This place is so gross. Just the smell of the food when I drive past makes my stomach churn. Not my kind of BBQ, but if it isn't Carolina BBQ, it's just not BBQ.
(1)
Jon G.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, but when I went there today, the service was horrible. The place wasn't full at all and there was plenty of staff working the floor. I walked in and the host wasn't at the stand. He showed up about 2 minutes later to seat us. After about 5 minutes our waiter showed up to the table ready to take our drink order. At that time we were ready to order, so he took both. About 6 minutes later the drinks arrived (we only ordered soft drinks). Almost 15 minutes after we walk in, all we have is our pop, lovely! The food was good,I will give them that but our server rarely checked on us from then on, I had to flag him down like I was trying to get a taxi for a simple refill. Some people need retraining at this joint!
(3)
Lena L.
Come super hungry between 11:00am-5:00pm Monday -Friday for the early bird special. It's a really good deal at that time!
(2)
Mike D.
It was a Thursday night, and my lovely wife choose to do take-out from Famous Dave's for dinner. To start, let me say that I was surprised at the new takeout containers. What used to be a big plastic tray with a clear plastic cover has been transformed to a much more eco friendly cardboard container. Inside was an order of BBQ chicken, fries, beans, and a muffin. For years, they used to include a chunk of corn on the cob, but that disappeared several months or so ago. The best part about the new container is it allows the food to breathe, so the fries didn't steam themselves into a limp mess, but rather kept a nice consistency. The BBQ chicken here is always very tender and flavorful. I've probably had it a few dozen times in the past, and it has been consistently good. The beans were alright, a bit heavy on the meat this time, but that is probably luck of the draw (or ladle). The fries were nice, especially the ones the chicken sat upon, leaving a nice BBQ coating of the type you just can't duplicate by dipping them in the sauce. I also liked the corn muffin top, as usual peeling away and eating the harder coating and tossing the stump. The spareribs, hot link sausage, and potato salad are other favorites I didn't have this time around. Wishlist: I wish they had more than the two sauces available in packets for takeout. Please add Rich and Sassy, Georgia Mustard, and even Wilbur's Revenge would be great.
(4)
Chris F.
I had the brisket and my friend had BBQ chicken. Both meals were very good. There are six sauces covering a range of regional BBQ tastes. There are many sides choices. I had slaw and baked beans. Service was good. This is my third visit. I've had pulled pork in the past, also very good. Friends tell me the ribs are also good.
(4)
Bruce F.
We ordered standard take out ribs for two and added a 1lb beef brisket as well. The ribs for two were good, as usual, but the brisket was outstanding. It was cooked to perfection and as tender as I have ever had. Good Job Famous Dave. Famous Bruce approves!!
(5)
Mia K.
All I can say is ...ummm...ummm...ummm!!! When ever you see a BBQ place FULL of Black people...you better believe that "schtuff" is GOOD!!! Mama's Backyard Punch....its on! The ribs 'n chicken...are you sure Dave himself is not in the parking lot barbecuing right now? Get down 'n dirty with them sauces Baby! The corn muffin...eat your heart out Boston Market! The Brisket...why would anyone wanna be vegetarian? :-P The sausage...those spices, WHAT is that? "Deeeeeelishis!" The baked beans...yup pile it on! Bread pudding with vanilla ice cream...ooooooooh my GOD! They'll even cater your function...they bring the food to you in those cool red fire engines (lol) I'll pass on the wings (weird taste and texture), the potato salad (just not right), the pulled pork (I never like that...ever), the fries (wedges but sometimes hard), the fish(nuh uhn) and the brownie dessert (not devilish enough)...but that's just me! Other than that...you can call me "Famous Mia K." ;-)
(4)
Amanda M.
Came here for my boyfriend's birthday and the we really enjoyed our experience. The food and service here was spectacular! I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)
Yvette A.
Nice place to eat and they give you a very generous portion of food. The atmosphere is family oriented. They also have a great happy hour with $5 drinks!
(4)
Dave K.
After an 11 month hiatus, we ate at Famous Daves this evening with a huge group of friends. It was a party of 24, and we sat on the outside patio. Service was good, we had one waitress and kept her busy, busy busy... She did a great job and the food was really good and fresh. I got the Combo with Catfish and Pulled Pork with Coleslaw and Wilbur Beans. Although they still haven't brought back the jalapeno sauce for the Catfish, the tartar base sauce was good. My wife.got the beef tips again and this time they came out meaty, fresh, tender and with lots of sauce. Overall great experience, and thought I should update my 2 star review... :)
(3)
Jim G.
I was there last night. I kept it simple and ordered a half slab of ribs. I ordered them naked (which means without sauce) because they have 6 different choices of sauce on the table and I wanted to try them all. The meal comes with two sides and a corn muffin. I got the firecracker green beans and the wilbur beans which are basically pork and beans. Both were good. The ribs themselves are meaty and tender. I tried all of the different sauces on them. Some I liked, and some I didn't. I'm not a fan of black pepper and didn't care for the sauces which were heavy with it. I think I prefer their house sauce the best, but they did have one called Wilbur's Revenge which is extra spicy and has a red cap. That was good too, but I liked having a variety to choose from and wouldn't have wanted it on ALL of my ribs. If you're a fan of country music, they were playing some real classics last night. That was nice. Overall, I think they have the best ribs of any chain restaurant. Definitely worth a visit. They are a bit pricey though. I paid $20 before tip for my meal and a soft drink.
(4)
Margaret V.
