Famous Dave’s BBQ
16539 N Washington St, Thornton, CO, 80023
Famous Dave’s BBQ Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Thornton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Thornton for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
16539 N Washington St
Thornton, CO, 80023 - Phone (303) 280-6227
- Website https://www.famousdaves.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
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 : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Drive-Thru : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Burgers
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Joshua G.
Purdy good, purrrrdy good I say: So on a whim my wife asked where should we eat and I exclaimed Famous Daves, now not have ever been here, I was in hopes to walk out, or let's say roll out full and happy, and that we did. We had the ultimate feast platter, that had a little of everything, and boy was that the case it had all of it, it was the best feast of BBQ we have found in Colorado. It did come with a hefty price tag like 83.00 bucks to eat two people no alcohol. But man was it worth it, we even had it into the next day, so good we ate it for breakfast ha ha , really we did. The only thing that I did not like, was the wait time, and you cannot call ahead for seating...???? What that makes no sense, but whatever, it was worth the weight and worth the weighty bill too.
(5)Z K.
They are all the same, never had a bad meal. Predictable and good! Price is right, took my Grandma there and between 5 of us we had 3 drinks, 3 meals and 2 desserts and a couple of extra add on's, tab was $85. Cornbread is yum especially with butter and honey! Service was great!!!!
(4)Doug R.
Fun family place. Cold beer, a whole lot of food that is tasty and bad for you, and some very hot spicy wing sauce, (Wilber's revenge.) Not the best of anything but overall a satisfying experience with good service and all day happy hour and everything you would want from a comfortable rib place. Will continue to do it again.
(4)Ashley B.
2012 review #10: I think it's good that there is a chain BBQ option in the world besides, say, Dickey's. I've only been to famous Dave's 2 or 3 times, and it wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. It is what you'd expect: really saucy, lacking the time and care it takes to make good smoked meat. The sauces are tasty but they aren't freshly made or anything. The decor is the type that looks unique but is in fact all manufactured to look that way and is probably held in a big storage shed somewhere. The restaurants are huge, and can seat hundreds of people, so they're good for crowds and big groups, and you often don't have to wait very long. Overall I think Dave's serves way too much food. It's hard to get a small plate, like less than 1/2 a chicken served with bread and 2 sides. Portions are worth splitting, and the place isn't exactly cheap for a chain. My biggest issue with this place is the portion size and therefore the caloric load it is dropping on its customers. No one in the world needs to eat a full rack of ribs, or a pound of rib tips in a sitting. If you want to that's your right, but why does that need to be the only size available? Yes you can get 1/2 rack of ribs, but with the exception of the new "citrus grill/lower calorie" items, you cannot get less than 1/2 a chicken in a dinner. Who needs to eat half a chicken? Especially when that is 1 of 2 meats that you choose in your dinner. Looking at the menu's nutritional info (you can find it if you look hard enough) there is not a single dinner that is not from the "citrus grill" part of the menu, that is under 1000 calories. If you get the family feast for 4 people, your dinner will have over 2000 calories, and over 100 grams of fat. That's insane. I once went here and got something as light as possible, and they served it with a corn muffin. Those things are delicious, but they have more calories than a McDonald's cheeseburger, and just as much saturated fat. Dave's is OK once-in-a-while, but I'd much rather go somewhere local, where they don't make me eat 1 pound of meat, pay too much for it, and give me way more fat than I need in a week's worth of eating.
(3)Rodney V.
If you don't like BBQ and SMOKED MEAT do NOT go here! If you do, your at the right place. The food is always right on the money. I love to BBQ and smoke meats of any kind, but if you just don't have the time, give this a shot! The meat is smoked perfectly, tender and delicious. There really is an art to smoking and Famous Dave's has the touch. It's a wee bit pricey but if you have ever taken the TIME it takes to smoke something, you can appreciate the effort they put into it. They also sell their BBQ sauces (Devil's Spit the BEST) at King Soopers as well as their spicey pickles, Both are permanent residents in my fridge!
(4)Rick L.
Good place for BBQ. Lunch is an exceptional value, dinner...not so much. Their meats can be dry at times, but it's still a decent place. Ribs are a good size, meaty. There are times when it can take a while to get seated so coming before dinner rush is definitely recommended. If it's your first time there for dinner, I'd suggest either the combo so you can taste their meat and ribs, or get the appetizer sampler to get a taste for a lot of what they offer. I never had their trash can lid meal but I've seen that it can feed a family of four or even Wayne Knight. Their new pineapple sauce is actually a great substitute for their rich and sassy sauce.
(4)Kara L.
Very friendly staff when we were there for lunch. We bought famous daves bbq sauce in the store to try one day and were very pleased so when we seen they had a restaurant, we needed to check it out. We thought the food was awesome. Only thing to almost complain about with the food was that for the price, the amount of food you get isn't a whole lot. But great tasting. We both had the pulled chicken sandwich. It comes with the rich and sassy sauce which I really liked and the hubby put devils spit on his which he really liked. I did not like the potato salad at all. The mac and cheese has jalapenos, not too spicey but gives the mac and cheese a great flavor. Margaritas were very good. When we went, the ladies bathroom smelled like an outhouse. The whole place was clean and neat so I was surprised to walk in the bathroom with it smelling so badly. Strong urine smell. Maybe it was only that day though...
(4)Matt C.
Got the 6 rib plate with mashed potatoes and collard greens. Tasted decent, very salty. Somehow tasted "corporate".
(3)vicky m.
well, I thought we were overcharged right off and my hubby refused to let me see the bill making a statement approximate to, "can't you just be happy..." Yes, we are THAT couple. We probably weren't over charged, and he did point out my lg draft was $5. I never asked but I THOUGHT there was a happy hour and we were in it. I just felt $46 dollars for 3 people was a little high (shouldn't every hour be Happy Hour?). Now, Famous Dave's does have good BBQ and several spice levels of BBQ sauce.. I had a pulled pork sandwich-very tender meat and there was just enough BBQ sauce to make it tasty but not enough to make it runny and make the bread soggy. The bun was firm and held the meat. It was just a darn good sandwich. If there was a problem,(and maybe it just wasn't my day) I got a side order of FF and remarked it didn't look like a side order but a 1/4 of a side order. What few fries there were, were very good. It was a good lunch and we were all happy when we left. We had been there before and we will go there again I am sure. I'll just check up on the happy hour thing first or order lemonade. The waitress was efficient and friendly and kept our glasses filled and our plates cleared off as we finished them. It's A-OK with us. they are advertising an all you can ribs special every Thursday
(3)Jerry B.
We had been to Famous Dave's in Kansas and loved it. While on our way to Brighton we were delighted to see on in Thorton. Same menu a d fantastic BBQ. By far the best we have had along the Front Range. Now four location in Denver/Fort Collins. Get some friends and have a great time!!
(5)Shawn H.
I've been here several times and the food is always great. The last time I went the service was so far above and beyond that I had to write about it. I was with my wife and three small children, which is always difficult. Our server was so understanding and helpful that it made dinner a breeze. I would go back for mediocre food to get the kind of service, but it tasted great as always on top of everything. I can't say enough great things.
(5)Kris Z.
Stopped in for a late dinner with the family...we got her about an hour before closing and the store WA surprisingly quiet for a weekend night. Knowing it was late, we went "light" and my husband and I both ordered sandwiches. I went with the pulled pork, splurging on Memphis Style, and a side of grilled pineapple. He had the Brisket with Coleslaw. The kids ordered ribs and chicken. My sandwich was amazing, his sandwich was amazing, but the ribs were way beyond spicy...I have a high tolerance for spicy...and these made my mouth scream in agony...we sent the ribs back and got chicken instead. Our bill showed up with all 5 kids' meals on there. Our waitress immediately fixed the situation. As usual...we left full and happy. We'll be back...once we're hungry again!
(4)Starr L.
I go to this place on Thursdays for the All You Can Eat rib tips ($11.99). The servers are very friendly and they let me take what's left home. The cornbread is crack wrapped on muffin paper! If you are bored like me, try Wibur's Revenge with your ribs, it has a kick, but nothing you will need gloves to eat with. Other than that, this place can be a bit pricey for the amount you get. That's why, I recommend the AYCE on Thursdays.
(4)Jeff C.
Love this place! Their food is excellent and we have never had a less than favorable experience here. They discontinued their homemade chips which earns them a sad face, and their food is pretty expensive. Otherwise they would get 5 stars.
(4)John M.
My wife took me on my birthday and it was horrible. I complained on Famous Dave's website and was contacted by the General Manager promising that all the problems I experienced were fixed and promised a gift certificate for a belated birthday meal. It has been one week since that time and I have seen nothing. I know it does not take a week even with my post office as slow as they are. So nasty bad experience for my birthday, false promises made by manager, and I did notice other things that just aren't the same. Three strikes Infamous Dave's and your out!!!
(1)Dave W.
Wow what has happened to this place The Staff are fantastic BUT No Free Chip and a free beer on Sunday if your name is Dave The back page on all most every menu we had the print had rubbed off so could not read most of it And the White stuff I'm now dressed like morticians What happened to the upbeat clothing they look like they just finished working at the AMC theater The food is still good but not too sure for how long
(2)Cait L.
So good! Only drawback is that this place is so popular there's almost always a wait for dinner. This most recent visit we split the feast for two and were surprised that they let us substitue catfish for the ribs. Their collard greens are to die for, and I love the Devil's Spit sauce! Service was great, and we got some banana pudding that was hands down the best I've ever tried.
(5)Lan V.
When I'm in the mood for BBQ, Famous Dave's is where I go. On Sundays, it's happy hour all day, so you can get the best bang for your buck. We ordered the fries, rib tips, sliders and the chicken wings. All were really good. I always enjoy trying the different BBQ sauces like the "rich and sassy" one. One of our orders took a really long time to come out. I think it was just an oversight on their part. We didn't mention anything about it, but the manager was nice enough to take it off the bill for the slight inconvenience. What great service!
(4)John G.
Fair barbeque, especially when you consider the price. Not a lot of flavor to their meats, but with a lot of fat. Their fries are not my type, very thing wedge cut with not a lot of crisp. I will say their cornbread muffins are totally amazing and the best I have had in a long time.
(3)Johnathon B.
My favorite type of food! I usually go to the one in the Stapleton area, but food is the same here! Taste and consistency always on par! Just about every time I have come here to eat, I order the feast! It is just an entire meal with just about all of the good stuff they have on their menu. Comes with choice of meat as well as corn, fries, choice of sides and corn bread. I love their ribs! Always very lean and delicious. I am not a fan of fat or fatty pieces of meat, so this place prepares their meats to my liking. Paired with unlimited refills of southern sweet tea, I am just in heaven! Highly recommended!
