Hubby and I were in Columbia and I had never been to Famous Dave's. I was craving barbecue. We went there. Not impressed. Our server was VERY nice, but the food came up short. I ordered the brisket. When it arrived, half of the pieces were 100% fat...no meat! Totally gross. Their sauces were forgettable. My husband ordered the fried cod only to be told 20 minutes after we placed out order that they were out. OK. He ordered the catfish bites instead. When they finally made their way our, they were actually pretty good. Who'd think the fish would be better than the barbecue at a barbecue joint? Not me! Not impressed at all with the BBQ, but glad to have gotten the experience. At least now I know that Mission BBQ in Glen Burnie still reigns supreme!
(2)Ann P.
This place has great service, a well trained staff is very important to me. Plus, they serve BBQ. I recommend their pineapple buffalo wings! They also cater!
(3)Philip D.
Burnt tips wound up blackened fat. Soup was mediocre. Sausage and catfish were tasty. Service was prompt.
(2)Sam M.
Decided to try this place after eating at one in Arizona for the first time, and having a great experience. This Famous Daves is like a totally different restaurant. I ordered the brisket (the same thing I had in AZ that was amazing) and ribs. The brisket tasted closer to a hot dog than beef brisket and the ribs were super greasy and chewy. All of it was cold when it came out. I won't be back.
(1)Lakeia S.
I love Famous Dave's. I've been to this location on several occasions. Birthdays, on dates and family night. Never have I been disappointed.
(4)Jordan K.
My family and I met up with our bro here and I must say this was a wonderful experience all around. We went on a Tuesday evening around 530 and it was not busy. Our server was friendly and explained all the sauces upon arrival. He took the time to go over the menu with us. Service was A+ and our drinks were never half empty. We ended up ordering the smorgasbord called the AMERICAN FEAST! God Bless America!! It came with a full slab of St. Louis-Style Spareribs, a whole Country-Roasted Chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas Beef Brisket or Georgia Chopped Pork (we chose the brisket), Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, six pieces of Fresh Sweet Corn and four Corn Bread Muffins (our server gave us 2 more since we had a party of six). Everything was delicious! Brisket and chicken were moist, just the way I like it. Portion size was great as we had leftovers!
(4)Yaka H.
A chain restaurant place which delivers consistent product. SX and I are rib people. We just like ribs. We only get the ribs here and always naked (aka: dry rub only). The offer their sauces on the table, so it's a nice way to sample all of their sauces and find which one tickles your fancy with your ribs. I personally like the Georgia Mustard, Texas Pit, and the Sweet and Sour one. I agree with Yella that the Devil's Spit isn't as spicy as they make it seem to be, so I don't even bother with it. What's even better, is that Famous Dave's also does rib tips! That fatty part of the rib with those itty-bitty, cartilage bones... they are a wonderful part of the rib. We never miss out of those either. They come already pre-sauced, but that's fine. We've found the brisket here to be tough and dry. So I would recommend not ordering that. Everything else seems to be okay/not bad. The corn cob here is always a over steamed, but I still eat it with squirting relish (warning if you ever sit next to me, you may get squirted with corn juice). The corn bread here come as individual muffins and aren't too bad (just a tad dry though). While this isn't the best BBQ in the world, it's not bad, considering that the surrounding area is a bit lacking in the BBQ offerings.
(3)Mary M.
Typical chain restaurant. I always feel a little bit disgusting leaving because of the unhealthiness of the food, but I would expect nothing less of a BBQ joint. The fries are great, portions are huge and great selection of BBQ sauces. I'd stick with a local place but if you like chains this one will meet your expectations.
(2)Donna Y.
Full rack of ribs shared with two people... Comes with corn bread and your choice of two sides... I recommend the jalapeño Mac and cheese!!
(2)Eric W.
When I lived in DC I got my BBQ at Old Glory. When I lived in Drexel Hill, PA I got it at Pig Daddy's. So now that I live near Columbia, I had some trepidations about trying a chain restaurant for BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised. While the service was a bit on the slow side, the food was good. I had one of the meat platters and everything I tried was tasty. Nothing was dry like I tend to find at chain BBQ places. Most impressive was the selection of sauces. In the many places I've lived most BBQ joints have two types of sauce: a sweet and a hot. Having different bases for the sauces is always good. The service was a bit spotty though. I was a bit amazed about how dismissive our waitress was. It was almost as if she would rather sit and chat then bring us our bill. It was also pretty early, so I don't see how she could have been tired. Who knows? If you need BBQ, Famous Dave's is perfectly serviceable.
(3)Dean T.
I have been going here for a few years. Today I ate there and had the pleasure of dining with a couple of cockroaches. When we brought this up to the server she was very apologetic and mentioned it to the manager. The manager never came out to talk to us. We were even able to show the cockroach to another employee. All that other employee did was take away the cup where the cockroach was walking on.
(1)Danny C.
What was I thinking?! Why did I come here?! Oh yeah.... My brother and sister wanted to come here. We're all foodies. We love food, especially ethnic foods. We also love BBQ. Now there aren't many BBQ joints around the area that we know of, and all of the places we've been to around here aren't that great. I'm aware of Famous Daves and it being a chain restaurant. But I heard Famous Daves won 1st place in some type of BBQ event in Tennessee? Or Kansas? Either way they won for having the best BBQ. My mind was telling me "Dont go!" But my stomach was telling me "Eat now!" And we were right in front of Famous Daves.... So I gave in. We went inside and the setting was pretty nice. Lots of stuff to look at and read. We ordered the famous award winning full rack of ribs, Texas Beef Brisket, and the Country Roasted Chicken. I knew it..... The Award Winning Ribs weren't Award Winning. Unless that BBQ event was full of beginners! Ribs weren't that bad, but they weren't Winning quality. Sauce was good, but the ribs itself were too chewy. The brisket was dry, tough, and too salty. The chicken aside from it being dry in some parts, was actually flavorful. Chicken was the best thing we had there. Im not saying the place was terrifying, or the worst BBQ we've had. But the place wasn't even close to being Great. I had much better...
(2)Mitch R.
Heard that the food was good here so came here for a post workout meal. We walked in at 2:30 and ordered the family feast plus the burnt ends appetizer and nachos. We received the appetizers after a staggering 30 min wait. The other tables around us received their food first. Its fair to say being the only asians eating here they might be racist. Because it does not take 45 minutes to make nachos. The family feast eventually came out after an hour and fifteen. The food itself is mediocre and the service is just god awful. The waitresses need better training they came at 35 min intervals asking if we wanted refills without the slight hint at when the food was coming out. My advice is if you have 2-3hrs to spare and enjoy playing the guessing game of when your food is gonna come out go ahead. Otherwise go to hardtimes or somewhere else.
(1)Ebony C.
I love BBQ food. And so glad that I went here. A friend of mine & I order the feast for two. It was so much food we couldn't eat all of it. My four year old was there with us and she had a great time getting her fingers messy from the ribs. The place is loud. So its great for groups to come. You can watch the game or the News while dining. The ribs are meaty and well glazed in BBQ sauce. Service was great too. I gave it four stars because its not local to me :-( but its worth the trip.
(4)Steven D.
Famous Dave's BBQ food is amazing. I highly recommend ordering any of the Feasts and extra corn bread.
(4)M W.