I'm giving Famous Dave's three stars given I only ate a cheeseburger and never partaked in any bbq. Neither did my husband. We came at around 6 on a Friday thinking it would be busy, but not so packed you couldn't make your way through the lobby. We noticed the "bar" (6 seats) was empty and decided to belly up. Given it was a bar and had multiple types of liquor, I asked for a Pinot Grigio. I was abruptly don't they don't have Pinot Grigio. Ok, I'll ask for a red wine. Which was from a box. Despite that it was pretty good and a large glass was only $4.50. I had a coupon for a free burger. I got the smoked cheddar. The taste of the burger was good, but the menu said that the cheese was smoked and maybe it was, but it was shredded and a little odd. The burger was huge and I couldn't finish it. It came with one side and there were multiple options. I ended up getting the grilled pineapple and it was awesome! A little sweet, a little spicy! My hubby ended up getting a boneless wing dinner with mac and cheese and coleslaw. He liked the coleslaw and cornbread, but the mac and cheese was a little different. The taste was good, but it had corn in it.... He mentioned the wings were good, but a tad overdone/crispy. Beers were cheap. Service as ok. For a chain, Famous Daves isn't bad! Just be prepared, it's a popular restaurant in Westland!
(3)
Kris A.
A friend took me here for a birthday lunch. I ordered the St. Louis rib & catfish finger platter with mac-n-cheese & a corn bread muffin. The waitress warned me that the mac-n-cheese was spicy, just so I'd know. The food came out pretty quickly. The ribs were not bad, a little on the tough side, but with good flavor. There's quite a variety of sauces for you to ad to them, and I went with the sweet n tangy. The catfish fingers were quite good with a nice crispy batter. The Mac-n-cheese was creamy, maybe a little on the runny side, with a hint of jalapeno but not at all spicy. The cornbread muffin was OK, but they need to serve it with butter. Service was great, and the manager came by to ask how things were. The restaurant is clean & well maintained making it an overall very pleasant lunch!
(3)
Rob S.
Our daughter chose Famous Dave's for her 14th birthday. I spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom. Not trying to blast the place; it's pretty good. But when you go through what I went through, you'd give it 2 stars too. If you're still reading and are wondering what it was that I ate, I had the burnt ends entree. The staff was very warm and welcoming. Our waitress was on top of things. But that entree kicked my rear. Not sure if/when we'll be back because of the food poisoning. But don't let my review deter you from going. We've had pleasant visits here in the past.
(2)
Evie B.
Pick up is the only way to go... No waiting! It's been a long time since I've been here and happy to note that the ribs are as fantastic as always!!!! Tender off the bone yumminess . The sides are the only disappointment. They really shouldn't be an after thought which is what it seems. The Mac cheese was yucky- mushy bland yucky...fries.. Eh... Potato salad- coleslaw - meh... My only HUGE complaint $18 per person for 1/2 slab ribs, 2 sides , drink... WTH????? The ribs are very good, but the sides not, so you're paying $$$ for 1/2 (7 bones) ribs
(4)
Pete P.
Had good meal at Famous Dave's in Westland on Saturday. I ordered the brisket and hot link combo with baked beans and mac & cheese. Dave's has pretty solid barbeque. It is a chain but all around very good. the sauces I like are Devil's Spit & Texas Pit. I also ordered their new burnt ends. They were pretty good, a bit heavy on the sweet sauce and not enough crusty rub like burnt ends should be but not bad at all. Service was a bit slow although I don't blame the waitress as much as management for this. They gave her tables on opposite sides of the restaurant which is kind of puzzling. She did her best under somewhat trying circumstances. I like the non-chain 'que joints but I'll keep going to Dave's every now and them.
(4)
Rob C.
This is usually a really good place for BBQ, even tho it's a corporate pace. I like this location better than the others in the area because the food has been really consistent. Unfortunately, not this time. Ribs were tougher than usual, the corn on the cob was REALLY BAD, the chicken was ok, not it's usual great flavor. Service this visit was bad. Servers were standing around complaining about how un-busy it was, while the tables they did have were not being taken care of. Lots of horsing around in the kitchen area, (I was seated at a table that I could see right into it).
(3)
Rick S.
OK...I review a lot of BBQ joints. Dave's is a chain and will be reviewed as such. I LIKE THIER FOOD. The food, and the resturants do lack the personal touches that you get at the smaller independent places, BUT you get consistency...and they are consistently good. The ribs are excellent and I like their sauces. The briscut is made in house and varies from place to place, but I haven't had any that was bad. The Wilbur beans are great, with just enough spice. I love the cornbread biscuts. The other sides I've had are decent...not spectacular, but you won't spit 'em out. Top off the meal with a Famous Margarita and I'm good! If I had one bad thing to say about the Westland location, It has to be that the bar is too small. I think it's only 5-6 seats. It used to be a little bigger, but they remodeled and made it smaller! I never got that. I do like to stop in and just have a Margarita once in a while. The "personal touches" the chain lacks is made up for by the staff. The bartenders and servers are friendly and personable. I've been going there for a few years and got to know a few of them. You should too! If you haven't, go eat at Dave's. You won't be sorry.
(5)
Sarah S.
I've been here a few times and every time I have been disappointed. It mainly has to do with the staff, not attentive what so ever and when I asked for something, you could have believed I asked them for some huge favor. With that aside, the food is good, not great. I had gotten the St. Louis style ribs the last time, and it was almost all bone with no meat. Needless to say, I won't be dying to come back.
(2)
Mel B.
I love this place. I visited Westland Famous Dave and everything was good. I love there ribs.
(4)
Nikki W.
Meh. Good food, good staff (most of the time). The St.Louis ribs at this location lack flavor and meatiness compared to the ones I always have at the Taylor location.
(3)
Nicole W.
Middle of no-where suburbia! Friendly staff, food was tasty - or let's say as good as i've had at other branches. Not as attentive as it could have been, but the water was re-filled and we did get some beers when we asked half way thru the meal (even had another server help out) It was a pretty cold location - i wanted to eat with my coat on. Parking is very accessible.
(3)
Liz R.
Second year in a row that I received the FEAST as my free birthday item. We brought home a whole roasted chicken, half a rack of Memphis-style ribs and 5 slices of brisket - enough for 4 more meals. Our bill, after they removed the $55 Feast charge, was $4-something for two pops. Crazy!! If you're a fan of FD at all I highly recommend you join their PIG club, if for no other reason then to try and get this free birthday deal.
(4)
John M.
My wife doesn't like BBQ but loved the pulled chicken sandwich. The hot sauce does not fool around. The food is pretty good for a chain BBQ.