(5)Tomas L.
I came here yesterday with my other half for a nice dinner. However, nice it was not! Took 22 minutes for someone to take our drink order. Apparently it wasnt our waitress who took our drink order either. Sp our drinks come, and we wait another 12 minutes for the waitress to finally show up and take our order. We ordered nachos as the appetizer, and i got beef brisket and my other half got ribs. I tell the waitress no jalapenos on the nachos. She brings the nachos with a load of jalapenos! I tell her about it and she takes the nachos back and said they are remaking them. Ok fine. So our nachos come back and immediatley following so dpes our entrees! Doesnt the appetizer come before the main meal???? So whatever we were happy that now we can eat...NOT! our waitress did not bring us napkins or silverware..so we wait til she comes back by and we ask for those things. 6 minutes later silverware and napkins shpw up. We didnt even tpuch the nachos by then cuz we obviously didnt need to woth pur main meals being right there. So we ran out of drinks. Our waitress was nowhere to be found so we ate 85 percent of our meal with no drink. She finally comes and refills our drink. And that took 9 minutes. We asked her fpr more napkins when we got the refill and she went to a few mpre tables and brpught food out to one table before we gpt our napkins (yea, thanks). At this point i was still gna tip because i mnow shit happens, but then we get the bill. We were charged twice for the nachos! I tell the server and she sais "oh he didnt take the other one off" excuse me??!!! I only ordered one nachos! There should be no reason for 2 of them to be on there!! Very dissapointed. I didnt tip more than the leftover change from the bill. I wont be back ever.
(1)James V.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday . We were seated immediately. Server was friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our meal but with one hiccup, they brought my wife a wrong cut of the chicken she ordered but made it a complimentary piece and brought her the correct piece. We enjoyed our lunch and will definitely be back
(4)Kaitlyn O.
We love the food and the atmosphere but we always came for the kettle chips and it's sad that they don't have them anymorw.
(4)Arvedus S.
Used to be great. Not so much anymore... Hard to imagine an established BBQ joint screwing up 'wings' quite so badly, but they did. We have eaten here at least 30 times and it's been a pretty sudden and obvious decline lately... so no more for us, for a while.
(3)Austen H.
I love me some famous Dave's I really do. I love their chicken and I always take a lot of it home because to me it makes the best chicken salad sandwich the next day too. I'm a huge fan of their cornbread. I'm not much for the décor but after being to the original one it is painfully obvious that THIS is how it should look. Yes it's corporate BBQ it's not the small joints but it's good and it hits the spot if you just want some BBQ that's good, you'll get what you're expecting. I'm a fan of this place or Moe's
(4)Dave A.
I waver back and forth with my thoughts about this place. I hate going in there so I usually get it to go. Last time they botched my order despite reading it back to me on the phone. It wasn't a huge problem basically they doubled my chicken wing order, and I like them so I chose to roll with it. Problem was the quality of the food wasn't what it usually is on this visit. So while we excited at the prospect of a pig out the reality is a couple days later I was tossing boxes out of the fridge on garbage day. A full two lbs. of wings made it into the trash unopened. What really crapped me out was our large sides, usually love the potato salad and mac n cheese, were off as well. To add insult to injury neither was close to being filled to the top of the container. So my very expensive large sides were mostly air. Didn't matter most of my $82 go order ended up in the local dump being eaten by seagulls. I avoided this place after some so-so experiences for a couple of years before giving them a chance again. It's back on my to be avoided list.
(2)Robert R.
The atmosphere and personnel are great! The food is not exceptional but OK! There is better BBQ in the area!
(3)Alexandra W.
My husband and I had a long 12 hour day and remembered seeing this restaurant off hwy 7. Came in around 10 and was treated like we were the first customers of the day. Phil was an awesome server and gave us the best service we could ask for. The food was absolutely fabulous and decent price for its perfection. We had found a label in my husband's food but we just laughed because we understand silly mistakes seeing that we have worked on restaurants for years. The manager came to our table after Phil mentioned it to him. He was extremely sympathetic and wanted to make things right even though we were not upset about it at all. He made us take some banana pudding home after we refused but it was the best banana pudding we ever had! It was a great way to end out night and enjoy superb barbeque and have great hospitality thank you so much! Down right 5 stars!
(5)Tres B.
This link in an ever growing chain of this expanding BBQ empire, mired on a side road in the prairie that's been spliced by I-25. Like so many other similar establishments, they have festooned the walls with home-spun photos and art and items of local interest. But somehow, its doesn't feel as fake. Perhaps its the yellow knotty pine paneling, but it just works. Its homey and inviting and really does feel like a giant mountain cabin. The food was very good too, as is the large array of BBQ sauces sitting tabletop. I had a grilled chicken sandhog, not exactly food of BBQ lore, but it was nicely portioned and char-iffic.
(4)Stephanie H.
Ugh. Horrible. Not only are they far away, but they have the high cost of BBQ and their food isn't awesome. The corn muffin things are ok and their burnt ends are amazing, the ribs were a bit too over-cooked for my taste. Possibly, I am biased due to my personal quest to cook the finest ribs in all the land, but I really don't think I'm being a snob here. I'd probably go back one day though. I'm a total sucker for BBQ.
(2)Kimberly S.
Bar-b-que, and good Bar-b-que... it that is what you are looking for, then Famous Dave's BBQ is what you are looking for. This restaurant is located north of Denver, but so worth the drive. Interior - fun, lots to look at for both children and grown children (adults) alike. Open, seats lots of people. My review usually state approximately how many tables and people the restaurant will hold, but for this review, I can't begin to tell you. There are lots of tables and booths, so don't be afraid to have a large group luncheon or dinner here. You will be very well accommodated. The interior is clean, and a bit loud, but that didn't bother me, like it usually does. This place was just a fun place to be! Food - WOW! What a menu! Appetizers - Burnt ends - I have not tried these, but I'm really curious about them. Check them out for yourself. They also have chicken tenders, wings, catfish tenders (we had these, and they were good!), nachos, rib tips, onion strings, and loaded bbq chips. Sides - potato chips (yummy!!!!), broccoli, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn, green beans (yummy!!!!!!!), grilled pineapple steaks, fries. Soups and Salads - caesar salad, bbq salad, chili, and more Sandwiches - brisket, manhandler, pulled pork, hickory chicken, and more BBQ classics - pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket, catfish, chicken tenders, and more, Burgers - Jack-n-Stacked, Dave's Favorite, and more. Desserts - bread pudding (OH, I so wanted some, but was so full, next time, definitely next time), banana pudding, and more Service - very good, not too much, just right. Everyone was helpful and answered our questions, and just friendly. Price - very easy on the wallet. Parking - private lot, so plenty of parking, and it's free! Just plain old fun, relaxing, and good food!
(3)Emma C.
Service? Awesome. Our waitress was fantastic; personable, knew the menu really well, and returned often for refills. Food? Pretty good. Boyfriend enjoyed his boneless wings, while my Caesar salad was drowning in dressing but definitely not bad. My baked potato soup was also really tasty. Decor? Never been a fan of taxidermy, and it's all over this place. Wish they'd take it down, even though it goes with the "mountain man lodge" theme they have going on. Nobody likes dining around dead animals. Nobody. Price? Not bad at all. Overall, this place is alright by us, but definitely not a frequent "date night" location.
(3)Regina G.
The pulled pork nachos were awesome. My dinner not so much. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich which was super salty. Like, couldn't even eat it salty..dying of thirst salty. Right before I received my meal my fiancé and I both asked for a glass of water. Which never came. Asked two times! Salt.. Spicey BBQ sauce.... WATER! So I didn't eat my meal. The waiter finally showed up and didn't even bother asking me if I wanted something else or take the sandwich off the bill. We also ordered some more corn bread, and that never showed up either. I'll stick to Nordy's.
(1)S V.
It's a corporate BBQ joint so you don't feel the love poured into the food. We went there a few weeks ago on a thursday, which is unlimited rib tips night. The rib tips were burnt and dry. The only thing i really enjoyed from my meal was my mac and cheese and their famous bbq sauces. Good place for every once in a while.
(3)Ron R.
When we sat at table, we explained to them my wife must be Gluten-Free (GF). Waiter brings over the manager who sit's down with us and explains what she can have. Ribs are GF (with dry rub only). We order it. Ribs are deliver to table with sauce over them and cornbread muffin. Explain that she can't eat that way. Waiter takes it back to kitchen. Kitchen chef comes out and says ribs are not GF; and send over manager again. Manager tells us sorry, thought they were (based on his allergy specific menu). Offers wings. Trish says great! Manager comes back a minute later and says "oops, wings aren't GF either." Only thing in the restaurant is broiled chicken thigh. Here's the problem that Famous Dave's will someday encounter. Someone with severe celiac issues will come in, order something on the menu, have a severe reaction and they will be sued. If you are Gluten intolerant, avoid this place. The staff has no clue, and their menu that supposedly tells them what is safe is incorrect.
(1)R W.
Had lunch here today while down shopping in this area. Never had eaten at one before so was not sure what to expect. Ordered a beef brisket sandwich and the wife had a pulled chicken sandwich. Not very big portions for almost $10 per plate. The bun was way average and not even homemade. The meat was fair for both meals but not spectacular. The beans we had as a side were very average. Overall for all the hype we have heard on this place was pretty disappointing in our opinion. The best part of the experience was their building was very cool in the way it was set up but the food was a let down.
(2)Ben R.
I'd tend to agree with SV. Good bbq,but very chainy, if you will. Hits the spot in suburban Denver though.. The rib tip nights are cool though. As are the kids free nights
(3)Karen M.
There are some things I love about Famous Dave's and things that I can take or leave. I stopped in here for a quick, but late lunch. While it took a while for my server in the bar to greet me, after she did, she was extremely attentive, prompt and friendly. In fact, I would go back just for Lacey because she had that kind of friendly charm. I ordered a pulled pork lunch plate with a side of coleslaw. It also came with a corn muffin, which I kept pushing aside until the very end. I thought the pork was good, but a little dry, but it gave me the opportunity to try the many different BBQ sauces in many different combinations. (try the spicier one with the sweet & spicy; or mix 'em all together - it's a bit of a guessing game). I loved the coleslaw - crisp, tangy and just the right amount of dressing. But the real highlight was the corn muffin that I kept pushing to one saide while I ate the rest of my meal. Partly out of boredom, I popped the top of that muffin and took a little bite - wow, that was the best part of the meal! The hidden gem. Here's why I'll go back (and most of you were just waiting for this one): yup, this place has an amazing Happy Hour! they have drinks and food offerings from 3:00 - 6:00 and then from 8:00 to close every weekday and then all day on Sat. and Sun. Prices range from a buck to $4 for all different sorts of beers, drinks and food items. My kind of place. The one thing I'm not so impressed with are the sauces - not really spicy, a little too sweet, and I never found the sweet spot of sauces for me. But I will go back - Happy Hour, anyone?