I went here two weeks ago with my wife and 4 tear old after making a run to Lowes. Now I had been working on my house all day. I wasn't dressed in the finest attire, but I was eating at a barbecue chain. We got there at about 5 pm. There was a 20 min wait and no place to sit down. I was tired and decided to sit myself and daughter at the bar. There was no one else at the bar at the time. I basically used it as a place to plant my tired butt while we waited. I ordered a beer, my wife and daughter ordered coke. Before we were served we were asked to move from the bar because our kid wasn't allowed to sit there. We were td we could sit at the table behind the bar. We were sat about ten minutes later and promptly chased down by the bar manager because she couldn't add our bar tab onto our dining tab. (Like we were expected to know this ahead of time) The food was below average. Being asked to move from the otherwise unoccupied bar stool was total bs . Like we were going to sit there for an hour getting drunk with our daughter next to us. Come on be real. And being chased down like I was going to dine and dash was not ideal. We felt like we were treated like crap by the staff. And to top it off our shitty food was like 50 bucks. The staff is rude and takes patronage for granted. Don't waste your time or money. The location is convenient but don't let that fool you. There are plenty of other places to eat that appreciate and value your business.
(2)Michael F.
I can sum up my experience with a Movie, The Hunger games because I was still hungry after leaving. I was sooo disappointed in this place. In my eternal search for great BBQ I decided to give Famous Dave's a shot after having the day off last Friday and picking up some things in the area. Daves has a pleasant enough bar/dining area, I opted for the bar. My server was very friendly. I was the only patron at the time, it was about 6pm. I started with the Southside Rib Tips(8.99) served over fries. The ribs and dry rub looked fantastic, but looks can be deceiving. These ribs were the toughest most stiff bone riddled pieces of meat I've ever tried to eat. It took some upmph to pull these jokers apart, and I'm not a small guy. Once I did manage to get a piece in my mouth it tasted...just not good. My entree came out like 45 seconds after these Mcribs were served. I went with what every good BBQ joint is judged by, the Brisket. The Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich to be exact. ok maybe just a bad day for ribs, the brisket will come through I'm sure. There will be no heroes in this story. The brisket looked ..processed..? Very homogeneous texture and look to the beef and not fresh looking, swimming in too much sauce, all small pieces too. And the sauce wasn't helping either, it was just bland with a bit of tang.I did eat most of it because I was damn hungry at this point. It all looked great, but that's as far as it got. The mac n cheese was ok, would have been better if it was hot. And the fries were ok. I've had friends say they loved Famous Dave's. Perhaps they had a bad day. I'm not inclined to find out. BBQ and chains don't go well together. Two thumbs down for Famous Dave's.
(2)Jeff M.
If I want a pit beef sandwich then I head over to Canopy. But, when I want BBQ then there is only one place around that hits it on all cylinders. For Memorial Day we ordered up the All American BBQ Feast to go - brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, slaw, corn muffins, corn on the cob and fries. It comfortably fed a family of four, though we probably could have gotten away with more ribs - but only because we didn't have any leftovers. We don't love everything on the menu as I'm not crazy about the bread they use for the sandwich items, but I don't go there for a sandwich. And, some visits are better than others, but for the most part it is pretty consistent. My littlest does prefer the Corner Stable for ribs, but I think she's nuts. Besides, she's not old enough for a Yelp account yet. Favorite Sauce - Devil's Spit...and I use it at home whenever possible.
(5)Scott M.
One word.....GROSS
(1)Nathan R.
Great BBQ, nice atmosphere. A little pricey and the lunch portions could be a bit bigger. A-OKAY
(3)Michael J.
Wow. Just wow. Radically overpriced for the portion size and quality, food came out cold, waiter dropped by maybe twice in an hour and a half (good thing we were trying to keep to an hour lunch! :P). I don't expect much from BBQ on the east coast, but this joint manages to undershoot an already very low bar by a country mile. I'm trying really hard to think of positives to the whole experience and the best I can come up with was that the tea was mediocre.
(1)Christine P.
I went for Sunday lunch and was seated right away. The hostesses were little confused as to where to seat us but it's ok, they are only like 16, they are excused. This is first time my being at this chain and I liked the variety of sauces they had. We had the Feast for Two with brisket (you have choice between brisket and pork) that came with spareribs, chicken, brisket (omg, so tender), coleslaw (no good), baked beans (ok), corn-on-the-cob and fries for $35. Overall not too bad experience and I'd go back when I am craving for meat. Not too bad price for the amount we got.
(3)Tiffani N.
If I'm craving some down home BBQ but don't want to hop on a flight to Memphis (hee hee), I head on over to Famous Dave's. Yeah it's kitschy and it's a chain but the food here is GOOD. So it doesn't matter one bit. I go all out and get a Barbeque Combo and choose either the wings with ribs, or the country-roasted chicken and ribs. I like all things spicy, so the best part of it all is getting to slather on the Devil's Spit and Rich & Sassy sauces. Man, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all! And the sides are yummy, too. I really like the Mac & Cheese with the green peppers mixed in and the baked beans have a nice kick to them. The corn muffins are delish and they'll bring you extras if you ask.
(4)Rene R.
In general I'm a fan. Tonight we went and it snowed last night. You could tell as soon as you pulled into the parking lot. There was no sign of the lot having been plowed and we were basically sliding into the restaurant. Which is why they get 3 stars instead of 4! Obviously it wasn't packed and we got seated quickly. Our server was Dave and he was really good. I love dipping fries in the different sauces so we ordered fries as an appetizer. They came out fresh and hot and delicious! Our food came out pretty quickly. I had the two meat combo with the sausage and chicken wings. First time having the wings and they were really good! The My sides were the Wilburs Beans and Mashed potatoes! I love mashed potatoes and they were great. Not as hot as I expected but tasty and the beans were good. And I love their cornbread! Our server was pretty good checking on us a few times and getting making sure our glasses didn't get to low! Last things, no matter where we go I try to make it a point to visit the bathroom even if I don't have to go - and I'd give it a 2.5. They do need to have someone come in hourly and check the trash but there was plenty of toilet paper and the floors were clean. Anyways, we'll be back.
(3)Tony P.
I had a yearning for bbq and this was close by work. I've been to this establishment about 8 times in the last year. Each time I come, I keep hoping that the briskets would be juicy and soft. Alas, such is not to be. Dry and chewy would be my closest approximation. The St Louis ribs on the other hand are quite succulent and tasty. The Devil's Spit sauce has a good kick to it. I also like the baked beans with chunks of bacon in it. Bacon with anything is just better.. period. The corn on the cob tastes like it's been sitting a little too long in a watery solution. The potato salad was redeeming even if it wasn't anything standout. And the corn bread was a bit dry though it has a slight sweetness. Overall, the lunch platter gives a bit of everything and is filling without putting you in a food coma. The service was a bit lackadaisical. Not the most expedient place if you're on a tight lunch schedule.
(3)TJ S.
OH, why oh why did you change your menu???? You used to have some of the best shrimp appetizers around. You used to have really good fries that you brought o the table as "tasters" for newbies to your restaurant. They would dip all of your sauces and see which ones they wanted. Now they are served chips. You used to have several others delicious items on your menu, but now they have all disappeared. And why are your floors so messy and slippery? The food is good, but you used to be great.
(3)Justin L.
This is not good barbeque. This best thing I had was some mac and cheese, not the meat. BBQ is about the meat and this missed the mark. The only flavor I got from my brisket was sauce.
(1)Tim H.
I like going here and getting the two meat special. I usually get the ribs and the brisket. The ribs are great and the brisket is awesome. Not bad for a chain restaurant and the prices if you get the specials are not bad at all. If you are a true BBQ fan, give this place a try and see how you think it stacks up to your favorite BBQ place.
(3)Ed Q.