(3)
Liz W.
Overall it's a meh chain. There is treasure to be found amongst the meh though. For instance the Texas manhandler sandwich with the sausage slices, smoked brisket and hellfire pickles (happy) done up Memphis style with coleslaw on top is very delicious with a bit of rich and sassy or devils spit BBQ sauce. It is even better if you can talk them into substituting pulled pork for the brisket, which I usually can. I quite like the smoked salmon app with the grilled flatbread. The catfish fingers with the double sauces aren't too bad either. I kinda like the sweet soul jalapeno one. The desserts are a treat as well. They have absolutely fabu pecan pie, served up with ice cream and real whipped cream it is easily big enough for two. The bread pudding is a very good version and also plenty for two hungry folks with the ice cream and whip. The ribs are meh and can also be tough rather than fall off the bone, the brisket can also be chewy. The chicken is quite less than stellar regardless of which version you pick. The sausage is decent though as is the pulled pork. I find the sides to be just fair other than the beans which are very nice with the shredded pork added in. I belong to the e club and they send you deals and a birthday present every year. Two years back I got an All American Feast as my gift from the e club, it was a full slab of St. Louis-style spareribs, a whole chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas beef brisket or Georgia chopped pork, coleslaw, fries, Wilbur beans, four corn-on-the-cob, and four corn bread muffins. It was served family-style on a garbage can lid. Yep all for free. It served me, my husband and my parents and we had enough to take home some for the next day's lunch for James and I. Happy birthday me. Extra star for that.
(3)
Jeremy K.
Great meal tonight. Had the feast for 2. Ribs were great, brisket can't be beat. Wait staff was very good as well.
(4)
P B.
Ribs were tender, all the food was hot and delicious!! Banana Pudding is da bomb!!
(4)
Cosmo S.
Decent place and the BBQ is pretty probably one of the best BBQ for a chain. Their onion rings are amazing! I would strongly recommend you join their PIG club. You get great coupons emailed to you and also a special birthday coupon's one entree and get one free and it's good for anything up to $15. I just went with my boyfriend and we both got huge meals, an appetizer and beers...our bill was less than $20!
(3)
Andrea S.
My friend ordered a half-slab of ribs, was really disappointed in the amount of meat that was missing from the ribs. There was only a smidgen of meat on the top. None on the sides or bottom. What are you doing with the rest of the rib meat, Dave? Making the barbecued sandwiches? My beef brisket was quite good however.
(3)
Moose F.
Chain restaurants are a crap-shoot. They all try to do their food the same way. And if a chain does food a way you like, you really hope it's the same way at other places. My first taste of Famous Dave's was in my former hometown, in a shop that has since closed [which makes me a Saaaaad Moose to find that out]. I was delighted to find that there was one relatively close to me here. Famous Dave's offers two kinds of pork ribs: baby back and St Louis style. Once I found the St Louis style I never went back. Unlike most people I do not like rib meat falling off the bone. I like it to be slightly chewy, maybe even a little tough. Not gristle, not hard to chew, just not "why is my rib meat in my lap." I suppose I should technically eat them with a knife and fork , but why? Half the fun of bbq ribs is picking them up and shoving them in your face. I've only tried a few other things on their menu. The sausage is smoky and spicy. The hot bbq wings have a nice zing to them. And the beef brisket.... mmmmm. Fork tender but not touch-it-and-it-explodes-into-a-thousand-pieces. The St Louis ribs come in a bbq sauce that's tasty. On the table is 4 or 5 sauces you can add. I like to add the spicy sauce, especially to the brisket, if I get it. The meals come with a choice of two sides, plus a cornbread muffin and a half ear of corn on the cob. If I had one complaint about Famous Dave's it's that almost all of the sides [except the cole slaw] are carbs. Yes, folks, string beans are a carb. They're a high-glycemic vegetable. I'm not a low carb nut, but I do try to watch them. Unfortunately the string beans are damned tasty [and made with bacon!] I'm not a fan of their mac & cheese but friends of mine are. I've never tried any of their desserts. I usually get a side salad, which is a pretty good size and loaded with things like egg and bacon and carrots and other stuff -- they ask if you want all the toppings. Between the salad and the giant platter of food, I'm either full or taking home leftovers by the time the dessert question rolls around. There are, I'm sure, better, local bbq places around that I would love to try. But Famous Dave's offers me things the others don't: No hour long waits [which can be tough for people who literally cannot stand around], comfortable seating, and not being restricted to take away. Maybe I'll be able to try some of the other BBQ places around the area some time, but for now I have Famous Dave's.
(4)
Steven B.
New menu. Cedar plank salmon is awesome.
(5)
Karen L.
I ordered country-roasted chicken for myself and a plain burger for my 5 year old son. My food came out with the wrong sides. My son's burger came out with traces of scraped off cheese. Had to flag two waiters to get our waitress back to fix the orders. Our service was not bad but it didn't warrant a tip of more than 15%. Our waitress didn't smile once, talked really fast and always quick to rush away. I think she didn't like her job. Food wasn't bad once it was straightened out. Loved the sauces and the country-roasted chicken, though. Maybe the service will be better next time...
(3)
F E.
Well, overall, I'm not a fan of chain restaurants and a friend of mine has always said she didn't care for FD so I never bothered. I found myself here one Saturday evening though with a group of friends and I'll just be damned! I like it! There was a crazy wait, but somehow our party of 7 was seated very quickly (think someone messed up, but whatevaaaaa!!!!) Our server was "Famous Kim" and yes they make them say "Famous" before their name. I think that's super corny and tipped well accordingly. Anywho, Kim was really nice which is always a big deal to me. Long story short we ordered, and ordered, and over ordered and I think our tab was just over $100 which I thought was great for 7 greedy chicks. We had a shitload of leftovers too, so IMO, great value at FD. Personally, I loved the ribs. They're well seasoned and smoky as they should be. Everything I tasted (we ordered the feast + feast for 2 + sausages and an extra side or two) was good and the sauces are pretty tasty as well. I like mixing them to make one super sauce. It's actually better than bbq I've had from people who claim to be grill masters. No it's not your Uncle Wooden Leg's bbq that he gets up at 4am to start, but I'm sorry to tell you, you won't find that anywhere. I actually went here before I went to that OTHER place that starts with an S and as I sat at that other place my companions and I decided we like FD way better, so consider that. I also visited the Novi location at a later date where I was introduced to the sweetwater catfish which is one of the most fantastic things EVER. I'm totally a fan of FD and I'm totally pissed with my friend for always panning it cause the Georgia locations have closed. I coulda been eating there years ago. :-(
(4)
Boodah D.
