Came here on the way back from the North Shore on our 30th wedding anniversary and the food was excellent, the service outstanding and the personal touch appreciated. Thanks for acknowledging our big day!
(5)
William S.
If you like BBQ then you like Famous Dave's! This location gives you the feeling of being on the lake. Of course the lake is less than 5 miles away! The cabin design makes you feel right at home. The food is outstanding and the service is great! We ordered (3) All-American BBQ Feast® for our group of 11 hungry guys and we had food left over! Located right off the freeway (I35) makes this location an easy stop.
(5)
Stephanie B.
Famous Dave's is a national chain offering BBQ in a themed/kitschy atmosphere. This particular location is immediately east of I-35, on the south side of the street. You order from the counter upon entry. There is a fairly substantial dining room with booths and tables accomodating 3-6, some of which may be combined, and about 3 televisions with sports on. The kitchen is open to the dining room. Beverages (other than beer and wine) are serve yourself. The friendly waitstaff takes your order at the counter and delivers your food to your table. I came in for dinner around 7:45PM in December, and there was absolutely no wait. However, I imagine that it might get pretty busy. I ordered the Chop Pork Dinner ($12.49), which comes with two sides and a cornbread muffin. I ordered the steamed broccoli, which is basic, unseasoned, steamed broccoli, and firecracker green beans, which is oversteamed green beans with chopped bacon and onions and red pepper flake but no salt. Fortunately, with a little BBQ sauce (I particularly like the Sweet N Zesty but the Rich N Sassy is also quite good, the broccoli was pretty good. The green beans are dull and should be cooked to crisp tender. C'est la vie. The cornbread here is VERY sweet, but it is also VERY moist. No butter or honey necessary. They are basic little muffins in a paper wrapper with a crunchy top. The chopped pork was a mixed bag. About 2/3 c. of meat were served on a piece of white toast (which I skipped). By the time I picked out the meat that was too tough/dry to eat, there was about 1/2 c. of meat. The quality of the meat was pretty disappointing. There was either fat or dry and not a lot that had the best of both worlds. Overall, I would give the food 2.5 stars and the service 3.5 stars (you get your own beverages, etc.). I would not come out of my way to get here, but it is an easy stop off of I-35 if you are traveling or otherwise in the area. I love BBQ, and I would not drive out of my way to come here. You find that kind of BBQ in dumpy holes in the wall rather than corporate joints, in my opinion.
(3)
Chuck L.
Ordered the All American , brisket, pulled pork and sausage links for pickup for 5 people-guess I should have looked at it before leaving and ordered some more food- smallest $66 worth or food ever-- 2 sandwiches and 2 sausage links, are you joking me!!! Horrible location!!
(1)
Kathy W.
Servers were very friendly and attentive. The food was very disappointing. Potato salad was cold mashed potatoes with some onions. Cole slaw was a couple days old. Brisket was very overcooked and dry. The corn bread was good but the rest I won't return.
(1)
Kristopher J.
After at least a half-dozen visits to Famous Daves in Forest Lake I haven't found a single item on the menu that wasn't delicious! The atmosphere is great, with an outback cabin feel and up-tempo background music that gives the place a unique energy. And since I dine with a 3 year old and an 18 month old I appreciate that it is also kid friendly. Be prepared to drop $40 to $50 for two adults and two kids. My personal pick: the two meat platter with Georgia Pork and Sweetwater Catfish w/ a side of Wilbur Beans and Drunkin' Apples. Comes with corn on the cob and a biscuit. Awesome.
(4)
Beth F.
This review is completely unfair. But don't blame me, blame the nasty catfish fingers. I've always been OK with Famous Dave's. It's pretty good. It would be even better if you're about 300 pounds because the portion sizes are ginormous and come from two favored food groups: meat and fried. I've never come here without walking away with enough leftovers to create at least two more meals for myself. So the last time we came here, we ordered an appetizer sampler on top of the main courses. Why? Well, aside from curiosity and a desire to try a lot of different things, I'm still not sure because the sampler was enough to stuff at least three people to the gills and there were only two of us. So there's no question about the sheer volume of food that is included in this cornucopia of fried delight. It was all pretty good, as far as fried food goes, until we got to the catfish fingers. They were foul. I wanted to vomit, seriously. And even my fiance, who will eat almost anything in the world (except for beets), was thoroughly disgusted by them. Maybe I'm too northern to fully appreciate catfish. Who knows? I know that people in other parts of the U.S. laugh at Minnesotans for the lutefisk thing. But really, who eats lutefisk? If we're being honest, hardly anyone does because it's nasty and we're not afraid to admit it. The same goes for catfish, except that people actually seem to like that so I'm a bit baffled. Yuck. So as far as Famous Dave's goes, try the pulled pork sandwich. It's good. But avoid the catfish fingers unless you want to catch mud leprosy.
(1)
Amy L.
the decor is totally tacky and i feel its like going on a amusement theme park ride of "BBQ" but the food is tasty, thats for sure. go right before 430 or so and order off the lunch menu which is far far cheaper! its pretty corporatey feelin but the rich n sassy bbq is a okay.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brian L.