My family and I went in on a Friday evening around 6. There was no wait for seating. Our server was extremely friendly. When he found out that it was our first time at Famous Dave's he took the time to explain the different available sauces (around 6 or so) and any questions that we had about the menu. The food tasted exceptional -- what you'd expect from an award winning BBQ chef. At first I was a bit disappointed by the portion sizes, feeling like we had paid too much for the amount that was served. By the time I finished eating, It occurred to me that the portion sizes seemed small because of the large basket/platter that your food comes out on. I was completely stuffed. I had the Sweet Georgia Pork entree which comes with a mini corn on the cob and cornbread (by default) and two side choices. The corn was very slightly overcooked. On the other hand, everything else was outstanding. The moist pork just melts with each bite. I also had the baked beans which were, by far, the best I've ever had. I would have given this place 5 stars, except there were a few logistical snaffus, including baked beans that didn't come until the end of the meal and that the server brought the wrong check at first. What completely sealed the deal for me was at the end of our meal, the server asked my wife and I which sauce we liked best and brought us a free bottle of each sauce to take home. I can't wait to go back and try something else!
(4)Kyle M.
All in all, really good bbq. Considering it's a national chain: Amazing BBQ. Spend the extra few dollars on the baby backs, it's worth it, they are really the star of the menu. The brisket is generally very flavorful, but never very tender. The rib tips are usually a bit dried out. Everything else is adequate. I like the variety of sauces, and the sides are all good. If you like the corn muffins, get the corn fritters as a starter. Same base, but with a bit of jalapeno and corn to give them a little something extra.
(4)DA K.
Like everyone said for a chain this spot is consistent and delivers, Have some of the best BBQ I ever tasted and i love the Ribs and Chicken here, The sides are hit and miss, Really do not care for the baked beans, But the fries, coleslaw and cornbread is good. Service is good. The BBQ Sauces are very good and tasty, You cannot go wrong with this place, Also there are not to many BBQ places in MD. So you have to take what you can get. :) Stay Tuned!
(3)Peter H.
Michael F. had it right. The wings are so dry and the ribs need an axe to separate them. Fatty brisket. The place was empty and now I understand why. Shame on you Famous Dave. Sysco chain food.
(2)Nathaniel C.
Consistent good, but not great, bar-b-que. Ribs are definitely their strength, brisket less so.
(4)Maria M.
Well we went with a group of 17 people.. including 3 kids and a baby... sooo the service isn't going to be that great as expected. Our waitress was really nice though. And she did the best she could. So props for her. Everything actually went pretty well. Our party was split up, so I didn't see what was happening at the bigger table. But our booth turned out ok. We had the three kids with us and the waitress was very patient with them. We didn't get menus... we had to ask the table next to us for their menus because I guess the waitress forgot. But that was the only bad thing I could really say about the service. She filled our drinks and she was didn't freak out with our orders. I got the turkey burger and fries. The fries were pretty good. They're the thick kind of fries, but it was seasoned pretty well. Not too salty, but not bland neither. The turkey burger was ok. A little on the dry side, but it wasn't horrible. I also ordered sweet tea which was pretty good. All in all, it was an ok experience. It's always hard to judge when you come with a big group, but I had a pretty good time and the food was ok. I've had their bbq before and it was pretty good. So yeah. Not awesome, but not horrible. A-OK
(3)Linn G.
I like Famous Dave's but I had a very unforgettable experience here. First off the waiter Kyle was great and was very accommodating. I ordered the new Bali Hawaiian chicken and rib combo which was pretty decent. I had high hopes for a delicious flavorful semi authentic sauce but wasn't too wowed by it. I honestly prefer the sweet and savvy (if Im pronouncing the sauce name correctly). I ordered fries and broccoli for sides and the broccoli was a tad too salty for my liking. The fries looked a bit pitiful and were not as hot as they should have been. The ribs were pretty good and the chicken thighs were do-able. The kicker to my nite was misplacing my favorite trendy cardigan in my booth and how it miraculously disappeared....I was told by the manager that there are apparent thieves working there because cell phones were lost in recent weeks and never turned in. Beware and do not leave anything of value or attachment behind because 9 times out of ten you WONT get it back!! Will def be staying with my usual local Famous Dave's from here on out!!
(3)Timmortal D.
I would love to have reviewed the food, but they never even took my drink order. I had enough time to figure out exactly what I wanted to eat and drink, stare into space, read Twitter, and look up 3 more restaurants in the area, one of which I am writing this review in.
(1)Andrew M.
A cockroach crawled across the table last time we went. Never going back!
(1)DivZ G.
I have never tasted better wings than the ones in this place..they are absolutely irresistible. It has the best BBQ..the variety of sauces can may overwhelm you but you need to try all of them..I have tried Buffalo Wild Wings but, i would prefer Famous Daves anyday..Also, if you are a person who loves spicy..you can test your spice limits at this place with the texas red hot sauce..:))..overall..Writing this review..i might go to Famous Dave today..:)
(5)K S.
We are here often, good service, consistent food.
(4)Anna S.
First time I ever ate at one of these I was traveling for business. Well priced, good food. Very consistent from each location, so if you like consistent these are great places to stop.
(3)Adam T.
I'm a big BBQ fan and this place is just OK. It's what you would expect from a chain restaurant. Not amazing, but solid.
(3)Korin S.
Went for dinner last night and had a great experience. The food was fast and tasted great. We sat outside with only one other couple at another table and the servers didn't forget about us. We'll be back!
(4)Tara B.
Used to be my favorite barbecue joint, especially for Happy Hour, but they changed their menu. Service is okay. I am concerned about the long-term for this location because it's never crowded. Rib tips are usually on point, but last time they were overcooked. I heard Mission Barbecue might be better down the street!
(3)James U.
What has happened to Famous Dave's? 10 years ago it was wonderful and their Georgia Pulled Pork Sandwich was delicious! This place has gone down fast over the past few years. I stopped in for dinner last week just to see if it had improved any. The pulled pork sandwich tasted old. No other way to say it! I'll venture to say the pork may have been cooked days before and frozen, then microwaved. Come on Dave! Get your mojo back or surrender to equally awful Mission BBQ which seems to be sending Columbia locals who claim they know good BBQ info fits of orgasmic delight. Hint: I never order ribs at any of these places! They should be done on your backyard grille as nobody in Columbia really knows what properly prepared ribs are. You'd have to drive to Memphis or St. Louis to get honest ribs! That is all.....
(1)Na H.
We came here for Happy Hour and it was decent. We arrived around 3:45pm as the Happy Hour begins at 3 until 7 pm and we were the second guests at the bar area. We ordered a Miller Lite draft ($2), the rail tequila with cranberry juice ($3), the margarita with a float of brandy on top ($5), barbeque nachos with Texas beef brisket ($4), burnt Texas brisket ends ($9) with onion strings and a Texas beef brisket platter with 2 sides, macaroni and cheese and garlic mashed potaotes ($15), to go for someone. The margarita was good, not too stingy with the tequila and the float of brandy on top was perfect. The rail tequila with cranberry juice was ok, but l would not order it again. The barbeque nachos were great. Tender pieces of smoked texas brisket, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, their own Wilbur beans, sliced fresh jalapeno, shredded lettuce and barbeque sauce layered over fresh nachos was a site and taste to behold. The burnt ends were a bit tough, but the onion strings, breaded in a light batter and deep fried, made up for their shortcomings. The bartender on duty was great and attentive. All in all, a wonderful happy hour that l look forward to coming to again.
(4)Ma-e M.