I suck meat off the BONE here! Oh my... I know many know about this place but it is just that good. The array of sauces make the BBQ experience that much more exciting. I like my bones hot so the Devil Spit is my favorite. Meaty and succulent this is... you cannot go wrong if you go to Famous Dave. The dessert was fantastic as well! They have something called bread pudding which was heaven in cup! Almost had to keep it from everyone at table. I cannot believe I suck bones clean when I went. I normally never do that. Enjoy.
(4)
Daniel E.
I don't care if it's Michigan BBQ, Memphis BBQ, Texas Pitt or Kansas City style, BBQ is BBQ and it's all delicious. I almost want to give my local Famous Dave's a 5th star just to counteract the lame two liner from Cathy W. Yep, it's a chain, but that doesn't make the cooks at this particular Famous Dave's slouches. They know what they're doing. The ribs are cooked to perfection, not overly saucy, never dry and full of flavor. The ribs are very meaty and Famous Dave's pepper-packed "Texas Pit" is among my favorite BBQ sauces out there period. Also very tasty are their catfish fingers. I'm not sure what they're putting in that spice blend, but it's absolutely fantastic, especially with the roumalade sauce that accompanies them. My only complaints is that the corn is sometimes overcooked, but I love that you can get out of here for a really filling lunch for under 10 dollars per person. Atmosphere is very much like an old roadhouse. Lots of automotive memorabilia on the wall along with Radio Flyer wagons, toys and advertisements from yesteryear. Knotty Pine walls, big pine tables and a roll of paper towels on old pieces of plumbing are there to prevent the constant questioning of servers for extra napkins. I also dig that they leave all their BBQ sauces out on the table so you can try them all. Lots of blues and bluegrass music being played, but it's not so loud that you can't hear your dining partners, though you may only hear the smacking of your own lips. Staff at this location is really friendly, the restaurant is really clean and the food has always been prepared to my expectations. Have I had better BBQ? Yep. But I can't duplicate these flavors on my backyard grill without making myself incredibly frustrated, and for that reason alone, I'll be back to Famous Dave's time and time again for my fix of finger licking fun. Don't believe the haters who haven't even written ANYTHING about the food. Give Famous Dave's in Westland a try.
(4)
George C.
It's good! I like it and go there often. The ribs are great. Service has been really good every time I have went there. Try it you'll like it.
(5)
Matt B.
It's yummy. That should be all anyone needs when talking about Famous Dave's. I only wish there was one closer, because if there was, I'd be eating my heart out with pit-smoked barbecue like, daily or something. Famous Dave's ribs are so full of yummy goodness and flavor, and the sauces are outstanding. When people tell me they hate barbecue, I take 'em here and they see how it's done...most people leave converted. :) Sauce-wise, the Rich & Sassy is the default. Sweet with a little tang, good rich smoky flavor. Sweet & Zesty is somewhat sweeter, and has a little garlicky spice to it that gives it a little extra punch. Texas Pit is one of my favorites, great tomato-based sauce with a little black pepper, onion, garlic, and a tiny kick. Then, when I like it hot (which is almost all the time), I go for Devil's Spit, which is another yummy tomato-based sauce, bold and rich, with a cayenne pepper jolt that leaves a little bit of a burn in your mouth after it's all done. I tend to shy away from the Georgia Mustard, because I'm not a fan of the sour/mustardy sauces, though. The St. Louis-style ribs are absolutely dynamite here. Very flavorful, tender, and just all-around yummy. The brisket is tender and flavorful, made even better with the application of a little Devil's Spit. Hot links are very good, and -HUGE- portions, and the barbecued chicken is to die for here. Last, the sides...baked beans for the win here. Although the sauce is a little thin for my tastes, it's very flavorful, and I love the jalapenos they put in it. Gives the whole thing a low heat that's oh-so-good. Seasoned fries that put virtually anyone to shame. Cinnamon apples that are sweet and juicy, and will take the edge off the heat for most. And then...cornbread. Oh, my god, the cornbread muffins. Sweet as candy, crumbly, and just ... really damn good.
(5)
Dan M.
Wow! That is what my family typically says after eating here--at the best Famous Dave's by far that we have visited. This is followed closely by my 7 year old saying "I overate Daddy--like I always do here because it's sooooo good." We willingly drive 30 minutes to eat here when we are hungry for Barbecue. I love the ribs (Tip--Always ask for center cut and they will bring you meatier bones for no additional cost), the barbecue sausage, the chicken, and several other items on the menu but my favorite entree by far is the Beef Brisket. It is TDF--To Die For. Splash a bit of Texas Pit sauce on it (they have several others at the table to choose from as well) and you are on your way to tasty happyland. The entrees come with more than enough food to fill you up including amazing corn bread muffins, corn on the cob, and your choice several sides (my faves are Wilbur Beans and cinnamon apples). Then its time for dessert. Don't miss the rootbeer float (consider getting it as a drink with your meal like my wife often does) and the pecan pie. Dessert portions are huge so keep that in mind when ordering. The service has been fantastic as well and a couple of the servers even know our family and remember details about previous visits. I believe they have earned best restaurant in Westland honors several years and it is easy to see why. One other suggestion--beware on weekend nights as they do not do reservatons or call ahead. It's good to get there early or even do take out as all of the food keeps well. One take out idea that works well for us is the Rib Tips til Payday which is pretty much what it sounds like...several pounds of rib tips with fries. I hope you enjoy as much as we do!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Cathy W.