(3)Mike J.
I've been going to their Minnesota locations for years from the Mall of America up to Brainerd/Baxter and it's always been consistently good for a chain, not great bbq but good... But at this location off of hwy 7, the last couple times it's been extremely dry and they were a year apart, I won't be back...
(2)Diane M.
Not great, not bad. The food is good- not sure if it's the best BBQ I've ever had though. Service is poor. We ordered salads and our dinner came out first. When we told the gal who brought out the dinner she shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Then our server who took our order looks confused when we told him. We were charged for the salads at the end plus an extra drink we didn't order. The entire experience was just weird.
(3)Jimmy J.
So here's how this works: it's Friday afternoon, after the lunch rush really, and I'm commuting back from Wyoming. I duck into this Famous Dave's for a quick lunch. Low and behold, thats just what I get. The young man at the host stand seemed bothered that I was there. He was actually reading a newspaper when I walked in and he telegraphed his annoyance that I was interrupting him. Good help is ha..oops, I digress. I was alone and he offered me a seat in the bar. He seemed off put that I declined, but he took it in stride and seated me in the emptying dining room. I don't remember the server's name, but she was prompt and attentive. The ribs were meaty and succulent. The collard greens were awesome (except they're served in an oddly shaped bowl and you're given only a fork to eat them; a spoon would be useful to get into the weird vessel). In fact, I appreciate that they had actual vegetables on the menu in addition to the ubiquitous potato salad and other starchy sides. I enjoyed the variety of sauces they offered. The meat serving was filling, but I thought the little bowls (did I mention they are oddly shaped?) they dish sides into were undersized. I was in and out, fully satiated, in about 35 minutes.
(3)Jamie G.
I came here with my coworkers for lunch and told the hostess that we were in a hurry. She suggested we sit in the lounge area...there weren't too many people eating in there so we figured we would get in and out quick. (We also expressed this to our waitress.) We ordered drinks soon after we sat down...checked out the menu....ordered....then food was brought out in a timely manner. My coworker ordered coleslaw and when food was brought out, it wasn't there. She told the runner she ordered coleslaw in hopes he would go back and get it. He did not. About 10 minutes later our waitress finally came to check on us and my coworker again had to state she didn't receive her coleslaw. The waitress made some excuse and then went to fetch the slaw which took about 5 more minutes for her to bring it to our table. We waited about 15 more minutes until we even SAW our waitress again. All of our drinks were empty and had been for 10 minutes, our food was gone and our credit cards were in our hands. She dropped the cards when walking to the register then came back and wrote down names with credit cards for who got what order...yet when we received our bills (we all got different items) magically our bills were all the same price! AKA she split the bill three ways instead of actually splitting it by what each person received. It really isn't hard to be a good waitress. You take an order, you check on your tables, you refill drinks...I've done it, it's not hard. But when you spend your time chatting with the bartender and not checking on your tables, you 100% aren't doing everything you can to make your customers happy. She literally had THREE tables....THREE....(no groups, only couples!) The food was great, the service was definitely not. If I were you, I would get Famous Dave's TO GO.
(2)Aaryn P.
I really used to be a fan of Famous Dave's - when I lived in CO and had not really tried a lot of barbecue. Now that I live in TX I'm fairly certain that what Famous Dave's serves is what I'd like to call "fast food barbecue." My parents and I visited Famous Dave's for dinner last night, before my frigid flight out of the wintry wonderland that CO is famous for - it was snowing like hell outside! The lobby was busy with families and was a chaotic mess of larger parties waiting to be seated. Although I must say, the three of us were seated right away in a nice cozy booth. Our waiter was prompt with drinks and ordering, and our dinners came quickly. I'll give 1 star for the good service in the chaos. On to the food. All three of us ordered the barbecue chicken with various sides. Fries, drunkin' apples, and potato salad. Their sides are fairly good, but pretty standard among barbecue fare. The chicken had *no* smoky barbecue flavor and the white breast meat was dry under the juicy skin surface. If you look, there are no smoke rings to be seen in the meat, providing the lack of smoky flavor. I do like their sauces, and that is what you taste - to cover for the mediocre barbecue fare that you are served. I'll give 1 star for the food. I have experienced far, far better barbecue which is why I deem this place 'fast food barbecue' which really, is meat in a barbecue sauce sheep skin masquerading as real barbecue. Sorry Dave's, you just don't compare to the wonderful TX barbecue I'm now accustomed to!
(2)Christine K.
I had heard great things about the service and the food here and they were spot on! The food was delicious, hot, and you do not leave hungry! The chili and the brisket are to die for !I have relatives in TX and visit quite often so I know what good BBQ is. Our server was very attentive and friendly, she checked back frequently and brought drink refills. I'm quite critical when it comes to customer service and food (correct temp, appetizing, accurate order etc..) other dinning Establishments could learn a lot from Famous Dave's.
(5)Aaron R.
The sauces are amazing. The ribs and sausage is awesome and the brisket ( types it seems like) is the great and wonderful. Don't forget the fries and corn muffin!!!
(5)J S.
Famous Dave's slogan should be, we took comfort, casual, homestyle food and added big chain atmosphere and pricing, yay! So, I'm not a big fan of big chain eaterys, something always seems to get lost in translation, sure it tasted great in the test kitchen but.......anyway, that's the vibe at this place. I will agree with another reviewer who said the ribs are good, they are, but the brisket and pork are just ok with the brisket being on the low side of that. Please don't be offended by what I'm about to say but if you can't cook you probably already know it and, if you can cook, even a little, you can make stuff that probably tastes better for a LOT less money. This place puts a lot on the menu, but it doesn't mean it all lives up to it's description. I'm in with make less but make it taste better train of thought so a huge menu doesn't win me over. They had one more chance to steal my heart, I'm a sucker for onion straws, that super thin version of onion rings, well, they were uber greasy (yes, I am expecting a certain level of grease, this was waaay too much) like they had taken them straight from the fryer and into the little paper lined basket. I kid you not, there was a mini grease lake at the bottom and I was re-tasting them for the rest of the day over and above anything else I ate, gross. Having previously lived in Texas, I will say that Colorado has some sorry @$$ excuses for bbq. Perhaps there are some gems, but I have yet to find them living in my suburban bubble. My last word on Famous Dave's, if you can't cook and have a big ol craving for overpriced barbeque, this is the place for you. Enjoy!
(2)Jim B.
So far this is the best BBQ I've found within an easy drive of Lafayette. I think it's a little better than KT's. Service, though, was a bit spotty.
(3)Diane D.
Great chopped pork, ribs & chili!!! Fantastic selection of sauces!
(5)David H.
The food here is OK, but pricey for barbecue. The portions were also a little stingy, considering the fact that this is one of the most expensive barbeque places around. In addition to the price, the place is a sit-down and get served style restaurant.... ie, tack another 15% onto the already heavy tab. I don't know about ya'll... but I'm from the South, were they know what barbecue is all about.... and the best barbecue places on the planet, are generally set up cafeteria style, with reasonable pricing, and fat portions. Famous Dave's fits the bill on neither of those two points. Try Bennett's in Arvada, if you want big portions of great Brisket, at reasonable prices. I also avoid Dickey's, as their brisket always tastes to me, like it is flavored with "fake" liquid smoke.... instead of really being smoked in a wood burning pit.
(3)Steve W.
Extremely Good Ribs! Other likes: The red skinned mashed potatoes & baked beans. On the down-side, the brisket wasn't as good as I had hoped, but the whole experience was very good. Kind of Texas-style BBQ. The place is a chain, but very tasty. Again, I can't say enough about the ribs! Oh, and 5 different BBQ sauces at each table. The waiter let us dip our fingers in each sauce to sample them all on a plate - my kids loved that!
(5)Sean C.
Great ribs and the pulled pork is good - brisket and chicken just OK. Their beans are very good also. Can get really busy on weekends - good drink and beer selection. Decent chain bbq place among other chain restaurants and big box stores.
(3)Austen H.
I love me some famous Dave's I really do. I love their chicken and I always take a lot of it home because to me it makes the best chicken salad sandwich the next day too. I'm a huge fan of their cornbread. I'm not much for the décor but after being to the original one it is painfully obvious that THIS is how it should look. Yes it's corporate BBQ it's not the small joints but it's good and it hits the spot if you just want some BBQ that's good, you'll get what you're expecting. I'm a fan of this place or Moe's
(4)Judy B.
7/1/12 I went to Famous Daves BBQ tonight for dinner. I was a single so sat at the bar to eat. What I saw was appauling. I had a glass of wine and ordered dinner. I was finished with my dinner and just finishing up my wine when I saw the bartender starting to rinse the dirty glasses. Well I assumed he was rinsing them to put in the dishwasher but I was wrong. He would rinse each glass 2 times in the soapy water, 1 time in the middle rinse and 1 tiem in the next rinse, he then put them on a rubber mat. After about 5 minutes I watched him start to put them back in the bar to be reused. Who knows when the last time the rubber mat was washed. I could not believe my eyes. I couldn't even finish my glass of wine wondering who drank off the glass before me. What was even more scary was what do they do in the kitchen? Famous Dave's is always packed and I hope to hell someone reads this before they get sick. I reported what I saw to the greeter/seater at the front desk, he could care less. I WON'T be going BACK.
(1)Chris E.
Food is terrific, service is very good, ambiance fun. I met a potential colleague for lunch yesterday. It wasn't busy and we were seated immediately. I had the brisket (tender, moist, and flavorful!) with beans, corn on the cob, and cornbread - the lunch menu features smaller servings, which worked fine. I'd definitely go back to this location!
(4)Tom D.