The first time I went to a Famous Dave's was in Philadelphia and the seconds, a long time ago. I did not really like too much BBQ meat so I kept on passing it by for 7 years separation. But when they came out with BBQ turkey which for me a little different, I grabbed a bite to try the lunch turkey BBQ sandwich. The buns were perfectly soft and toasty. The other entree was an order of fried catfish fingers and beef brisket. Going back to Famous, made me re-think that sometimes, something can rekindle the past visits.
(3)Artranda H.
Came here for lunch yesterday after having a rough night. We wanted fast service so we decided to sit in the bar. Normally when I come on my lunch break we don't get the best service, but yesterday Lucie was OUTSTANDING. For it being a slow day in the bar or maybe I think they had just opened up but she had so much personality. She provided excellent service and was checking on us, didn't ignore us at all! When we come back I want her as our server! Also the food was hot and delicious! Thanks Lucie!
(5)Ray R.
Stopped in here for a business lunch. Exterior: the exterior is clean and presentable. It had a large parking lot with plenty of empty spaces. Interior: there were several different sections I noticed. To the right of the door, there was a bar area (where we were seated), to the left were several different dining areas with a lot of different sized tables. Everything appeared to be separated enough to keep the noise levels down. It had a kind of down home feel to it as I've seen with most Famous Dave's. Staff: well, the waitress was not overly friendly, but also not rude. She was there and did her job. Food: after having eaten at other Famous Dave's, this one was pretty blah. I'm used to putting my own sauces on whatever I order, but everything came pre-sauced. The portions were fine since it was lunch. I should know better than to ever order corn on the cob, because it's never cooked right in a restaurant. It was all mushy instead of nice and crispy. Overall, if you're hungry and don't want anything else, then stop. Otherwise, continue on to a different restaurant (I later discovered there was a much better BBQ place very close by).
(3)Ty J.
Famous Daves used to be my favorite spot for sit down BBQ. Well I'm pretty sure I won't be back. The service was great but that didn't make up for the super tough possibly made yesterday ribs. I was so disappointed with the ribs, they tasted fine but no one likes to struggle just to take a bite! What happened to tender, juicy ribs where the meat practically falls off the bone? I gave up after the second one because I was tired of fighting to take a bite. The grilled chicken was probably the highlight and the brisket was alright, it at least wasn't tough. Oh and what happened to the cornbread muffins?? Now it's just regular old cornbread slices lol. Eh I will pass from now on no need to return any time soon.
(2)Thomas J.
Stop by for take out. Very pleasant staff. Ordered food. The menu was not updated with the new dishes. I sat down at the bar to wait. I explained I had ordered my food but he ask if I want to drink I sad diet soda and he delivery it. No charge thanks. About fifteen minutes the food was waiting for me. My son got it I was gone. Everything was present and very delicious. This is one of my usual places to eat but not to frequently. One final thing I stopped getting emails from famous Dave's so I don't know what up with them
(3)Sharon W.
Last week we had a fun and tasty lunch at Famous Dave's in Laurel. Our server there assured us Laurel's Famous Dave was better than Columbia's. We had an errand in Columbia today so decided to check it out. We should have listened to our friendly Laurel server. The bun on my pulled chicken sandwich was stale. The fries were okay, but not as crispy as I would have liked. Our waitress was okay. She plopped my husband's meal down in front of him announcing it was a Cajun chicken sandwich. After a little checking--no it was our friend's hamburger. who had husband's chicken sandwich. Oh well. Wouldn't go back, too many other places in that area to try.
(2)Ebony C.
I love BBQ food. And so glad that I went here. A friend of mine & I order the feast for two. It was so much food we couldn't eat all of it. My four year old was there with us and she had a great time getting her fingers messy from the ribs. The place is loud. So its great for groups to come. You can watch the game or the News while dining. The ribs are meaty and well glazed in BBQ sauce. Service was great too. I gave it four stars because its not local to me :-( but its worth the trip.
(4)Steven D.
Famous Dave's BBQ food is amazing. I highly recommend ordering any of the Feasts and extra corn bread.
(4)Thomas D.
I decided to give this place one more chance today. Let me give my history with Famous Dave's in Columbia. I always purchase the family feast for around $55.00. On several occasions they have given me old, dry, nasty ribs. So now when I come into this establishment I ask for the manager and explain my previous experience I had with their restaurant and I simply ask, may I please have fresh, succulent, and great food, exactly what I paid to have. So on my very next visit I decided not to ask for the manager and I trusted that I would get incredible ribs, chicken, & brisket. Guess what, the ribs were dry, old, and very forgettable. So today I went in and purchase a family feast for around $65.00, and the food was absolutely dreadful. The ribs were tasteless, the brisket was dry and nasty, the chicken was uneventful. You know when you eat and you get that nasty, stuck feeling in your throat, that's what I just got for eaten this food today. On top of that I just barfed up the food. Normally when I purchase the family feast at least some of the food is tasty. But today nothing was good except the beans. I will not return to this establishment. They do not take pride and love in cooking their food.
(1)Clara S.
I love Famous Dave's so much. Their food is delicious, the chiefs are very talented. The hosts are very nice. The restaurant is clean and great. I've been pleased with the food everytime. I really recommend going here with your family.
(5)Shawn M.
Being from Texas, I love good bar-b que and while nothing is as good as freshly grilled yourself, the convenience of having someplace to go and not have to do it yourself is always good. This happens to be my wife's favorite place to eat, so I have seen a lot of it in the last 4 years we have been living in Maryland. Now, some of their stuff is better than others. For instance, their 'chicken tenders' could be better. They are generally overly crunchy and dry on the outside whenever I happen to get them, which is a change from what they used to be like. It makes me think that perhaps what we're getting is basic chicken nuggets from a bag somewhere and not freshly made from scratch. I get that sometimes time is limited, but I am more than willing to wait an extra 10 - 15 minutes for fresh rather than something in a bag. Hell, I can do that myself and not leave my house or dress up more than my underwear for that kind of food. Now, if they want to try some decent tenders, then go to Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse and try the Snowbird Tenders. Those kick some serious ass! Good stuff they have: Brisket Burgers. I love brisket and I love burgers, so to have a burger made from brisket is just awesome. They also make a halfway decent pulled pork, collar greeds, corn break muffins, etc. and I love their double winger appetizer (I have been craving buffalo wings a lot). Also, nothing beat their sauces. I don't even generally use sauce on my BBQ, but the Devil's Spit and Wilbur's Revenge variety are awesomely hot and smokey which satisfies my Texan appetite to punish myself with overly hot food. The bad: Servers have been real absent minded as of late and slow to respond to new customers being sat down. We waited a good 30 minutes last Friday before we got a waiter to finally give us drinks and take out orders and that's never good. It means you don't have enough servers or they're not being trained properly in customer service techniques.
(3)Vannessa S.
Hubby and I were in Columbia and I had never been to Famous Dave's. I was craving barbecue. We went there. Not impressed. Our server was VERY nice, but the food came up short. I ordered the brisket. When it arrived, half of the pieces were 100% fat...no meat! Totally gross. Their sauces were forgettable. My husband ordered the fried cod only to be told 20 minutes after we placed out order that they were out. OK. He ordered the catfish bites instead. When they finally made their way our, they were actually pretty good. Who'd think the fish would be better than the barbecue at a barbecue joint? Not me! Not impressed at all with the BBQ, but glad to have gotten the experience. At least now I know that Mission BBQ in Glen Burnie still reigns supreme!
(2)Meg B.