This place is so gross. Just the smell of the food when I drive past makes my stomach churn. Not my kind of BBQ, but if it isn't Carolina BBQ, it's just not BBQ.
(1)Jon G.
This is one of my all time favorite restaurants, but when I went there today, the service was horrible. The place wasn't full at all and there was plenty of staff working the floor. I walked in and the host wasn't at the stand. He showed up about 2 minutes later to seat us. After about 5 minutes our waiter showed up to the table ready to take our drink order. At that time we were ready to order, so he took both. About 6 minutes later the drinks arrived (we only ordered soft drinks). Almost 15 minutes after we walk in, all we have is our pop, lovely! The food was good,I will give them that but our server rarely checked on us from then on, I had to flag him down like I was trying to get a taxi for a simple refill. Some people need retraining at this joint!
(3)Lena L.
Come super hungry between 11:00am-5:00pm Monday -Friday for the early bird special. It's a really good deal at that time!
(2)Mike D.
It was a Thursday night, and my lovely wife choose to do take-out from Famous Dave's for dinner. To start, let me say that I was surprised at the new takeout containers. What used to be a big plastic tray with a clear plastic cover has been transformed to a much more eco friendly cardboard container. Inside was an order of BBQ chicken, fries, beans, and a muffin. For years, they used to include a chunk of corn on the cob, but that disappeared several months or so ago. The best part about the new container is it allows the food to breathe, so the fries didn't steam themselves into a limp mess, but rather kept a nice consistency. The BBQ chicken here is always very tender and flavorful. I've probably had it a few dozen times in the past, and it has been consistently good. The beans were alright, a bit heavy on the meat this time, but that is probably luck of the draw (or ladle). The fries were nice, especially the ones the chicken sat upon, leaving a nice BBQ coating of the type you just can't duplicate by dipping them in the sauce. I also liked the corn muffin top, as usual peeling away and eating the harder coating and tossing the stump. The spareribs, hot link sausage, and potato salad are other favorites I didn't have this time around. Wishlist: I wish they had more than the two sauces available in packets for takeout. Please add Rich and Sassy, Georgia Mustard, and even Wilbur's Revenge would be great.
(4)Chris F.
I had the brisket and my friend had BBQ chicken. Both meals were very good. There are six sauces covering a range of regional BBQ tastes. There are many sides choices. I had slaw and baked beans. Service was good. This is my third visit. I've had pulled pork in the past, also very good. Friends tell me the ribs are also good.
(4)Bruce F.
We ordered standard take out ribs for two and added a 1lb beef brisket as well. The ribs for two were good, as usual, but the brisket was outstanding. It was cooked to perfection and as tender as I have ever had. Good Job Famous Dave. Famous Bruce approves!!
(5)Mia K.
All I can say is ...ummm...ummm...ummm!!! When ever you see a BBQ place FULL of Black people...you better believe that "schtuff" is GOOD!!! Mama's Backyard Punch....its on! The ribs 'n chicken...are you sure Dave himself is not in the parking lot barbecuing right now? Get down 'n dirty with them sauces Baby! The corn muffin...eat your heart out Boston Market! The Brisket...why would anyone wanna be vegetarian? :-P The sausage...those spices, WHAT is that? "Deeeeeelishis!" The baked beans...yup pile it on! Bread pudding with vanilla ice cream...ooooooooh my GOD! They'll even cater your function...they bring the food to you in those cool red fire engines (lol) I'll pass on the wings (weird taste and texture), the potato salad (just not right), the pulled pork (I never like that...ever), the fries (wedges but sometimes hard), the fish(nuh uhn) and the brownie dessert (not devilish enough)...but that's just me! Other than that...you can call me "Famous Mia K." ;-)
(4)Amanda M.
Came here for my boyfriend's birthday and the we really enjoyed our experience. The food and service here was spectacular! I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(4)Yvette A.
Nice place to eat and they give you a very generous portion of food. The atmosphere is family oriented. They also have a great happy hour with $5 drinks!
(4)Dave K.
After an 11 month hiatus, we ate at Famous Daves this evening with a huge group of friends. It was a party of 24, and we sat on the outside patio. Service was good, we had one waitress and kept her busy, busy busy... She did a great job and the food was really good and fresh. I got the Combo with Catfish and Pulled Pork with Coleslaw and Wilbur Beans. Although they still haven't brought back the jalapeno sauce for the Catfish, the tartar base sauce was good. My wife.got the beef tips again and this time they came out meaty, fresh, tender and with lots of sauce. Overall great experience, and thought I should update my 2 star review... :)
(3)Jim G.
I was there last night. I kept it simple and ordered a half slab of ribs. I ordered them naked (which means without sauce) because they have 6 different choices of sauce on the table and I wanted to try them all. The meal comes with two sides and a corn muffin. I got the firecracker green beans and the wilbur beans which are basically pork and beans. Both were good. The ribs themselves are meaty and tender. I tried all of the different sauces on them. Some I liked, and some I didn't. I'm not a fan of black pepper and didn't care for the sauces which were heavy with it. I think I prefer their house sauce the best, but they did have one called Wilbur's Revenge which is extra spicy and has a red cap. That was good too, but I liked having a variety to choose from and wouldn't have wanted it on ALL of my ribs. If you're a fan of country music, they were playing some real classics last night. That was nice. Overall, I think they have the best ribs of any chain restaurant. Definitely worth a visit. They are a bit pricey though. I paid $20 before tip for my meal and a soft drink.
(4)Margaret V.