Yeah, I like this place. When they're on, it's great, when they aren't, it's meh. They aren't without the common problems associated with chain restuarants though. This location is on the outskirts of town. I'm a little surprised it's so far north. It's good and bad really. It's nice to have a good place to go. Since it's the ONLY decent restaurant in the area sometimes the lines to get in are ridiculous. More often than not the food is pretty damn good and I LOVE the sauces! Sometimes though the food seems like it's not cooked well. The last time I went the brisket was very dry and the rib meat was hardened on the bone. Disappointing really. If it were a small owner/operator place, the cook would always be the same and I think the food would be more consistent. But hey... it's a chain, you can't have that. The Good: Nice Atmosphere Good Service Great BBQ sauces Mostly Very Good Food The Bad: Occassionally Hit and Miss Food Too busy, makes you feel like you are cattle being herded around
(3)Jodi A.
I just wanted to give Famous Dave's a Kudos...we broke the rule about NOT going to a restaurant when they were close to closing....we were hungry and had just left the stock show. We each had a tall beer and shared rib tips and french fries. The bartender was VERY nice (we sat at the bar) and our food was hot and the fries were fresh. We did not feel like someone had scraped the leftovers up and served it to us...which COULD have happened of course, everyone was cleaning up and getting ready to go home. Thanks to the crew of Famous Daves, for making us feel at home. :)
(4)Michael D.
You can't go wrong with the ribs and my wife and I both like them. If you never have been there give it a whirl, but on friday & saturday there is usually a line so show up early, otherwise you stomach will be growling because of the great smells that tease you while you wait. The menu continues to change and there is always something new to try. We go on Tuesdays because my daughter can eat for free and don't forget to check in with foursquare, something they have specials. The staff is great and any issues I have are addressed.
(5)Casey C.
Don't miss out on the platter. The pulled pork and brisket are the best by far. I might skip the chicken and ribs. I know they say the ribs are famous, but I'm not sure what for. The 4 stars is it's a little "chainey"
(4)Brian D.
This place is like the best BBQ ever.
(5)Al L.
Ribs are good and so is the pulled pork. The roll for the pulled pork sandwich is cheap and tasteless. The fries are way too salty and the sides are made way in advance or are frozen. Find a one of a kind BBQ place if you want good BBQ because thus isn't it
(2)Jennifer K.
When it comes to grading Famous Daves, it all depends on whether you have ever eaten truly fantastic BBQ. If you have, you'll find the BBQ spots around Boulder-Denver-Longmont rather a let down. Locals tend to give rave reviews to anything that even passes for half decent. I have eaten more often than I really wanted to at Famous Daves, with friends who know I adore BBQ...I even schlepped to Reno last year for the annual Nugget Best in the West rib cook off ( a meaty, smoky feeding frenzy). Famous Daves has very well-trained super-friendly staff and a big restaurant full of families and couples gnawing happily on ribs. They serve average quality BBQ that is over-priced, but it's an enjoyable place as far as chains go. The food quality varies a lot. Lately it has gone downhill, or maybe my last two take-out visits were just unlucky. The brisket was dry and tough...just really poor. The ribs were tasty but needed that sauce more than well-smoked ribs should, since half the rack had dried out. As for the chopped pork - just flavorless and boring... (Oh, Lord..please Fedex me a pulled pork sandwich from Payne's in Memphis...half the price and a thousand times better) The fries are decent if they're fresh...they don't travel well. I can't get enough of the baked beans. Last couple of times, I was at Famous Daves at 5.45 pm, when one certainly hopes that everything will be at its succulent best, ready for evening rush. Did I get yesterday's leftovers??? It sure tasted that way. There are some good low priced lunch specials, for those who want to sample this place before throwing fifty bucks at an evening meal for two. It's good to have a few BBQ restaurants within driving range of home, and there's always the over-rated, over-priced The Rib House by Chef Extraordinaire. But for BBQ fanatics who are used to the quality of Mike Anderson's or Big Al's, TX...or any number of hole in the wall joints through the south, sorry... you may be disappointed. I keep trying to find BB heaven in CO...so far, it's not happening.
(3)Chris W.
My Take: Famous Dave's BBQ definitely sets itself apart from the stereotype that most chain restaurants carry, but the food is average. My Experience: My wife wanted to go here for her birthday. Yeah, I know... not that special, but we are both extremely busy and have a little one in the household. We were seated promptly. The hostess seemed inconvenienced when we said we did not want to sit at the entry to the dining room because of our little guy. So, we ended up in a booth that was likely designed for 6. Or maybe 4 really large people. The (two) Managers, or what I assume were Managers, were making rounds through the dining room socializing with their guests. Not a big deal, but they were genuinely very nice. We ordered the onion strings, but the waitress seemed to lack knowledge of the actual product. Instead of answering our question directly, she disappeared and voila! a manager was sitting at our table telling us all about it. Recently locating from the South, I'd like to claim that I know BBQ. I had to ask about the cornbread (I'll tell you later, but I am on a quest). The Manager wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for, so he brought me one to try, then came back to ask me what my opinion was. The main course was good. Again, nothing spectacular, but it was good. The waitress wanted to take my plate from me, even though I hadn't even touched it because I was dealing with my little one. Hell, I don't think I had even touched it at that point. Oh well. This place is definitely worth checking out. The food is average, but the service makes it well worth the trip!
(4)Andee H.
I have been bugging Merle for a little bit about trying BBQ. We both don't eat a lot of pork. I find meat on bones kind of gross. But I really like BBQ sauce plus I wanna know what all the fuss is about. Well I finally did enough convincing and on a random Friday night we gathered with many others to partake in meat madness. Luckily we didn't have to wait as long as we were told as we scored a table in the bar area! We got this mammoth trial of food and meats for two people. It came with beef brisket, 1/2 of a chicken, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, and fries. They also have I think 6 choices of BBQ sauces. I didn't have any fat on my ribs! The chicken tasty. The mac n cheese was really good and it had pieces of corn and green chilies in it. The coleslaw was delicious. We really hit the nail on the head on our first BBQ sampling. I even had seconds for lunch the next day. It was tasty. Our server was hysterical and charming. We will be back!
(3)Craig S.
Another solid meal at Dave's! My wife and I each got a half slab of ribs. Being able to pick your sauce and sides always makes for a new experience (if you want to change it up). The ribs were spot on, fall off the bone and I got the Wilbur beans and Mac and cheese to compliment the meal. Friendly staff and efficient service. I've never had any issues at this location. Great!
(5)Chris M.
I think its hard to really screw up bbq but it seems that in north Denver there are no good bbq places. Famous Dave's is the exception.
(4)Neal J.
This is good BBQ for Colorado, not great, but still able to satisfy that BBQ craving if you get one. I ordered a variety from their menu for a crew helping me set up a new office. We had brisket, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, coleslaw, biscuits, baked beans, etc. The ribs were by far the best. The brisket was disappointing to me, but I am comparing it to stuff I've eaten in Texas (now that's good BBQ). Unfortunately they don't deliver so I had to send a guy to pick it up. Prices here are way out of line for BBQ in my opinion, but again I am probably comparing it to some dive BBQ joints (which have the best BBQ anyway) in Texas. I think there are other places in the area on par or even better than Famous Dave's with more reasonable pricing, so I don't think I'll be returning, but you never know.
(3)Taylor G.
Famous??? Like OMG we TOTALLY have to go there fo sure! Duh! they are like famous and junk they HAVE to be the best!! I swear if I had a dollar for every time I ate at a BBQ place that said they were famous I would have.... well I failed math but I would have a lot of dollars. I don't know if it is an epidemic or if BBQ places are just about "keeping up with the Bubba Jones'" so to speak. Why do they all have to be famous and award winning?? You don't see Heidi's tooting off about having the most famous turkey sandwiches do you? NO. (but they should, they are very very good) OK ok I'm done ranting for now. The pickings were pretty standard, any dead animal you want, smoked, rubbed down with some special spices and then slathered with the most special sauce they could come up with while still making it taste like every other special BBQ sauce I've ever had. The prices were a little high for your usual rib joint, but at Famous Dave's CLEARLY we aren't at our average rib joint. Honestly, go to Brother's instead... so much better without all the famous rig-a-marole... which you can also get with a salad, 2 sides and covered in special sauce....
(2)Raoul B.
Well, I just gotta add my .02 about this place. Not bad, for a chain. Nice interior, decent service. The Q is inconsistent. I've had ribs that were fall-off the bone tender one time, tough and chewy the next. Same with the brisket. Pricey, and the portions could be bigger for what they're charging. It's tough to get excited about a place like this, when I get to Texas on a regular basis, and get the real thing from one of the many great BBQ joints there, but this place 'll do in a pinch, when I just can't stand the thought of another mediocre Mexican meal.
(3)Jackie G.
This is our favorite spot for BBQ. The ribs are very good, but I usually get the brisket. The sides are good - I usually get the baked beans and drunken applies. We have always had very good service and everyone has been friendly. They also have an early bird special if you go in before 4:00 - smaller portions and a little cheaper so that's a pretty good deal They have catered my company picnic for the last few years and the food they provided has been wonderful. Beef brisket or chicken sandwich with beans and chips. That's how I first heard of Famous Dave's. I love this place!
(5)Monica L.
This is the first time I've tried this Famous Dave's. It was as good as the others. The rib tips are the best in Denver, in my opinion. The fries are good if you put more salt on them. The pecan pie is very good.
(4)Mike I.
Not Texas BBQ but darn close. The ribs are amazing!
(4)Asia S.
I came to here after the Daveco. It is a busy place. The wait was 25 mins. At least I got to hang out at the bar drinking cold beer. I got tried these Wilbur's revenge wings. They are one of the hottest. I can eat super hot food, but the sauce definitely has its kick! That is why I give it 4 stars. The ribs are ok. They don't peel off from the bones easily, not too tender. It is not my style of BBQ. I think All your can eat rib tips every Thursday! for 9.99 is super deal. I will go back for that!
(4)Jordan A.
Wow, this place is popular. A 30-min wait at 6 pm on a Tuesday night! These are the only ribs my husband would eat. Ever. I, on the other hand, like grease, so I ordered rib tips. They were delicious! And cheap! For $10, a plate-full of rib tips came with two sides, corn, and a muffin. That's enough food to last me for three more meals. Great place for a cold-ass November night. OK, what's with the tight parking lot? Isn't the restaurant like in the middle of nowhere with acres and acres of empty prairie around it? That just didn't make any sense.
(5)Hiker Chicka e.