This place popped up on my radar during a search for new food. I had heard a mention of it here and there among my coworkers, so my husband and I decided to give it a try. The atmosphere is really fun: kind of a redneck looking, homey place. Paper towels on every table and a whole sugar packet holder full of wet naps, so you know you're going to be a mess. They have all their available BBQ sauces on each table, six in all with cute names and they range from mild to tangy to hot. I've been twice now. The first time, we ordered a half feast to go and it was quick and easy take out service. Huge platter of basically 3 entrées and a few sides plus some corn bread muffins. I think we had St. Louis style ribs, Georgia chopped pork and Texas brisket. For sides, we had Wilbur beans (baked beans), cole slaw, and macaroni & cheese with a nice jalapeño kick to them. The most recent visit, we dined in. Our waitress, Kelly, was super sweet and attentive. I had a half slab of baby back ribs with potato salad & Wilbur beans. My husband had Georgia chopped pork with macaroni & cheese and potato salad. Both of us enjoyed everything. I liked the baby back ribs better than the St. Louis style, but that's just a matter of a dry rub cooking method vs. wet sauced cooking method and a different cut of meat, nothing that was the restaurant's fault. Good all around. They have an email club called the PIG club, but the coupons are funny because 90% of the time they're "today only" type specials.
(4)Travis T.
Zipped over to Famous Dave's in Columbia, MD after a business appointment, and thought it better to grab a bite to eat than sit in ridiculous traffic. Being a Minnesotan, and loving generic suburbia restaurants (think Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Applebee's, etc.) more than any person should, I was strongly drawn to Famous Dave's. And, let's be honest here, Famous Dave's didn't disappoint. I was on the early side on a Thursday evening arriving around 5:45 p.m. I grab a stool at the bar and was served by a really nice, polite bartender named Jule (sp?). She was attentive but not in an annoying way. I got a large sized Sam Adams and a bbq salad with pulled chicken on it. The dressing was some sort of honey mustard. I thought about asking for the dressing on the side, but got lazy and went with it. I should've gotten it on the side. It tasted pretty good, but the salad was too heavily dressed. The chicken was tasty and delicious. And, it came with a corn bread muffin. I cleaned my plate, save the muffin. I love Famous Dave's and I'm not going to be ashamed about it any longer! Maybe I'll have my birthday dinner there . . . . .
(4)Elisha M.
Now that I live in Raleigh, I am wary about going to big chain BBQ restaurants. Once you've had the best, nothing is good enough. I am easy to please, especially when it comes to food, I am easy going, but the food and service at Famous Dave's did not sit well. The single redeeming factor about our meal at Famous Dave's was that there was no wait time to get a table. The table we were seated at was too big for our party so we had to shout at each other over the chorus of screaming babies that populated the dining room, just to have a conversation. I ordered a peach sangria when we sat down, but it did not arrive until halfway through the meal. The chop BBQ salad I ordered was edible, but the meat was flavorless and the sauces were watery. The cornbread muffin was good though. I guess if you are in the mood for this, carry out is a better option. Next time I am home in Columbia, I will steer (haha) clear of this restaurant.
(1)Tony P.
I had a yearning for bbq and this was close by work. I've been to this establishment about 8 times in the last year. Each time I come, I keep hoping that the briskets would be juicy and soft. Alas, such is not to be. Dry and chewy would be my closest approximation. The St Louis ribs on the other hand are quite succulent and tasty. The Devil's Spit sauce has a good kick to it. I also like the baked beans with chunks of bacon in it. Bacon with anything is just better.. period. The corn on the cob tastes like it's been sitting a little too long in a watery solution. The potato salad was redeeming even if it wasn't anything standout. And the corn bread was a bit dry though it has a slight sweetness. Overall, the lunch platter gives a bit of everything and is filling without putting you in a food coma. The service was a bit lackadaisical. Not the most expedient place if you're on a tight lunch schedule.
(3)TJ S.
OH, why oh why did you change your menu???? You used to have some of the best shrimp appetizers around. You used to have really good fries that you brought o the table as "tasters" for newbies to your restaurant. They would dip all of your sauces and see which ones they wanted. Now they are served chips. You used to have several others delicious items on your menu, but now they have all disappeared. And why are your floors so messy and slippery? The food is good, but you used to be great.
(3)Justin L.
This is not good barbeque. This best thing I had was some mac and cheese, not the meat. BBQ is about the meat and this missed the mark. The only flavor I got from my brisket was sauce.
(1)Tim H.
I like going here and getting the two meat special. I usually get the ribs and the brisket. The ribs are great and the brisket is awesome. Not bad for a chain restaurant and the prices if you get the specials are not bad at all. If you are a true BBQ fan, give this place a try and see how you think it stacks up to your favorite BBQ place.
(3)Christine P.
I went for Sunday lunch and was seated right away. The hostesses were little confused as to where to seat us but it's ok, they are only like 16, they are excused. This is first time my being at this chain and I liked the variety of sauces they had. We had the Feast for Two with brisket (you have choice between brisket and pork) that came with spareribs, chicken, brisket (omg, so tender), coleslaw (no good), baked beans (ok), corn-on-the-cob and fries for $35. Overall not too bad experience and I'd go back when I am craving for meat. Not too bad price for the amount we got.
(3)Anna S.
First time I ever ate at one of these I was traveling for business. Well priced, good food. Very consistent from each location, so if you like consistent these are great places to stop.
(3)Adam T.
I'm a big BBQ fan and this place is just OK. It's what you would expect from a chain restaurant. Not amazing, but solid.
(3)Michael Z.
I used to come here all the time for lunch take out. They recently they change their policy to refuse allowing you to order two of the same kinds of meat for their lunch 2-meat combo. With such an asinine policy in place there's absolutely no reason to ever come here again when the more customer friendly Mission BBQ is right down the street for cheaper.
(1)Jordan K.
My family and I met up with our bro here and I must say this was a wonderful experience all around. We went on a Tuesday evening around 530 and it was not busy. Our server was friendly and explained all the sauces upon arrival. He took the time to go over the menu with us. Service was A+ and our drinks were never half empty. We ended up ordering the smorgasbord called the AMERICAN FEAST! God Bless America!! It came with a full slab of St. Louis-Style Spareribs, a whole Country-Roasted Chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas Beef Brisket or Georgia Chopped Pork (we chose the brisket), Creamy Coleslaw, Famous Fries, Wilbur Beans, six pieces of Fresh Sweet Corn and four Corn Bread Muffins (our server gave us 2 more since we had a party of six). Everything was delicious! Brisket and chicken were moist, just the way I like it. Portion size was great as we had leftovers!
(4)Danny C.
What was I thinking?! Why did I come here?! Oh yeah.... My brother and sister wanted to come here. We're all foodies. We love food, especially ethnic foods. We also love BBQ. Now there aren't many BBQ joints around the area that we know of, and all of the places we've been to around here aren't that great. I'm aware of Famous Daves and it being a chain restaurant. But I heard Famous Daves won 1st place in some type of BBQ event in Tennessee? Or Kansas? Either way they won for having the best BBQ. My mind was telling me "Dont go!" But my stomach was telling me "Eat now!" And we were right in front of Famous Daves.... So I gave in. We went inside and the setting was pretty nice. Lots of stuff to look at and read. We ordered the famous award winning full rack of ribs, Texas Beef Brisket, and the Country Roasted Chicken. I knew it..... The Award Winning Ribs weren't Award Winning. Unless that BBQ event was full of beginners! Ribs weren't that bad, but they weren't Winning quality. Sauce was good, but the ribs itself were too chewy. The brisket was dry, tough, and too salty. The chicken aside from it being dry in some parts, was actually flavorful. Chicken was the best thing we had there. Im not saying the place was terrifying, or the worst BBQ we've had. But the place wasn't even close to being Great. I had much better...