I'm giving Famous Dave's three stars given I only ate a cheeseburger and never partaked in any bbq. Neither did my husband. We came at around 6 on a Friday thinking it would be busy, but not so packed you couldn't make your way through the lobby. We noticed the "bar" (6 seats) was empty and decided to belly up. Given it was a bar and had multiple types of liquor, I asked for a Pinot Grigio. I was abruptly don't they don't have Pinot Grigio. Ok, I'll ask for a red wine. Which was from a box. Despite that it was pretty good and a large glass was only $4.50. I had a coupon for a free burger. I got the smoked cheddar. The taste of the burger was good, but the menu said that the cheese was smoked and maybe it was, but it was shredded and a little odd. The burger was huge and I couldn't finish it. It came with one side and there were multiple options. I ended up getting the grilled pineapple and it was awesome! A little sweet, a little spicy! My hubby ended up getting a boneless wing dinner with mac and cheese and coleslaw. He liked the coleslaw and cornbread, but the mac and cheese was a little different. The taste was good, but it had corn in it.... He mentioned the wings were good, but a tad overdone/crispy. Beers were cheap. Service as ok. For a chain, Famous Daves isn't bad! Just be prepared, it's a popular restaurant in Westland!
(3)Kris A.
A friend took me here for a birthday lunch. I ordered the St. Louis rib & catfish finger platter with mac-n-cheese & a corn bread muffin. The waitress warned me that the mac-n-cheese was spicy, just so I'd know. The food came out pretty quickly. The ribs were not bad, a little on the tough side, but with good flavor. There's quite a variety of sauces for you to ad to them, and I went with the sweet n tangy. The catfish fingers were quite good with a nice crispy batter. The Mac-n-cheese was creamy, maybe a little on the runny side, with a hint of jalapeno but not at all spicy. The cornbread muffin was OK, but they need to serve it with butter. Service was great, and the manager came by to ask how things were. The restaurant is clean & well maintained making it an overall very pleasant lunch!
(3)Rob S.
Our daughter chose Famous Dave's for her 14th birthday. I spent the rest of the evening in the bathroom. Not trying to blast the place; it's pretty good. But when you go through what I went through, you'd give it 2 stars too. If you're still reading and are wondering what it was that I ate, I had the burnt ends entree. The staff was very warm and welcoming. Our waitress was on top of things. But that entree kicked my rear. Not sure if/when we'll be back because of the food poisoning. But don't let my review deter you from going. We've had pleasant visits here in the past.
(2)Evie B.
Pick up is the only way to go... No waiting! It's been a long time since I've been here and happy to note that the ribs are as fantastic as always!!!! Tender off the bone yumminess . The sides are the only disappointment. They really shouldn't be an after thought which is what it seems. The Mac cheese was yucky- mushy bland yucky...fries.. Eh... Potato salad- coleslaw - meh... My only HUGE complaint $18 per person for 1/2 slab ribs, 2 sides , drink... WTH????? The ribs are very good, but the sides not, so you're paying $$$ for 1/2 (7 bones) ribs
(4)Pete P.
Had good meal at Famous Dave's in Westland on Saturday. I ordered the brisket and hot link combo with baked beans and mac & cheese. Dave's has pretty solid barbeque. It is a chain but all around very good. the sauces I like are Devil's Spit & Texas Pit. I also ordered their new burnt ends. They were pretty good, a bit heavy on the sweet sauce and not enough crusty rub like burnt ends should be but not bad at all. Service was a bit slow although I don't blame the waitress as much as management for this. They gave her tables on opposite sides of the restaurant which is kind of puzzling. She did her best under somewhat trying circumstances. I like the non-chain 'que joints but I'll keep going to Dave's every now and them.
(4)Rob C.
This is usually a really good place for BBQ, even tho it's a corporate pace. I like this location better than the others in the area because the food has been really consistent. Unfortunately, not this time. Ribs were tougher than usual, the corn on the cob was REALLY BAD, the chicken was ok, not it's usual great flavor. Service this visit was bad. Servers were standing around complaining about how un-busy it was, while the tables they did have were not being taken care of. Lots of horsing around in the kitchen area, (I was seated at a table that I could see right into it).
(3)Rick S.
OK...I review a lot of BBQ joints. Dave's is a chain and will be reviewed as such. I LIKE THIER FOOD. The food, and the resturants do lack the personal touches that you get at the smaller independent places, BUT you get consistency...and they are consistently good. The ribs are excellent and I like their sauces. The briscut is made in house and varies from place to place, but I haven't had any that was bad. The Wilbur beans are great, with just enough spice. I love the cornbread biscuts. The other sides I've had are decent...not spectacular, but you won't spit 'em out. Top off the meal with a Famous Margarita and I'm good! If I had one bad thing to say about the Westland location, It has to be that the bar is too small. I think it's only 5-6 seats. It used to be a little bigger, but they remodeled and made it smaller! I never got that. I do like to stop in and just have a Margarita once in a while. The "personal touches" the chain lacks is made up for by the staff. The bartenders and servers are friendly and personable. I've been going there for a few years and got to know a few of them. You should too! If you haven't, go eat at Dave's. You won't be sorry.
(5)Sarah S.
I've been here a few times and every time I have been disappointed. It mainly has to do with the staff, not attentive what so ever and when I asked for something, you could have believed I asked them for some huge favor. With that aside, the food is good, not great. I had gotten the St. Louis style ribs the last time, and it was almost all bone with no meat. Needless to say, I won't be dying to come back.
(2)Mel B.
I love this place. I visited Westland Famous Dave and everything was good. I love there ribs.
(4)Nikki W.
Meh. Good food, good staff (most of the time). The St.Louis ribs at this location lack flavor and meatiness compared to the ones I always have at the Taylor location.
(3)Nicole W.
Middle of no-where suburbia! Friendly staff, food was tasty - or let's say as good as i've had at other branches. Not as attentive as it could have been, but the water was re-filled and we did get some beers when we asked half way thru the meal (even had another server help out) It was a pretty cold location - i wanted to eat with my coat on. Parking is very accessible.
(3)Liz R.
Second year in a row that I received the FEAST as my free birthday item. We brought home a whole roasted chicken, half a rack of Memphis-style ribs and 5 slices of brisket - enough for 4 more meals. Our bill, after they removed the $55 Feast charge, was $4-something for two pops. Crazy!! If you're a fan of FD at all I highly recommend you join their PIG club, if for no other reason then to try and get this free birthday deal.
(4)John M.
My wife doesn't like BBQ but loved the pulled chicken sandwich. The hot sauce does not fool around. The food is pretty good for a chain BBQ.