Jesus, this barbecue is worth resurrecting for. The food is lip smacking good. I love the links (sausages), they are juicy, flavorful, and delicious. The ribs the fall of the bone. Even the side dishes taste pretty good. The corn bread seems to be baked fresh every single time I've been there. And save some room for the for the yummy bread pudding. Yes. I realize this is a chain. But it's an exception to the rule. The place is clean and inviting. Regardless of the time you go, this place is packed. Obviously they are doing something right, because it is not located in a very populated area. If you like barbecue this is worth the drive. Last but not least, eat responsibly. I recommend you hit the gym before and after the dining experience. :)
(4)Harry P.
Not bad for a chain... Stick with the brisket and you can't go wrong ;)
(4)Jeff C.
Love this place! Their food is excellent and we have never had a less than favorable experience here. They discontinued their homemade chips which earns them a sad face, and their food is pretty expensive. Otherwise they would get 5 stars.
(4)Dave W.
Wow what has happened to this place The Staff are fantastic BUT No Free Chip and a free beer on Sunday if your name is Dave The back page on all most every menu we had the print had rubbed off so could not read most of it And the White stuff I'm now dressed like morticians What happened to the upbeat clothing they look like they just finished working at the AMC theater The food is still good but not too sure for how long
(2)Tomas L.
I came here yesterday with my other half for a nice dinner. However, nice it was not! Took 22 minutes for someone to take our drink order. Apparently it wasnt our waitress who took our drink order either. Sp our drinks come, and we wait another 12 minutes for the waitress to finally show up and take our order. We ordered nachos as the appetizer, and i got beef brisket and my other half got ribs. I tell the waitress no jalapenos on the nachos. She brings the nachos with a load of jalapenos! I tell her about it and she takes the nachos back and said they are remaking them. Ok fine. So our nachos come back and immediatley following so dpes our entrees! Doesnt the appetizer come before the main meal???? So whatever we were happy that now we can eat...NOT! our waitress did not bring us napkins or silverware..so we wait til she comes back by and we ask for those things. 6 minutes later silverware and napkins shpw up. We didnt even tpuch the nachos by then cuz we obviously didnt need to woth pur main meals being right there. So we ran out of drinks. Our waitress was nowhere to be found so we ate 85 percent of our meal with no drink. She finally comes and refills our drink. And that took 9 minutes. We asked her fpr more napkins when we got the refill and she went to a few mpre tables and brpught food out to one table before we gpt our napkins (yea, thanks). At this point i was still gna tip because i mnow shit happens, but then we get the bill. We were charged twice for the nachos! I tell the server and she sais "oh he didnt take the other one off" excuse me??!!! I only ordered one nachos! There should be no reason for 2 of them to be on there!! Very dissapointed. I didnt tip more than the leftover change from the bill. I wont be back ever.
(1)James V.
Stopped in for lunch on a Saturday . We were seated immediately. Server was friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed our meal but with one hiccup, they brought my wife a wrong cut of the chicken she ordered but made it a complimentary piece and brought her the correct piece. We enjoyed our lunch and will definitely be back
(4)Kaitlyn O.
We love the food and the atmosphere but we always came for the kettle chips and it's sad that they don't have them anymorw.
(4)Arvedus S.
Used to be great. Not so much anymore... Hard to imagine an established BBQ joint screwing up 'wings' quite so badly, but they did. We have eaten here at least 30 times and it's been a pretty sudden and obvious decline lately... so no more for us, for a while.
(3)John M.
My wife took me on my birthday and it was horrible. I complained on Famous Dave's website and was contacted by the General Manager promising that all the problems I experienced were fixed and promised a gift certificate for a belated birthday meal. It has been one week since that time and I have seen nothing. I know it does not take a week even with my post office as slow as they are. So nasty bad experience for my birthday, false promises made by manager, and I did notice other things that just aren't the same. Three strikes Infamous Dave's and your out!!!
(1)Shawn H.
I've been here several times and the food is always great. The last time I went the service was so far above and beyond that I had to write about it. I was with my wife and three small children, which is always difficult. Our server was so understanding and helpful that it made dinner a breeze. I would go back for mediocre food to get the kind of service, but it tasted great as always on top of everything. I can't say enough great things.
(5)Kris Z.
Stopped in for a late dinner with the family...we got her about an hour before closing and the store WA surprisingly quiet for a weekend night. Knowing it was late, we went "light" and my husband and I both ordered sandwiches. I went with the pulled pork, splurging on Memphis Style, and a side of grilled pineapple. He had the Brisket with Coleslaw. The kids ordered ribs and chicken. My sandwich was amazing, his sandwich was amazing, but the ribs were way beyond spicy...I have a high tolerance for spicy...and these made my mouth scream in agony...we sent the ribs back and got chicken instead. Our bill showed up with all 5 kids' meals on there. Our waitress immediately fixed the situation. As usual...we left full and happy. We'll be back...once we're hungry again!
(4)Al L.
Ribs are good and so is the pulled pork. The roll for the pulled pork sandwich is cheap and tasteless. The fries are way too salty and the sides are made way in advance or are frozen. Find a one of a kind BBQ place if you want good BBQ because thus isn't it
(2)Jordan A.
Wow, this place is popular. A 30-min wait at 6 pm on a Tuesday night! These are the only ribs my husband would eat. Ever. I, on the other hand, like grease, so I ordered rib tips. They were delicious! And cheap! For $10, a plate-full of rib tips came with two sides, corn, and a muffin. That's enough food to last me for three more meals. Great place for a cold-ass November night. OK, what's with the tight parking lot? Isn't the restaurant like in the middle of nowhere with acres and acres of empty prairie around it? That just didn't make any sense.
(5)Starr L.
I go to this place on Thursdays for the All You Can Eat rib tips ($11.99). The servers are very friendly and they let me take what's left home. The cornbread is crack wrapped on muffin paper! If you are bored like me, try Wibur's Revenge with your ribs, it has a kick, but nothing you will need gloves to eat with. Other than that, this place can be a bit pricey for the amount you get. That's why, I recommend the AYCE on Thursdays.
(4)Taylor G.
Famous??? Like OMG we TOTALLY have to go there fo sure! Duh! they are like famous and junk they HAVE to be the best!! I swear if I had a dollar for every time I ate at a BBQ place that said they were famous I would have.... well I failed math but I would have a lot of dollars. I don't know if it is an epidemic or if BBQ places are just about "keeping up with the Bubba Jones'" so to speak. Why do they all have to be famous and award winning?? You don't see Heidi's tooting off about having the most famous turkey sandwiches do you? NO. (but they should, they are very very good) OK ok I'm done ranting for now. The pickings were pretty standard, any dead animal you want, smoked, rubbed down with some special spices and then slathered with the most special sauce they could come up with while still making it taste like every other special BBQ sauce I've ever had. The prices were a little high for your usual rib joint, but at Famous Dave's CLEARLY we aren't at our average rib joint. Honestly, go to Brother's instead... so much better without all the famous rig-a-marole... which you can also get with a salad, 2 sides and covered in special sauce....
(2)Raoul B.
Well, I just gotta add my .02 about this place. Not bad, for a chain. Nice interior, decent service. The Q is inconsistent. I've had ribs that were fall-off the bone tender one time, tough and chewy the next. Same with the brisket. Pricey, and the portions could be bigger for what they're charging. It's tough to get excited about a place like this, when I get to Texas on a regular basis, and get the real thing from one of the many great BBQ joints there, but this place 'll do in a pinch, when I just can't stand the thought of another mediocre Mexican meal.
(3)Chris W.
My Take: Famous Dave's BBQ definitely sets itself apart from the stereotype that most chain restaurants carry, but the food is average. My Experience: My wife wanted to go here for her birthday. Yeah, I know... not that special, but we are both extremely busy and have a little one in the household. We were seated promptly. The hostess seemed inconvenienced when we said we did not want to sit at the entry to the dining room because of our little guy. So, we ended up in a booth that was likely designed for 6. Or maybe 4 really large people. The (two) Managers, or what I assume were Managers, were making rounds through the dining room socializing with their guests. Not a big deal, but they were genuinely very nice. We ordered the onion strings, but the waitress seemed to lack knowledge of the actual product. Instead of answering our question directly, she disappeared and voila! a manager was sitting at our table telling us all about it. Recently locating from the South, I'd like to claim that I know BBQ. I had to ask about the cornbread (I'll tell you later, but I am on a quest). The Manager wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for, so he brought me one to try, then came back to ask me what my opinion was. The main course was good. Again, nothing spectacular, but it was good. The waitress wanted to take my plate from me, even though I hadn't even touched it because I was dealing with my little one. Hell, I don't think I had even touched it at that point. Oh well. This place is definitely worth checking out. The food is average, but the service makes it well worth the trip!
(4)David H.
The food here is OK, but pricey for barbecue. The portions were also a little stingy, considering the fact that this is one of the most expensive barbeque places around. In addition to the price, the place is a sit-down and get served style restaurant.... ie, tack another 15% onto the already heavy tab. I don't know about ya'll... but I'm from the South, were they know what barbecue is all about.... and the best barbecue places on the planet, are generally set up cafeteria style, with reasonable pricing, and fat portions. Famous Dave's fits the bill on neither of those two points. Try Bennett's in Arvada, if you want big portions of great Brisket, at reasonable prices. I also avoid Dickey's, as their brisket always tastes to me, like it is flavored with "fake" liquid smoke.... instead of really being smoked in a wood burning pit.
(3)Steve W.
Extremely Good Ribs! Other likes: The red skinned mashed potatoes & baked beans. On the down-side, the brisket wasn't as good as I had hoped, but the whole experience was very good. Kind of Texas-style BBQ. The place is a chain, but very tasty. Again, I can't say enough about the ribs! Oh, and 5 different BBQ sauces at each table. The waiter let us dip our fingers in each sauce to sample them all on a plate - my kids loved that!
(5)Sean C.
Great ribs and the pulled pork is good - brisket and chicken just OK. Their beans are very good also. Can get really busy on weekends - good drink and beer selection. Decent chain bbq place among other chain restaurants and big box stores.
(3)Cait L.
So good! Only drawback is that this place is so popular there's almost always a wait for dinner. This most recent visit we split the feast for two and were surprised that they let us substitue catfish for the ribs. Their collard greens are to die for, and I love the Devil's Spit sauce! Service was great, and we got some banana pudding that was hands down the best I've ever tried.
(5)Lan V.
When I'm in the mood for BBQ, Famous Dave's is where I go. On Sundays, it's happy hour all day, so you can get the best bang for your buck. We ordered the fries, rib tips, sliders and the chicken wings. All were really good. I always enjoy trying the different BBQ sauces like the "rich and sassy" one. One of our orders took a really long time to come out. I think it was just an oversight on their part. We didn't mention anything about it, but the manager was nice enough to take it off the bill for the slight inconvenience. What great service!