(2)Mitch R.
Heard that the food was good here so came here for a post workout meal. We walked in at 2:30 and ordered the family feast plus the burnt ends appetizer and nachos. We received the appetizers after a staggering 30 min wait. The other tables around us received their food first. Its fair to say being the only asians eating here they might be racist. Because it does not take 45 minutes to make nachos. The family feast eventually came out after an hour and fifteen. The food itself is mediocre and the service is just god awful. The waitresses need better training they came at 35 min intervals asking if we wanted refills without the slight hint at when the food was coming out. My advice is if you have 2-3hrs to spare and enjoy playing the guessing game of when your food is gonna come out go ahead. Otherwise go to hardtimes or somewhere else.
(1)Dean T.
I have been going here for a few years. Today I ate there and had the pleasure of dining with a couple of cockroaches. When we brought this up to the server she was very apologetic and mentioned it to the manager. The manager never came out to talk to us. We were even able to show the cockroach to another employee. All that other employee did was take away the cup where the cockroach was walking on.
(1)M W.
I went here two weeks ago with my wife and 4 tear old after making a run to Lowes. Now I had been working on my house all day. I wasn't dressed in the finest attire, but I was eating at a barbecue chain. We got there at about 5 pm. There was a 20 min wait and no place to sit down. I was tired and decided to sit myself and daughter at the bar. There was no one else at the bar at the time. I basically used it as a place to plant my tired butt while we waited. I ordered a beer, my wife and daughter ordered coke. Before we were served we were asked to move from the bar because our kid wasn't allowed to sit there. We were td we could sit at the table behind the bar. We were sat about ten minutes later and promptly chased down by the bar manager because she couldn't add our bar tab onto our dining tab. (Like we were expected to know this ahead of time) The food was below average. Being asked to move from the otherwise unoccupied bar stool was total bs . Like we were going to sit there for an hour getting drunk with our daughter next to us. Come on be real. And being chased down like I was going to dine and dash was not ideal. We felt like we were treated like crap by the staff. And to top it off our shitty food was like 50 bucks. The staff is rude and takes patronage for granted. Don't waste your time or money. The location is convenient but don't let that fool you. There are plenty of other places to eat that appreciate and value your business.
(2)Michael F.
I can sum up my experience with a Movie, The Hunger games because I was still hungry after leaving. I was sooo disappointed in this place. In my eternal search for great BBQ I decided to give Famous Dave's a shot after having the day off last Friday and picking up some things in the area. Daves has a pleasant enough bar/dining area, I opted for the bar. My server was very friendly. I was the only patron at the time, it was about 6pm. I started with the Southside Rib Tips(8.99) served over fries. The ribs and dry rub looked fantastic, but looks can be deceiving. These ribs were the toughest most stiff bone riddled pieces of meat I've ever tried to eat. It took some upmph to pull these jokers apart, and I'm not a small guy. Once I did manage to get a piece in my mouth it tasted...just not good. My entree came out like 45 seconds after these Mcribs were served. I went with what every good BBQ joint is judged by, the Brisket. The Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich to be exact. ok maybe just a bad day for ribs, the brisket will come through I'm sure. There will be no heroes in this story. The brisket looked ..processed..? Very homogeneous texture and look to the beef and not fresh looking, swimming in too much sauce, all small pieces too. And the sauce wasn't helping either, it was just bland with a bit of tang.I did eat most of it because I was damn hungry at this point. It all looked great, but that's as far as it got. The mac n cheese was ok, would have been better if it was hot. And the fries were ok. I've had friends say they loved Famous Dave's. Perhaps they had a bad day. I'm not inclined to find out. BBQ and chains don't go well together. Two thumbs down for Famous Dave's.
(2)Teresa S.
I ate here while passing through on my way to NC during labor day weekend. The place was packed for a Thursday evening. I sat at the bar and there was a big after work crowd. I ordered a half size of baby back ribs, garlic mash potatoes and green beans with a piece of cornbread . All of it was delicious and finger looking good. The staff were friendly and cool and looked like they took care of their regular customers. I have yet to be disappointed with any, food from Famous Daves.
(5)Jeff M.
If I want a pit beef sandwich then I head over to Canopy. But, when I want BBQ then there is only one place around that hits it on all cylinders. For Memorial Day we ordered up the All American BBQ Feast to go - brisket, ribs, chicken, beans, slaw, corn muffins, corn on the cob and fries. It comfortably fed a family of four, though we probably could have gotten away with more ribs - but only because we didn't have any leftovers. We don't love everything on the menu as I'm not crazy about the bread they use for the sandwich items, but I don't go there for a sandwich. And, some visits are better than others, but for the most part it is pretty consistent. My littlest does prefer the Corner Stable for ribs, but I think she's nuts. Besides, she's not old enough for a Yelp account yet. Favorite Sauce - Devil's Spit...and I use it at home whenever possible.
(5)Scott M.
One word.....GROSS
(1)Nathan R.
Great BBQ, nice atmosphere. A little pricey and the lunch portions could be a bit bigger. A-OKAY
(3)Michael J.
Wow. Just wow. Radically overpriced for the portion size and quality, food came out cold, waiter dropped by maybe twice in an hour and a half (good thing we were trying to keep to an hour lunch! :P). I don't expect much from BBQ on the east coast, but this joint manages to undershoot an already very low bar by a country mile. I'm trying really hard to think of positives to the whole experience and the best I can come up with was that the tea was mediocre.
(1)Tiffani N.
If I'm craving some down home BBQ but don't want to hop on a flight to Memphis (hee hee), I head on over to Famous Dave's. Yeah it's kitschy and it's a chain but the food here is GOOD. So it doesn't matter one bit. I go all out and get a Barbeque Combo and choose either the wings with ribs, or the country-roasted chicken and ribs. I like all things spicy, so the best part of it all is getting to slather on the Devil's Spit and Rich & Sassy sauces. Man, my mouth is watering at the thought of it all! And the sides are yummy, too. I really like the Mac & Cheese with the green peppers mixed in and the baked beans have a nice kick to them. The corn muffins are delish and they'll bring you extras if you ask.
(4)Rene R.
In general I'm a fan. Tonight we went and it snowed last night. You could tell as soon as you pulled into the parking lot. There was no sign of the lot having been plowed and we were basically sliding into the restaurant. Which is why they get 3 stars instead of 4! Obviously it wasn't packed and we got seated quickly. Our server was Dave and he was really good. I love dipping fries in the different sauces so we ordered fries as an appetizer. They came out fresh and hot and delicious! Our food came out pretty quickly. I had the two meat combo with the sausage and chicken wings. First time having the wings and they were really good! The My sides were the Wilburs Beans and Mashed potatoes! I love mashed potatoes and they were great. Not as hot as I expected but tasty and the beans were good. And I love their cornbread! Our server was pretty good checking on us a few times and getting making sure our glasses didn't get to low! Last things, no matter where we go I try to make it a point to visit the bathroom even if I don't have to go - and I'd give it a 2.5. They do need to have someone come in hourly and check the trash but there was plenty of toilet paper and the floors were clean. Anyways, we'll be back.
(3)Ed Q.