(3)Liz W.
Overall it's a meh chain. There is treasure to be found amongst the meh though. For instance the Texas manhandler sandwich with the sausage slices, smoked brisket and hellfire pickles (happy) done up Memphis style with coleslaw on top is very delicious with a bit of rich and sassy or devils spit BBQ sauce. It is even better if you can talk them into substituting pulled pork for the brisket, which I usually can. I quite like the smoked salmon app with the grilled flatbread. The catfish fingers with the double sauces aren't too bad either. I kinda like the sweet soul jalapeno one. The desserts are a treat as well. They have absolutely fabu pecan pie, served up with ice cream and real whipped cream it is easily big enough for two. The bread pudding is a very good version and also plenty for two hungry folks with the ice cream and whip. The ribs are meh and can also be tough rather than fall off the bone, the brisket can also be chewy. The chicken is quite less than stellar regardless of which version you pick. The sausage is decent though as is the pulled pork. I find the sides to be just fair other than the beans which are very nice with the shredded pork added in. I belong to the e club and they send you deals and a birthday present every year. Two years back I got an All American Feast as my gift from the e club, it was a full slab of St. Louis-style spareribs, a whole chicken, 1/2 lb. of either Texas beef brisket or Georgia chopped pork, coleslaw, fries, Wilbur beans, four corn-on-the-cob, and four corn bread muffins. It was served family-style on a garbage can lid. Yep all for free. It served me, my husband and my parents and we had enough to take home some for the next day's lunch for James and I. Happy birthday me. Extra star for that.
(3)Jeremy K.
Great meal tonight. Had the feast for 2. Ribs were great, brisket can't be beat. Wait staff was very good as well.
(4)P B.
Ribs were tender, all the food was hot and delicious!! Banana Pudding is da bomb!!
(4)Cosmo S.
Decent place and the BBQ is pretty probably one of the best BBQ for a chain. Their onion rings are amazing! I would strongly recommend you join their PIG club. You get great coupons emailed to you and also a special birthday coupon's one entree and get one free and it's good for anything up to $15. I just went with my boyfriend and we both got huge meals, an appetizer and beers...our bill was less than $20!
(3)Andrea S.
My friend ordered a half-slab of ribs, was really disappointed in the amount of meat that was missing from the ribs. There was only a smidgen of meat on the top. None on the sides or bottom. What are you doing with the rest of the rib meat, Dave? Making the barbecued sandwiches? My beef brisket was quite good however.
(3)Moose F.
Chain restaurants are a crap-shoot. They all try to do their food the same way. And if a chain does food a way you like, you really hope it's the same way at other places. My first taste of Famous Dave's was in my former hometown, in a shop that has since closed [which makes me a Saaaaad Moose to find that out]. I was delighted to find that there was one relatively close to me here. Famous Dave's offers two kinds of pork ribs: baby back and St Louis style. Once I found the St Louis style I never went back. Unlike most people I do not like rib meat falling off the bone. I like it to be slightly chewy, maybe even a little tough. Not gristle, not hard to chew, just not "why is my rib meat in my lap." I suppose I should technically eat them with a knife and fork , but why? Half the fun of bbq ribs is picking them up and shoving them in your face. I've only tried a few other things on their menu. The sausage is smoky and spicy. The hot bbq wings have a nice zing to them. And the beef brisket.... mmmmm. Fork tender but not touch-it-and-it-explodes-into-a-thousand-pieces. The St Louis ribs come in a bbq sauce that's tasty. On the table is 4 or 5 sauces you can add. I like to add the spicy sauce, especially to the brisket, if I get it. The meals come with a choice of two sides, plus a cornbread muffin and a half ear of corn on the cob. If I had one complaint about Famous Dave's it's that almost all of the sides [except the cole slaw] are carbs. Yes, folks, string beans are a carb. They're a high-glycemic vegetable. I'm not a low carb nut, but I do try to watch them. Unfortunately the string beans are damned tasty [and made with bacon!] I'm not a fan of their mac & cheese but friends of mine are. I've never tried any of their desserts. I usually get a side salad, which is a pretty good size and loaded with things like egg and bacon and carrots and other stuff -- they ask if you want all the toppings. Between the salad and the giant platter of food, I'm either full or taking home leftovers by the time the dessert question rolls around. There are, I'm sure, better, local bbq places around that I would love to try. But Famous Dave's offers me things the others don't: No hour long waits [which can be tough for people who literally cannot stand around], comfortable seating, and not being restricted to take away. Maybe I'll be able to try some of the other BBQ places around the area some time, but for now I have Famous Dave's.
(4)Steven B.
New menu. Cedar plank salmon is awesome.
(5)Karen L.
I ordered country-roasted chicken for myself and a plain burger for my 5 year old son. My food came out with the wrong sides. My son's burger came out with traces of scraped off cheese. Had to flag two waiters to get our waitress back to fix the orders. Our service was not bad but it didn't warrant a tip of more than 15%. Our waitress didn't smile once, talked really fast and always quick to rush away. I think she didn't like her job. Food wasn't bad once it was straightened out. Loved the sauces and the country-roasted chicken, though. Maybe the service will be better next time...
(3)F E.
Well, overall, I'm not a fan of chain restaurants and a friend of mine has always said she didn't care for FD so I never bothered. I found myself here one Saturday evening though with a group of friends and I'll just be damned! I like it! There was a crazy wait, but somehow our party of 7 was seated very quickly (think someone messed up, but whatevaaaaa!!!!) Our server was "Famous Kim" and yes they make them say "Famous" before their name. I think that's super corny and tipped well accordingly. Anywho, Kim was really nice which is always a big deal to me. Long story short we ordered, and ordered, and over ordered and I think our tab was just over $100 which I thought was great for 7 greedy chicks. We had a shitload of leftovers too, so IMO, great value at FD. Personally, I loved the ribs. They're well seasoned and smoky as they should be. Everything I tasted (we ordered the feast + feast for 2 + sausages and an extra side or two) was good and the sauces are pretty tasty as well. I like mixing them to make one super sauce. It's actually better than bbq I've had from people who claim to be grill masters. No it's not your Uncle Wooden Leg's bbq that he gets up at 4am to start, but I'm sorry to tell you, you won't find that anywhere. I actually went here before I went to that OTHER place that starts with an S and as I sat at that other place my companions and I decided we like FD way better, so consider that. I also visited the Novi location at a later date where I was introduced to the sweetwater catfish which is one of the most fantastic things EVER. I'm totally a fan of FD and I'm totally pissed with my friend for always panning it cause the Georgia locations have closed. I coulda been eating there years ago. :-(
(4)Boodah D.