(4)Dave A.
I waver back and forth with my thoughts about this place. I hate going in there so I usually get it to go. Last time they botched my order despite reading it back to me on the phone. It wasn't a huge problem basically they doubled my chicken wing order, and I like them so I chose to roll with it. Problem was the quality of the food wasn't what it usually is on this visit. So while we excited at the prospect of a pig out the reality is a couple days later I was tossing boxes out of the fridge on garbage day. A full two lbs. of wings made it into the trash unopened. What really crapped me out was our large sides, usually love the potato salad and mac n cheese, were off as well. To add insult to injury neither was close to being filled to the top of the container. So my very expensive large sides were mostly air. Didn't matter most of my $82 go order ended up in the local dump being eaten by seagulls. I avoided this place after some so-so experiences for a couple of years before giving them a chance again. It's back on my to be avoided list.
(2)Robert R.
The atmosphere and personnel are great! The food is not exceptional but OK! There is better BBQ in the area!
(3)Alexandra W.
My husband and I had a long 12 hour day and remembered seeing this restaurant off hwy 7. Came in around 10 and was treated like we were the first customers of the day. Phil was an awesome server and gave us the best service we could ask for. The food was absolutely fabulous and decent price for its perfection. We had found a label in my husband's food but we just laughed because we understand silly mistakes seeing that we have worked on restaurants for years. The manager came to our table after Phil mentioned it to him. He was extremely sympathetic and wanted to make things right even though we were not upset about it at all. He made us take some banana pudding home after we refused but it was the best banana pudding we ever had! It was a great way to end out night and enjoy superb barbeque and have great hospitality thank you so much! Down right 5 stars!
(5)Kimberly S.
Bar-b-que, and good Bar-b-que... it that is what you are looking for, then Famous Dave's BBQ is what you are looking for. This restaurant is located north of Denver, but so worth the drive. Interior - fun, lots to look at for both children and grown children (adults) alike. Open, seats lots of people. My review usually state approximately how many tables and people the restaurant will hold, but for this review, I can't begin to tell you. There are lots of tables and booths, so don't be afraid to have a large group luncheon or dinner here. You will be very well accommodated. The interior is clean, and a bit loud, but that didn't bother me, like it usually does. This place was just a fun place to be! Food - WOW! What a menu! Appetizers - Burnt ends - I have not tried these, but I'm really curious about them. Check them out for yourself. They also have chicken tenders, wings, catfish tenders (we had these, and they were good!), nachos, rib tips, onion strings, and loaded bbq chips. Sides - potato chips (yummy!!!!), broccoli, mashed potatoes, baked beans, corn, green beans (yummy!!!!!!!), grilled pineapple steaks, fries. Soups and Salads - caesar salad, bbq salad, chili, and more Sandwiches - brisket, manhandler, pulled pork, hickory chicken, and more BBQ classics - pulled pork, ribs, beef brisket, catfish, chicken tenders, and more, Burgers - Jack-n-Stacked, Dave's Favorite, and more. Desserts - bread pudding (OH, I so wanted some, but was so full, next time, definitely next time), banana pudding, and more Service - very good, not too much, just right. Everyone was helpful and answered our questions, and just friendly. Price - very easy on the wallet. Parking - private lot, so plenty of parking, and it's free! Just plain old fun, relaxing, and good food!
(3)Emma C.
Service? Awesome. Our waitress was fantastic; personable, knew the menu really well, and returned often for refills. Food? Pretty good. Boyfriend enjoyed his boneless wings, while my Caesar salad was drowning in dressing but definitely not bad. My baked potato soup was also really tasty. Decor? Never been a fan of taxidermy, and it's all over this place. Wish they'd take it down, even though it goes with the "mountain man lodge" theme they have going on. Nobody likes dining around dead animals. Nobody. Price? Not bad at all. Overall, this place is alright by us, but definitely not a frequent "date night" location.
(3)Regina G.
The pulled pork nachos were awesome. My dinner not so much. I ordered a pulled pork sandwich which was super salty. Like, couldn't even eat it salty..dying of thirst salty. Right before I received my meal my fiancé and I both asked for a glass of water. Which never came. Asked two times! Salt.. Spicey BBQ sauce.... WATER! So I didn't eat my meal. The waiter finally showed up and didn't even bother asking me if I wanted something else or take the sandwich off the bill. We also ordered some more corn bread, and that never showed up either. I'll stick to Nordy's.
(1)S V.
It's a corporate BBQ joint so you don't feel the love poured into the food. We went there a few weeks ago on a thursday, which is unlimited rib tips night. The rib tips were burnt and dry. The only thing i really enjoyed from my meal was my mac and cheese and their famous bbq sauces. Good place for every once in a while.
(3)Tres B.
This link in an ever growing chain of this expanding BBQ empire, mired on a side road in the prairie that's been spliced by I-25. Like so many other similar establishments, they have festooned the walls with home-spun photos and art and items of local interest. But somehow, its doesn't feel as fake. Perhaps its the yellow knotty pine paneling, but it just works. Its homey and inviting and really does feel like a giant mountain cabin. The food was very good too, as is the large array of BBQ sauces sitting tabletop. I had a grilled chicken sandhog, not exactly food of BBQ lore, but it was nicely portioned and char-iffic.
(4)Ron R.
When we sat at table, we explained to them my wife must be Gluten-Free (GF). Waiter brings over the manager who sit's down with us and explains what she can have. Ribs are GF (with dry rub only). We order it. Ribs are deliver to table with sauce over them and cornbread muffin. Explain that she can't eat that way. Waiter takes it back to kitchen. Kitchen chef comes out and says ribs are not GF; and send over manager again. Manager tells us sorry, thought they were (based on his allergy specific menu). Offers wings. Trish says great! Manager comes back a minute later and says "oops, wings aren't GF either." Only thing in the restaurant is broiled chicken thigh. Here's the problem that Famous Dave's will someday encounter. Someone with severe celiac issues will come in, order something on the menu, have a severe reaction and they will be sued. If you are Gluten intolerant, avoid this place. The staff has no clue, and their menu that supposedly tells them what is safe is incorrect.
(1)R W.
Had lunch here today while down shopping in this area. Never had eaten at one before so was not sure what to expect. Ordered a beef brisket sandwich and the wife had a pulled chicken sandwich. Not very big portions for almost $10 per plate. The bun was way average and not even homemade. The meat was fair for both meals but not spectacular. The beans we had as a side were very average. Overall for all the hype we have heard on this place was pretty disappointing in our opinion. The best part of the experience was their building was very cool in the way it was set up but the food was a let down.
(2)Ben R.
I'd tend to agree with SV. Good bbq,but very chainy, if you will. Hits the spot in suburban Denver though.. The rib tip nights are cool though. As are the kids free nights
(3)Karen M.
There are some things I love about Famous Dave's and things that I can take or leave. I stopped in here for a quick, but late lunch. While it took a while for my server in the bar to greet me, after she did, she was extremely attentive, prompt and friendly. In fact, I would go back just for Lacey because she had that kind of friendly charm. I ordered a pulled pork lunch plate with a side of coleslaw. It also came with a corn muffin, which I kept pushing aside until the very end. I thought the pork was good, but a little dry, but it gave me the opportunity to try the many different BBQ sauces in many different combinations. (try the spicier one with the sweet & spicy; or mix 'em all together - it's a bit of a guessing game). I loved the coleslaw - crisp, tangy and just the right amount of dressing. But the real highlight was the corn muffin that I kept pushing to one saide while I ate the rest of my meal. Partly out of boredom, I popped the top of that muffin and took a little bite - wow, that was the best part of the meal! The hidden gem. Here's why I'll go back (and most of you were just waiting for this one): yup, this place has an amazing Happy Hour! they have drinks and food offerings from 3:00 - 6:00 and then from 8:00 to close every weekday and then all day on Sat. and Sun. Prices range from a buck to $4 for all different sorts of beers, drinks and food items. My kind of place. The one thing I'm not so impressed with are the sauces - not really spicy, a little too sweet, and I never found the sweet spot of sauces for me. But I will go back - Happy Hour, anyone?
(3)Stephanie H.
Ugh. Horrible. Not only are they far away, but they have the high cost of BBQ and their food isn't awesome. The corn muffin things are ok and their burnt ends are amazing, the ribs were a bit too over-cooked for my taste. Possibly, I am biased due to my personal quest to cook the finest ribs in all the land, but I really don't think I'm being a snob here. I'd probably go back one day though. I'm a total sucker for BBQ.
(2)John G.
Fair barbeque, especially when you consider the price. Not a lot of flavor to their meats, but with a lot of fat. Their fries are not my type, very thing wedge cut with not a lot of crisp. I will say their cornbread muffins are totally amazing and the best I have had in a long time.
(3)Johnathon B.
My favorite type of food! I usually go to the one in the Stapleton area, but food is the same here! Taste and consistency always on par! Just about every time I have come here to eat, I order the feast! It is just an entire meal with just about all of the good stuff they have on their menu. Comes with choice of meat as well as corn, fries, choice of sides and corn bread. I love their ribs! Always very lean and delicious. I am not a fan of fat or fatty pieces of meat, so this place prepares their meats to my liking. Paired with unlimited refills of southern sweet tea, I am just in heaven! Highly recommended!
(5)Mike J.
I've been going to their Minnesota locations for years from the Mall of America up to Brainerd/Baxter and it's always been consistently good for a chain, not great bbq but good... But at this location off of hwy 7, the last couple times it's been extremely dry and they were a year apart, I won't be back...
(2)Diane M.
Not great, not bad. The food is good- not sure if it's the best BBQ I've ever had though. Service is poor. We ordered salads and our dinner came out first. When we told the gal who brought out the dinner she shrugged her shoulders and walked away. Then our server who took our order looks confused when we told him. We were charged for the salads at the end plus an extra drink we didn't order. The entire experience was just weird.
(3)Aaryn P.