My family and I went in on a Friday evening around 6. There was no wait for seating. Our server was extremely friendly. When he found out that it was our first time at Famous Dave's he took the time to explain the different available sauces (around 6 or so) and any questions that we had about the menu. The food tasted exceptional -- what you'd expect from an award winning BBQ chef. At first I was a bit disappointed by the portion sizes, feeling like we had paid too much for the amount that was served. By the time I finished eating, It occurred to me that the portion sizes seemed small because of the large basket/platter that your food comes out on. I was completely stuffed. I had the Sweet Georgia Pork entree which comes with a mini corn on the cob and cornbread (by default) and two side choices. The corn was very slightly overcooked. On the other hand, everything else was outstanding. The moist pork just melts with each bite. I also had the baked beans which were, by far, the best I've ever had. I would have given this place 5 stars, except there were a few logistical snaffus, including baked beans that didn't come until the end of the meal and that the server brought the wrong check at first. What completely sealed the deal for me was at the end of our meal, the server asked my wife and I which sauce we liked best and brought us a free bottle of each sauce to take home. I can't wait to go back and try something else!
(4)Kyle M.
All in all, really good bbq. Considering it's a national chain: Amazing BBQ. Spend the extra few dollars on the baby backs, it's worth it, they are really the star of the menu. The brisket is generally very flavorful, but never very tender. The rib tips are usually a bit dried out. Everything else is adequate. I like the variety of sauces, and the sides are all good. If you like the corn muffins, get the corn fritters as a starter. Same base, but with a bit of jalapeno and corn to give them a little something extra.
(4)DA K.
Like everyone said for a chain this spot is consistent and delivers, Have some of the best BBQ I ever tasted and i love the Ribs and Chicken here, The sides are hit and miss, Really do not care for the baked beans, But the fries, coleslaw and cornbread is good. Service is good. The BBQ Sauces are very good and tasty, You cannot go wrong with this place, Also there are not to many BBQ places in MD. So you have to take what you can get. :) Stay Tuned!
(3)Peter H.
Michael F. had it right. The wings are so dry and the ribs need an axe to separate them. Fatty brisket. The place was empty and now I understand why. Shame on you Famous Dave. Sysco chain food.
(2)Nathaniel C.
Consistent good, but not great, bar-b-que. Ribs are definitely their strength, brisket less so.
(4)Maria M.
Well we went with a group of 17 people.. including 3 kids and a baby... sooo the service isn't going to be that great as expected. Our waitress was really nice though. And she did the best she could. So props for her. Everything actually went pretty well. Our party was split up, so I didn't see what was happening at the bigger table. But our booth turned out ok. We had the three kids with us and the waitress was very patient with them. We didn't get menus... we had to ask the table next to us for their menus because I guess the waitress forgot. But that was the only bad thing I could really say about the service. She filled our drinks and she was didn't freak out with our orders. I got the turkey burger and fries. The fries were pretty good. They're the thick kind of fries, but it was seasoned pretty well. Not too salty, but not bland neither. The turkey burger was ok. A little on the dry side, but it wasn't horrible. I also ordered sweet tea which was pretty good. All in all, it was an ok experience. It's always hard to judge when you come with a big group, but I had a pretty good time and the food was ok. I've had their bbq before and it was pretty good. So yeah. Not awesome, but not horrible. A-OK
(3)Linn G.
I like Famous Dave's but I had a very unforgettable experience here. First off the waiter Kyle was great and was very accommodating. I ordered the new Bali Hawaiian chicken and rib combo which was pretty decent. I had high hopes for a delicious flavorful semi authentic sauce but wasn't too wowed by it. I honestly prefer the sweet and savvy (if Im pronouncing the sauce name correctly). I ordered fries and broccoli for sides and the broccoli was a tad too salty for my liking. The fries looked a bit pitiful and were not as hot as they should have been. The ribs were pretty good and the chicken thighs were do-able. The kicker to my nite was misplacing my favorite trendy cardigan in my booth and how it miraculously disappeared....I was told by the manager that there are apparent thieves working there because cell phones were lost in recent weeks and never turned in. Beware and do not leave anything of value or attachment behind because 9 times out of ten you WONT get it back!! Will def be staying with my usual local Famous Dave's from here on out!!
(3)Timmortal D.
I would love to have reviewed the food, but they never even took my drink order. I had enough time to figure out exactly what I wanted to eat and drink, stare into space, read Twitter, and look up 3 more restaurants in the area, one of which I am writing this review in.
(1)Andrew M.
A cockroach crawled across the table last time we went. Never going back!
(1)DivZ G.
I have never tasted better wings than the ones in this place..they are absolutely irresistible. It has the best BBQ..the variety of sauces can may overwhelm you but you need to try all of them..I have tried Buffalo Wild Wings but, i would prefer Famous Daves anyday..Also, if you are a person who loves spicy..you can test your spice limits at this place with the texas red hot sauce..:))..overall..Writing this review..i might go to Famous Dave today..:)
(5)K S.
We are here often, good service, consistent food.
(4)Korin S.
Went for dinner last night and had a great experience. The food was fast and tasted great. We sat outside with only one other couple at another table and the servers didn't forget about us. We'll be back!
(4)B. J.
Only passable. If ayou re really hungry and need a carne fix, go in. They give you allot of food, but the BB ribs were burnt (must have put on grill with sauce too long), the taste was too sweet and they were too chewy. The brisket is average - good smoky taste, but not tender. An appetizer of fried onions was a greasy, not flavoraful mess. Side dishes of corn and string beans had zero taste. Must say though, that the beans were good (only reason, besides Sierra on tap, that I did not give it a zero). Red, Hot and Blue - you have nothing to worry about. Only question is, why was there a wait to get seated. Sad.
(1)Jody Z.
I'm not a big fan of Famous Dave's. I didn't like the service and the food just didn't do it for me. Everything we ordered was edible, but nothing was memorable. Just okay food at usual chain restaurant prices.
(1)Bobbie R.
My family have been to Dave's many times and we are are nearly always pleased with the food and the service. I enjoy the atmosphere and the ribs are superb
(4)Latise B.
Wow, mixed reviews on this place. Suprising... I really like the barbecue sauce at Famous Daves. The other nice thing, in my opinion, is the portion sizes. For usual chain prices, the portion sizes are pretty big. I can easily get 2 meals for my $15. Dinner time in Columbia = expect to wait 45 mins for a table. Famous Dave's is more like 30 mins, and sometimes less then 15 minutes. A few times we've gone during the dinner rush and had no wait. The sweet tea is never sweet, so stick to soda. Order an extra corn muffin, substitute babyback ribs for the standard st louis style ribs (for a few bucks extra), and grab some paper towels and dig in. Its no substitute for going to a good rib joint, but for a good quantity of food and variety of menu choices, try out Famous Dave's. Instead of waiting over an hour for a peppery steak from Longhorn, come over to famous dave's and get your BBQ on.
(3)francine s.
I LOVE their BBQ Chicken Salad.
(5)Mimi J.
I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal or a bad experience here. The food is consistently good.
(4)Su K.