Came here on the way back from the North Shore on our 30th wedding anniversary and the food was excellent, the service outstanding and the personal touch appreciated. Thanks for acknowledging our big day!
(5)William S.
If you like BBQ then you like Famous Dave's! This location gives you the feeling of being on the lake. Of course the lake is less than 5 miles away! The cabin design makes you feel right at home. The food is outstanding and the service is great! We ordered (3) All-American BBQ Feast® for our group of 11 hungry guys and we had food left over! Located right off the freeway (I35) makes this location an easy stop.
(5)Stephanie B.
Famous Dave's is a national chain offering BBQ in a themed/kitschy atmosphere. This particular location is immediately east of I-35, on the south side of the street. You order from the counter upon entry. There is a fairly substantial dining room with booths and tables accomodating 3-6, some of which may be combined, and about 3 televisions with sports on. The kitchen is open to the dining room. Beverages (other than beer and wine) are serve yourself. The friendly waitstaff takes your order at the counter and delivers your food to your table. I came in for dinner around 7:45PM in December, and there was absolutely no wait. However, I imagine that it might get pretty busy. I ordered the Chop Pork Dinner ($12.49), which comes with two sides and a cornbread muffin. I ordered the steamed broccoli, which is basic, unseasoned, steamed broccoli, and firecracker green beans, which is oversteamed green beans with chopped bacon and onions and red pepper flake but no salt. Fortunately, with a little BBQ sauce (I particularly like the Sweet N Zesty but the Rich N Sassy is also quite good, the broccoli was pretty good. The green beans are dull and should be cooked to crisp tender. C'est la vie. The cornbread here is VERY sweet, but it is also VERY moist. No butter or honey necessary. They are basic little muffins in a paper wrapper with a crunchy top. The chopped pork was a mixed bag. About 2/3 c. of meat were served on a piece of white toast (which I skipped). By the time I picked out the meat that was too tough/dry to eat, there was about 1/2 c. of meat. The quality of the meat was pretty disappointing. There was either fat or dry and not a lot that had the best of both worlds. Overall, I would give the food 2.5 stars and the service 3.5 stars (you get your own beverages, etc.). I would not come out of my way to get here, but it is an easy stop off of I-35 if you are traveling or otherwise in the area. I love BBQ, and I would not drive out of my way to come here. You find that kind of BBQ in dumpy holes in the wall rather than corporate joints, in my opinion.
(3)Chuck L.
Ordered the All American , brisket, pulled pork and sausage links for pickup for 5 people-guess I should have looked at it before leaving and ordered some more food- smallest $66 worth or food ever-- 2 sandwiches and 2 sausage links, are you joking me!!! Horrible location!!
(1)Kathy W.
Servers were very friendly and attentive. The food was very disappointing. Potato salad was cold mashed potatoes with some onions. Cole slaw was a couple days old. Brisket was very overcooked and dry. The corn bread was good but the rest I won't return.
(1)Kristopher J.
After at least a half-dozen visits to Famous Daves in Forest Lake I haven't found a single item on the menu that wasn't delicious! The atmosphere is great, with an outback cabin feel and up-tempo background music that gives the place a unique energy. And since I dine with a 3 year old and an 18 month old I appreciate that it is also kid friendly. Be prepared to drop $40 to $50 for two adults and two kids. My personal pick: the two meat platter with Georgia Pork and Sweetwater Catfish w/ a side of Wilbur Beans and Drunkin' Apples. Comes with corn on the cob and a biscuit. Awesome.
(4)Beth F.
This review is completely unfair. But don't blame me, blame the nasty catfish fingers. I've always been OK with Famous Dave's. It's pretty good. It would be even better if you're about 300 pounds because the portion sizes are ginormous and come from two favored food groups: meat and fried. I've never come here without walking away with enough leftovers to create at least two more meals for myself. So the last time we came here, we ordered an appetizer sampler on top of the main courses. Why? Well, aside from curiosity and a desire to try a lot of different things, I'm still not sure because the sampler was enough to stuff at least three people to the gills and there were only two of us. So there's no question about the sheer volume of food that is included in this cornucopia of fried delight. It was all pretty good, as far as fried food goes, until we got to the catfish fingers. They were foul. I wanted to vomit, seriously. And even my fiance, who will eat almost anything in the world (except for beets), was thoroughly disgusted by them. Maybe I'm too northern to fully appreciate catfish. Who knows? I know that people in other parts of the U.S. laugh at Minnesotans for the lutefisk thing. But really, who eats lutefisk? If we're being honest, hardly anyone does because it's nasty and we're not afraid to admit it. The same goes for catfish, except that people actually seem to like that so I'm a bit baffled. Yuck. So as far as Famous Dave's goes, try the pulled pork sandwich. It's good. But avoid the catfish fingers unless you want to catch mud leprosy.
(1)Amy L.
the decor is totally tacky and i feel its like going on a amusement theme park ride of "BBQ" but the food is tasty, thats for sure. go right before 430 or so and order off the lunch menu which is far far cheaper! its pretty corporatey feelin but the rich n sassy bbq is a okay.
(3)