I suck meat off the BONE here! Oh my... I know many know about this place but it is just that good. The array of sauces make the BBQ experience that much more exciting. I like my bones hot so the Devil Spit is my favorite. Meaty and succulent this is... you cannot go wrong if you go to Famous Dave. The dessert was fantastic as well! They have something called bread pudding which was heaven in cup! Almost had to keep it from everyone at table. I cannot believe I suck bones clean when I went. I normally never do that. Enjoy.
(4)Daniel E.
I don't care if it's Michigan BBQ, Memphis BBQ, Texas Pitt or Kansas City style, BBQ is BBQ and it's all delicious. I almost want to give my local Famous Dave's a 5th star just to counteract the lame two liner from Cathy W. Yep, it's a chain, but that doesn't make the cooks at this particular Famous Dave's slouches. They know what they're doing. The ribs are cooked to perfection, not overly saucy, never dry and full of flavor. The ribs are very meaty and Famous Dave's pepper-packed "Texas Pit" is among my favorite BBQ sauces out there period. Also very tasty are their catfish fingers. I'm not sure what they're putting in that spice blend, but it's absolutely fantastic, especially with the roumalade sauce that accompanies them. My only complaints is that the corn is sometimes overcooked, but I love that you can get out of here for a really filling lunch for under 10 dollars per person. Atmosphere is very much like an old roadhouse. Lots of automotive memorabilia on the wall along with Radio Flyer wagons, toys and advertisements from yesteryear. Knotty Pine walls, big pine tables and a roll of paper towels on old pieces of plumbing are there to prevent the constant questioning of servers for extra napkins. I also dig that they leave all their BBQ sauces out on the table so you can try them all. Lots of blues and bluegrass music being played, but it's not so loud that you can't hear your dining partners, though you may only hear the smacking of your own lips. Staff at this location is really friendly, the restaurant is really clean and the food has always been prepared to my expectations. Have I had better BBQ? Yep. But I can't duplicate these flavors on my backyard grill without making myself incredibly frustrated, and for that reason alone, I'll be back to Famous Dave's time and time again for my fix of finger licking fun. Don't believe the haters who haven't even written ANYTHING about the food. Give Famous Dave's in Westland a try.
(4)George C.
It's good! I like it and go there often. The ribs are great. Service has been really good every time I have went there. Try it you'll like it.
(5)Matt B.
It's yummy. That should be all anyone needs when talking about Famous Dave's. I only wish there was one closer, because if there was, I'd be eating my heart out with pit-smoked barbecue like, daily or something. Famous Dave's ribs are so full of yummy goodness and flavor, and the sauces are outstanding. When people tell me they hate barbecue, I take 'em here and they see how it's done...most people leave converted. :) Sauce-wise, the Rich & Sassy is the default. Sweet with a little tang, good rich smoky flavor. Sweet & Zesty is somewhat sweeter, and has a little garlicky spice to it that gives it a little extra punch. Texas Pit is one of my favorites, great tomato-based sauce with a little black pepper, onion, garlic, and a tiny kick. Then, when I like it hot (which is almost all the time), I go for Devil's Spit, which is another yummy tomato-based sauce, bold and rich, with a cayenne pepper jolt that leaves a little bit of a burn in your mouth after it's all done. I tend to shy away from the Georgia Mustard, because I'm not a fan of the sour/mustardy sauces, though. The St. Louis-style ribs are absolutely dynamite here. Very flavorful, tender, and just all-around yummy. The brisket is tender and flavorful, made even better with the application of a little Devil's Spit. Hot links are very good, and -HUGE- portions, and the barbecued chicken is to die for here. Last, the sides...baked beans for the win here. Although the sauce is a little thin for my tastes, it's very flavorful, and I love the jalapenos they put in it. Gives the whole thing a low heat that's oh-so-good. Seasoned fries that put virtually anyone to shame. Cinnamon apples that are sweet and juicy, and will take the edge off the heat for most. And then...cornbread. Oh, my god, the cornbread muffins. Sweet as candy, crumbly, and just ... really damn good.
(5)Dan M.
Wow! That is what my family typically says after eating here--at the best Famous Dave's by far that we have visited. This is followed closely by my 7 year old saying "I overate Daddy--like I always do here because it's sooooo good." We willingly drive 30 minutes to eat here when we are hungry for Barbecue. I love the ribs (Tip--Always ask for center cut and they will bring you meatier bones for no additional cost), the barbecue sausage, the chicken, and several other items on the menu but my favorite entree by far is the Beef Brisket. It is TDF--To Die For. Splash a bit of Texas Pit sauce on it (they have several others at the table to choose from as well) and you are on your way to tasty happyland. The entrees come with more than enough food to fill you up including amazing corn bread muffins, corn on the cob, and your choice several sides (my faves are Wilbur Beans and cinnamon apples). Then its time for dessert. Don't miss the rootbeer float (consider getting it as a drink with your meal like my wife often does) and the pecan pie. Dessert portions are huge so keep that in mind when ordering. The service has been fantastic as well and a couple of the servers even know our family and remember details about previous visits. I believe they have earned best restaurant in Westland honors several years and it is easy to see why. One other suggestion--beware on weekend nights as they do not do reservatons or call ahead. It's good to get there early or even do take out as all of the food keeps well. One take out idea that works well for us is the Rib Tips til Payday which is pretty much what it sounds like...several pounds of rib tips with fries. I hope you enjoy as much as we do!
(5)