I really used to be a fan of Famous Dave's - when I lived in CO and had not really tried a lot of barbecue. Now that I live in TX I'm fairly certain that what Famous Dave's serves is what I'd like to call "fast food barbecue." My parents and I visited Famous Dave's for dinner last night, before my frigid flight out of the wintry wonderland that CO is famous for - it was snowing like hell outside! The lobby was busy with families and was a chaotic mess of larger parties waiting to be seated. Although I must say, the three of us were seated right away in a nice cozy booth. Our waiter was prompt with drinks and ordering, and our dinners came quickly. I'll give 1 star for the good service in the chaos. On to the food. All three of us ordered the barbecue chicken with various sides. Fries, drunkin' apples, and potato salad. Their sides are fairly good, but pretty standard among barbecue fare. The chicken had *no* smoky barbecue flavor and the white breast meat was dry under the juicy skin surface. If you look, there are no smoke rings to be seen in the meat, providing the lack of smoky flavor. I do like their sauces, and that is what you taste - to cover for the mediocre barbecue fare that you are served. I'll give 1 star for the food. I have experienced far, far better barbecue which is why I deem this place 'fast food barbecue' which really, is meat in a barbecue sauce sheep skin masquerading as real barbecue. Sorry Dave's, you just don't compare to the wonderful TX barbecue I'm now accustomed to!
(2)Christine K.
I had heard great things about the service and the food here and they were spot on! The food was delicious, hot, and you do not leave hungry! The chili and the brisket are to die for !I have relatives in TX and visit quite often so I know what good BBQ is. Our server was very attentive and friendly, she checked back frequently and brought drink refills. I'm quite critical when it comes to customer service and food (correct temp, appetizing, accurate order etc..) other dinning Establishments could learn a lot from Famous Dave's.
(5)Kara L.
Very friendly staff when we were there for lunch. We bought famous daves bbq sauce in the store to try one day and were very pleased so when we seen they had a restaurant, we needed to check it out. We thought the food was awesome. Only thing to almost complain about with the food was that for the price, the amount of food you get isn't a whole lot. But great tasting. We both had the pulled chicken sandwich. It comes with the rich and sassy sauce which I really liked and the hubby put devils spit on his which he really liked. I did not like the potato salad at all. The mac and cheese has jalapenos, not too spicey but gives the mac and cheese a great flavor. Margaritas were very good. When we went, the ladies bathroom smelled like an outhouse. The whole place was clean and neat so I was surprised to walk in the bathroom with it smelling so badly. Strong urine smell. Maybe it was only that day though...
(4)Matt C.
Got the 6 rib plate with mashed potatoes and collard greens. Tasted decent, very salty. Somehow tasted "corporate".
(3)vicky m.
well, I thought we were overcharged right off and my hubby refused to let me see the bill making a statement approximate to, "can't you just be happy..." Yes, we are THAT couple. We probably weren't over charged, and he did point out my lg draft was $5. I never asked but I THOUGHT there was a happy hour and we were in it. I just felt $46 dollars for 3 people was a little high (shouldn't every hour be Happy Hour?). Now, Famous Dave's does have good BBQ and several spice levels of BBQ sauce.. I had a pulled pork sandwich-very tender meat and there was just enough BBQ sauce to make it tasty but not enough to make it runny and make the bread soggy. The bun was firm and held the meat. It was just a darn good sandwich. If there was a problem,(and maybe it just wasn't my day) I got a side order of FF and remarked it didn't look like a side order but a 1/4 of a side order. What few fries there were, were very good. It was a good lunch and we were all happy when we left. We had been there before and we will go there again I am sure. I'll just check up on the happy hour thing first or order lemonade. The waitress was efficient and friendly and kept our glasses filled and our plates cleared off as we finished them. It's A-OK with us. they are advertising an all you can ribs special every Thursday
(3)Jerry B.
We had been to Famous Dave's in Kansas and loved it. While on our way to Brighton we were delighted to see on in Thorton. Same menu a d fantastic BBQ. By far the best we have had along the Front Range. Now four location in Denver/Fort Collins. Get some friends and have a great time!!
(5)Jamie G.
I came here with my coworkers for lunch and told the hostess that we were in a hurry. She suggested we sit in the lounge area...there weren't too many people eating in there so we figured we would get in and out quick. (We also expressed this to our waitress.) We ordered drinks soon after we sat down...checked out the menu....ordered....then food was brought out in a timely manner. My coworker ordered coleslaw and when food was brought out, it wasn't there. She told the runner she ordered coleslaw in hopes he would go back and get it. He did not. About 10 minutes later our waitress finally came to check on us and my coworker again had to state she didn't receive her coleslaw. The waitress made some excuse and then went to fetch the slaw which took about 5 more minutes for her to bring it to our table. We waited about 15 more minutes until we even SAW our waitress again. All of our drinks were empty and had been for 10 minutes, our food was gone and our credit cards were in our hands. She dropped the cards when walking to the register then came back and wrote down names with credit cards for who got what order...yet when we received our bills (we all got different items) magically our bills were all the same price! AKA she split the bill three ways instead of actually splitting it by what each person received. It really isn't hard to be a good waitress. You take an order, you check on your tables, you refill drinks...I've done it, it's not hard. But when you spend your time chatting with the bartender and not checking on your tables, you 100% aren't doing everything you can to make your customers happy. She literally had THREE tables....THREE....(no groups, only couples!) The food was great, the service was definitely not. If I were you, I would get Famous Dave's TO GO.
(2)Ashley B.
2012 review #10: I think it's good that there is a chain BBQ option in the world besides, say, Dickey's. I've only been to famous Dave's 2 or 3 times, and it wasn't great, but it wasn't bad. It is what you'd expect: really saucy, lacking the time and care it takes to make good smoked meat. The sauces are tasty but they aren't freshly made or anything. The decor is the type that looks unique but is in fact all manufactured to look that way and is probably held in a big storage shed somewhere. The restaurants are huge, and can seat hundreds of people, so they're good for crowds and big groups, and you often don't have to wait very long. Overall I think Dave's serves way too much food. It's hard to get a small plate, like less than 1/2 a chicken served with bread and 2 sides. Portions are worth splitting, and the place isn't exactly cheap for a chain. My biggest issue with this place is the portion size and therefore the caloric load it is dropping on its customers. No one in the world needs to eat a full rack of ribs, or a pound of rib tips in a sitting. If you want to that's your right, but why does that need to be the only size available? Yes you can get 1/2 rack of ribs, but with the exception of the new "citrus grill/lower calorie" items, you cannot get less than 1/2 a chicken in a dinner. Who needs to eat half a chicken? Especially when that is 1 of 2 meats that you choose in your dinner. Looking at the menu's nutritional info (you can find it if you look hard enough) there is not a single dinner that is not from the "citrus grill" part of the menu, that is under 1000 calories. If you get the family feast for 4 people, your dinner will have over 2000 calories, and over 100 grams of fat. That's insane. I once went here and got something as light as possible, and they served it with a corn muffin. Those things are delicious, but they have more calories than a McDonald's cheeseburger, and just as much saturated fat. Dave's is OK once-in-a-while, but I'd much rather go somewhere local, where they don't make me eat 1 pound of meat, pay too much for it, and give me way more fat than I need in a week's worth of eating.
(3)Rodney V.
If you don't like BBQ and SMOKED MEAT do NOT go here! If you do, your at the right place. The food is always right on the money. I love to BBQ and smoke meats of any kind, but if you just don't have the time, give this a shot! The meat is smoked perfectly, tender and delicious. There really is an art to smoking and Famous Dave's has the touch. It's a wee bit pricey but if you have ever taken the TIME it takes to smoke something, you can appreciate the effort they put into it. They also sell their BBQ sauces (Devil's Spit the BEST) at King Soopers as well as their spicey pickles, Both are permanent residents in my fridge!
(4)Jimmy J.
So here's how this works: it's Friday afternoon, after the lunch rush really, and I'm commuting back from Wyoming. I duck into this Famous Dave's for a quick lunch. Low and behold, thats just what I get. The young man at the host stand seemed bothered that I was there. He was actually reading a newspaper when I walked in and he telegraphed his annoyance that I was interrupting him. Good help is ha..oops, I digress. I was alone and he offered me a seat in the bar. He seemed off put that I declined, but he took it in stride and seated me in the emptying dining room. I don't remember the server's name, but she was prompt and attentive. The ribs were meaty and succulent. The collard greens were awesome (except they're served in an oddly shaped bowl and you're given only a fork to eat them; a spoon would be useful to get into the weird vessel). In fact, I appreciate that they had actual vegetables on the menu in addition to the ubiquitous potato salad and other starchy sides. I enjoyed the variety of sauces they offered. The meat serving was filling, but I thought the little bowls (did I mention they are oddly shaped?) they dish sides into were undersized. I was in and out, fully satiated, in about 35 minutes.
(3)Aaron R.
The sauces are amazing. The ribs and sausage is awesome and the brisket ( types it seems like) is the great and wonderful. Don't forget the fries and corn muffin!!!
(5)Joshua G.
Purdy good, purrrrdy good I say: So on a whim my wife asked where should we eat and I exclaimed Famous Daves, now not have ever been here, I was in hopes to walk out, or let's say roll out full and happy, and that we did. We had the ultimate feast platter, that had a little of everything, and boy was that the case it had all of it, it was the best feast of BBQ we have found in Colorado. It did come with a hefty price tag like 83.00 bucks to eat two people no alcohol. But man was it worth it, we even had it into the next day, so good we ate it for breakfast ha ha , really we did. The only thing that I did not like, was the wait time, and you cannot call ahead for seating...???? What that makes no sense, but whatever, it was worth the weight and worth the weighty bill too.
(5)Z K.
They are all the same, never had a bad meal. Predictable and good! Price is right, took my Grandma there and between 5 of us we had 3 drinks, 3 meals and 2 desserts and a couple of extra add on's, tab was $85. Cornbread is yum especially with butter and honey! Service was great!!!!
(4)Doug R.
Fun family place. Cold beer, a whole lot of food that is tasty and bad for you, and some very hot spicy wing sauce, (Wilber's revenge.) Not the best of anything but overall a satisfying experience with good service and all day happy hour and everything you would want from a comfortable rib place. Will continue to do it again.
(4)Judy B.
7/1/12 I went to Famous Daves BBQ tonight for dinner. I was a single so sat at the bar to eat. What I saw was appauling. I had a glass of wine and ordered dinner. I was finished with my dinner and just finishing up my wine when I saw the bartender starting to rinse the dirty glasses. Well I assumed he was rinsing them to put in the dishwasher but I was wrong. He would rinse each glass 2 times in the soapy water, 1 time in the middle rinse and 1 tiem in the next rinse, he then put them on a rubber mat. After about 5 minutes I watched him start to put them back in the bar to be reused. Who knows when the last time the rubber mat was washed. I could not believe my eyes. I couldn't even finish my glass of wine wondering who drank off the glass before me. What was even more scary was what do they do in the kitchen? Famous Dave's is always packed and I hope to hell someone reads this before they get sick. I reported what I saw to the greeter/seater at the front desk, he could care less. I WON'T be going BACK.