BBQ can be a hot button topic. Everyone has their own opinion of what is best, and the conversation usually involves, "Well, I'm from Kansas/Texas/Carolina/Memphis/etc..." Well guess what Dorothy? You're not in Kansas anymore. That's right Dubya, you left your village in Texas 8 years ago. You're in DC now, so don't tell me about this amazing place in the middle-of-nowhere America b/c I can't find direct flights there. The problem with arguing about BBQ is that BBQ at it's core is inconsistent, and that's the beauty of it. Being a wannabe Barbequeista, I have my own smoker, never use gas, and no one, outside of college boys w/ T1 in their dorms, spends more time on Saturdays tending to their wood. As such, I've read quite a bit of literature on how to Q and most every publication will tell you that YMMV based on things like wind, ambient temperature, temperature of the meat, cut/quality of meat, type of wood used, the temperature maintained during cooking time, etc... which leads me to conclude that BBQing is more an art than a science. And like art, everyone will have their own opinion, e.g., I tend to think abstract art was done by some dude who forgot to take his pills while others will view it as genius. So while I can't tell you what the best BBQ is since your opinion will likely differ, I can tell you that BBQ is relatively cheap. Say for example, pork butt (which is actually the shoulder...so what do you call the butt?), which retails for well under $2/lb, which makes an 8lb butt, which can easily feed several people, less than $16. Pork ribs can be bought by consumers for less than $10/rack, and even cheaper if you buy them by in bulk. Consequently, much like at the mechanic, you're mostly paying for labor rather than the parts, so for me, the cost of the BBQ makes a big difference. If you're smoking it manually, I'm willing to pay you the money to do so, but if you're simply throwing it in the Smokerizer 8000 and setting it and forgetting it, I'm not paying you $20 for a slab of ribs that cost you less than $10. "But how can you tell," you ask. Well, look at the restaurant - if there's smoke emanating from the building, you're on the right track. Even better if you notice a hole in the ozone layer above the store. This is the main reason why I enjoy Famous Dave's. It's not the best but it satisfies my BBQ cravings, which happens much more frequently than your woman's PMS and is likely much more furious, and it's cheap! For $35 you can get the 1/2 Feast, which serves 2-3 and comes with ribs, 1/2 a chicken, your choice of brisket/pork (I recommend the brisket), cornbread, corn on the cob, cole slaw, baked beans, and fries. I've tried on multiple occasions to finish this beast w/ one other person and have had a 66% success rate. The trick seems to be to bring someone who is under 150 lbs. The All American Feast ($57) is twice the portion and easily feeds 4. If you can stomach it--literally--try the Kahlua brownie sundae ($6) - warm, soft brownie, topped w/ nuts, hot fudge, ice and whipped cream. In addition to price, sauces are a major factor in determining good BBQ. Great BBQ can definitely stand on its own, but an excellent sauce can elevate the work of even the greatest smoke masters. Dave's provides 5 sauces, all conveniently at your table. I like to use copious amounts of sauce, so it definitely helps to have easy access - kinda like that flap on the front of boxers. My favorite's are Devil's Spit and Texas Pit. Note: they do have Georgia Mustard, but nothing that is predominantly vinegar-based for those that require a Carolina type sauce. Location - in the same shopping center as Target, Don Pablo's, and near Red Robin and Longhorn. This place gets packed pretty much every night between 7:30 and 9, so unless you arrive early, be prepared to wait. I prefer the layout of the Laurel location. Service - is generally friendly and competent, but once again, I prefer the Laurel location. They don't take reservations, but if you have a large party, for a birthday for example, you can ask about reserving a portion of the restaurant a week or so in advance. Not fantastic BBQ by any means, but it's close, cost-effective, has great sauces, and I never leave there hungry. I don't know about the piggy that went to the market or stayed home, but this piggy is going to Famous Dave's.
(3)Molly T.
Food comes out quick. I love their Georgia Pork BBQ and all the sauces they have to go with it. Green beans are spicey and yummy, and I love their corn bread- I usually hate corn bread. Not too bad for a chain, but they need some happyhour specials and I'll like it more.
(3)Tiffany F.
Unfortunately, every time I have eaten here I had felt sick later in the day. The food is ok, but nothing to write home about.
(1)Olivia J.
Great, fast and friendly service. Nice clean enviroment and the BBQ is good for your chain restaurant. The ribs were nice and juicy and the chopped pork was tasty too! They also have a nice variety of BBQ sauces from sweet to spicy.
(3)Aisha K.
I like this place a lot. Great service, great food, and the greatest BBQ sauce EVER!!!
(5)kevin k.
too sweet for me. jst did not enjoy the food. once was enough for me. bad chow!!
(2)Aaron P.
Brisket was old and dry. The fries had to have been under a heating lamp for at least two hours before they were put on my plate. Corn was good. Maybe it was my timing, 4 in the afternoon, but it wasn't good food.
(2)Sarah M.
Stopped in for lunch and was completely ignored by the wait staff for ten minutes. Left before I could try anything. Terrible first impression.
(1)Sam M.
Decided to try this place after eating at one in Arizona for the first time, and having a great experience. This Famous Daves is like a totally different restaurant. I ordered the brisket (the same thing I had in AZ that was amazing) and ribs. The brisket tasted closer to a hot dog than beef brisket and the ribs were super greasy and chewy. All of it was cold when it came out. I won't be back.
(1)Lakeia S.
I love Famous Dave's. I've been to this location on several occasions. Birthdays, on dates and family night. Never have I been disappointed.
(4)Ann P.
This place has great service, a well trained staff is very important to me. Plus, they serve BBQ. I recommend their pineapple buffalo wings! They also cater!
(3)Philip D.
Burnt tips wound up blackened fat. Soup was mediocre. Sausage and catfish were tasty. Service was prompt.
(2)Yaka H.
A chain restaurant place which delivers consistent product. SX and I are rib people. We just like ribs. We only get the ribs here and always naked (aka: dry rub only). The offer their sauces on the table, so it's a nice way to sample all of their sauces and find which one tickles your fancy with your ribs. I personally like the Georgia Mustard, Texas Pit, and the Sweet and Sour one. I agree with Yella that the Devil's Spit isn't as spicy as they make it seem to be, so I don't even bother with it. What's even better, is that Famous Dave's also does rib tips! That fatty part of the rib with those itty-bitty, cartilage bones... they are a wonderful part of the rib. We never miss out of those either. They come already pre-sauced, but that's fine. We've found the brisket here to be tough and dry. So I would recommend not ordering that. Everything else seems to be okay/not bad. The corn cob here is always a over steamed, but I still eat it with squirting relish (warning if you ever sit next to me, you may get squirted with corn juice). The corn bread here come as individual muffins and aren't too bad (just a tad dry though). While this isn't the best BBQ in the world, it's not bad, considering that the surrounding area is a bit lacking in the BBQ offerings.
(3)Mary M.
Typical chain restaurant. I always feel a little bit disgusting leaving because of the unhealthiness of the food, but I would expect nothing less of a BBQ joint. The fries are great, portions are huge and great selection of BBQ sauces. I'd stick with a local place but if you like chains this one will meet your expectations.
(2)Donna Y.
Full rack of ribs shared with two people... Comes with corn bread and your choice of two sides... I recommend the jalapeño Mac and cheese!!
(2)Eric W.
When I lived in DC I got my BBQ at Old Glory. When I lived in Drexel Hill, PA I got it at Pig Daddy's. So now that I live near Columbia, I had some trepidations about trying a chain restaurant for BBQ. I was pleasantly surprised. While the service was a bit on the slow side, the food was good. I had one of the meat platters and everything I tried was tasty. Nothing was dry like I tend to find at chain BBQ places. Most impressive was the selection of sauces. In the many places I've lived most BBQ joints have two types of sauce: a sweet and a hot. Having different bases for the sauces is always good. The service was a bit spotty though. I was a bit amazed about how dismissive our waitress was. It was almost as if she would rather sit and chat then bring us our bill. It was also pretty early, so I don't see how she could have been tired. Who knows? If you need BBQ, Famous Dave's is perfectly serviceable.
(3)