(1)Chris E.
Food is terrific, service is very good, ambiance fun. I met a potential colleague for lunch yesterday. It wasn't busy and we were seated immediately. I had the brisket (tender, moist, and flavorful!) with beans, corn on the cob, and cornbread - the lunch menu features smaller servings, which worked fine. I'd definitely go back to this location!
(4)Rick L.
Good place for BBQ. Lunch is an exceptional value, dinner...not so much. Their meats can be dry at times, but it's still a decent place. Ribs are a good size, meaty. There are times when it can take a while to get seated so coming before dinner rush is definitely recommended. If it's your first time there for dinner, I'd suggest either the combo so you can taste their meat and ribs, or get the appetizer sampler to get a taste for a lot of what they offer. I never had their trash can lid meal but I've seen that it can feed a family of four or even Wayne Knight. Their new pineapple sauce is actually a great substitute for their rich and sassy sauce.
(4)Tom D.
Yeah, I like this place. When they're on, it's great, when they aren't, it's meh. They aren't without the common problems associated with chain restuarants though. This location is on the outskirts of town. I'm a little surprised it's so far north. It's good and bad really. It's nice to have a good place to go. Since it's the ONLY decent restaurant in the area sometimes the lines to get in are ridiculous. More often than not the food is pretty damn good and I LOVE the sauces! Sometimes though the food seems like it's not cooked well. The last time I went the brisket was very dry and the rib meat was hardened on the bone. Disappointing really. If it were a small owner/operator place, the cook would always be the same and I think the food would be more consistent. But hey... it's a chain, you can't have that. The Good: Nice Atmosphere Good Service Great BBQ sauces Mostly Very Good Food The Bad: Occassionally Hit and Miss Food Too busy, makes you feel like you are cattle being herded around
(3)Jodi A.
I just wanted to give Famous Dave's a Kudos...we broke the rule about NOT going to a restaurant when they were close to closing....we were hungry and had just left the stock show. We each had a tall beer and shared rib tips and french fries. The bartender was VERY nice (we sat at the bar) and our food was hot and the fries were fresh. We did not feel like someone had scraped the leftovers up and served it to us...which COULD have happened of course, everyone was cleaning up and getting ready to go home. Thanks to the crew of Famous Daves, for making us feel at home. :)
(4)Andee H.
I have been bugging Merle for a little bit about trying BBQ. We both don't eat a lot of pork. I find meat on bones kind of gross. But I really like BBQ sauce plus I wanna know what all the fuss is about. Well I finally did enough convincing and on a random Friday night we gathered with many others to partake in meat madness. Luckily we didn't have to wait as long as we were told as we scored a table in the bar area! We got this mammoth trial of food and meats for two people. It came with beef brisket, 1/2 of a chicken, ribs, mac n cheese, coleslaw, cornbread, and fries. They also have I think 6 choices of BBQ sauces. I didn't have any fat on my ribs! The chicken tasty. The mac n cheese was really good and it had pieces of corn and green chilies in it. The coleslaw was delicious. We really hit the nail on the head on our first BBQ sampling. I even had seconds for lunch the next day. It was tasty. Our server was hysterical and charming. We will be back!
(3)Craig S.
Another solid meal at Dave's! My wife and I each got a half slab of ribs. Being able to pick your sauce and sides always makes for a new experience (if you want to change it up). The ribs were spot on, fall off the bone and I got the Wilbur beans and Mac and cheese to compliment the meal. Friendly staff and efficient service. I've never had any issues at this location. Great!
(5)Jackie G.
This is our favorite spot for BBQ. The ribs are very good, but I usually get the brisket. The sides are good - I usually get the baked beans and drunken applies. We have always had very good service and everyone has been friendly. They also have an early bird special if you go in before 4:00 - smaller portions and a little cheaper so that's a pretty good deal They have catered my company picnic for the last few years and the food they provided has been wonderful. Beef brisket or chicken sandwich with beans and chips. That's how I first heard of Famous Dave's. I love this place!
(5)Monica L.
This is the first time I've tried this Famous Dave's. It was as good as the others. The rib tips are the best in Denver, in my opinion. The fries are good if you put more salt on them. The pecan pie is very good.
(4)Mike I.
Not Texas BBQ but darn close. The ribs are amazing!
(4)Asia S.
I came to here after the Daveco. It is a busy place. The wait was 25 mins. At least I got to hang out at the bar drinking cold beer. I got tried these Wilbur's revenge wings. They are one of the hottest. I can eat super hot food, but the sauce definitely has its kick! That is why I give it 4 stars. The ribs are ok. They don't peel off from the bones easily, not too tender. It is not my style of BBQ. I think All your can eat rib tips every Thursday! for 9.99 is super deal. I will go back for that!
(4)Michael D.
You can't go wrong with the ribs and my wife and I both like them. If you never have been there give it a whirl, but on friday & saturday there is usually a line so show up early, otherwise you stomach will be growling because of the great smells that tease you while you wait. The menu continues to change and there is always something new to try. We go on Tuesdays because my daughter can eat for free and don't forget to check in with foursquare, something they have specials. The staff is great and any issues I have are addressed.
(5)Casey C.
Don't miss out on the platter. The pulled pork and brisket are the best by far. I might skip the chicken and ribs. I know they say the ribs are famous, but I'm not sure what for. The 4 stars is it's a little "chainey"
(4)Brian D.
This place is like the best BBQ ever.
(5)Jim B.
So far this is the best BBQ I've found within an easy drive of Lafayette. I think it's a little better than KT's. Service, though, was a bit spotty.
(3)Diane D.
Great chopped pork, ribs & chili!!! Fantastic selection of sauces!
(5)Hiker Chicka e.
Jesus, this barbecue is worth resurrecting for. The food is lip smacking good. I love the links (sausages), they are juicy, flavorful, and delicious. The ribs the fall of the bone. Even the side dishes taste pretty good. The corn bread seems to be baked fresh every single time I've been there. And save some room for the for the yummy bread pudding. Yes. I realize this is a chain. But it's an exception to the rule. The place is clean and inviting. Regardless of the time you go, this place is packed. Obviously they are doing something right, because it is not located in a very populated area. If you like barbecue this is worth the drive. Last but not least, eat responsibly. I recommend you hit the gym before and after the dining experience. :)
(4)Harry P.
Not bad for a chain... Stick with the brisket and you can't go wrong ;)
(4)Jennifer K.
When it comes to grading Famous Daves, it all depends on whether you have ever eaten truly fantastic BBQ. If you have, you'll find the BBQ spots around Boulder-Denver-Longmont rather a let down. Locals tend to give rave reviews to anything that even passes for half decent. I have eaten more often than I really wanted to at Famous Daves, with friends who know I adore BBQ...I even schlepped to Reno last year for the annual Nugget Best in the West rib cook off ( a meaty, smoky feeding frenzy). Famous Daves has very well-trained super-friendly staff and a big restaurant full of families and couples gnawing happily on ribs. They serve average quality BBQ that is over-priced, but it's an enjoyable place as far as chains go. The food quality varies a lot. Lately it has gone downhill, or maybe my last two take-out visits were just unlucky. The brisket was dry and tough...just really poor. The ribs were tasty but needed that sauce more than well-smoked ribs should, since half the rack had dried out. As for the chopped pork - just flavorless and boring... (Oh, Lord..please Fedex me a pulled pork sandwich from Payne's in Memphis...half the price and a thousand times better) The fries are decent if they're fresh...they don't travel well. I can't get enough of the baked beans. Last couple of times, I was at Famous Daves at 5.45 pm, when one certainly hopes that everything will be at its succulent best, ready for evening rush. Did I get yesterday's leftovers??? It sure tasted that way. There are some good low priced lunch specials, for those who want to sample this place before throwing fifty bucks at an evening meal for two. It's good to have a few BBQ restaurants within driving range of home, and there's always the over-rated, over-priced The Rib House by Chef Extraordinaire. But for BBQ fanatics who are used to the quality of Mike Anderson's or Big Al's, TX...or any number of hole in the wall joints through the south, sorry... you may be disappointed. I keep trying to find BB heaven in CO...so far, it's not happening.
(3)Chris M.
I think its hard to really screw up bbq but it seems that in north Denver there are no good bbq places. Famous Dave's is the exception.
(4)Neal J.
This is good BBQ for Colorado, not great, but still able to satisfy that BBQ craving if you get one. I ordered a variety from their menu for a crew helping me set up a new office. We had brisket, ribs, chicken, pulled pork, coleslaw, biscuits, baked beans, etc. The ribs were by far the best. The brisket was disappointing to me, but I am comparing it to stuff I've eaten in Texas (now that's good BBQ). Unfortunately they don't deliver so I had to send a guy to pick it up. Prices here are way out of line for BBQ in my opinion, but again I am probably comparing it to some dive BBQ joints (which have the best BBQ anyway) in Texas. I think there are other places in the area on par or even better than Famous Dave's with more reasonable pricing, so I don't think I'll be returning, but you never know.
(3)J S.
Famous Dave's slogan should be, we took comfort, casual, homestyle food and added big chain atmosphere and pricing, yay! So, I'm not a big fan of big chain eaterys, something always seems to get lost in translation, sure it tasted great in the test kitchen but.......anyway, that's the vibe at this place. I will agree with another reviewer who said the ribs are good, they are, but the brisket and pork are just ok with the brisket being on the low side of that. Please don't be offended by what I'm about to say but if you can't cook you probably already know it and, if you can cook, even a little, you can make stuff that probably tastes better for a LOT less money. This place puts a lot on the menu, but it doesn't mean it all lives up to it's description. I'm in with make less but make it taste better train of thought so a huge menu doesn't win me over. They had one more chance to steal my heart, I'm a sucker for onion straws, that super thin version of onion rings, well, they were uber greasy (yes, I am expecting a certain level of grease, this was waaay too much) like they had taken them straight from the fryer and into the little paper lined basket. I kid you not, there was a mini grease lake at the bottom and I was re-tasting them for the rest of the day over and above anything else I ate, gross. Having previously lived in Texas, I will say that Colorado has some sorry @$$ excuses for bbq. Perhaps there are some gems, but I have yet to find them living in my suburban bubble. My last word on Famous Dave's, if you can't cook and have a big ol craving for overpriced barbeque, this is the place for you. Enjoy!
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